First Drive

Audi A4 2.0 TDI 170 first drive

This is a comfortable high-mileage car and it now has a responsive, powerful four-pot diesel

Audi A4 2.0 TDI 170 first drive
Fiat Panda 100HP
At under £10,000, Panda's a steal
First Drive

Fiat Panda 100HP first drive

Welcome to fun like it used to be - simple pleasure that doesn't come from masses of power.

Fiat Panda 100HP first drive
First Drive

Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi S

Roomy and practical if not wonderful to drive. New engine provides a bit more thrust than the old one.

Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi S
Seat Leon Cupra
Cupra corners well. Good body control
First Drive

Seat Leon Cupra first drive

Very fast, and quite a lot of fun. But it's only £800 less than the more fun, more refined Golf GTi

Seat Leon Cupra first drive
Land Rover Freelander 3.2 HSE
Straight-six petrol version of the new Freelander is initially only available as an automatic
First Drive

Land Rover Freelander 3.2 HSE first drive

Nice, but too thirsty and pricey to make this the Freelander of choice.

Land Rover Freelander 3.2 HSE first drive
Honda Civic Type S
3dr very similar in profile to 5dr
First Drive

Honda Civic Type S first drive

Needs to ride better or be more involving. Looks like a Type R-lite, but isn’t

Honda Civic Type S first drive
Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB
It's a Phantom, only longer
First Drive

Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB first drive

Fabulously opulent. Best in the back, but the chauffeur will be happy too.

Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB first drive
First Drive

Mercedes-Benz S 63 L AMG

Very fast, and very expensive. Raw performance countered by luxury.

Mercedes-Benz S 63 L AMG
Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi CC
Focus feels better to drive with roof up
First Drive

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi CC

The best in its class, though that still means it's a compromised drive

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi CC
Mazda MX-5 RC 2.0i
The RC weighs 37kg more, but boot space is the same as the soft-top's
First Drive

Mazda MX-5 RC 2.0i

All the fun of the MX-5 with added security and useability. If you think the premium’s worth it, go for it.

Mazda MX-5 RC 2.0i
Suzuki Swift Sport
Twin exhaust pipes for the Sport
First Drive

Suzuki Swift Sport first drive

More nicely warmed through than really hot, but this well-sorted and likeable hatch is the best of its type.

Suzuki Swift Sport first drive

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