Subscribe to The Times
Home > First Drives

First Drives

The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: Volkswagen Golf estate (2013)

When the latest, seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf hit the streets last year it was almost universally praised as the best Golf yet. Indeed, many...
Published 28 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG (2013)

It;s been a long time coming, but finally Mercedes-Benz has built its first proper hot hatchback. And it has laid down a challenge to every other...
Published 28 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: Maserati Ghibli (2013)

Sexy contours, snarly exhausts, the tang of leather and an elaborate dashboard clock set in its own plinth: everyone knows Maserati doesn't do meek.
Published 28 April 2014
2013 BMW Z4 review

First drive review: BMW Z4 (2013 facelift)

Her;s the latest version of BMWs Z4; now with added eyebrows. Note the silver strips topping the headlamps and adding a whole new level of discernment...
Published 28 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: Lexus IS 300h SE (2013)

Lexus has made its refined IS saloon even smoother by adding a hybrid power setup. Now Alan Partridge wont be able to tell whether hes driving or...
Published 28 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

It’s like playing Abba at 78rpm

Giles Smith's first drive review: Volvo V60 Polestar (2014)
Published 28 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: Rolls-Royce Wraith (2013)

Recently I was among a few hand-picked journalists invited to a secret rendezvous at the Rolls-Royce factory in West Sussex to see its new Wraith.
Published 25 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: Maserati Quattroporte (2013)

Only the Italians could get away with calling their luxury car, the Four-door. But if you are going to call it after the means of ingress and egress...
Published 25 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (2013)

for a good many years, the Suzuki SX4 has enjoyed that 'quirky' handle, with its slightly roguish style and mini-SUV pose. But this latest all new...
Published 22 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: SsangYong Turismo EX (2013)

SSANGYONG: mean anything to you? Up to now the company has probably been most famous for bringing to British roads a big old beast called the Rodius...
Published 22 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: Audi RS 7 Sportback (2013)

Last week you no doubt will have read about Jeremy Clarkson letting his hair down in Audi’s RS 5 cabriolet. This is its bigger, more powerful...
Published 22 April 2014
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

First drive review: Porsche 911 Turbo S (2013)

In Turbo form Porsche's flagship is still quite able to set your trousers on fire, but subtle hints tel Giles Smith that the car is in control even...
Published 22 April 2014