ROAD TESTS BY MOTORING JOURNALIST TIM SAUNDERS
Advanced motorist Tim Saunders regularly reviews vehicles from the leading manufacturers. Videos on his youtube channel have been watched more than 395,000 times.
His first report on a BMW 520i was published in the Dorset Echo when he was 17 (just after passing his driving test) in 1995. He went on to become business and motoring editor at the Bournemouth Echo. Now, his engaging and informative reviews are published in magazines across the UK. "Your pieces are a great addition to our magazines," says Chanel Hosfield, Editor of Life Publications.
Audi A3 Sportback Sport 35 TFSi
By Tim Saunders
Stylish luxury. That’s what the Audi A3 offers. It’s a good looking, sophisticated five door hatchback that’s large enough to take five away on a long trip. Finished in dark metallic green there is rear privacy glass with the Audi logo and bonnet grille finished in black.
I last drove an Audi about eight years ago so I am delighted to find myself behind the wheel of one again. I put it through its paces on a journey to the East Midlands that takes in three counties: Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire. Covering over 600 miles allows me to see how it performs in varying circumstances; we crawl in jams on the M1, cruise when we're able to and travel faster along more accommodating rural roads.
While eldest daughter Harriett (13) admits that legroom is a little tight behind my seat, we all travel happily enough in our supportive black leather seats. The driver’s seat is electrically adjustable and I can’t grumble about the driving position; I fit snugly. I usually complain about cars these days only being equipped with boring automatic gearboxes… Well this is no different, there’s a seven speed auto and there are paddleshifts for manual-like driving. However, I currently have painful tendonitis in my left foot and have been hobbling about for two weeks; it's getting better but very slowly. So the fact that this is an automatic and there’s a foot rest for my left foot is actually helpful and over the course of the week long loan, I can feel an improvement in my big toe where the problem is, so thank you Audi.
This model has a little over 1,000 miles on the clock, which means the brakes have barely been bedded in, so braking has to be done carefully otherwise we all kiss the windscreen. It hugs the road and has ample acceleration to keep up with the best of them. The black interior is hardwearing and I like the fabric that has been incorporated on the ergonomically pleasing dashboard. There’s also an electric tilt/slide glass sunroof so that lets more light into the cabin. The sat nav certainly helps to make a journey less stressful but this one can be frustrating in terms of instructions not being as clear as they could be and the information not always being displayed on the head up display projected onto the windscreen in front of the driver.
The boot allows for a couple of suitcases and it’s necessary to remove the parcel shelf for son Henry’s scooter and our coats. Over the course of the journey it returns around 47mpg and will travel about 490 miles on a tank. Cruise control gives reasonable peace of mind when speed cameras are involved, however, it does gather speed when travelling downhill, which can be bothersome.
Overall, it's an impressive hatchback.
Facts at a glance
Isuzu D-MAX V-Cross
By Tim Saunders
A really useful vehicle. That’s what the Isuzu D-MAX V-Cross pick up truck is and it is no surprise that it won the Best Pick Up Truck of the Year in the What Van? Awards 2023.
I have a lot of green waste that has been piling up over the summer and this is an ideal opportunity to take it to the tip. It takes me a little while to understand how to operate the top lid cover on the load bay because I initially think it’s a roll top but it isn’t, it simply pops up like a car boot lid. When I do finally figure it out there’s a nice large space, which swallows lots of my bagged up hedge cuttings. Two journeys are all that’s required to clear my pile.
The D-Max pick-up truck, reminiscent of the one on popular ‘80s US TV drama, The Fall Guy, has the cool factor. It also allows me to help my elderly mother-in-law whose overgrown garden we’ve tidied up. She has plenty of cuttings to get rid of so we use the Isuzu to dispose of these at her local tip.
Thanks for your help D-Max.
“These are popular in the countryside,” says Graham, the delivery driver. “Especially among farmers.” I can see how budget conscious landowners would prefer this over a considerably more expensive and lower down Land Rover or Range Rover.
“It’s even got roof lamps, which they say are excellent for spotting rabbits.” I can’t figure out how to operate these.
It’s equipped with switchable four wheel drive – you just turn a dial. Powering four wheels uses more fuel so everyday road driving is best done on two wheel drive.
It’s a big, tall beast, taking up the best part of my driveway, and commanding respect from other road users. There’s no tailgating this vehicle when you dare to do 30mph in a 30mph zone. Being an automatic, it is very easy to drive and although there’s a push button start, to my delight, there is a traditional handbrake rather than a silly little switch for an electric one as is so often the case these days. It feels heavy duty for tough work.
The cabin is finished to a high standard with good quality hardwearing carpet and black leather seats. The children love this vehicle. Henry is especially smitten with it and enjoys opening the rear bay. Those seats are also heated, which I can imagine will be a Godsend for a soaking wet farmer on a cold winter’s day. The double cabin allows for five occupants to travel in comfort. Behind them is a standard size load bed with security cover, large enough for a calf or a few hay bales, I should think.
It’s a good looking truck and this particular model is fitted with a stone chip protector on the bonnet.
Acceleration and braking remind me of the old Mitsubishi L200, a little jerky and swaying due to the height but you expect that from such a vehicle and it adds to the overall character. In two wheel drive care is required when driving in the wet around roundabouts, I discover, when a little too enthusiastically I accelerate and the off-side front wheel skids but fortunately I’m able to correct this. As a result I select four wheel drive when driving round roundabouts in the wet. The beauty of the system is that you can select four wheel drive while driving up to a speed of about 60mph.
Facts at a glance