This government, like its predecessor, says it wants to actively encourage motorists to switch to electric cars. The choice is now wider than ever, and prices are coming down. There are now EVs available to buy from less than £20,000. With another £10,000 available to spend, the choice is huge, with plenty of family-sized vehicles on sale.

From electric vehicles and new safety regulations to volatile used-car prices, today’s car buyers are facing a more complex market than ever before. For many, the process has shifted from exciting to overwhelming — a maze of conflicting reviews, pressured sales environments, and finance deals that aren’t always as clear as they seem.

Great Wall Motors is back in the UK with vengeance. Some of you may recall the Steed pick-up sold in the UK between 2014 and 2016, or thereabouts. It was a rare sight though was popular with those who required a simple working truck.

Suzuki’s Vitara has been a mainstay of the Japanese company’s range since 1988, the fourth generation launching in 2016. Recent refreshes and a move to hybrid power will ensure that it will continue on sale for many years to come. However, with more buyers now wanting a fully electric car, Suzuki has released its first offering in this rapidly growing sector, the e VITARA.

With changeable autumnal weather now open us, it is undoubtedly time to give your car the once over. Many of my tips require no expertise, just a little time and if you are not sure, then most garages will help.

Sadly, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders decided not to hold their usual drive day at Wetherby Racecourse. A great shame, as the venue was convenient and the roads in the area ideal for putting all the latest cars through their paces. And thus, another long trek south was required to just outside Coventry, the venue for this year’s autumn event.

There are many 4x4s that look the part but put them to the test in tough conditions and they falter. However, for those on the lookout for a compact SUV that punches above its weight and is rather partial to a muddy track, Jeep now offers an all-wheel drive version of its Avenger. The invite came from the Jeep PR team to join them for a little brand immersion on the scenic Swinton Estate.

Another trip to Melbourne just completed, this time for my son’s wedding. As a reluctant flyer, someone who would quite happily never set foot on a plane again, the long-haul journey was as arduous as ever. This was made worse as I treated myself to business class last time. I am well suited to unlimited champagne, food on demand and of course lots of space.

The AA is predicting busy roads to popular leisure destinations as the long summer getaway officially begins. With Scottish and Northern Irish schools having broken up at the end of June and English and Welsh pupils are due to start their summer holidays over the next week. This staggered school holiday pattern means that traditional “getaway weekends” will be spread out.

Right then, let’s talk about the Hyundai Inster, a cheeky little A-segment electric car that’s just rolled onto the scene, and I’ve been lucky enough to spend a few days with it. Now, if you’re picturing some tiny, boring city runabout, think again. The Inster is like that mate who’s small in stature but packs a proper punch — all wrapped up in a smart, nippy package. First off, the size.

Lying awake in the wee small hours, I was musing on the many different types of driving I do and wondering why some appeal to me and some really don’t. As a motoring journalist, it has always felt as though I am supposed to like driving on a racetrack. I like speed, there’s no one coming the other way (one hopes), and usually the car provided is immensely capable.

2025 marks 11 years of the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional, the only event to celebrate the brilliance of basic when it comes to mundane motors. This unique festival continues to grow in popularity, with owners and visitors from all over the world, but what is an ‘Unexceptional’ car? Hagerty experts explain what makes a forgotten motor a FOTU hero.