Nic Cackett

Title: Road tester

Nic heralds from Surrey where he misspent a youth by lavishing ever-larger sums of money on secondhand hot hatches. Finally got a proper job as a firefighter removing other people’s wing mirrors with a Mercedes-Benz Atego DPL. Disgruntled with the strenuous shift pattern, he downshifted into automotive journalism and has been at the coalface ever since. Still has a lingering affection large motors squeezed into small cars, but is happiest when left to day dream with a Caterham brochure. Follow Nic on Google+

Articles by Nic Cackett

Vauxhall GTC VXR

Car review

Used Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR 2012-2015 review

Can the hottest Astra make for a thrilling and cost-effective used purchase, or is it just too unruly?

4 March 2024

Used Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR 2012-2015 review

Car review

Used Ford Fiesta 2017-2022 review

For the eighth generation, Ford tread lightly with the new Fiesta. But does that compromise it as a good used purchase?

31 October 2023

Used Ford Fiesta 2017-2022 review

Car review

Hyundai i30

Hyundai’s next-gen bedrock model gets a ‘new era’ look and shrunken turbo petrol, but is it enough to take on the Volkswagen Golf

8 March 2022

The second generation BMW X1

Car review

Used BMW X1 2015-2021 review

New crossover is quite different from its forebear, but is this updated X1 better - and does it have the premium edge over Audi, Mercedes and Land Rover?

24 November 2021

Used BMW X1 2015-2021 review

Suzuki Swift Sport vs Honda Civic Type R Mugen vs Renault Clio Cup

News

Last of the non-turbo hot hatches: Suzuki Swift Sport vs naturally aspirated rivals

The old Swift Sport was the last atmo hot hatch standing. We gave it a last hurrah along with two past masters of the breed

26 August 2020

Last of the non-turbo hot hatches: Suzuki Swift Sport vs naturally aspirated rivals

Porsche Boxster Spyder, Jaguar F-type and Mazda MX-5

News

Cabrio clash: Porsche Boxster Spyder vs Jaguar F-type R vs Mazda MX-5

Three great roadsters from Jaguar, Mazda and Porsche embark on a road trip to the Isle of Skye to establish a winner

29 May 2020

Cabrio clash: Porsche Boxster Spyder vs Jaguar F-type R vs Mazda MX-5

Ford Focus RS 2019 road test review - hero front

Car review

Used Ford Focus RS 2015-2018 review

Is Ford’s AWD mega-hatch as special as we first thought? And can the Focus RS beat stiff competition from the Volkswagen Golf R and Mercedes-AMG A45?

23 September 2018

Used Ford Focus RS 2015-2018 review

Audi TT RS Coupé

First Drive

Audi TT RS Coupé long-term test

The Audi TT RS has the looks, a vociferous engine and the supercar-baiting performance, but is it too uncompromising to use as a daily driver?

7 August 2018

Audi TT RS Coupé long-term test

Under the DB11-based body was the Vantage’s structure and V8

News

First ride: Aston Martin Vantage prototype

Earlier this year, we rode in a prototype of the new Vantage. Here's what it was like

21 November 2017

First ride: Aston Martin Vantage prototype

Jaguar XF Sportbrake

First Drive

Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2017 first drive

Wagon version of Jaguar XF is intended to be just as good as the saloon. In many ways, though, it’s better

3 September 2017

Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2017 first drive

The Golf R and Focus RS battle it out

News

Britain's best affordable driver's car: Volkswagen Golf R versus Ford Focus RS

"We're not so different, you and I," said every nemesis ever, but can the same be said for Ford and VW's chalk and cheese mega hatches?

2 September 2017

Britain's best affordable driver's car: Volkswagen Golf R versus Ford Focus RS

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