Scientific research suggests that most people rate their driving skills as above average. Studies show that the majority of people would give themselves a score of at least 7 on a scale of 1-10, even though most said that their friends or family would give them a lower score. You may think that you’re a brilliant driver, but if your skills were under the spotlight, would you make the grade?

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Are you as good at driving as you think?

Everybody has to pass a test to be able to drive on the roads, but how different is your driving style now to those days when you were accompanied by an instructor and are you really as good a driver as you think? If you were to take a test now, would you pass? Can you still remember the rules of the road? Are you guilty of driving with bad habits? Experience can be hugely valuable when it comes to driving, but not everyone who has years of driving under their belt is a good driver.

The worst driving habits

When you do something over and over again, it’s very common to pick up bad habits. When you’ve been driving for 20 years, it’s highly likely that the days of holding the steering wheel in the ‘ten to 2’ position have long gone. There’s nothing wrong with getting more comfortable behind the wheel, but it’s always essential to drive safely. Here are some of the worst habits drivers can display.

Distracted driving

If you’ve been driving for years and you’re a confident driver, or you tend to live your life at one hundred miles an hour, and you’re always on the go, distracted driving is probably a feature of day to day life. How often do you make calls when you’re driving or take time to plug in a zip code into the navigation system? If you do tend to do this, it’s really important to invest in a hands-free kit for your phone or to use the inbuilt system in your car rather than messing around with your cell in the car. Even when the roads are quiet, and there aren’t many cars around, hazards can come out of nowhere, and if your eyes aren’t fixed on the roads, you may not be able to react. It’s also worth bearing in mind that in some countries, such as the UK, it’s illegal to use your phone while you’re driving unless you have hands-free access.

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Driving tired

How often do you drive when you’re tired? If you know your way around the roads and you’re a seasoned pro when it comes to driving, you may think that you can overcome any challenge on the road, but tiredness kills, and there’s no getting around the statistics. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than a third of drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel at least once. Driving when you’re tired puts both you and other drivers at risk, so always pull over in a safe place if you’re struggling to keep your eyes open.

No hands

When you learn to drive, not a moment goes by when you don’t have at least one hand on the wheel. This tends to change when you pass the test, and you’re free to explore at your leisure. It’s fine not to have a firm grip on the wheel with both hands at all times, but resist the temptation to try and show off. You don’t want to end up injuring somebody because you’re showing your mates you can steer with your knees. If you’re negligent, and somebody else is injured, they have every right to get in touch with a firm like https://www.StephenBabcock.com/locations/ruston/ and pursue a compensation claim. You may also incur penalties if you were at fault. When you’re behind the wheel, always remember that it’s not just your safety at risk. Careful driving also protects others, so make sure you have a firm grasp of that wheel, even if you do know the roads like the back of your hand.

Driving too fast

If you’re confident in your driving abilities and there’s an open road ahead, you may be tempted to put your foot on the gas and let the vehicle fly. The trouble is that driving at high speed carries risks. If you crash at speed, you’re more likely to sustain severe, even life-threatening injuries and you may also injure other people and do serious damage to your car. If a pedestrian is hit at 30 kph, they have an 80% chance of surviving. This falls to almost 0% at 80 kph. You may also face legal action if you exceed the specified limit, especially if others are injured. If you’re unsure about the impact of speed, this article is a useful resource http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/publications/road_traffic/world_report/speed_en.pdf. Pay attention to the speed restrictions and adapt the way you drive if it’s raining outside or there’s ice on the road. Even if the speed limit is 70 mph, it may not be safe to drive at this speed if the surface is slippery or it’s pouring down with rain and visibility is poor.

Image courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfxie/7426097390

Not giving other vehicles space

Are you guilty of driving right behind other cars? Do you try and encourage people to speed up or tailgate them on the highway? Driving like this can make other drivers feel anxious, and it can also end in disaster, especially if the driver in front is forced to brake quickly. If there’s not enough distance between your car and the vehicle in front, you’re going to crash into the back of them. Leave at least two car lengths between you, and adjust the distance in line with the conditions. If it’s wet or icy, you’ll need to increase the gap to account for a greater stopping distance.

