113 MOTORING ROAD TESTS BY NICK FLETCHER


OUR MOTORING COLUMN, BY THE EXPERIENCED AND AWARD WINNING LOCAL MOTORING JOURNALIST NICK FLETCHER HELPS OUR READERS CHOOSE THE BEST OF THE LATEST CARS.


MAZDA MX-5 RF


THE MAZDA MX-5 RF IS A HEAD-TURNING VERSION OF ITS SOFT-TOP STABLE-MATE, OFFERING A POWERED HARDTOP INSTEAD OF THE USUAL FABRIC ROOF AND PROVIDING BETTER SECURITY AND MORE REFINEMENT. The RF certainly attracts attention with its supercar-style


buttress rear fins and most people who asked me about it guessed its price at around £35,000. In fact it is more than £10,000 cheaper! Mazda designers deserve much praise for such arresting


styling - and ununusally, the folding roof doesn’t reduce the available boot space which at 130 litres was small any- way. Other than the hardtop feature, the RF is essentially the same as the standard MX-5, which in almost 30 years of production has become the two-seater sports car icon. The RF is priced from £22,496 in 131 hp 1.5 litre form though the version I tested had the 2.0 litre 158 hp engine and in entry-level SEL Nav trim is priced at £23,795. Top speed is 134 mph, the 0-60 mph time a crisp 7.4 seconds. Fuel consumption is 40.9 mpg combined and emissions 161 g/km. SE L Nav models come with climate and


cruise control, power windows, remote cen- tral locking, 16-inch alloys, LED headlamps, a 7-inch touchscreen and connected info- tainment system with DAB and navigation. The wrap-around cabin is a cosy fit, with minimal stow- age space - no door pockets, no glove-box, just a small


MAZDA DESIGNERS DESERVE MUCH PRAISE FOR SUCH ARRESTING STYLING


lockable compartment behind the seats.But none of this matters much as the car attracts carefree buyers who will fling a small holdall into the boot and zoom off for a fun weekend in the countryside, at the coast or even on the Continent! Mazda has upgraded the cabin materials


and together with the new styling, the RF has more kudos and a more up-market appearance. Underway, it is quick and nimble and with the roof closed, more quiet and refined. Handling is assured, ride quality de-


cent by sports car standards. Overall, the RF provides fun driving with an engaging dash of panache which some of its more expensive rivals may find hard to match.


KIA STONIC


THE COMPACT SUV CLASS IS CROWDED WITH ATTRAC- TIVE MODELS, OFTEN PRICED WELL NORTH OF £20,000, SO ITS GOOD TO SEE A NEW CONTENDER SET TO MAKE AN IMPACT FOR SIGNIFICANTLY LESS MONEY. THE KIA STONIC IS EYE-CATCHINGLY STYLED, WELL-EQUIPPED, HAS AN UNBEATABLE 7-YEAR WARRANTY YET PRICES START AT JUST £16,300. The Stonic comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, infotain-


ment centre with 7-inch screen, DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, all-round electric windows and roof rails among standard features. Kia is no longer a budget brand, it is a serious contender in the mass market, demonstrating distinctive and innovative design, putting emphasis on value for money, and backing


KIA IS NO LONGER A


BUDGET BRAND


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