Isuzu D-Max V-Cross: what’s new?

The D-Max range received a light update in early 2025, with a new front camera system boasting a wider field of view than before. According to Isuzu, both the lane assist and speed sign recognition have been upgraded, helping the D-Max to see other vehicles quicker than before. 

Part of this update included a minor cosmetic makeover with a restyled bonnet, front bumper, new headlights, and a new alloy wheel design. Inside, there’s an updated infotainment screen with new software. A new automatic gearbox was also introduced, which is capable of 25% quicker gear changes than the old unit according to Isuzu. 

A new off-road driving setup was also added. Called Rough Terrain mode, this setup makes the D-Max more capable on muddy tracks and in icy and snowy conditions. 

What about the specs and rivals?

Underneath the D-Max’s refreshed design sits a ladder-frame chassis, a refreshingly old-school setup – as if it works – why change it, right? Power comes from a 162bhp 1.9-litre turbocharged diesel engine, which produces 360Nm of torque. In V-Cross spec, power goes to all four wheels via either a standard six-speed manual box or an optional automatic, with the latter specced in our test car, along with a switchable drive system that allows you to run in rear-wheel drive for normal road use. 

The top spec V-Cross has a long list of standard equipment onboard as well. Highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, Bi-LED headlights, and folding mirrors. Inside, there’s a refreshingly unobtrusive 9-inch infotainment screen, along with such niceties as leather-trimmed seats, front heated seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a litany of USB ports, and a comprehensive suite of safety tech.  

The towing and load figures are competitive, too, with a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity and a 1085kg payload capability when specced with an automatic gearbox. Opt for the manual, and the payload increases to 1105kg. 

Direct rivals include the Ford Ranger, the Volkswagen Amarok, and the Toyota Hilux. Which all offer the same towing capacity and very similar payload specs in their higher double cab models. 

Is it good at pickup things?

Yes, the vast load bed is cavernous. Want to do a tip run? Well, the D-Max has you covered with the rear bed measuring in at 1520mm long by 1530mm wide, meaning it is capable of swallowing vast amounts of cargo and things. Access is also easy thanks to a powered metal tonneau cover, which retracts at the touch of a button. 

While we stayed away from any serious off-road routes, we did take the D-Max on some light private green lanes where it made light work of them. Once four-wheel drive and Rough Terrain mode are selected, it simply marches onwards making light work of any terrain in its path. Off-road the auto box made it simple to keep going, as it’s a case of managing the throttle while the gearbox and drivetrain systems sort it all out for you ensuring there is minimal loss of traction for quick progress. 

But it’s a pickup, surely it cannot match a car for refinement?

Given its workhorse-like design, it’s fair to say that the D-Max cannot match a regular car when it comes to refinement. As soon as you fire up the engine, there is no doubt that it’s diesel powered, with a fair amount of clatter making its way through to the cabin. 

However, once the engine is warmed up, it quietens down. On the move, it’s obvious you’re driving a diesel, but refinement is good overall for a commercial vehicle. The suspension damping is competent enough on minor imperfections, but on rougher surfaces it does crash and thud a fair bit, with larger bumps making their way through to the cabin. Again, not entirely unexpected for a vehicle of this type. 

What about the interior?

The leather-trimmed seats are both comfortable and supportive, with a wide array of adjustment, and the heated seats were useful in the cold weather experienced during our test. Overall, the cabin’s logical layout makes it simple to operate while on the move. This ease of use is aided by the chunky physical buttons used to activate all the regular functions you need, together with a good-sized infotainment screen which is easy to read and operate. A refreshing change from rival models that have done away with buttons in favour of a vast tablet-sized screen on the dashboard. 

The cabin feels ruggedly constructed with good-quality materials throughout. There were very few squeaks or rattles on our test truck, and overall, the inside of a D-Max is a comfortable place to spend time. 

There’s masses of space inside as well, enough to accommodate even the tallest of people in the front. It’s the same story in the rear seats, with ample space for adults and children.

Does it drive like a truck?

Obviously, yes. But this is no bad thing. The 1.9-litre diesel engine delivers a good torque spread from low down the rev range, giving you plenty of pulling power from the off. The optional six-speed auto box shifts seamlessly with a quick kick-down, too, making it easy to progress on the road with minimal fuss. 

It’s not fast, with 0-62mph taking 13 seconds, but it never feels underpowered. Acceleration is quick enough, with plenty of pulling power available to make getting up to speed on faster roads an easy task. 

It drives competently, too. While the steering lacks feeling like most modern cars, it is accurate enough. The handling is what you’d expect for such a large and high-up vehicle with a somewhat lazy feel to it. Yes, the D-Max cannot match the car-like driving dynamics of the class-leading Ford Ranger, but its chassis setup makes it feel secure and capable on the road. 

