Road tests by motoring journalist Tim Saunders
Advanced motori
st Tim Saunders was the Business and Motoring Editor at the Bournemouth Daily Echo. His regular test reports are published in newspapers and magazines across the UK and abroad.
BMW X5 E53 video, the subject of Tim's book
Above: Tim Saunders with Vicki Butler-Henderson
Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Tim Saunders
Like your favourite coat, a Mitsubishi always has a particular smell and feel, I find. And that’s very reassuring because you know what you’re getting. Always good build quality and a robust practical vehicle that’s satisfying to drive.
Its new Eclipse Cross is available in three options: 2, 3 or 4 and as either 2WD or 4WD. Prices start from just over £21,000 and rise to over £28,000 for the Cross 4 4WD. It is the latter that I test, complete with its twin glass roofs and helpful parking camera. It’s an attractive offering, with hardwearing leather seats and a plethora of luxury features including heated and powered front seats, power folding wing mirrors and air conditioning. Not to mention the touchpad and touchscreen. The children particularly enjoy locking and unlocking the car, which can be done via a small black button on the driver’s or front passenger’s door handle as long as the keyfob is present.
My favourite aspect has to be the two glass roofs; one for the front and one for the rear. What a great idea and it really does bring light into an otherwise dark cabin. Of course this is nothing unusual in the world of sports utility vehicles because any worth their salt also have such features. But Mitsubishi has been making SUVs since 1984 when it introduced the Shogun to the UK, which became the company’s most successful SUV. They have all that experience in this field that other manufacturers do not. Added to which you might not ever think or wish to drive a Ford or a Hyundai off road but the 4WD Mitsubishi will welcome such an opportunity and not disappoint.
Driving the Eclipse Cross 4 is enjoyable, aided by the simple to use automatic box. Simply select ‘D’ and kick the accelerator, not forgetting to release the electric handbrake, of course. It does also have an intelligent cruise control that tracks the traffic in front and automatically slows the vehicle, if required. It is possible to override the cruise control by braking or accelerating and once you stop doing this the cruise control will take over again.
At speed there is road noise in the cabin, not helped by certain road surfaces. It is quick and responsive. Over a long journey the front seats are not as supportive as I would like but they are easy to adjust thanks to being electrically operated. On a hot day the air conditioning is welcome.
In common with all SUVs the high ride height gives the driver a good command of the road ahead, a useful aid to overtaking when not on motorways or dual carriageways.
The reasonably sized boot is large enough for a pushchair and other bits and pieces but there is no spare wheel should there be a puncture.
It’s an attractive vehicle with a striking and imposing front. In my opinion its rear haunches look a little awkward from the side with hints of Honda but straight on it has an attractive derrier.
Over the course of the test the Eclipse Crossover returns around 35mpg.
Its new Eclipse Cross is available in three options: 2, 3 or 4 and as either 2WD or 4WD. Prices start from just over £21,000 and rise to over £28,000 for the Cross 4 4WD. It is the latter that I test, complete with its twin glass roofs and helpful parking camera. It’s an attractive offering, with hardwearing leather seats and a plethora of luxury features including heated and powered front seats, power folding wing mirrors and air conditioning. Not to mention the touchpad and touchscreen. The children particularly enjoy locking and unlocking the car, which can be done via a small black button on the driver’s or front passenger’s door handle as long as the keyfob is present.
My favourite aspect has to be the two glass roofs; one for the front and one for the rear. What a great idea and it really does bring light into an otherwise dark cabin. Of course this is nothing unusual in the world of sports utility vehicles because any worth their salt also have such features. But Mitsubishi has been making SUVs since 1984 when it introduced the Shogun to the UK, which became the company’s most successful SUV. They have all that experience in this field that other manufacturers do not. Added to which you might not ever think or wish to drive a Ford or a Hyundai off road but the 4WD Mitsubishi will welcome such an opportunity and not disappoint.
Driving the Eclipse Cross 4 is enjoyable, aided by the simple to use automatic box. Simply select ‘D’ and kick the accelerator, not forgetting to release the electric handbrake, of course. It does also have an intelligent cruise control that tracks the traffic in front and automatically slows the vehicle, if required. It is possible to override the cruise control by braking or accelerating and once you stop doing this the cruise control will take over again.
At speed there is road noise in the cabin, not helped by certain road surfaces. It is quick and responsive. Over a long journey the front seats are not as supportive as I would like but they are easy to adjust thanks to being electrically operated. On a hot day the air conditioning is welcome.
In common with all SUVs the high ride height gives the driver a good command of the road ahead, a useful aid to overtaking when not on motorways or dual carriageways.
The reasonably sized boot is large enough for a pushchair and other bits and pieces but there is no spare wheel should there be a puncture.
It’s an attractive vehicle with a striking and imposing front. In my opinion its rear haunches look a little awkward from the side with hints of Honda but straight on it has an attractive derrier.
Over the course of the test the Eclipse Crossover returns around 35mpg.
