Reviews

Glance back at some of the classics, the collectables, and the once forgotten gems.

Retro Road Test

2001 Audi RS4 (B5) review: Retro Road Test

Richard Aucock - 1
The original B5 Audi RS4 Avant is a practical family wagon and a surprisingly specialist sports car. Jekyll and Hyde? You bet.
Retro Road Test

2001 Honda Insight review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
The 1999 Honda Insight is already a cult classic, but it's also a surprisingly sensible and affordable retro car. We get behind the wheel.
Retro Road Test

2001 Porsche 996 Turbo review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 0
The 996 Turbo combines serious performance with modern manners. It's also one of the best value used Porsche 911s you can buy.
Retro Road Test

2001 Smart City Coupe review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 0
Tim Pitt travels back to the future with the original Smart City Coupe, an innovative small car that gave birth to a new brand.
Retro Road Test

2002 Ford Focus RS review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 0
The original Ford Focus RS is a modern classic that continues to divide opinion. We get behind the wheel – and offer advice about buying one.
Retro Road Test

2004 Audi A2 review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
Clever packaging, aluminium construction and efficient engines meant the Audi A2 was ahead of its time. Was it too clever for its own good?
Retro Road Test

2004 BMW M3 CSL review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 0
Arguably the greatest BMW M3 of all, the E46 CSL serves up no-holds-barred driving excitement. Here's what you need to know about buying one.
Retro Road Test

2004 Renault Clio V6 review: Retro Road Test

Retro Motor team - 0
Like a project from a modified car magazine, the Renault Clio featured a mid-mounted 3.0-litre engine instead of rear seats. We drive one.
Retro Road Test

2004 Skoda Octavia vRS review: Retro Road Test

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith - 1
The original Mk1 Skoda Octavia vRS beat the Golf GTI at its own game, offering greater practicality and better value for money.
Retro Road Test

2004 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5: Retro Road Test

Andrew Chapple - 7
The fifth-generation VW Golf GTI is arguably the best of the breed, with a punchy engine, agile handling and no-compromise practicality.
Retro Road Test

2005 Honda NSX review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
The Honda NSX beat Ferrari at its own supercar game – and remains one of the great driving experiences. Here's what you need to know.
Retro Road Test

2005 Skoda Fabia vRS Mk1 review: Retro Road Test

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith - 0
A diesel-engined hot hatchback? What were they thinking? We drive the sporty-but-sensible Mk1 Skoda Fabia vRS.

News

Race and rally Ford icons head to auction this month

The Iconic Auctioneers NEC Classic sale features an array of legendary Ford performance cars, including a Sierra RS500 and a road-spec RS200.

Classic Jaguar bought by Madonna heads to auction

Pop icon Madonna has been photographed at the wheel of this Jaguar Mark X, which she purchased for her son, Rocco, to use in London.

First new Group A-spec Ford Sierra RS500 is ready to race

CNC Motorsport has delivered the very first reborn Andy Rouse Engineering Ford Sierra RS500 to its lucky owner.

Features

The amazing 10-car garage you could buy for the cost of ONE wedding

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their engagement, we fire up Auto Trader

Throwback Road-Trip: Driving home from Spain in a BMW 3 Series

We picked a base-spec E90 BMW 3 Series for an epic journey home from Spain – and soon discovered a preference for the outside lane.

Remembering the launch of the Lotus Elise

Patrick Peal, former Head of Communications at Lotus, recalls the day when the Elise was revealed to the world. Will we see its like again?

Reviews

1974 Porsche 914 review: Retro Road Test

The Porsche Boxster reinvigorated the company’s fortunes in 1996 and has gone on to be an unmitigated success. But, 27 years earlier, an entry-level...

1984 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 review: Retro Road Test

The story of how the Mk1 Golf GTI came to be is well trodden. Mid-1970s Volkswagen engineers install a punchy 110hp fuel-injected 1.6-litre Audi...

2004 Renault Clio V6 review: Retro Road Test

Like a project from a modified car magazine, the Renault Clio featured a mid-mounted 3.0-litre engine instead of rear seats. We drive one.