Best Cars

A Proper Festive Audi SQ6 SUV Test, Puddings Included

So how do you truly test the mettle of Ford’s all-electric Explorer? Morocco’s dunes? Too cliché. A cross-continent expedition? Predictable. No, we decided on the ultimate endurance test: moving house. Six bedrooms, a two-car garage’s worth of gear, four kids, one wife (non-negotiable), and—just for fun—a 10,000-book collection. Challenge accepted. And remarkably? The Explorer not only took it all in stride, it did it with a bit of swagger.

The Destination: French Alps

Rather than flying to the Alps for our annual ski trip, my father and I decided to test drive the most recent Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - with its upgraded 2.9-litre bi-turbo 513bhp V6.

It all started at 10 AM on a Friday morning. The car - our "beautifully bright red beast" for the journey - was delivered, gleaming and rumbling with promise.

We embarked on a quest to find a challenge worthy of the Toyota Hilux Invincible. We needed an adventure that would make it sweat… or at least mildly perspire.

Our initial foray took us to Essex, the spiritual homeland of the pickup truck. Think of it as the Hilux's boot camp, a place where it could limber up and show off its moves on icy roads and varied terrain.

If you're in the market for a nimble roadster that fuses classic charm with spirited performance, look no further than the Mazda MX-5 Convertible. This pocket-sized thrill machine promises heart-pounding excitement and a driving experience that harks back to a golden era—all wrapped up in a sleek, modern package. Let’s delve into what makes this car a true legend on the road.

The new DS7 is glossy, shiny, and just a little quirky. Where it truly shines is on the inside; the interior is über-luxurious and a delight to live with. It boasts refined touches such as soft quilted leather, an abundance of space, Lamborghini-style switches, and a pleasing design.

Lexus recently launched the new Lexus UX 300e. However, the brand doesn’t do things by halves. They pulled out all the stops and hosted the event at the newly refurbished Cameron House Hotel, which is located on the bonny shores of Loch Lomond in Scotland.

Cameron House offers a blend of historical charm and contemporary luxury that is hard to match. The grandeur of this five-star resort, combined with its breathtaking location, created a perfect haven for me as I was seeking relaxation, adventure, and a taste of the finer things in life. 

So, we took the eco-friendly electric Audi Q8 e-tron SUV mountain biking in the Surrey Hills. The tracks there are amazing, maintained by hordes of unsung workers who landscape the hills for downhill descents—quite illegally but with great skill. Afterwards, we toured Norwich for a little history and culture. We're not just muscle-bound jocks, you know.

For our McLaren extravaganza, we drove up to The Pig in Bath in the sunny Mendip Hills for a wild lust tour of the county’s best winding roads. The picturesque landscapes of Somerset, with their rolling hills and charming villages, set the perfect backdrop for the raw power and precision of the McLaren 750S.

We took the Ferrari Purosangue on a thrilling tour through Somerset and Bath for our review, staying at the delightful Bailbrook House Hotel in Bath for an unforgettable sejour.

The Ferrari Purosangue is an 80s rally car with four doors and four seats, featuring the latest racing suspension plus a V12 monster of an engine and high ground clearance.