Mazda CX-80 review

Mazda CX-80 review

We get to grips with the classy CX-80 seven-seater SUV – Mazda’s new flagship…

If you need a big SUV that’s capable of carrying seven people in reasonable comfort, there’s already a pretty good choice.

The new Mazda CX-80 is a welcome addition to the more affordable end of the list, which includes the Skoda Kodiaq, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail, SEAT Tarraco, Peugeot e-5008 and Kia EV9.

Mazda CX-80 review

Priced from £49,670, it looks familiar because it’s essentially a stretched version of the smaller CX-60 SUV.

At nearly five metres long, the CX-80 is no shrinking violet. From the front, it’s easily mistaken for a CX-60, but that profile with its huge 3,120mm wheelbase (longer than a Kia EV9 and BMW X7) is something else, and it’s 26mm taller.

The good news is that these dimensions result in a third row of seats and there’s a choice of layouts, so the middle row can either have two “captain’s chairs” (six seats in all) or a three/two-seat bench. Both bench and individual seats fold and slide backwards and forwards (by 120mm) for added practicality.

Mazda CX-80 review

As always, I tried the third row for size, and as a 5’11” adult I can confirm that there is space as long as the middle row is pushed forward a little. The important takeaway is that it is just possible for passengers my height to sit behind each other

There’s plenty of load space in the CX-80 too, with a reasonable 258 litres with all the seats up, 566 litres with the third row down and 1,971 litres with all the seats flat.

Powered by the same engines as the Mazda CX-60, there’s a choice of plug-in hybrid or diesel, and all-wheel drive (rear-biased) is standard.

Mazda CX-80 review

The 2.5-litre petrol engine and plug-in hybrid set-up produces 323bhp (369lb ft of torque) for a 0–62mph of 6.8 seconds, while the 17.8kWh battery is good for an official 38 miles of electric-only range and CO2 emissions are just 35g/km.

If you prefer diesel, the 3.3-litre six-cylinder paired with a 48V mild hybrid system, pumps out 251bhp (406lb ft), is good for an 8.4-second 0–62mph dash and can manage a claimed 49.6mpg (CO2 emissions 148g/km).

Both engines are rated at 2,500kg for towing, but naturally, the diesel makes more sense when it comes to grunt and long-range economy. Incidentally, there’s a clever drive mode available which improves stability and driving performance when towing. Additionally, a “Trailer Hitch View” rear-facing camera makes it easier to align the car and a “See-Through View” helps when manoeuvring in tight car parks and city streets.

Mazda CX-80 review

The CX-80 is packed with the latest safety and driver assistance technology and achieved a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP tests. In fact, it was named Best in Class in the Large SUV category, narrowly beating the Audi Q6 e-tron.

All in all, the CX-80 has a premium look and feel throughout the cabin. And Mazda does things differently, so there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch central display, but the latter is not a touchscreen. Control is via a rotary dial in the centre console, or Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa, which is built-in and can control music, air-conditioning, navigation and third-party apps such as Spotify. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

On the road, the Mazda CX-80 doesn’t feel any more substantial than the CX-60, while visibility is decent and where it’s more challenging (the far-off rear when manoeuvring), the 360-degree camera helps out.

Mazda CX-80 review

For me, the seating position at its lowest setting is still too high for me, but then that’s not unusual.

The ride is on the firm side, which is not helped by the big 20-inch wheels on the higher grade models, so probably best to stick with the 18-inch wheels on the entry-level Exclusive-Line if comfort is your priority.

It handles well for such a big SUV and feels planted, while body lean is minimal in faster corners. The steering is well weighted and responsive, while good grip gives you the confidence to push on.

Mazda CX-80 review

Ultimately, your CX-80 experience is likely to be determined by your choice of powertrain.

The big turbodiesel is a joy. While it’s not quite up there with an equivalent six-cylinder BMW unit, it’s smooth, sounds the part, and is blessed with plenty of low-down grunt.

I averaged around 42mpg with a high of 46mpg, during my test, which isn’t bad for a car this size. With a little restraint, the claimed 49.6mpg on a steady run may well be achievable.

Mazda CX-80 review

The plug-in hybrid is a mixed bag. You’ll have to take it very easy to get close to 38 miles of pure EV range (which in itself is modest compared to a Kodiaq’s 62 miles, for instance).

