Jonathan Goddard Reviews Archive 
News from Jonathan Goddard
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Mini Cooper D review
REVIEW
Can a small diesel be any good?
6 October 2007 10:00 GMT
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Let’s get something important out the way. The diesel Mini is no where near as good as the Cooper, S or even the One. But a small diesel will never (well maybe not never) be as good as a petrol equivalent so that’s not a fair comparison. Importantly,...
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Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDi Laurin & Klement review
REVIEW
Is the hype really worth believing?
1 September 2007 9:00 GMT
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Skoda has been getting a lot of good press in the past few years. As a manufacturer it has topped customer the JD Power and Top Gear satisfaction surveys, and the Octavia has won a variety of "car of the year" accolades all over Europe.
But... -
Route 66 Chicago 6000 GPS receiver review
REVIEW
Rooute 66 launches first standalone in-car GPS system
29 July 2007 15:47 GMT
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Portable in-car satnav systems have come a long way in a short time. Budget models have shown particular improvement. Garmin's woeful Streetpilot, launched a couple of years back, would have forever put many off buying a budget model again.
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Peugeot 407 SW HDi 136 SE review
REVIEW
A well-equipped, hugely comfortable dog of a car - yep, it's French
26 May 2007 9:00 GMT
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I used to own a 307. It was without doubt the worst car I have owned and coupled with the experience I have had in testing a multitude of French cars, it convinced me once and for all that our Gallic cousins are as good at making cars as they are at making...
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BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si SE review
REVIEW
The Z4 gets a metal roof ... and a personality bypass
28 April 2007 9:00 GMT
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When I first drove the Z4 a few years back, I really loved it. Its challenging looks won me over, it's supremely quick and its roof mechanism is first rate. The Coupe is essentially unchanged dynamically so I wasn't expecting much difference.
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Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC review
REVIEW
Is the latest Honda soft-roader better than the last one?
7 April 2007 9:00 GMT
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The CR-V has always been a cracking machine, offering a truly car-like driving experience with the ride height and practicality of a 4x4. The last version added great styling, high levels of comfort and relatively low running costs.
Unfortunately,... -
Honda Accord Tourer 2.4 EX Auto review
REVIEW
A Car That's All Things To All Men?
10 March 2007 9:00 GMT
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I'll make something clear up front: I'm currently working out what company car I can afford to run, and I was close to discounting the Accord Tourer because it's just out of my budget range. Since having one on test, I’ve decided there are some things...
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BMW 320d M Sport Touring review
REVIEW
Can BMW improve on a classic?
10 February 2007 9:00 GMT
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I own a 1989 BMW 320i Touring. I love it, despite its foibles. Sitting at the helm somehow makes you feel that little bit special. Sitting in the cabin of the latest 3 Series Touring gives me more of the same. It’s great how BMW has a sense of heritage...
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BMW X3 2.0d SE review
REVIEW
Has BMW improved with the new model?
3 February 2007 9:00 GMT
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I’ve never really understood why anyone would buy a BMW X3. It’s by no means a bad car – far from it, in fact. Sure, early ones looked a bit funny, the ride was unforgivably choppy and the interior had been built by Romanian peasants earning three potatoes...
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Kia Sedona 2.9 CRDi people carrier review
REVIEW
Is this the car to opt for if you've got a growing family?
2 December 2006 9:00 GMT
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If you ever feel the need to buy a car with seven seats, it’s time to take yourself to the shed, put some Cure on the stereo and blow yourself away with a homemade pipe bomb.
Yes, life is over for you, but if you want to carry on with your... -
Mini Cooper S review
REVIEW
The new mini is here, but does it excite?
11 November 2006 0:00 GMT
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Even though the old (new) Mini was a blast, it always failed the acid test, which for almost any car is the answer to the following question: "Would I buy one?"
Gloriously, the new (new) Mini - which looks almost exactly like the old (new)... -
Chrysler 300C CRD Touring review
REVIEW
Are the Americans invading?
4 November 2006 6:00 GMT
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Chrysler, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge ... no, we’re not on the long straight highways that criss-cross the USA. We’re on sedate country lanes in Berkshire, Cheshire, Somerset and Lancashire.
The Americans are invading. In a country once... -
Porsche 997 Carrera S cabrio review
REVIEW
Has Porsche lost its magic? We get behind the wheel to find out
28 October 2006 11:06 GMT
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Remember the old car sticker, usually stuck in the rear window of a banged up old Rover that read: "My other car’s a Porsche"?
That was back in the day when the Porsche badge meant rich, ostentatious and exclusive. These days, Porsche means... -
Vauxhall Astra Twin Top 1.6 16v Sport review
REVIEW
Can Vauxhall perform with its convertible Astra?
7 October 2006 11:00 GMT
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Peugeot did it first, and now everyone seems to be having a crack. No, we're not talking about building cars that fall apart in a brisk wind, but the current fascination with churning out hard-roof drop-tops – or coupe-cabriolets as they are known – based...
Nikon D800 pictures and hands-on Full frame camera in the flesh
Nikon D700 vs Nikon D800 New and improved?
BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 demoed, Bridge 2.0 gives remote control Coming in February