One minor point was the safety systems. At times these were overbearing, resulting in false alerts. Particularly the front AEB system, which detected a few phantom crash hazards when the road in front was completely clear. Also, the tiredness monitor would ping on occasions minutes after starting a journey. More slight annoyances than anything. 

But can really use a D-Max to ‘do it all?’

Pretty much, so long as you’re adept at parking. The D-Max measures in at 5280mm long by 1870mm wide, making it a bit of a behemoth. Meaning that parking on paper at least, is a bit like trying to steer the Ever Given down the Suez Canal. However, parking it is made easier by the litany of cameras and sensors dotted around the bodywork. Meaning that with a bit of patience, parking the D-Max is straightforward enough. Notably, it sits at 1790mm tall, which is low enough to fit into most normal multi-storey car parks. 

Given its vast dimensions and 2015kg kerbweight figure, you’d be forgiven for thinking that fuel economy would be an issue. Here, we were pleasantly surprised, returning a figure of 34.9mpg achieved after a week of careful motorway and urban driving. A number that beats the official combined economy figure of 31.4mpg by a small margin. 

Will it be reliable?

Isuzu offers the D-Max with a standard five-year/125,000-mile warranty complete with UK/EU roadside assistance. The Volkswagen Amarok gets an identical length warranty period with 124,000 miles of coverage, while the Ford Ranger sits behind its rivals with only three years and 60,000 miles of coverage. 

Additionally, the D-Max’s turbocharged 1.9-litre diesel engine features a steel timing chain, which Isuzu says is better for durability and longevity and is part of the brand’s commitment to making their vehicles reliable. Compare this to the rival Ford and Volkswagen models which feature a wetbelt (a cambelt housed in oil) that is known to be a weak point that is very expensive to fix. The fact that Isuzu has kept their powertrain simple is another plus point for the D-Max. 

Verdict: A pickup that can really do it all

Want a rugged go-anywhere-and-do-anything pickup? Isuzu has nailed the brief completely. While it is true the D-Max is down on power compared to some rivals, it more than makes up for it with a strong dual capability consisting of copious amounts of rugged ability mixed with decent on-road manners that make it a usable and practical daily driver fulfilling the ‘do it all’ mantra.

Adding to its appeal is the extensive warranty and Isuzu’s commitment to making it reliable, along with the well-specced cabin that features usable rather than overwhelming tech, along with all of the niceties you’ll ever need.  

For the £40,800 starting price when equipped with the optional auto box (subject to 20% VAT), the D-Max V-Cross is a strong all-round performer that’s as equally capable as its direct rivals from Ford, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

2026 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross test: full gallery

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SGMW gets on track for New Year Honours testing at SMMT Test Day South

Here, we walk through the highlights from the wider automotive industry and from the SGMW membership for October 2024. 

SGMW Car Launch Watch: Big SUVs and Tesla does away with the taxi driver

Last month kicked off with a pair of large (no pun intended) SUV reveals with the arrival of the Dacia Bigster and the Volkswagen Tayron, with the former being a large budget SUV and the latter replacing the outgoing Tiguan Allspace seven-seater. We’re happy to report that both models met our vast expectations. And yes, we’ll see ourselves out after that one.  

The Tesla Model 3 line-up also received a refresh, with the Long Range RWD model living up to its badge with a whopping 436 miles of range. Elon Musk also called a Taxi with Tesla’s new Robotaxi. A $30,000 driverless taxi cab that the brand says will make autonomous travel “safer, faster, and affordable.”

Chinese brand XPeng Motors also showcased their own self-driving tech last month with the P7+, a new electric saloon car that promises to “help drivers enjoy a safer, smarter, faster, sustainable, and more pleasant driving experience. This lofty promise is thanks to new AI and autonomous driving tech that can learn the behaviours of its driver. Meaning that when the P7+ arrives in the UK, we’d expect it to exclusively position itself in the middle lane of all motorways as it learns from the typical British driver. 

Finally, a variety of brands revealed pricing for their latest shiny new electric models. Nissan kicked off with the sporty Ariya Nismo, which will set you back from £56,620. This was bettered by Audi, who revealed pricing for the new A6 e-tron Sport and Q6 e-tron Sportback EVs, which start from £62,500 for the former and £62,475 for the latter.

SGMW Test Drives Watch: New Ferrari and BMW flagship models don’t disappoint

A litany of new cars finally got into the grubby mitts of reviewers last month as well. The Ferrari 12Cilindri won universal praise from all quarters. In spite of much online trolling about its 2.4-tonne weight figure, the new BMW M5 received rave reviews as a great driver’s car that is also a practical family saloon or estate. Exactly what we’d expected for the latest M Division special. 

There was also good news for family SUV buyers, with the new Ford Explorer receiving decent scores from most publications, while the Cupra Terramar was dubbed an “excellent family hauler” by Auto Express while receiving a similar score. 