Facts at a glance
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 4 4WD
OTR price from: £28,480
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol
Top speed: 124mph
0-60mph: 10.4secs
Power: 120bhp
Economy: 35mpg
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol
Top speed: 124mph
0-60mph: 10.4secs
Power: 120bhp
Economy: 35mpg
Skoda Karoq
By Tim Saunders
I don’t usually pay much attention to the weather but during my test of the Skoda Karoq I cannot help but notice it. I decide to take it on a trek to Hertfordshire and before long spitting rain turns into a torrential and persistent downpour that sees many motorists stranded. But not us and I am grateful because the Karoq, being an SUV, stands taller than those smaller run of the mill cars, like the usual Fiesta I drive. And I thank my lucky stars that I’m in the Karoq as I have to make my way through what seems to be a lake covering a country lane as we head towards Shaw’s Corner, playwright George Bernard Shaw’s retreat. Although the water level’s high it doesn’t pose a problem for the Skoda. Thank goodness. And as this downpour continues for a good hour my new friend has many similar challenges thrown at him. My only criticism during this time is that I could do with a faster speed for the windscreen wipers.
This is an excellent first impression that this competent vehicle keeps up for the duration of the test. It puts up with my three children and their heavy feet in the rear and there is a very positive contrast to the Hyundai i30 Fastback that I have just returned, in that I can fit my children’s three car seats quickly and easily in the Skoda. The seatbelt points are placed in sensible positions unlike in the Hyundai.
The seats are comfortable, there’s a good amount of space and the boot is large enough to allow us to travel with our luggage as well as Henry’s pushchair. Not many cars are so accommodating. Another pleasant surprise is the full size spare tyre, stored underneath the boot compartment. This is a real luxury these days, some manufacturers have done away entirely with providing a spare, opting instead for a little repair pack.
My steed is a fast and reliable vehicle and the cruise control on the left of the steering wheel, is easy to use. However, if you are too eager it can result in the indicator being operated instead.
The six speed manual gearbox is decisive and there’s an electrically operated handbrake, which always unsettles me but it seems reliable and the car does not roll when stuck in a jam on a hill.
My heart is in my mouth at one point though, because I have to negotiate a very tight entrance to a car park, so tight that I have to retract the power folding wing mirrors but thankfully we make our way trouble free, to our space. Others have not been so fortunate I see as I survey the parked cars with their various dents and scrapes.
The other great thing about the Karoq is its satellite navigation system, which is a joy to use. There’s no faffing about, the driver just needs to know the postcode and can enter it without even needing a space in between characters. However, the female voice delivering the instructions unnervingly sounds like Theresa May and there is an irritating delay at the most nerve-racking of moments for instance, while tackling a roundabout where I need to know which exit to take.
It’s also a sensitive soul because while I reverse onto my driveway I try to park as near as possible to the lavender bush that lines the edge and it doesn’t like it. So much so that buzzers start sounding until the Karoq stops and refuses to move any further.
Overall though, it’s a competent family vehicle.
This is an excellent first impression that this competent vehicle keeps up for the duration of the test. It puts up with my three children and their heavy feet in the rear and there is a very positive contrast to the Hyundai i30 Fastback that I have just returned, in that I can fit my children’s three car seats quickly and easily in the Skoda. The seatbelt points are placed in sensible positions unlike in the Hyundai.
The seats are comfortable, there’s a good amount of space and the boot is large enough to allow us to travel with our luggage as well as Henry’s pushchair. Not many cars are so accommodating. Another pleasant surprise is the full size spare tyre, stored underneath the boot compartment. This is a real luxury these days, some manufacturers have done away entirely with providing a spare, opting instead for a little repair pack.
My steed is a fast and reliable vehicle and the cruise control on the left of the steering wheel, is easy to use. However, if you are too eager it can result in the indicator being operated instead.
The six speed manual gearbox is decisive and there’s an electrically operated handbrake, which always unsettles me but it seems reliable and the car does not roll when stuck in a jam on a hill.
My heart is in my mouth at one point though, because I have to negotiate a very tight entrance to a car park, so tight that I have to retract the power folding wing mirrors but thankfully we make our way trouble free, to our space. Others have not been so fortunate I see as I survey the parked cars with their various dents and scrapes.
The other great thing about the Karoq is its satellite navigation system, which is a joy to use. There’s no faffing about, the driver just needs to know the postcode and can enter it without even needing a space in between characters. However, the female voice delivering the instructions unnervingly sounds like Theresa May and there is an irritating delay at the most nerve-racking of moments for instance, while tackling a roundabout where I need to know which exit to take.
It’s also a sensitive soul because while I reverse onto my driveway I try to park as near as possible to the lavender bush that lines the edge and it doesn’t like it. So much so that buzzers start sounding until the Karoq stops and refuses to move any further.
Overall though, it’s a competent family vehicle.
Facts at a glance
Skoda Karoq SE L 1.5 TSI 150PS
Price: £26,145
Top speed: 126mph
0-60mph: 8.4secs
Economy: Over 50mpg
Power: 150bhp
Top speed: 126mph
0-60mph: 8.4secs
Economy: Over 50mpg
Power: 150bhp
