Independent Reviews of New and Used Cars

In a market increasingly dominated by SUVs, it’s often tempting to wonder whether there’s really still a place for a conventional ‘D’-segment Mondeo-class model like this. Even if you were set on choosing a Škoda from this period, why wouldn’t you buy a Karoq or a Kodiaq for this sort of money? Back in 2019, to continue to justify its place in the range, this improved B8 Superb had to offer a more credible answer to that question; and, by and large, it did. This updated model should have gained the mild hybrid tech that by 2019 you could get in other VW Group models like the Audi A4. And the Superb still won’t really satisfy the very few people who come to this class in search of dynamic handling. But otherwise, there’s much to like here. Not least the kind of exterior elegance that fits in as comfortably at a high class hotel as it does on a taxi rank. Yes, there are other quite compelling choices in the segment from this period if you don’t want an SUV: a Vauxhall Insignia is better value; a Mazda6 is sharper to drive; and a Volkswagen Passat is a touch more polished. No other rival though, in our view at least, does a better job of combining all these virtues into one appealing package.

the improved version of Volkswagen’s eighth generation Golf Estate is a very polished kind of compact station wagon. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

At a time of radical change in the motor industry, this fourth generation Yaris had to deliver - and by and large, it did. As with previous versions of this model, most will still choose this hybrid supermini for its superb refinement, its regularly achievable 50-60mpg economy and its tax-friendly sub-100g/km CO2 readings. The difference with this XP210 design though lay in the fact that these were no longer the only reasons why you might want one. As an alternative to a baby battery-powered full-electric small hatch, it may not be quite as good for the planet; but for most people, most of the time, it’s by far the better all-round choice. And the bottom line? Well ask yourself what you really need a supermini for and then see if this Yaris doesn’t tick every single box. Toyota, on this evidence, knows how to right a best seller.

Honda’s fourth generation Jazz supermini delivers more of a lifestyle feel in this Crosstar form. Jonathan Crouch takes a drive in the improved version.

The fourth generation version of Škoda’s Octavia gets a light refresh as part of this Czech model’s mid-term update. Once, this car was the least sophisticated of all the Volkswagen Group’s family hatchback products. Not any more - thanks to mild hybrid electrified engine tech and cutting-edge media cabin provision. This car’s still bigger and better value than most of its rivals, pretty much a Passat-sized medium range model for the price of a Golf-sized one. And it’s clever enough, once again, to change the way you think about Škoda. Changes outside and in with this revised model are minimal. And the subtleness of this car’s mid-term is equally evident by the tiny updates made to the engine range. As before, the core of the range is made up of 1.5-litre TSI petrol or 2.0 TDI diesel engines, each with either 116PS or 150PS options. As previously, if you pay extra for the petrol unit with a DSG 7-speed automatic, you get the brand’s mHEV mild hybrid tech thrown in. The diesel, which remains unelectrified, comes in lower-powered form with a manual gearbox and in higher-powered guise with the DSG auto.