In a market sector that we are glad still exists, Volkswagen appears to have proved that it can still produce a great hot hatchback with the latest iterations of the Golf GTI, Golf GTI Clubsport, and the Golf R, which all earned excellent reviews for their facelifted Mk8.5 models. 

SGMW Web Watch: 

Aston Martin Vanquish 2024 review – Tim Pitt

The Aston Martin Vanquish has returned! This time, though, the British GT gets an 835hp twin-turbo V12 and a 214mph top speed. Tim Pitt manages to tame all of that power while delivering his verdict. 

Read the Motoring Research review here

Revealed: Kia Enters the Pickup Scene with All-New Tasman – Phil Huff

Some five years after Kia revealed they were adding a pickup truck to their line-up, they’ve finally done it. And what a handsome-looking thing it is too. 

Phil Huff delivers all the details for Professional Pickup.  

Read the Professional Pickup story here

Polestar 4 – First Drive (2024) – Maxine Ashford

Is the world ready for a car without a back window? The Polestar 4 coupe-SUV has arrived to find out. Maxine Ashford has been testing the new model. 

Read the Car Journo review here

Ferrari Unveils Range-Topping F80, Priced At Just Under $4 Million – Neil Winton

Ferrari is the latest brand to give downsizing a go with its new F80 hypercar, a model that now features a turbocharged V6 with hybrid power. Neil Winton breaks down the details for Forbes. 

Read the Forbes article here

The cars with the biggest boots – Claire Evans

If you need to carry large loads, dogs, or whatever you want, then you’ll need a car with a big boot. But which one should you pick? Claire Evans runs through the cars with the biggest boots for Whatcar?

Read the Whatcar? article here

SGMW Social Watch:

In maximum lifestyle news, Phil Huff goes Chabak camping in the new Hyundai Santa Fe. 

In breaking fake exhaust sound news, which is now a real thing, Chris Rees takes a revealing peek underneath the Abarth 600e. 

Trinity Francis steps into dream car territory, getting a drive in the Ford GT. Are we jealous? Yes, maybe quite a lot.  

Stu Bird reveals his pick for a vintage Woolarding pose. Which, for those not in the know, is the practice of striking a pose on or near a motor vehicle that was created by William Woolard.

After the reveal of the new Ferrari F80 hypercar, Tyler Heatley gets creative with the configurator, creating a spec that receives maximum points from us.

The post Southern Group happenings: October 2024 appeared first on Southern Group of Motoring Writers.

The Prius propelled four-wheel motoring into a new era of eco-efficiency even though, at the time, the hybrid hoo-ha was mind-boggling.

Now Kawasaki has unleashed this clever eco technology on the motorbike world. The only thing that surprises me is why it has taken so long.

2024 Southern Group Heritage Day: full report

I am not an electric vehicle evangelist but, whatever your view, hybrid power has had a big impact on modern motoring.

So I was eager to also try out the world’s first mass-produced hybrid motorbike.

Kawasaki has launched two versions – the naked Z 7 Hybrid, which I rode, and the faired Ninja 7 Hybrid.

A new petrol 451cc parallel twin, water-cooled four-stroke engine is mated with a 9kW (12PS) traction motor and self-charging battery.

Six-speed transmission has automated and manual modes, the latter controlled via switches on the left handlebar cluster so there is no clutch lever (I wish I had a pound for each time I went to pull it in coming to a stop).

The battery recharges via a generator using kinetic energy produced when braking and slowing down so no cables or plugging in.

This is a three-in-one motorbike.

In pure electric EV mode you have a fully-charged range of about seven miles at a limited speed – I saw a maximum 43mph – and the gearbox works only in auto.

It is easy to switch to Eco model, via another switch on the left-hand cluster, when the motorbike’s clever brain works on the best power source – engine or battery. Auto stop-start cuts the engine when stationary to save fuel. Open the throttle and away it goes to about 10mph before the engine cuts in.

Another button, again on the rather busy left-hand cluster, allows you to opt between auto and manual gearshifts.

When shifting manually you can also activate Automatic Launch Position Finder (ALPF) to automatically select first gear when you stop.

The real fun comes in Sport mode when the engine and electric motor work together to give maximum power and performance.

The engine produces a useful 59PS but, in Sport, pressing the E-boost button on the right handlebar cluster sees power rise to 69PS for five seconds as the electric motor gives added grunt.

The Z 7 surges forward for quick overtaking manoeuvres but E-boost can also be used from standstill for quick getaways. As soon as E-boost is replenished from the battery you can do it all over again. It is quite addictive but take care firing it out of corners when the bike is lent over.

Even in Eco it pulls willingly with combined torque of 60.4Nm at just 2,800rpm.

The Hybrid is no lightweight at 227kg but does not feel unwieldy.

