I have just spent a week behind the wheel of one of the finest electric cars on sale in the UK. The Kia EV6 GT wafted me to events around the country in comfort, silence and considerable style. I have a home charger, so setting off each morning with a full battery usually means a relaxed day, with no need to think about public charging.

Great Wall Motors is back in the UK with vengeance. Some of you may recall the Steed pick-up sold in the UK between 2014 and 2016, or thereabouts. It was a rare sight though was popular with those who required a simple working truck.

Mazda has been one of the slower manufacturers to electrify their range. The feeling I get is that it believes a range of different forms of powering our vehicles is still very much the way forward. Petrol and even diesel engines are still offered in many of their cars. The MX30 has been the company’s only fully electric offering and now that is only offered as a plug-in hybrid.

Suzuki’s Vitara has been a mainstay of the Japanese company’s range since 1988, the fourth generation launching in 2016. Recent refreshes and a move to hybrid power will ensure that it will continue on sale for many years to come. However, with more buyers now wanting a fully electric car, Suzuki has released its first offering in this rapidly growing sector, the e VITARA.

Hyundai updated its Kona range in 2023 and somehow a drive in the latest model had eluded me. No matter, as the accommodating PR team recently sent me a top spec Ultimate model. Time to put it to the test on some of Yorkshire’s finest roads. The Kona Electric range starts at £32,400 and this entry model comes with the smaller 48kWh battery.

With changeable autumnal weather now open us, it is undoubtedly time to give your car the once over. Many of my tips require no expertise, just a little time and if you are not sure, then most garages will help.

The Northern Group of Motoring Writers is the oldest regional group of automotive journalists in the UK. First founded in 1973, the group is open to automotive content creators across the North of England. The membership now tops 30 individuals, including both print and digital journalists as well as a number of videographers.

Sadly, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders decided not to hold their usual drive day at Wetherby Racecourse. A great shame, as the venue was convenient and the roads in the area ideal for putting all the latest cars through their paces. And thus, another long trek south was required to just outside Coventry, the venue for this year’s autumn event.

AA research shows worrying numbers holding onto misinformation. Many incorrect legends about the driving test persist – potentially hindering learners’ chances of success. Pass/fail quotas, a ban on sunglasses and failing automatically if you hit the kerb among myths many drivers believe in.

There are many 4x4s that look the part but put them to the test in tough conditions and they falter. However, for those on the lookout for a compact SUV that punches above its weight and is rather partial to a muddy track, Jeep now offers an all-wheel drive version of its Avenger. The invite came from the Jeep PR team to join them for a little brand immersion on the scenic Swinton Estate.

• Entire BYD range is available with 0% APR, £1,100 off and complimentary first service • All 82 BYD UK retailers to take part in event, preparing families for the new school year • Offer also available on any Approved Used BYD car when purchased through the BYD UK retail network • Offer runs from 15th to 25th August 2025 With the nation preparing to go back to school in Septembe…

Another trip to Melbourne just completed, this time for my son’s wedding. As a reluctant flyer, someone who would quite happily never set foot on a plane again, the long-haul journey was as arduous as ever. This was made worse as I treated myself to business class last time. I am well suited to unlimited champagne, food on demand and of course lots of space.

The AA is predicting busy roads to popular leisure destinations as the long summer getaway officially begins. With Scottish and Northern Irish schools having broken up at the end of June and English and Welsh pupils are due to start their summer holidays over the next week. This staggered school holiday pattern means that traditional “getaway weekends” will be spread out.

Mazda has unveiled the all-new Mazda CX-5 — an evolution of its best-selling SUV. Featuring a refined design, and an optimised 2.5-litre petrol engine, the third-generation CX-5 will arrive in the UK in Summer 2026.

Right then, let’s talk about the Hyundai Inster, a cheeky little A-segment electric car that’s just rolled onto the scene, and I’ve been lucky enough to spend a few days with it. Now, if you’re picturing some tiny, boring city runabout, think again. The Inster is like that mate who’s small in stature but packs a proper punch — all wrapped up in a smart, nippy package. First off, the size.

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to enjoy a week with BMW’s distinctive iX and I have just looked back at my review. I was loaned the smaller battery model and my 550-mile round trip to London was extremely comfortable yet punctuated by frequent charging stops. The official range was not much more than 250 miles.

Lying awake in the wee small hours, I was musing on the many different types of driving I do and wondering why some appeal to me and some really don’t. As a motoring journalist, it has always felt as though I am supposed to like driving on a racetrack. I like speed, there’s no one coming the other way (one hopes), and usually the car provided is immensely capable.

2025 marks 11 years of the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional, the only event to celebrate the brilliance of basic when it comes to mundane motors. This unique festival continues to grow in popularity, with owners and visitors from all over the world, but what is an ‘Unexceptional’ car? Hagerty experts explain what makes a forgotten motor a FOTU hero.

I’ve never been a huge fan of American cars. Big, brash and of course the steering wheel is most definitely on the wrong side. Rewind to 2015 and I was invited to Aynho House in deepest Oxfordshire for the UK Media Launch of the very first right-hand drive Ford Mustang. An interesting venue and an intriguing car.

Genesis has been selling its range of premium cars in the UK since 2021 and for those that haven’t come across it yet, it is the luxury arm of Korean manufacturer Hyundai. The brand was established in 2015. A raft of swish cars was swiftly launched, all beautifully crafted, but with combustion engines.

There’s a certain magic to the name 'Capri' for those of us who remember the original – that rakish coupe that turned heads in the 1970s and 80s, a proper working man’s GT with a whiff of rebellion. Now, Ford has dusted off the badge and plonked it on the back of a thoroughly modern, all-electric coupe-SUV. The Capri is not just a nod to nostalgia, but a bold stride into the future.

Luscombe Suzuki Leeds has been honoured with the Overall Trust Award 2024, recognising the dealership as the top performer nationwide for customer trust and service.

The XPENG G6 arrives as an interesting proposition in the competitive electric SUV market, blending cutting-edge technology, rapid charging, and a spacious design. While it may not yet be a household name in the UK, this Chinese EV manufacturer is making bold strides with the G6. Could it be a model that could tempt buyers away from established rivals like the Tesla Model Y?

My love of Aston Martin cars goes back to my childhood and the Sean Connery Bond films. Who would have back then that prime examples of their lovely cars would grace my driveway, albeit for too short a time. The latest car that arrived for spirited testing was the Vantage and to say I was excited would be an understatement. And with a clear diary, there was time aplenty to pile on the miles.

The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross stands as a testament to the evolution of the pickup truck, blending rugged utility with modern touches. For those seeking a vehicle that can transition seamlessly from workhorse to lifestyle companion, the V-Cross makes a compelling case.