It’s safe to say you don’t buy a Land Rover Defender if you’re a fan of life’s little luxuries. The Defender is rugged and utilitarian, and with a reputation for corrosion and niggling reliability, it isn’t the safest of bets. Having said that, there are few cars that will get you across country as competently, or carry as much while doing so. For those that really need a Defender, there’s simply no substitute.
Even in one of the most fashionable and stylish sectors of the market, the Vauxhall Mokka stands out a mile thanks to its edgy design. If you’re sold on the looks, you’re probably already on your way to your local Vauxhall dealership. There aren’t many good reasons not to buy one, either, but do be aware that some other small SUV rivals do some of the key things – comfort, quality and practicality, for instance - better than the Vauxhall, even if they don’t have the same visual clout.
The Dacia Sandero Stepway may not be the game-changing, sector-redefining bargain that the regular Sandero hatchback is due to its higher prices and reworked equipment levels, but it’s still tremendous value for money, undercutting other small SUVs by thousands rather than hundreds. Those SUV looks make it a fairly desirable machine, too, and so do the roomy cabin and the improvements in quality, comfort, safety, technology and dynamism. A little rough around the edges, perhaps, but considering...
Successful breakout musicians often live in fear of ‘the tough second album’, and you could understand if the runaway success of the first Sandero would’ve left Dacia with similar feelings over coming up with a replacement. It’s safe to say, though, that in the new Sandero, the Renault-owned Romanian firm has created a masterpiece that’ll be enough of a smash hit to have Elvis looking sheepish. It’s improved in every single area – most notably in quality, technology, safety, comfort and...
The Highlander is an immense seven-seat SUV but despite its size, it is not at all intimidating to drive. It is amazingly practical, very well specified and it will no doubt see us all out, due to its amazing build quality and unimpeachable reliability. It does feel somewhat underpowered, however, and for this kind of money, there are plenty more luxurious and more cost-effective rivals available.