If you need help manoeuvring it at a low speed there is a walk mode which works via the twist grip, both forwards and in reverse. Guess where the button is to engage it. Yep, left-hand cluster.

A full colour TFT dash, with smartphone connectivity, displays ride and transmission modes so you know what is going on.

The Hybrid sounds complicated compared to a traditional ICE motorbike but I soon got to grips with the tech and found I was enjoying the experience.

I rode out of town silently in EV mode, switched to Eco as I left the urban speed limits but stuck with automated shifts. When the road opened up, and I wanted more power, I just clicked into Sport mode and shifted gears manually.

Despite its extra weight, long wheelbase and basic suspension – the front forks have no adjustment , the rear shock a simple preload – handling is up to the job but this is no sports bike. The rear end can feel bumpy on poor roads.

What takes more getting used to is that automated gearbox. Low-speed automated shifts in Eco can feel a little clunky and it shifts up through the gears very quickly to boost fuel economy.

The result is that not a lot happens when you open the throttle in sixth gear and engine braking is minimal. I often switched to manual shifts which also felt sweeter at higher revs.

Kawasaki claims the Hybrid offers 650 to 700cc class performance, off-the-mark instant acceleration to rival a 1,000cc supersport model and 250cc-like economy.

That might be the case if you wring its neck but, despite a host of test riders getting to grips with the hybrid powertrain, the demo bike had averaged 68mpg. I expect that would improve with experience.

This hi-tech Hybrid is an interesting proposition and a worthy winner of the Motorcycle News Innovation of the Year award in the influential motorbike publication’s 2024 honours.

Despite the £11,949 tag for either model, I can see it appealing to early-adopters who love technology and want to go green, if only to offset the carbon footprint of a bigger motorbike.

The 7 Hybrid would be in its element commuting, making the most of the different power options but, at the moment, it is a niche market.

Mind you, going back to that early Toyota Prius many fellow motoring hacks were not convinced hybrids were the future.

This launch is a brave move by Kawasaki, albeit late compared to the car market, but you have to applaud the initiative.

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An excellent turnout of 20 members made the trip to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire. On the day, a total of 29 PR friends from fourteen brands were in attendance, all helping to support what was an excellent event for the group. 

Southern Group Happenings: July 2024

A total of 31 cars were available to test drive, with a varied mix of the latest EVs, rugged off-roaders and pickup trucks, and a stunning array of classic heritage models:

Abarth – 500e Convertible

BYD – Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal

Fiat – 600 Hybrid and 600e

Ford – Capri L, Puma Racing

Genesis – GV60, Electrified GV70, Electrified G80

Honda – Civic Hybrid, Civic Type R (FK2), S2000

Ineos – Grenadier 3.0 petrol and 3.0 diesel

Isuzu – D-Max AT35 Arctic Trucks, D-Max AT35 Mudmaster

Jeep – Avenger MHEV

Kia – Stinger GT-S, Picanto Strike (Mk1), Picanto GT-Line

Lexus – LBX

Mazda – MX-5 Heritage and MX-30 R-EV Edition R

Toyota – Prius Gen1 and Corolla Excel 1.8 Hybrid

Volvo – P1800, 262C, 850 T-5R and XC90 V8

As always, SGMW members brought along their own cars to display on the day. The classics were better than ever this year with a vintage Volkswagen Beetle ‘Herbie’ tribute (the Douglas Special), a stunning Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Ti, and an immaculate Mazda Eunos. The modern era was also equally well represented, with a varied mix of cars including an Alpine A110, a Volkswagen Polo Blue GT, a Jaguar XF Sportbrake, a Saab 9-3 convertible, and an Abarth 595. 

SGMW Heritage Day: best car winners

As is now tradition, attendees vote for their favourite member’s car and manufacturer’s car of the day. 

This year, Stu Bird’s Volkswagen Beetle ‘Douglas’ took the members best car prize – with Stu’s authentic Herbie tribute build dubbed the Douglas Special, wowed everyone thanks to the way it looked, sounded, and the huge amount of intricate details it contains that match the original movie hero car. 

This year’s marks the third time in a row that Stu has won the best member car award, which have all been won with different vehicles. Stu said that for 2025 Heritage Day, he’ll give the rest of the group a chance: “[After] winning three in a row, I promise, as my constitution to the group, that next year I’ll come in one of the lesser of the Birdy Fleet of Broken Dreams vehicles.”

For the best manufacturer car, the stunning Volvo P1800 took first place, a worthy winner that had members lining up to drive it all day long – even if it did lose a hubcap on the day (sorry about that Volvo!). The SGMW quiz went down to a tiebreaker question, with long-standing group member David Wilkins named as the winner, although in his absence, Peter Nunn took the prize of a box of chocolates. 

While the SGMW Heritage Day is a day for members to test an array of cars, it is also a popular social event for PRs to catch up with group members.

