Independent Reviews of New and Used Cars

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.

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

The 2 Series Convertible was the small, compact sporting convertible that many of us always felt BMW was capable of delivering. True, it wasn’t the most efficient car in its class in its period - and there’s the usual premium pricing to consider. What’s important though, is that this 2 Series Convertible is so much more usable and self-assured than its predecessor - and the kind of car you really don’t need to make too many compromises to own. Not that there’s anything wrong with well-judged compromise. In fact, in terms of market positioning, that’s exactly what you’re getting here, a car that’s as comfortable in taking on out-and-out sports models like Audi’s TT Roadster as it is in dealing with the same brand’s more boulevard-orientated A3 Cabriolet. That’s impressive. So is this 2 Series Convertible’s style, refinement and multi-media connectivity. In the final analysis though, what’ll sell this thing to you is its roadgoing experience, its lust for life and the way it’ll remind you of what driving used to be about when all that’s ahead is a ribbon of twisting tarmac. Ultimately, it’s the kind of car that BMW does better than almost anyone.

Toyota has reimagined what its go-anywhere Land Cruiser large SUV can be. Jonathan Crouch reports.

The third generation version of Porsche’s Panamera luxury five-door Gran Turismo model has been usefully evolved. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.