Tag Archives: vehicles

News

2025 Mazda CX-5 Nails Euro NCAP Testing With Rock-Solid Structure and Smart Safety Tech

Mazda isn’t known for half-measures, and the automaker’s completely redesigned CX-5 proves that point once again. Fresh off its debut, Mazda’s compact SUV just walked away from the latest Euro NCAP safety trials with a full five-star rating—and the kind of category scores that even premium players would envy.

The new CX-5 didn’t simply pass Europe’s toughest crash tests; it impressed across the board, earning 90% for adult occupant protection, 89% for children, 93% for vulnerable road users, and 83% for safety assist tech. Those numbers place it squarely in the top tier of modern family SUVs.

Rock-Solid Structure, Smart Protection

In the frontal offset test—one of Euro NCAP’s most unforgiving assessments—the CX-5’s passenger cell stayed reassuringly stable. Mazda’s engineers clearly sweated the details: knee and thigh protection scored well, and key body regions landed consistently in the “good” or “adequate” zone.

Side impacts tell an even clearer story. The SUV performed strongly in both the wide, rigid barrier test and the classic side-impact scenario, and even the brutal pole test (which simulates a narrow, tree-like obstacle) showed adequate protection. Mazda’s side airbags and occupant-movement control systems helped contain forces especially well in far-side collisions—an area many competitors still struggle with.

Whiplash protection? Excellent in both front and rear rows. Bonus points go to the onboard tech: an advanced eCall system, secondary-collision mitigation, and even confirmed window/door functionality in the event of submersion.

Child Safety: Top Marks Across the Board

Parents will like what they see. The CX-5 scored 89% in child occupant protection, including maximum points for both 6- and 10-year-old dummies in frontal and side impact tests.

Mazda has clearly prioritized flexibility, too. The SUV includes automatic passenger-airbag deactivation for child-seat placement and supports a wide array of CRS (Child Restraint System) types. Euro NCAP confirmed that all approved child seats fit correctly and securely—something that can’t be said for every compact SUV.

A Guardian for Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Motorcyclists

Where the new CX-5 really pulls ahead of its peers is in vulnerable road user protection, where it earned a stellar 93%.

The hood and bumper geometry scored well or adequately for pedestrian head impacts, and lower-limb protection earned maximum points. But the magic lies in Mazda’s latest-generation AEB suite. The system detects cyclists and pedestrians—including those approaching from behind—while excelling in tricky real-life scenarios like reversing or dooring.

Motorcyclist protection also topped out at maximum points, a rare accomplishment even among safety-forward SUVs.

Safety Tech That Feels Polished, Not Intrusive

Safety Assist systems rounded out the CX-5’s performance with an 83% rating, powered by Mazda’s increasingly refined ADAS suite.

The AEB system reliably spotted other vehicles; seatbelt reminders and a direct driver-monitoring camera add everyday peace of mind. Lane-keeping assist gently nudges the SUV back into line during wandering moments, stepping in more assertively if things get serious.

Mazda’s speed-limit recognition system also proved trustworthy, reading local signage accurately and letting drivers tailor automatic speed adjustments to their preference.

Mazda’s new CX-5 isn’t just safer than the outgoing model—it’s one of the safest compact SUVs on the market, full stop. Its strong passive structure, polished driver-assistance tech, and standout protection for pedestrians and riders make it a segment benchmark.

If Mazda wanted to send a message with this redesign, Euro NCAP has delivered it loud and clear: the CX-5 is built not only to drive well, but to protect what matters most.

Source: Automative News

NEW CARS

The 2026 Kia Seltos Steps Up for Europe

Kia is gearing up to bring one of its global heavy hitters to the UK and Europe for the very first time. Meet the second-generation Kia Seltos, a compact SUV that’s been quietly dominating markets from Mexico to India—and now finally gets a turn on the continent.

Slotting between the Niro and the Sportage in both footprint and ambition, the new Seltos arrives as Kia’s more expressive, lifestyle-leaning alternative to the brand’s best-selling Sportage. Think of it as Kia’s answer to the Volkswagen T-Roc—one that’s prepared to get its tires a little dirty.

Design: Rugged, Punchy, and Not Shy About It

Where the old Seltos played it straight, the new generation leans into attitude. A tougher, square-jawed face, chunkier cladding, and functional-looking skidplates give it mini-Off-Roader vibes. Kia is also pushing “lifestyle” appeal hard, offering the Seltos in a palette of loud hues like Iceberg Green and Magma Red. AWD is optional, and with it comes multi-link rear suspension and drive modes for loose surfaces—so yes, the Seltos can handle a muddy festival field or gravel trail without complaint.

Underneath, the Seltos rides on the brand’s K3 platform, shared with the Niro and Hyundai Kona. The proportions feel familiar, but the stance is more confident, more willing.

Powertrains: Petrol Now, Hybrid Later

Globally, the Seltos offers a spread of combustion choices:

  • 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder – 147 hp
  • 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder – 178 hp (6-speed manual) or 192 hp (8-speed automatic)

A hybrid joins the range in 2026, combining a 1.6-liter petrol engine with an electric motor—essentially the same setup used in the Niro—for a combined 139 hp.

Kia hasn’t confirmed which engines Europe will get, but the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated petrol is a long shot given emissions regulations. Expect the 1.6-liter turbo and, later, the hybrid to make up the UK lineup.