Simon Branney, Genesis Motor UK head of PR and communications, said: “Definitely one of the highlights of the summer, if not the whole year, is the SGMW heritage driving day. Even though there are no Genesis heritage products, as we have only been going for three years, the group has been very welcoming and supportive of the Genesis brand, product and team.”

“It’s a super-relaxed day with super-friendly journalists and even super-friendly PR colleagues – it’s an easy win for both the group and the PRs that get to come to it.”

“I’m looking forward to Genesis continuing to attend this event for many years to come.”

Will Rees, Kia UK press officer, said: “It is a nice, chilled-out event and a great day out of the office”.

“It is about getting to chat with other PRs and a lot of SGMW members we don’t see regularly on driving days. It is nice to catch up with everyone.”

Rachel Goodwin, head of PR for BYD in the UK, said: “It was a great day. It is really useful for PRs to drive competitors’ products and useful for us to keep in touch and see all you guys and making sure everybody is driving our cars”.

“We are trying to build a brand so we need to be in as many places as possible.”

As always, the Heritage Day wouldn’t be possible without those who came along to support the event. Everyone at the SGMW would like to offer a massive thank you to all the PRs for their amazing support, who all went above and beyond to ensure group members had a wonderful array of cars to test on the day. Ian Robertson, SGMW Chairman, said: “Though the New Forest rain tried to dampen spirits, I reckon this year’s driving day at Beaulieu was the best yet. It was so lovely to welcome some new brands to the day, like BYD, Ineos and Isuzu, as well as welcome the marques that have been supporting the event year after year.”

“The joy and excitement on the faces of many of the younger PR people as they climbed behind the wheel really was a sight to behold.”

“As Chairman of the group for another two years, I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone back again next year. Same time, same place.”

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This event is one of the most popular on the SGMW’s calendar, and is an opportunity for members to show off their classic cars and catch up with PR friends. It also gives members the chance to review an array of new and classic models on the brilliant surrounding roads of the South Downs. 

Southern Group Happenings: June 2024

In previous years, the Heritage Day has always had a very strong attendance, with 23 members making the journey down south last year. This year, the Heritage Day will be held on 14th August at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire, a brilliant venue that will give members the chance to visit the museum after the test drives have finished. 

SGMW 2024 Heritage Day: car list for the day

The car line-up is as varied as ever for 2024. A total of nine manufacturers have confirmed their support so far, with over twenty cars being made available to drive on the day, including a mix of classic cars, new EVs, and even rugged off-roaders. 

The list of confirmed brands and cars is as follows:

Volvo                               P1800, 262C, 850 T-5R and XC90 V8

BYD                                    Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal

Mazda                                MX-5 Heritage and MX-30 R-EV Edition R

Ineos                                  Grenadier petrol and diesel

Toyota                               Prius Gen1 and Corolla Excel 1.8 Hybrid

Isuzu                                 D-Max

Abarth                              500e

Lexus                                LBX

Fiat                                     600 Mild Hybrid and 600e

Kia                                      Stinger GT-S, Picanto Strike (Mk1), Picanto GT-Line

Genesis                             Models TBA

On the day, several long-running traditional activities (for the last two years at least) will be held throughout the day. Firstly, members and PRs can compete in the Heritage Day quiz, which consists of a number of automotive-themed questions, possibly mixed with a dash of popular culture. Last year, the SGMW’s very own international correspondent, Phil Huff, took the glory by taking 1st place with a score of 9 out of 10. 

The day also has two awards for the best cars of the day: the best manufacturer car and the best member car. In 2023, the charming but terrifying 1965 Ford Transit Custom took the best manufacturer award, while in the member category, Stu Bird’s Volkswagen T2 Westfalia Camper and its multitude of stickers and accessories took the best member car award. An award that Stu also won in 2022 for his quirky SEAT Terra van. 

Can Stu make it three best member awards in a row? Rumour has it that he’s been preparing something special for this year, so check back here later this month to find out the results. 

Read about the SGMW’s 2023 Heritage Day here.

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The SGMW annual awards, the first of the year, recognise the outstanding efforts of manufacturers, PR teams and individuals who excelled with magnificent models, memorable motoring and help SGMW members over the past 12 months.

The awards are voted for by SGMW members, many of whom have experienced the news cars at manufacturer launches and driving days, and attended the Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) north and south test days.

SGMW chairman Ian Robertson said: “Our New Year Honours are held in high esteem by the manufacturers and their PR teams. Winning one is a great way to kick off the new year.

“This year there were some really tight results so it was a good job that most of our members voted in as many categories as possible.

“Electric vehicles are gaining a big foothold in the new car market so it is no surprise that they were popular choices in the three categories for vehicles.

“But don’t write off petrol and diesel cars just yet as traditional internal combustion engine models also found favour with our electorate,” he added.

And it’s also new year, new award.

