Sadly, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders decided not to hold their usual drive day at Wetherby Racecourse. A great shame, as the venue was convenient and the roads in the area ideal for putting all the latest cars through their paces. And thus, another long trek south was required to just outside Coventry, the venue for this year’s autumn event.

I’m sure many are now familiar with Chinese company BYD. For those still in the dark, a little background. They are the third most valuable car company in the world and have been around for three decades. Of more significance, they are also the number one producer of electric cars globally. In addition, they also build buses, trucks, and monorails.

The new Vauxhall Grandland Electric is a practical and well-equipped family SUV, built on the same Stellantis platform as its Peugeot/Citroen counterparts. Designed to do a job rather than provide thrills behind the wheel, the Grandland Electric represents Vauxhall’s continued push towards full electrification across its range.

Another trip to Melbourne just completed, this time for my son’s wedding. As a reluctant flyer, someone who would quite happily never set foot on a plane again, the long-haul journey was as arduous as ever. This was made worse as I treated myself to business class last time. I am well suited to unlimited champagne, food on demand and of course lots of space.

Ahead of the launch of e Vitara this Autumn and in response to UK Government communication regarding the Electric Car Grant (ECG), Suzuki has introduced Suzuki Granted, its self-funded and attractive offer for the highly specified e Vitara range. Taking the 49kWh Motion model as an example, this now takes the launch price to £26,249, representing a customer saving of £3,750.

Summer means longer days, sunshine and road trips. Whether you're heading to the coast, the countryside or just enjoying the Great British heatwave, your car battery should be the last thing you’re worrying about. But every year, thousands of summer days are disrupted by one common issue: a dead car battery.

County Durham’s Raby Castle, Park and Gardens is preparing for the arrival of hundreds of Italian automobiles on Sunday 27th July. Cruising through the historic parkland, visitors will be able to spot classic Fiats and Alfa Romeos as well as supercars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

Right then, let’s talk about the Hyundai Inster, a cheeky little A-segment electric car that’s just rolled onto the scene, and I’ve been lucky enough to spend a few days with it. Now, if you’re picturing some tiny, boring city runabout, think again. The Inster is like that mate who’s small in stature but packs a proper punch — all wrapped up in a smart, nippy package. First off, the size.

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to enjoy a week with BMW’s distinctive iX and I have just looked back at my review. I was loaned the smaller battery model and my 550-mile round trip to London was extremely comfortable yet punctuated by frequent charging stops. The official range was not much more than 250 miles.

Sunday 3rd August will see MGs from across the UK flock to Pateley Bridge near Harrogate for the 37th annual MG show. Bigger and better than ever, the event will also incorporate the MG Owners Club Northern National gathering.

County Durham’s Raby Castle, Park and Gardens is gearing up for its annual Classic Car Show on Sunday 29th June, 10am – 4pm. The event is a collaboration between Raby and Durham Automobile Club and has become a must-see event for many people in the classic car community.

2025 marks 11 years of the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional, the only event to celebrate the brilliance of basic when it comes to mundane motors. This unique festival continues to grow in popularity, with owners and visitors from all over the world, but what is an ‘Unexceptional’ car? Hagerty experts explain what makes a forgotten motor a FOTU hero.

I’ve never been a huge fan of American cars. Big, brash and of course the steering wheel is most definitely on the wrong side. Rewind to 2015 and I was invited to Aynho House in deepest Oxfordshire for the UK Media Launch of the very first right-hand drive Ford Mustang. An interesting venue and an intriguing car.

Genesis has been selling its range of premium cars in the UK since 2021 and for those that haven’t come across it yet, it is the luxury arm of Korean manufacturer Hyundai. The brand was established in 2015. A raft of swish cars was swiftly launched, all beautifully crafted, but with combustion engines.

I am lucky enough to be sent a wide variety of cars for evaluation on home turf, and I always look forward to their arrival. However, when a Bentley is due, there is an increased level of anticipation. A teenage me would scarcely believe that this great British manufacturer of fine motor cars would deem me worthy of a loan.

Luscombe Suzuki Leeds has been honoured with the Overall Trust Award 2024, recognising the dealership as the top performer nationwide for customer trust and service.

The XPENG G6 arrives as an interesting proposition in the competitive electric SUV market, blending cutting-edge technology, rapid charging, and a spacious design. While it may not yet be a household name in the UK, this Chinese EV manufacturer is making bold strides with the G6. Could it be a model that could tempt buyers away from established rivals like the Tesla Model Y?

My love of Aston Martin cars goes back to my childhood and the Sean Connery Bond films. Who would have back then that prime examples of their lovely cars would grace my driveway, albeit for too short a time. The latest car that arrived for spirited testing was the Vantage and to say I was excited would be an understatement. And with a clear diary, there was time aplenty to pile on the miles.

The Alfa Romeo Junior Speciale arrives at a pivotal moment for the Italian brand, aiming to blend compact SUV practicality with the marque’s trademark flair. As a mid-range offering, it sits between the entry-level Elettrica and the racier Veloce, promising a balanced mix of style, comfort, and driving dynamics.

Selling a car privately can be fraught with difficulty. Time wasters who ask incessant questions, don’t turn up for viewings and those that make derisory offers. Selling at auction has become increasingly popular in recent years and for good reason. At the fall of the hammer, the car is sold.

The AA has today [1 April] launched ‘bAAgsy’, a drone service that can find and reserve a parking space in busy car parks. Initially being rolled out to members, drivers who have downloaded The AA App, will be able to hail one of the fleet of AA drones to spot a vacant space in the car park they are searching in. Once a spot has been found it will reserve it for them by hovering over the bay.

As a motoring enthusiast who's been in love with cars since childhood, I was quietly excited to get behind the wheel of the new Abarth 600e. This scorpion-badged hot hatch promises to inject some much-needed excitement into the electric car market, and I'm pleased to report it doesn't disappoint.

Citroën has always been a brand synonymous with quirky design, comfort, and a certain joie de vivre. With the launch of the new Citroën e-C3, the French automaker aims to democratize electric vehicle (EV) ownership, offering an affordable and practical entry point into the EV market. But does it deliver on its promises? Let’s take a look.

Maserati once again chose one of the North of England’s finest hotel for its latest drive day and I must say it was a delight to return to Grantley Hall. Not only was my hour’s drive to the venue an absolute delight, taking in some of the Dales’ finest scenery, the roads around Grantley offer some great opportunities to put a car through its paces.