ENGINES – After years of offering buyers a regular LS petrol model, Lexus recently make the switch to exclusively selling a petrol-electric hybrid variant. The upside … More »Silent Partner (Lexus LS600h 2007-2012)
ENGINES – Ignore a car’s badge as, increasingly, it bears little resemblance to engine capacity. The rise in use of turbochargers for petrol motors and the one engine-multiple … More »Room For Improvement (Mercedes-Benz C-Class estate 2008-present day)
ENGINES – For many owners the i20’s petrol line-up will be the main attraction. If your annual mileage tally is low, it makes little financial sense to opt for diesel … More »Confidently Compact (Hyundai i20 2009-present day)
ENGINES – Although a niche car, the Cordoba originally came with the choice of a small capacity petrol unit plus a diesel in two states of tune. The 1.4 petrol variant … More »Suited And Booted (Seat Cordoba 2003-2006)
ENGINES –A small but sensibly chosen range of petrol and diesel motors are available for the S40. Volvo was famous for embracing turbocharging across its range, … More »Compact Premium Competitor (Volvo S40 2004-2012)
ENGINES –It’s a simple choice with this Rio: one petrol (1.4) and one diesel (1.5). Both are small capacity units, which fits well with the car’s low cost approach … More »Money Saving Expert (Kia Rio 2005-2011)
ENGINES – Despite the success of the Mini hatchback, BMW wasn’t going to ignore the Clubman – a car boasting a more versatile layout. Just like the hatch, low CO2 … More »Join The Club (Mini Clubman 2007-present day)
ENGINES – Alongside the predictable petrol offering from Ford (1.2-litres), from launch the Ka was also available with a 1.2-litre diesel motor. Both units perform … More »Super Mini (Ford Ka 2009-present day)
ENGINES – In general this RX was only ever a petrol range, with buyers offered large capacity motors. The ‘h’ in RX400h stood for hybrid, with this particular car’s … More »Electrifying Ownership Experience (Lexus RX400h 2005-2009)
ENGINES – The Golf Plus shares much with its slightly smaller Golf relative, and that includes engines. Predictably the former’s focus is on being sensible, which … More »On The Plus Side (Volkswagen Golf Plus 2005-present day)
ENGINES – Over time Audi has built up a bewildering range of petrol and diesel engines. All are good, while some are very good indeed if you’re interested in economy. … More »A Lesson In Good Taste (Audi A4 saloon 2008-2012)
ENGINES – From launch there was a straight choice between petrol and diesel. With the Soul viewed by many as an upright compact hatch, low miles motoring should … More »Soul Searching Choice (Kia Soul 2009-present day)
ENGINES – For small cars like the Ibiza the case for petrol is a strong one. Seat’s engine options afford drivers a broad choice from fuel-sipping low power motors … More »Mediterranean Marvel (Seat Ibiza 2008-2012)
ENGINES – Peugeot, along with its French rivals, might be famous for raising the stakes in the diesel market, but there’s a lot to be said about the petrol engines … More »French Fancy (Peugeot 207 2006-2012)