The SGMW is launching a new accolade, the Chairman’s Award, to honour someone who has given extraordinary service to the automotive industry, a particular manufacturer, or been a very special friend to our group.

To recognise his sterling service to the industry, the first Chairman’s Award goes to John Handcock, Head of PR at Citroën, who retired in November 2023 after more than 30 years with the French brand. Having previously worked within the sales, product, and fleet departments, he joined the press office in the summer of 2009 and has been a good friend and supporter of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers over the years. SGMW Chairman Ian Robertson commented: “John Handcock will be an extremely hard act to follow and has been a brilliant public relations leader and friend. On a personal note, I will miss him enormously, with it feeling like the end of an era. On behalf of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers, we send our sincere best wishes to him for his retirement from Stellantis.”

The full results for the SGMW New Year Honours 2024, with opinions from voting members, are:

BEST PR NEWCOMER – someone who made a special impact in liaising with the media during the past year and is either new to the industry PR scene or has taken on a new role/position.

Winner – Lucinda Inggs (Stellantis)

“She was an absolute star during a very long day travelling to Paris to see the Citroen eC3, coping with all sorts of delays, traffic and other problems.”

Runner-up – Brad Beningfield (Honda UK)

BEST PR OFFICE – awarded to the operation consistently delivering the best all-round or forward-thinking service to SGMW throughout the year.

Winner – Kia UK

“Always helpful, you are always assured a high standard of service from the Kia UK press office and, with specially-organised driving days for the Southern Group of Motoring Writers, we get to sample the latest vehicles in a relaxed environment.”

Runner-up – Toyota

THE SGMW OBE (OPERATING BEYOND EXPECTATION) – for acting above and beyond the call of PR duty during the past year. It can be for consistent high performance, a memorable one-off effort or a thoughtful gesture towards one of our members caught in a bind.

Winner – Graeme Fudge, PR director, and the Mazda UK team

When a deadly earthquake forced Mazda’s Epic Drive through the Atlas Mountains to be cancelled, Graeme, his team and their paramedic headed to stricken remote villages in their vehicles to deliver their supplies of bottled water and help emergency aid workers in the early stages of the response to the disaster.

‘DARK HORSE’ OF THE YEAR – a car that surprised SGMW members, either by its arrival or just how good it was.

Winner – BYD Dolphin

“A surprisingly complete electric car from a newcomer to the European market. The Dolphin is an excellent value family EV package with a highly-usable driving range and an interestingly-styled interior.”

Runner-up – Abarth 500e

ONE TO WATCH – the car that SGMW members most look forward to driving in the coming year.

Winner – Dacia Spring

“I was very impressed driving the Dacia Jogger so I’m looking forward to seeing what Dacia’s first small EV will be like.”

“This cute city car, likely to be the UK’s cheapest EV, is going to be a tempting runabout and entice more people into electric motoring.”

SGMW CAR OF THE YEAR

Winner – Jeep Avenger, top

“Totally new concept power for this American icon. Although I was hesitant about it when I first drove it, the more I did the more impressive it was for overall driver satisfaction. Really surprising in my view.”

2024 SGMW New Year Honours: Gallery

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The SGMW was kindly hosted by Suzuki UK, with a large number of members making the trip south to Oakley Hall, near Basingstoke in Hampshire, for a pre-overnight stay and dinner.

Also invited were members of the SMMT, who joined the group for dinner in the stunning surroundings of the Library dining room at the hotel.

Alongside Alun Parry and Jessica Grimditch from Suzuki UK, SGMW members included chairman Ian Roberson, Andy Russell, Natalie Middleton, Peter Nunn, Phill Tromans, Phil Huff, Martin Gurdon, Stuart Bird, Claire Evans, David Ward, Ben Griffin, Chris Rees, Chris Manning, Trinity Francis and Ben Hodges

Also joining the group for dinner were SMMT staff Claire Balch, Paul Mauerhoff, Rebecca Gibbs and Rebecca Lynn, along with Maxine Ashford from the Western Group of Motoring Writers.

Everyone enjoyed an excellent meal at which Alun Parry highlighted details of Suzuki’s service activated warranty for vehicles up to seven years old or 100,000 miles. He also announced Suzuki plans to launch a stream of electric cars over the coming years.

Ian thanked Suzuki for hosting the group and guest.

The following morning, Southern Group members had only a very short commute from the breakfast table to the SMMT venue at the hotel to commence with the day’s drives.

Ian provided a list of all of the new car contenders that have arrived in 2023, with the day giving SGMW members the chance to drive an array of new models in the run-up to our Car of the Year awards.

Manufacturers attending included brands such as BMW, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Ford, Fiat, Smart, Jeep, Peugeot, Suzuki, Toyota, Lexus, Vauxhall and MG, which holds the group’s current overall Car of the Year title with the MG4 EV.

