First Drive

Subaru Legacy 3.0R spec.B

Mild visual update keeps Legacy fresh. New SI Drive system and paddleshifts for optional auto box give greater breadth of appeal. A good-looking, good-to-drive alternative to the mainstream.

Subaru Legacy 3.0R spec.B
Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi CC
Focus feels better to drive with roof up
First Drive

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi CC

The best in its class, though that still means it's a compromised drive

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi CC
Porsche 911 Targa 4
Near-identical looks to the coupe
First Drive

Porsche 911 Targa 4 first drive

Targa 4 combines real practicality with serious performance and the pleasure of (largely) open-air motoring. Quite possibly the pick of the range.

Porsche 911 Targa 4 first drive
First Drive

Subaru Impreza 1.5R first drive

Don't think of the 1.5R as a cut-price Impreza WRX - it's nothing of the sort. Instead, it is practical, well-equipped and unpretentious. And just a little bit slow.

Subaru Impreza 1.5R first drive
280705 A sko
Skoda Octavia vRS
First Drive

Skoda Octavia TDI vRS 2004-2013

A genuinely quick and entertaining addition to the Octavia line-up. But more worthy as a rapid estate car than a hot hatch rival

Skoda Octavia TDI vRS 2004-2013
First Drive

Mercedes-Benz CL 600 first drive

The uber-coupe from Merc has some wonderful touches and is massively swift and refined, but it is in no way worth the premium over the CL 500

Mercedes-Benz CL 600 first drive
Peugeot 207 150 GT
GT steers and goes like a hot hatch should
First Drive

Peugeot 207 150 GT

On first impressions this seems to be a proper old-school Peugeot hot hatch, though thankfully without the treacherous lift-off oversteer.

Peugeot 207 150 GT
First Drive

Peugeot 607 2.2 HDi

Nice engine, but the 607 is not exactly at the cutting edge of executive saloons. That siad, it is well-priced and stacked to the gunwhales with kit.

Peugeot 607 2.2 HDi
Mazda MX-5 RC 2.0i
The RC weighs 37kg more, but boot space is the same as the soft-top's
First Drive

Mazda MX-5 RC 2.0i

All the fun of the MX-5 with added security and useability. If you think the premium’s worth it, go for it.

Mazda MX-5 RC 2.0i
Honda S2000
The S2000 still gets you to 60mph in 6.1seconds
First Drive

Honda S2000 first drive

Throttle response is smoother, but the S2000 is the same car otherwise: thrilling at the top end of its VTEC rev range, off-form below that.

Honda S2000 first drive

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