Stuart Masson

Farnham

Founder and Editor at THE CAR EXPERT

Editor of @thecarexpertuk. Pops up regularly on TV, radio and in print talking about car stuff.

Featured in: Favicon

thecarexpert.co.uk Favicon

nature.com Favicon

aps.org

thevanexpert.co.uk Favicon

transportxtra.com Favicon

journals.aps.org

Articles

Kia updates EV6 GT and adds EV9 GT

1 week ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

Kia is picking up the pace of its performance electric vehicles with two new GT models – the upgraded EV6 GT and brand-new EV9 GT. The EV6 GT is belatedly making a return to the line-up this summer after being taken off sale when the rest of the EV6 range was updated last year. The EV9 GT, on the other hand, is a new addition to the EV9 range.
Suzuki e Vitara prices and models

1 week ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

The all-new Suzuki e Vitara – the company’s first electric car – will be arriving next month, and UK pricing has now been announced. It has been jointly developed with Toyota and shares much of its componentry with the upcoming Toyota Urban Cruiser. The e Vitara will be available in two trim levels, lower-spec ‘Motion’ and upper-spec ‘Ultra’, with a choice of two-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
BMW iX xDrive60 review 2025

2 weeks ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

Make and model: BMW iXDescription: Large electric SUVPrice range: from £75,315BMW says: “The BMW iX defines a new chapter for the brand with its pioneering design, cutting-edge technology and dynamic electrified drive.”We say: Whatever you think of the BMW iX’s polarising styling, you can’t argue with the driving experience or the cabin ambience. It’s a fantastic car. This is the BMW iX, which has been around for four years now.
New car sales still fairly flat in May

3 weeks ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

New car registrations improved by less than 2% in May 2025, although it was a mix of growing fleet business and falling consumer sales, with the overall market still struggling along well below pre-pandemic levels. According to results published this morning by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the overall new car market improved by just under 2% compared to the same month last year, thanks to a 4% improvement in fleet registrations. Private new car sales, however, fell by 2%.
Alpine A290 review (2025 onwards)

3 weeks ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

The Alpine A290 is a performance version of the Renault 5 E-Tech small electric hatchback. It was launched in the summer of 2024, with the first customer cars arriving in the UK in the spring of 2025. The A290 is the second model in Alpine’s range under its rebirth, alongside the longstanding Alpine A110 sports car. Unlike the A110, however, the A290 is based on a Renault rather than being a bespoke model – in this case, the reborn Renault 5 electric hatch.
Kia Picanto review 2025

4 weeks ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

Make and model: Kia Picanto 1.0-litre petrol manual ‘2’Description: Small hatchbackPrice range: from £16,065Kia says: “Kia’s smallest model, the Picanto, has been enhanced with an impressive new design and advanced technologies. The Picanto offers customers a modern, stylish and advanced A-segment model at an affordable price point.”We say: Facelifted with bold styling and more tech, the Kia Picanto city car is practical, reliable and cheap to run.
Everything you need to know about Jaecoo

1 month ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

Chinese brand Jaecoo has arrived in the UK and has set ambitious sales targets for its range of petrol, hybrid and electric models. It’s a name you may not have heard about just yet, but that’s set to change. Jaecoo is the second car brand from Chinese giant Chery to launch here in the UK over the last 12 months, following the launch of Omoda last summer. The two brands are working in tandem, targeting different customers but building a joint dealer network across the country.
Expert Ratings – cars made in China | The Car Expert

1 month ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

There’s a lot of misinformation about the Chinese car industry in the media. China is, by a long way, the world’s largest car manufacturing country – it builds roughly the same number of cars each year as the US, EU and Japan combined – and it leads the world in electric vehicle development.
Polestar 4 review (2024 onwards)

1 month ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

The Polestar 4 is a large electric coupé SUV that arrived in the UK in 2024. It is built on the same platform as the larger Polestar 3. The Polestar 4’s chief claim to fame when it was launched was that it was the first passenger car to be designed without a rear window – you get a reversing camera instead. The idea is that this frees up more headroom for the rear passengers.
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica review

1 month ago | thecarexpert.co.uk | Stuart Masson

Make and model: Alfa Romeo Elettrica SpecialeDescription: Small-medium electric SUVPrice range: from £35,705Alfa Romeo says: “The Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica elevates your driving experience with superior driving dynamics, great agility and lightness on the road.”We say: The Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica is a small electric SUV with stylish looks. It’s easy to drive and offers decent battery range for most needs. This is the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica, Alfa’s first EV.