A large variety of models were tested on the roads surrounding Oakley Hall, from the likes of the rugged, and not exactly subtle, Ford Ranger Raptor, to the very quick BMW i7 limo and the new all-electric Lexus RZ 450e.

Ian said: “SMMT Test Day South is always well attended by members, as it’s right on our doorstop and a great way of getting behind the wheels of cars that we may have missed during the year.

“It was disappointing that some manufacturers chose not to be present at this year’s event but it was nice to see the many car-makers that continue to support the test day with a selection of their latest cars.”

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The annual event was again held at the National Motor Museum’s corporate marquee at Beaulieu in Hampshire.

A splendid turnout saw PR friends from eight manufacturers join 23 SGMW members for a day of motoring memories and convivial conversation.

The following cars were available to drive from manufacturers:

• Ford – Mark 1 Transit van, Capri 280 Brooklands and Explorer SUV.
• Genesis – three electrified GV70s.
• Kia – Stinger GTS and Mark 1 Picanto.
• Lexus – IS-F and RX500h F Sport
• Mazda –  Mark 1 and 4 MX-5s.
• Porsche – Taycan, Panamera and 911 Carrera T.
• Toyota – Corolla Coupe GT AE86 and GR86
• Volvo – P1800ES, 240 GLT estate and S90 Executive.

SGMW members also brought their own heritage vehicles including a Volkwagen Westfalia camper van, Mazda MX-5s, an Alfa Romero Brera, Alfa Romeo 146, Saab 9-5, Peugeot RCZ and Porsche Cayenne.

And it was Stuart Bird’s crazy VW camper that won members’ car of the day while Ford’s 1965 Transit was voted car of the day and loved by everyone who drove it.

The heritage quiz was won by SGMW member Phil Huff with a score of nine out of 10.

The SGMW Heritage Day is also a social occasion and a popular event on the motoring calendar with manufacturer PRs.

Dan Sayles, Kia UK head of press and PR, said: “It is such an eclectic mix of new and old. There is nowhere else that you could drive this selection of cars.

“You can jump out of a Mazda MX-5 Mark 1 into a Volvo 240 estate and a Porsche 911. It is not available anywhere else.

“We PRs never spend time together so it is a good opportunity to catch up and discuss things.”

Simon Branney, Genesis Motor Europe head of UK PR and communications, said: “The SGMW Heritage Day is one of my favourite events of the year because it is so relaxed. Everyone is so friendly and so approachable.

“You just come along and have a lovely time. It’s always a pleasure to the with the Southern Group of Motoring Writers.

“It’s a great venue, everyone gets involved and are super excited to be here. Everyone gets excited about the heritage stuff and old cars.

“It’s an opportunity for people to bring their olds cars and you don’t get to see these very often. It’s the only heritage event on the motoring groups’ circuit and brilliant.”

Volvo was making its debut at our annual heritage day and Barnaby Jones, UK product communications manager, was enjoying the atmosphere.

“It’s great to catch up with people you might only see once or twice a year.

“It is a nice, relaxed and informal event and people come and go as they please and drive what they want. How popular our cars have been even surprised us.

“We see members of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers two or three times a year and, at other events, we can’t always talk or catch up. It has been nice to spend quality time with you all and have a good catch-up and talk about what is new for Volvo.”

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This year’s event was held at Rhinefield House Hotel, located in the New Forest, where SGMW members were given the chance to test 14 of the brand’s latest models on the surrounding roads.

As with last year’s SGMW Kia drive day, this event also brings the group together to attend the Southern group’s AGM and the subsequent Heritage Day at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, just a short distance away, the following day.

In total, 23 SGMW members made the trip to the New Forest, an excellent turnout for a group event.

On the day, Kia kindly provided the following models for the group to test drive:

• XCeed 1.6 GDi PHEV 3 DCT.
• EV6 77.4kWh Air RWD.
• EV6 77.4kWh GT-Line S AWD.
• ProCeed 1.5 T-GDi GT-Line S DCT.
• Kia Stonic 1.0 T-GDi 48V GT-Line S.
• Niro EV 64.8kWh 4.
• Sorento 1.6 T-GDi Edition HEV AT AWD.
• Soul EV 39.2kWh Urban.
• Soul EV 64kWh Explore.
• Sportage 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line HEV AT 2WD.
• Sportage 1.6 T-GDi 48V GT-Line S DCT AWD.
• Niro 1.6 GDi HEV 2 DCT.
• XCeed 1.5 T-GDi GT-Line S.
• Picanto 1.0 MPi 2.

According to Kia’s head of press and public relations Dan Sayles, the SGMW managed a total of 50 test drives across the 14 cars available on the day.

They covered a total distance of 700 miles, far enough for 297 laps around Thruxton Race Circuit or a one-way road trip from the South Downs in England to either Prague in the Czech Republic or Gothenburg in Sweden.