Interior: Built for the Premium-Hungry European Buyer

Because Kia knows European customers demand more kit than most markets, the Seltos arrives loaded out of the box. Standard features include:

  • 12.3-inch central infotainment display
  • Head-up display
  • Sunroof
  • Reclining second-row seating
  • 536 liters of boot space

It’s a significant leap from the first-generation model sold overseas, reflecting Kia’s intent to reposition the Seltos as something more than a budget crossover.

Why Europe—and Why Now?

The Seltos launched in 2019 and quickly became one of Kia’s global MVPs, especially in India, where production will continue. But it never met EU safety and emissions standards—until now.

CEO Ho Sung Song says the Seltos is “one of Kia’s most strategically important cars globally, like the Sportage,” noting that the Sportage’s runaway success in Europe (over 150,000 units sold in 2025 alone) created opportunity for a younger sibling. Kia is targeting around 60,000 Seltos sales per year in Europe.

And no, Kia isn’t worried about cannibalization. The Niro is tuned for fuel-efficiency-minded buyers, and while the Seltos hybrid may share hardware, the intended audience is different—people who want the efficiency and the SUV stance. Meanwhile, the Sportage remains in a “totally different segment,” according to Song.

Pricing and Arrival

Official UK pricing and arrival dates are still under wraps but expected early next year. Kia hints at a starting price around £30,000, putting the Seltos squarely alongside the Niro and the lower end of the Sportage range.

With bold looks, generous tech, and a hybrid on the horizon, the Seltos is shaping up to be a compelling new player in Europe’s crowded compact-SUV class. For a model that’s already proven itself worldwide, this long-awaited debut feels like the start of its biggest chapter yet.

Source: KIA

NEW CARS

First Look: 2026 AUDI E7X – China’s New Electric Flagship Steps Into the Spotlight

The AUDI E7X isn’t just another premium electric SUV—it’s a statement of intent. After the AUDI E SUV concept wowed crowds at Auto Guangzhou 2025, Audi’s China-exclusive sister brand is now rolling out the production design ahead of its full debut at Auto China 2026 in Beijing. And if the early details are anything to go by, the E7X is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing EVs the brand has ever developed.

This isn’t Audi in the traditional sense—no four rings, no attempts to mirror the global lineup. Instead, the E7X represents a new chapter tailored specifically to the world’s largest, fastest-moving EV market. Think of it as Audi by way of Shanghai: German engineering fused with SAIC’s deep roots in China’s hyper-connected digital ecosystem.

A Big, Clean, Confident Stance

Size-wise, the E7X lands squarely in full-size SUV territory. At 5,049 mm long and 2,002 mm wide, with a wheelbase stretching 3,060 mm, this thing occupies the road with the kind of presence usually reserved for luxury flagships. But the magic here is in the design execution.

Audi has carried the futuristic, monolithic look of the concept straight into production. Clean planes and strong surfaces dominate the body, avoiding fussy detailing in favor of a sculptural, almost architectural presence. Powerfully defined wheel arches hint at muscularity, while the short overhangs give the large SUV a surprisingly athletic stance.

The front end adopts a bold “wraparound loop” treatment with vertically stacked digital Matrix LED modules—an arrangement that feels more science fiction than mid-cycle refresh. Out back, the signature light graphics continue the theme with precision lines that emphasize the SUV’s width and planted posture.

Performance: Two Flavors of Serious Power

At launch, buyers will choose between two powertrain configurations:

  • 300 kW (402 hp)
  • 500 kW (670 hp)

The brand hasn’t released torque figures yet, but with those power numbers—and likely dual-motor AWD setups—the E7X won’t be hurting for acceleration. Audi characterizes performance as “superior,” and given the company’s history with electric platforms, that’s probably underselling it.

Fermín Soneira, CEO of the Audi–SAIC Cooperation Project, puts it simply: “The AUDI E7X is an SUV without compromises.” And if the mix of power, cabin space, and new-age tech plays out as promised, that might not be marketing fluff.

Inside the Digital Ecosystem

The E7X rides on the new Advanced Digitized Platform, jointly developed with SAIC. This isn’t just a hardware play—it’s a strategic rethinking of what a car needs to be in a market where customers expect their vehicles to sync with digital ecosystems as seamlessly as their smartphones.

Expect deep integration into Chinese app platforms, smart services, and AI-driven interfaces—not merely as add-ons, but as core elements of the vehicle experience. It’s a direction global Audi models haven’t fully embraced, which makes the E7X even more of a technological testbed.

Audi emphasizes that development between German and Chinese teams is happening concurrently, dramatically shortening the typical production timeline. This pace of iteration is something European OEMs have struggled with, and the E7X marks one of the fastest concept-to-production transitions Audi has ever executed.

Audi DNA, Reinterpreted

The E7X is only the second model from the brand after the E5 Sportback, but the mission is already clear: this lineup is for Chinese consumers who want Audi-level driving dynamics and quality—but with a digital philosophy built around local expectations.

You won’t find the iconic four rings here. The name AUDI, in full capitals, stands as the sole badge, an intentional signal that this is a parallel track rather than a sub-brand. It’s Audi, but not as the rest of the world knows it.

And yet, Audi insists that the E7X retains the marque’s DNA: tight handling, strong power delivery, and premium build. If the E5 Sportback was about establishing credibility, the E7X is about expanding ambition.

When Can You See It?

Mark the calendar:

  • Auto China 2026 (Beijing): April 24 – May 3, 2026 – Global debut
  • Market launch: First half of 2026

With the E7X, Audi and SAIC aren’t just releasing a new model—they’re building a new identity. For China’s tech-hungry EV market, this might be exactly the kind of high-end, fully electric SUV they’ve been waiting for.

Source: Audi