Subscribe to The Times
Home > First Drives

First Drives

Cupra Leon

Cupra Leon 272 eHybrid 2024 review: Bigger battery, better tech … but is it a Cupra?

Published 24 July 2024
By Matt Robinson
Cupra Leon gains unusual front-end styling plus greater zero-emission driving range for the eHybrid models. Matt Robinson tries it out.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupé

Hybrid-powered Porsche 911 GTS review

Porsche has done the unthinkable, offering the new 911 with a hybrid powertrain, but is the new GTS T-Hybrid a stroke of genius or a misstep?
Published 24 July 2024
Kia Picanto

New Kia Picanto review

The small car market is sinking fast, but Kia is keeping the little Picanto’s head well above water with a host of upgrades.
Published 19 July 2024
Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Ford Mustang Dark Horse reviewed

The Ford Mustang continues to trade on all its traditional strengths but adds sharper handling and a much more high-tech interior into the mix.
Published 17 July 2024
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+

Mercedes-AMG CLE coupé reviewed

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 tries to cover two different sectors of the market — and succeeds at not feeling deeply compromised as a result.
Published 16 July 2024
Dacia Spring

Sub-£15k Dacia Spring EV review

Dacia’s new small, cheap electric car could put a Spring in the EV market’s step reckons Neil Briscoe.
Published 12 July 2024
Renault Scenic E-Tech electric

Electric Renault Scenic review

Renault’s Scenic breaks with tradition, but packs impressive EV performance, as Neil Briscoe discovers.
Published 11 July 2024
Cupra Formentor

Facelifted Cupra Formentor review

Cupra updates the Formentor with bold styling, better infotainment – and some more power. Matt Robinson takes the fastest version for a drive.
Published 11 July 2024
Alfa Romeo Junior

Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce review

Alfa Romeo has remembered that the key to creating a good sports car is engineering in fun, even when the power comes from an electric motor.
Published 09 July 2024
Mercedes CLE Cabriolet

Open-topped Merc CLE Cabriolet review

Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet merges qualities of both soft-top C-Class and E-Class models together in one desirable package.
Published 08 July 2024
Skoda Elroq prototype

Skoda Elroq EV prototype reviewed

An early drive of Skoda’s next electric car, the Elroq family SUV, reveals a car with potential, but a few issues need sorting.
Published 02 July 2024
Polestar 4

Polestar 4 review

New Polestar 4 is the company’s best effort yet, but Neil Briscoe wonders will it be enough to get people to pay attention.
Published 30 June 2024
Maserati GranCabrio

Petrol and electric Maserati GranCabrio review

Maserati GranCabrio reinvented with both electric and V6 petrol models – and Matt Robinson reckons it’s probably the latter you’ll want.
Published 28 June 2024