Then once you’ve run out of juice (or you put your foot down) the petrol engine kicks in. The transition isn’t always the smoothest and the four-cylinder unit is on the harsh side when pushed.

That said, it’s powerful enough, but economy will drop below 40mpg when the battery is drained, which isn’t ideal on a longer journey. On shorter runs, closer to 100mpg is possible (as high as 176.6mpg) in theory.

Mazda CX-80 review

Weirdly the PHEV feels lighter and more agile, even though it’s heavier than the diesel, while the slick eight-speed automatic on both models is just the job.

A Sport drive mode, which boosts throttle response and handling, s available with both engines, but default Normal offers the best balance of performance and economy.

As ever, with a big SUV, it’s at its best cruising, soaking up the miles in comfort.

Verdict: The big Mazda CX-80 is a welcome addition to the seven-seater SUV category. Distinctive, safe, spacious and engaging to drive, it’s a premium car at a reasonable price.

Mazda UK

Mazda CX-80 review

Subaru Crosstrek review

Subaru Crosstrek review

We spend some quality time with the all-wheel drive Crosstrek SUV – Subaru’s entry-level model…

At first glance, the all-new Subaru Crosstrek looks very much like the Subaru XV – the car it replaces.

There’s a good reason for that, because the Crosstrek is, in effect, the third generation XV. And as it’s already known in North America as the Crosstrek, so the name-change makes sense.

Subaru Crosstrek review

A rugged, raised version of the Impreza five-door hatchback, the Crosstrek has big shoes to fill, because the XV was the left-field brand’s best-selling model.

Frankly, it’s hard to pigeonhole because it is slightly smaller than some family-sized rivals (Kia Sportage) and yet bigger than most compact crossovers (Kia XCeed). Ultimately, it’s the Nissan Qashqai that’s its closest competitor in terms of size.

However, it’s the Crosstrek’s off-road capability that sets it apart. That 220mm of ground clearance is a clue, but hidden from view is Subaru’s signature ‘symmetrical’ four-wheel drive system – one of the best in the business.

Subaru Crosstrek review

Subarus are in their element off-road. Engage ‘X-Mode’ – a drive setting that takes command of the engine, transmission, AWD, brakes and other components to help you navigate challenging terrain – and you’re away.

Despite its sporty looks and regular road tyres, it’s remarkably capable, making mincemeat of deep mud tracks and slippery hills. It should also cope with flooding because of I once drove an XV through a shallow river on an off-roading day.

Priced from a reasonable £34,995, the Crosstrek comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that uses Subaru’s trademark ‘Boxer’ flat-four cylinder layout.

Subaru Crosstrek review

It also gets mild hybrid assistance in the form of a small 0.6kWh lithium ion battery and 16bhp electric motor, taking the e-Boxer’s total power output to 134bhp with 184Nm of torque.

Power is sent to all four wheels via Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT automatic gearbox, which is still my biggest bugbear.

Despite the simulated ‘steps’, if you push on, the engine revs uncomfortably high making for noisy progress.

Subaru Crosstrek review

It’s fine at lower speeds and will even run in electric mode for short periods in traffic, but it doesn’t take much provocation for the engine to kick in.

There are paddles behind the steering wheel if you prefer to change gear yourself, but this solution is not hugely effective in practice, so it’s just easier to drive gently.

On paper, the Crosstrek has a 0-62mph acceleration time of 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 123mph, while fuel economy is just 36.8mpg and CO2 emissions are a disappointing 174g/km. On the plus side, I managed around 40mpg in mixed driving.

Subaru Crosstrek review

On the road, the Crosstrek feels substantial and the ride is firm, but thankfully it still manages to soak up most of the lumps and bumps.

The steering is nicely weighted and accurate and there’s surprisingly little body roll in more challenging corners.

Overall, it not as nimble as a standard family hatchback, but it does feel more agile than most SUVs. Crucially though – it won’t put a smile on your face because the CVT neuters the car.

Subaru Crosstrek review

If you prefer a high driving position, then you’ll like the Crosstrek. It’s a tad too commanding for me, but I suspect I’m in the minority.

That said, the seats are comfortable with plenty of adjustment, while the top spec ‘Touring’ trim (the entry-level is ‘Limited’) gets classy leather upholstery which looks like it will be particularly hard-wearing.

