Last month was a scary one in a couple of ways. Firstly, the clocks went forward an hour, leaving large swathes of the nation short of sleep. Then there was Halloween, a night that, if we were to describe it in automotive terms, it would have to be driving around in a SsangYong Rodius. A car so ugly that it can scare small children at first sight.
Anyway, swiftly moving back to the happenings from October. As usual, we’ve got our roundup of the new car launches, as well as the winners and losers for test drives. We’ve also got words from our members on laziness, a big building full of Toyotas, the UK’s best-selling Kia, and the usual mixture of non-offensive (we hope) social media ramblings.
Read on for the highlights from October 2025.
SGMW car launch watch:
October started on a funky note with the Dacia Hipster, a boxy concept that previews the brand’s electrified future. Even better is the estimated price tag, which could be as low as £13k.
Keeping with concepts, the Mercedes Vision Iconic also broke cover last month. This elegant-looking cab-rearward swooping coupe hints at a future luxury model, with a design that is menacing to say the least.
In actual cars you can buy news, the KGM Torres Hybrid arrived with a price that undercuts the petrol model. Moving to smaller SUVs, the already pretty but inert-to-drive Alfa Romeo Tonale got a nip and tuck facelift, while the Porsche Macan Electric line-up got a new arrival in the form of the GTS model boasting a not insignificant 563bhp.
Lastly, the 2025 Japan Mobility Show took place in Tokyo, revealing all sorts of automotive greatness. The coolest (in our view) was the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ, a baby version of the legendary off-roader. Also debuting was the new version of the diminutive Daihatsu Copen, which we won’t be getting in Europe. Bah! Finally, the new Subaru Performance-E STI concept heralds the return of the brand’s iconic blue and gold colour scheme with an electric powertrain. Please build this Subaru, even if just for motoring journalists.
SGMW test drive watch:
The sub-three-star or less horror shows were noticeably absent last month, but it was still tough for the updated SEAT Ibiza, which received criticism for being out of date despite being facelifted. BYD also fared similarly, with the Atto 2 and Atto 3 getting middling scores for being a bit unrefined and uninspiring. Oh dear.
Also on the end of a not exactly great score was the Jaecco 5 SUV, which was praised for its spacious interior but marked down due to its refinement, which cannot compete with European models.
Occupying the winners’ podium was a pair of new Kia models, with both the PV5 MPV and EV5 SUV earning strong scores for being great across the board.
The news was also great for sports cars, with the new Honda Prelude scoring highly for being thrilling to drive. While at the other end of the spectrum, the new 701bhp Porsche 911 Turbo S was much lauded as being even better thanks to the introduction of hybrid tech. Not that we expected much else from Porsche with the latter.
SGMW web watch:
Modern car tech is great as long as drivers don’t get over-reliant and lazy – Shane Wilkinson
Is modern car tech making drivers lazy? Shane Wilkinson voices his view on why he thinks too many drivers are overly reliant on technology rather than their driving skills.
Read the article on Auto Express
Diesel delivers: GWM Poer300 pickup first drive review – Phil Huff
The GWM Poer300 pickup is the latest newcomer to the UK market. Not familiar with the name? Well, it is Great Wall Motors, who last tried to sell the Steed pickup to UK buyers in 2016. Which didn’t go well. Can they succeed this time around? Phil Huff puts the Poer300 to the test for Professional Pickup.
Read the Professional Pickup review
A look around the Toyota and Lexus GB new MEC (Media Experience Center) in Crawley – Stu Bird
Toyota and Lexus have assembled a number of their greatest hits in their new Media Experience Centre in Crawley. Among the legendary nameplates are vintage versions of the RAV4, Corolla, and the AE86. Stu Bird takes a tour around the new digs while trying not to permanently borrow several sets of keys.
Porsche 911 Carrera S 2025 review: No longer the one-size-fits-all sports car – Tim Pitt
Is the latest Porsche 911 Carrera S still all the sports car you’ll ever need? With the new (facelifted) 992.2 now having more derivatives than ever, Tim Pitt tests the Carrera S to find out if it’s the model to buy.
Kia Sportage 2025 Review: new kit brings top-seller up to date – here’s the one I would choose – Jim McGill
The Kia Sportage is the brand’s biggest seller in the UK, and now the new facelifted model is here for 2025. But can the new model hold onto its best-seller title? Jim McGill puts it to the test for the Scotsman.
SGMW social watch:
In small car news, Chris Rees introduces the phrase “fab fillet of funk on wheels” into the public domain when referring to the Daihatsu Midget X concept. Expect these words in a car review very soon.
In brown car updates, Stu Bird takes the very brown Mazda 6e for a spin, or a playdate as he calls it.
Peter Nunn travelled to the Japan Mobility Show last month to take a good look around the Honda stand featuring the Super One EV, a rocket, and a jet. No, we are not sure why they have a rocket and jet on their stand either.
While touring New York City, Shane Wilkinson takes a tour of the local recycling bins.
Finally, last month Tim Pitt got to ‘bimble’ around at a leisurely pace in a very gold Lamborghini Temerario. Yes, we are still jealous. Very much so.