From the wide array of Kia models available, the EV6 77.4kWh Air RWD and Soul EV 64kWh Explore were the joint most popular cars of the day with six test drives apiece.

Inevitably, there had to be an overall winner, and the Soul took the title as the most popular pick of the day, covering a total 77 miles, with the EV6 taking second place with 73 miles.

At the other end of the popularity contest, the excellent Sportage Hybrid received the wooden spoon as the least driven car of the day with two only test drives.

SGMW members were certainly very prolific when it came to putting Kia’s latest models to the test throughout the day too, with nine attendees managing three test drives each.

In second place, Matt Richardson (who was attending his first SGMW event) and Ben Hodges managed four test drives apiece, while the very busy pairing of Tyler Heatley and Tom Scanlan managed to complete five test drives each to earn a joint first place.

After the test drives were concluded, the SGMW’s annual general meeting was the final event of the day.

In the absence of chairman Ian Robertson, committee members Chris Rees, David Ward, Andy Russell and Chris Manning oversaw the year’s proceedings.

Notable takeaways included the brilliant group efforts and the significant contribution from car manufacturer PR teams that helped make this year’s SGMW Karting GP event a huge success, one that was held as a tribute to Sue Baker, who sadly passed away late last year.

Additionally, it was noted that throughout the past year, attendance of group events has continued to be strong, together with the addition of new members – making the 2022-23 year a hugely successful one for the SGMW.

Chris Rees, SGMW secretary said: “One of the highlights of the year for the SGMW is the get-together for our AGM, which this year was kindly hosted by Kia at Rhinefield House in the New Forest.

“It was great to see 23 members of the SGMW embracing the opportunity provided by Kia to drive a wide range of its new models at a special driving day beforehand.

“To have such a big turnout of members is always pleasing, and the customary camaraderie was on full display. On behalf of the whole SGMW, I would like to thank Dan Sayles and the brilliant Kia PR and events team at Kia for hosting us at such a superb venue.”

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Sue, who was a pioneering force in motoring journalism, a long-standing SGMW member and former chairman, passed away in November 2022 after bravely battling Motor Neurone Disease.

To celebrate Sue’s contribution to the world of motoring and the SGMW, members agreed that this year’s annual karting event would take place in her honour, renaming it the SGMW Sue Baker Memorial Karting Grand Prix with the Motor Neurone Disease Association as its nominated charity.

Fifteen teams entered – with last year’s winners Gazoo Racing competing against BMW, Genesis, Honda, Ineos/PFPR, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Newspress/Loop, Nobull, Porsche, SMMT, Toyota, Volkswagen – along with the Southern group team entry, Volvo by SGMW.

From the moment the lights went out, every one of the teams dug deep with some very committed racing.

The early pacesetter was the Porsche team, trailed by SGMW by Volvo in second and Gazoo Racing in third. In the early stages, the SGMW’s own Sean Ward set the pace with a fastest lap time of 49.868 seconds.

After nearly 50 laps, Nobull had broken into the top three only a couple of seconds behind SGMW by Volvo by SGMW in second place, while the Porsche team was showing strong pace in first place, quickly establishing a lead of nearly 12 seconds.

Soon after, Nobull battled into first place – with Porsche, Gazoo Racing and SGMW by Volvo regularly swapping places to make up the top four – with all showing strong pace to separate themselves from the rest of the field.

By the end of the two-and-a-half-hour race though, the Porsche team claimed victory with a brilliant fightback to complete 161 laps by the chequered flag and take the coveted SGMW Karting GP Trophy.

In second place, Gazoo Racing finished only 14.3 seconds behind the winner. It completed the same number of laps, while the Volvo by SGMW team took a well-deserved third place completing 159 laps.

All of the top three teams set the pace throughout the race with only a few tenths of a second separating them for the quickest lap of the day.

Overall winners Porsche recorded a time of 47.989 seconds, with second place Gazoo Racing just ahead with a time of 47.704.

Both were denied the bragging rights by SGMW by Volvo driver Sean Ward, who set the fastest lap of the day with a time of 47.648 seconds in the final stint of the race.

The race finished with SGMW treasurer Chris Manning handing over a cheque for £4,850 to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

SGMW chairman Ian Robertson said: “A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in organising the karting event.

“But, more importantly, thanks so much to everyone that supports the event, donates the money, participates in racing and who helped us to raise a whopping £4,850 for Motor Neurone Disease in memory of our dear friend and colleague, Sue Baker.

“Since we started the annual charity karting event, we have now raised more than £30,000. It’s thanks to our colleagues in the industry that this has been made possible.

“As chairman of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

The top picture shows Stuart Bird, a leading light of the SGMW karting organising team, and Sarah Armstrong, MND Association south east regional fund-raiser, with the £4,850 cheque and other SGMW members.

To learn more about the MNDA’s fantastic work visit www.mndassociation.org

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