Cars

 Buying guide We take a look at whether a second hand Toyota Prius is worth buying, or is it one to avoid?

First drive 2019 Audi A6 55 TFSI C8 4H-gen. More tech, luxury and space – but what does it mean for the next S6 and RS6?

2019 Bentley Continental GT Crewe’s new coupe is a genuine GT with sports car overtones.

First Test 2019 Ford Fiesta Active. If you’ve failed to notice the rise in popularity of SUVs, then you must have had your head buried in the sand. Every car maker worth its salt has been looking at ways of lapping up demand for these chunkier vehicles and are even exploring new avenues. The Fiesta Active is a new addition to Ford’s range that combines its popular supermini with chunkier, SUV-inspired styling. As well as the beefier body addenda, the ride height has been raised by 18mm, too, to give the impression of a much more rugged, beefier vehicle. And while you might imagine this Fiesta would have four-wheel-drive, you would be wrong, as power is transmitted to the front wheels only. The track has been increased by 10mm, the steering and suspension have been finely tuned and there’s a mild amount of rough road capability, as well as the ability to choose from three driving modes.

First Test 2019 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line 3.0 V6 TDI 4Motion MkIII. The Touareg was a pioneering car for Volkswagen, the company's first SUV. Originally launched 15 years ago, the second-generation model arrived in 2010, and now here is the third one. It's no longer the lone SUV in the Volkswagen range, heading a line-up of four with the T-Roc, Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace.

First test 2019 Audi A6 Sport 40 TDI Quattro C8 4H. The A6 has always been a firm favourite within the Audi range, but with the latest instalments of BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class vying for class leadership, the ageing A6 was commendable, but dated. Meet the all-new Audi A6, a technological showpiece that will have its German brethren worried.

First Test 2019 Volvo V60 Thanks to a significant investment programme from parent company Geely, Volvo can’t seem to put a foot wrong. With its SUV range complete, and the renewal of its large car range finished, the Swedish firm has turned its attention to the V60 estate car. It’s a sector of the market that is hugely competitive, with strong rivalry from the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, as well as models like the Skoda Superb and VW Passat. I think it’s fair to say that Volvo has underperformed in the segment in recent years, but that’s all set to change with the launch of an all-new V60 underpinned by Volvo’s flexible SPA platform, that stands for Scalable Product Architecture.

Maserati Quattroporte III what you need to know about owning a top end Italian car. Collectors’ Guide The very last of the ‘classic era’ Maseratis, the third-generation Quattroporte is sophisticated, rare and great to drive – as well as being very good value. Story: Andy Heywood. Images: Michael Ward.

First Drive Seventh heaven? The new X7 will sit at the top of BMW’s SUV hierarchy, but Matt Robinson wonders if the model can create enough clear air between itself and its siblings to make this seven-seat leviathan truly worthwhile? Photos: BMW AG.

Chevrolet Corevtte C4 Buying Guide Order a Carlos Fandango chest wig and get yourself some V8 muscle. V8 at the front, driven wheels at the back, sharp styling: the C4-generation Corvette o­ffers a classic apple-pie sports car formula, say Daniel Bevis and Emma Woodcock.

“I’d love to have a chance to do a GTE successor” Styling the Scimitar We talk to the innovator who shaped Reliant’s sports estate, Tom Karen. So says stylist Dr Tom Karen as he is reunited with a Scimitar GTE – the landmark sporting estate that he is synonymous with. Mike Taylor gets the inside story of how the Reliant came about. Photography Tony Baker/LAT.

Barnstormer M52 2.8-swapped E30 Saloon. It’s hard to believe that this vision of period E30 perfection was once a crumbling, left-for-dead mess tucked away in a barn. And if you think the body makeover’s impressive, wait till you see the engine bay… Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Matt Woods.