There’s an 11.6-inch portrait infotainment screen in the centre console, which does the job, but it’s not exactly cutting edge. What’s more, the ‘Limited’ trim level doesn’t even get integrated sat nav.

Thankfully, some physical buttons have been retained, while the analogue dials for the instruments ahead of the driver look old school.

Overall, the build quality of the interior is good, but it looks a little dated and there are far too many scratchy black surfaces.

Subaru Crosstrek review

There’s a decent amount of space in the back, though taller passengers may struggle for headroom, while the boot is a modest 315 litres (well down on its rivals), expanding to 922 litres with the 60:40-split rear seats flipped down. For the record, the towing capacity is a reasonable 1,270kg.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Crosstrek was awarded a maximum five stars by Euro NCAP and it’s full loaded with safety and driver assistance tech.

So, the Crosstrek 4×4 is a mixed bag, but if you can live with the CVT automatic gearbox, then you’re unlikely to find a more reasonably-priced, trustworthy, go-anywhere automotive companion.

Verdict: The Subaru Crosstrek deserves to be on your SUV shortlist if you want to stand out from the crowd and drive a car that’s safe, dependable and extremely capable when the going gets tough.

Subaru UK

Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 review

Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 review

We test the mild hybrid version of Citroen’s comfy family-sized SUV…

How time flies. The first time I drove a Citroen C5 Aircross was way back in 2019, shortly after its UK launch.

At that stage it was available with petrol or diesel power. A plug-in hybrid joined the range in 2022, and now there’s a mild hybrid version – the Aircross ë-series Hybrid 136, to be exact.

Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 review

The C5 Aircross was also treated to a facelift in 2022 which sharpened up its looks (the front end in particular) and overhauled the dashboard with a new, larger infotainment screen and other tweaks. Ultimately, it’s much the same car, with the focus on comfort above all.

At the heart of the C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 is a heavily revised version of the familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech turbo petrol engine (used throughout the Stellantis range, which includes Peugeot, Fiat and Vauxhall) with its power output raised from 130hp to 136hp. The unit is paired with a 48v mild-hybrid electric motor that adds up to 28hp of peak power.

In other words, the small 0.4kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motor assist the petrol engine. It can also be driven on 100% electric power for short distances at low speed (when crawling in traffic or manoeuvring, for instance).

Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 review

Without getting too technical, the electric motor is integrated into an all-new six-speed dual-clutch transmission, called e-DSC6, which has been designed specifically to work with the hybrid system.

Citroen says it can result in a fuel economy saving of 15% over a regular PureTech 130 petrol (30% in urban areas), with a claimed figure of 53mpg. There’s also a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions (down to 129g/km).

What’s more, Citroen reckons up to 50% of city journeys can be made in electric mode.

Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 review

In performance terms, all that translates into a 0-62mph sprint time of 10.2 seconds and a 124mph top speed.

Inside it’s very Citroen with an attractive mix of cool design, comfort, space and technology. Equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver and an 10-inch HD touchscreen in the centre console as standard, it’s priced from £27,780.

Standard safety and driver assistance technologies include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) , Active Lane Departure Warning and Active Blind Spot Monitoring, plus three ISOFIX mountings on front passenger and outer rear seats.

Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 review

Citroen’s ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushion’ suspension system “for a uniquely smooth and comfortable ride” is fitted across the C5 Aircross range, while the Advanced Comfort seats are well padded and comfy.

It’s practical too with plenty of small storage spaces dotted around the cabin, plus three individual rear seats that slide, fold and recline. There’s also a generous boot volume ranging from 580 litres to 720 litres (depending on the position of the rear seats), expanding to 1,630 litres with the second row seats flipped down.

On the road, the Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 seems brisker than the stats suggest, thanks to assistance from the electric motor, though the transmission is on the sluggish side at times.

Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 review

You can hear the thrummy yet willing 1.2-litre engine on start-up, but it soon settles down, and from then on it only becomes vocal under heavy acceleration.

The steering is light and the ride is generally very smooth and comfortable, though it can get a little choppy on really rough surfaces.

At its best cruising along, if you are tempted to push on, there’s surprisingly little body lean in more challenging corners.

Finally, the driving position is on the lofty side, even with the seat at its lowest, while rear seat passengers sit quite high up too, but visibility is good.

The C5 Aircross Hybrid 136’s mild hybrid rivals include the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson.

