DRIVE TALKING

What’s hot on the road

SKODA OCTAVIA HOLDS VALUE

ONE of the key considerations when buying a new car is how quickly it will depreciate in value – and by how much. The 2018 DoneDeal Motor Industry Review says the best bet is the Skoda Octavia, which after three years will have lost just 22% of the purchase price. This is the second year in a row that the Octavia has topped the list, putting it ahead of the Volkswagen Golf (27%) and Ford Focus (36%).

FULL BEAMER AHEAD FOR 7 SERIES

BMW has announced the arrival date and price of the new 7 Series. The car will be here on 13 April, and will cost from €96,160. The engine range includes a new eight-cylinder powerplant, and an in-line six-cylinder unit with plug-in hybrid system offering extended electric range up to 58km. Both the standard model and the long wheelbase model have grown by 22mm in length.

SUBARA XV CROSSOVER TRIUMPH

THE Subaru XV has been named 4x4 Magazine’s Crossover Estate of the Year 2019, with its safety credentials coming in for special mention. The car achieved the highest score of all time in the EuroNCAP test for child occupant protection. It also won praise for its off-road credentials, with Subaru’s permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Boxer engine proven to provide unrivalled capability in mud and rough terrain.