Jon Smith

2 weeks ago | eurekar.co.uk | Jon Smith

BOLDNESS and radical design are usually born through confidence. Nowhere is this more evident than in the latest Hyundai Santa Fe, a seven-seater SUV that was previously easily overlooked in the car park. With its squared-off, boxy lines, muscle car stance and matt paintwork, it's like a magnet to admiring onlookers. Something of a contrast, then, from the previous car, which though admirably practical, was somewhat bland visually. But looks are just part of the story.

1 month ago | eurekar.co.uk | Jon Smith

IF there were a long-service awarded to successful cars that have stood the test of time without showing their wrinkles and grey hairs, the Mazda CX-5 would be sure to win it. Despite the current version now being coming on nine years old, it remains fresh looking and very of-the-moment both in terms of styling and usefulness. Bear witness to the narrow headlights and well-raked windscreen.

1 month ago | eurekar.co.uk | Jon Smith

THERE are certain key formulae that work a treat for car makers. Once it was simply a case of churning out a saloon, an estate or a convertible. Now, the SUV is king, while estates, conventional three-box four-doors and convertibles have been sidelined. But there's still strong demand for the compact, luxury/sporty hatch - especially popular for drivers of luxury cars looking to trade down to something smaller for reasons of economy and practicality.

1 month ago | eurekar.co.uk | Jon Smith

THERE'S an old saying among mud-luggers ⦠You drive a ‘certain well-known off-roader' to get you into the jungle, and a Toyota Land Cruiser to pull you out!Very flattering for the Land Cruiser, less so for the unnamed brand. But you get the drift that the big Toyota, now in its fifth generation, is regarded as pretty much unstoppable over challenging terrain. Trouble is that while most buyers like to know their steed can scrabble up a mountain, very seldom do they use it for such tasks.

1 month ago | eurekar.co.uk | Jon Smith

THERE'S something quite unusual about the smart Audi A3 we've been driving recentlyâ¦in a world of SUVs, crossovers and hatchbacks the four-door saloon profile of the A3 Saloon is a genuine rarity. Of course, the five-door Sportback is the bigger seller but the more balanced, elegant and more sporty shape of the four-door understandably has its followers.