Verdict: The Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 definitely should be on any five-seat family SUV shortlist. Competitively-priced, spacious, economical, packed with safety kit and distinctive, it’s well worth a test drive.

Citroen UK

Volkswagen Tiguan review

Volkswagen Tiguan review

We road test the latest version of VW’s biggest selling car – the Tiguan family crossover…

The Tiguan is a hugely important model for Volkswagen. Since the family crossover was first launched back in 2007, nearly eight million have been sold and it’s the German giant’s best-selling car globally.

However, there’s no time to rest on your laurels in the automotive world, so it’s welcome to the third-generation Tiguan.

Volkswagen Tiguan review

It’s got its work cut out too, because its many rivals in the mid-size family SUV sector include the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga, MINI Countryman and Hyundai Tucson.

On the engine front, Volkswagen has covered most bases with a choice of petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI) and mild-hybrid petrol engines (eTSI) from launch.

Later in 2024 there will be two plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) models offering offer up to 62 miles of electric range thanks to a large 19.7kWh battery.

Volkswagen Tiguan review

All Tiguan models now feature automatic transmission, while 4Motion (four-wheel drive) is only available in the more powerful 2.0-litre petrol turbo (TSI) powered cars.

At 4539mm long, 1639mm tall (minus roof rails) and 1842mm wide, the new Tiguan is 30mm longer, 4mm taller and the same width as its popular predecessor.

Looks-wise, it’s fair to say that it’s more of an evolution of the outgoing model, rather than cutting-edge design.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Overall, the styling is smoother and more curvaceous (the drag coefficient has improved from 0.33 to 0.28) and its front end is not unlike its all-electric ID cousins.

At the back, there’s a full-width horizontal LED strip with classy ‘Tiguan’ lettering on the tailgate.

The biggest changes are inside, where the third-gen Tiguan has been treated to a new cabin sporting a cleaner look, improved technology, higher quality materials and more space than its predecessor.

Volkswagen Tiguan review

All versions come with a 10.3-inch driver’s digital instrument panel, plus a central 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. A huge 15.0-inch version is also available as part of an upgrade – as is a head-up display.

The touch sliders at the bottom of the infotainment screen work better than some of the original ID models and they are now illuminated so easier to use at night. Thankfully, there are physical buttons on the steering wheel, rather than touch-sensitive controls.

There’s plenty of space for all the family, with ample head and legroom for rear passengers, plus a large 648-litre boot.

Volkswagen Tiguan review

Overall, the cabin is comfortable and pleasant (if slightly business-like) place to be with good visibility and clear, intuitive instrumentation and solid build quality.

My test car was a 1.5-litre eTSI mild (48V) hybrid, pushing out 148bhp. As you’d expect, the driving position is suitably high, while the gear selector has been moved up to the right-hand side of the steering column, meaning the left stalk now controls the windscreen wipers and indicators.

Mercedes-Benz already does this, and once you get over the initial wiper/indicator activation mistakes, it kind of works, but my preference would always be for separate stalks. Additionally, there are gear-change paddles behind the steering wheel.

Volkswagen Tiguan

It’s also worth noting that Volkswagen has decided to fit a useful rotary controller down in the centre console which adjusts the radio volume and switches between drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport or Individual).

For the record, the Tiguan I drove is capable of 130mph with a respectable 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds. CO2 emissions and economy are a claimed 141g/km and 45.6mpg respectively, with the latter seemingly very achievable even after a few hours of mixed driving.

On the road, the four-cylinder engine is smooth with plenty of mid-range pulling power. It will become more vocal under heavy acceleration, but for the most part it’s impressively refined.

Gareth Herincx driving the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

The slick seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox works well, though it occasionally holds onto gears for a fraction too long.

It would be an exaggeration to say that the Tiguan’s ride and handling are class-leading, but they are well up to the job. The suspension is at the firmer end of the scale, but not uncomfortably so. The steering is easy and light, and the car is generally composed with good body control in faster corners, combined with ample grip.

Choose Sport mode and the throttle and gearbox are a tad more responsive, but then performance and dynamism aren’t the main priorities for the family favourite that is the Tiguan.

Volkswagen Tiguan

At launch, the Volkswagen Tiguan range consists of five trim levels (Tiguan, Life, Match, Elegance and R-Line) with prices starting at £34,075.

Verdict: Volkswagen has played it safe with the much-improved third-generation Tiguan, sticking with a winning formula of understated style, comfort and quality. The good news for families is that it now also boasts more space, it’s equipped with the latest technology and safety kit, and it’s more economical.

Volkswagen UK

Celebrating 30 years of the Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage - five generations

We head off for a trip down memory lane, taking all five generations of the Kia Sportage for a spin…

Originally launched in 1993, the Kia Sportage has been the backbone of the South Korean brand’s remarkable success story.

The popular family-sized SUV’s evolution perfectly reflects the manufacturer’s rapid rise since its single-model debut in 1991.

Just to put that into context – in year one the little Kia Pride achieved 1,786 sales. In 2022, Kia passed the important milestone of 100,000 sales per year, and 2023 is on track to be even better.

Kia Sportage 1 and 5
Kia Sportage: First and fifth generations

Over that time, Kia has developed a solid reputation for quality, reliability, design flair and innovation.

What’s more, the brand has become a driving force in the switch to electrification with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and 100% electric models in its line-up.

To mark the Sportage’s 30th birthday, Kia gave us the opportunity to sample all five generations. A fascinating day driving the models back-to-back, and here’s what we thought…

Kia Sportage - first generation

First generation (1993-2003)

UK sales: 10,897

The Kia Sportage was first launched in the Asian car market in 1993, reaching the UK in 1995. The example from the Kia heritage fleet we drove is a special edition all-wheel drive 2.0-litre XSE from its final year of production. It may look boxy and dated, but it’s surprisingly spacious and refined. Yes, the handling is wallowy, the gear change is a tad notchy and the seating position is particularly high in the rear, but it’s powerful enough and compares well with a Toyota RAV4 of the same vintage.

Kia Sportage - second generation

Second generation (2005-10)

UK sales: 23,371

Following a two-year break, the Sportage returned in 2005. Bigger and more grown-up, it featured mod cons such as central locking, adjustable wing mirrors and a CD player. Gaining a reputation for reliability over its production run, there was also extra space in the rear, a noticeable uplift in quality and a more composed feel on the road. The Sportage was going places. The heritage model we sampled was an XE 2.0-litre diesel (CRDi) all-wheel drive from 2007 – the year production of the Sportage moved from South Korea to Zilina, Slovakia, where the Sportage is still built today.

Kia Sportage - third generation

Third generation (2010-16)

UK sales: 95,626

With another big leap in quality, the Sportage bulked up and became a major player in the SUV market. Little quirks were finally ironed out (the indicator moved from the right to the left-hand side of the steering wheel), there was yet more space in the back for passengers, and it picked up a prestigious 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. More comfortable than ever, modern touches include a USB port and a remote key fob, no less. The KX-3 AWD we drove dated from 2011, and though the 2.0-litre petrol engine lacked some of the punch of the diesel from the previous generation, the car itself handles well and has stood the test of time well and is still a solid second-hand SUV choice.

Kia Sportage - fourth generation

Fourth generation (2016-22)

UK sales: 197,547

Kia hit the jackpot with the curvaceous fourth-generation Sportage, which is still a cracking car. Surprisingly dynamic to drive for an SUV, it was also comfortable and spacious. The first Sportage to be offered with an electrified option (a mild hybrid model joined the petrol and diesel options in 2018), the Mk4 is so good that it could still be on sale today. In fact, the only age giveaways are the manual handbrake, the modest infotainment screen and a liberal dose of buttons and dials.

Kia Sportage - fifth generation

Fifth generation (2022-)

The best just got better. The latest version of the Sportage was launched in 2022, delivering a winning blend of striking looks, hi-tech interior, practicality, top safety features, driving engagement and big bang for your bucks. Crowned What Car? ‘Best Family SUV’, it’s available as a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Hybrid Electric (HEV) and Mild Hybrid (MHEV). In PHEV form it has a theoretical fuel economy of 252mpg, and an emissions-free EV driving range of up to 43 miles. And as ever, the Sportage offers peace of mind because it’s backed by Kia generous seven-year warranty.

So, Kia has now established itself as one of the top five car brands in the UK – a brilliant feat in just three decades. In fact, since its 1991 debut, it’s sold some 1.5 million cars in the UK alone.

And in July 2023, Kia UK reached the 50,000 EV sales milestone, an important step in its journey to having nine EVs by 2027.