Image from http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5273154

You may think that you’re a good driver, but do you have any of these bad habits? How careful are you on the roads? If there’s room for improvement, take these considerations on board and remember that you’re responsible for other people’s safety, as well as your own.

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Well, summer has certainly left us. With the states currently being battered by high winds and storms, fall is definitely upon us, and those pleasant, summer driving outings can be considered long gone. Moving forward, it’ll be all about hot chocolates, cozy nights in, and making sure that we’re safe on the roads. Fall – and, looking forward, winter – presents a number of hazards which, if we’re not careful, can pose a risk while we’re driving around town. Below, we outline some of the dangers you need to be looking out for.

Source: Pexels.com

Check Your Car

Our cars get a pretty smooth ride during the spring and summer months. They’re not tested in the same way they are during the fall, and even if something goes wrong, we’re usually just left stranded on a beautiful summer day. No great loss. That’s not the case in the fall and winter when cars are tested to the brink. Before the weather gets even more gloomy, make sure you’re checking that your vehicle is in good working condition. Check it’s topped up with the necessary fluids, that the battery and brakes are working well, the tires are fully inflated, and that the heater is ready to do its job.

Fast Weather Changes

We’re currently in a transition period between summer and fall. That means the weather doesn’t really know what it’s doing; one moment, it’ll be a sunny end of summer day, and then the next there’ll be dark storm clouds overhead. From seemingly nowhere, the roads can all of a sudden become hazardous, and driving a thread to the safety of you and your passengers. Be prepared to wait out the inclement weather until it’s safe to continue, or cut your journey short if bad weather strikes.

Leaves on the Road

Fall is a magical time, full of beautiful colors on the trees. That’s all good and well, but those leaves are falling, and creating slippery conditions on the road surface. If you’re visiting the country to engage in a spot of leaf-peeping, make sure you’re extra careful when you’re handling those tight mountain corners. If you live in an area that has a lot of leaves on the ground, regularly check under your vehicle, around the tires, to ensure that leaves aren’t clogging up the mechanics of your vehicle.

Wet Conditions

We’re about to get hit with a lot of rain, and perhaps even flooded roads. This can cause danger to your car in a number of ways, including the torrential rains beating down and obscuring your view, and the roads that are holding too much water. Before you set off driving on what will be a rainy day, make sure your windscreen wipers are in full working order. On the roads, always drive a little bit more slowly than you usually would, and be conscious of how your steering feels; if it feels abnormally light, then you might be aquaplaning, which means your tires have lost contact with the road. Ease off the accelerator until your steering returns to normal weight.

Low Light

The nights are getting darker, which cause problems on their own, but there’s also the matter of lower light. You might be driving in great light at 6 pm one week, then the following morning 6 pm is suddenly much darker, but you haven’t noticed. Pay extra attention to how much light there is, especially to and from work; even if you think you can see fine, other drives won’t be able to see you! The sun will be setting earlier, and if you’re driving west, then you might have to compete with blinding sunlight. Keep your windscreen completely clean, and make sure you’re using your sun visor.

Wildlife Issues

Fall is an excellent time to go wildlife watching. Unfortunately, since wildlife lacks a map, it often finds its way onto the roads, right in the line of your oncoming car. In non-urban areas, drivers often to deal with deer, which are most active during the fall season (also during dawn/dusk, to make matters worse). If you’re driving in an area populated with deer, be extra vigilant when looking for hazards and be careful when going around bends.

Source: Pexels.com

Other Humans

Fall and winter is a time to enjoy with other people, but not on the roads, when other people are a danger. In fact, it’s this time of year when drivers are most likely to need the services of a car wreck lawyer. Why? Because it takes knowledge and skill to drive when the weather outside is bad, and most people don’t have this information or skill set. It’s true everywhere, but, paradoxically, truer in areas that always get inclement weather, as some drivers who are used to living with such conditions ignore the safety precautions. To keep yourself safe, keep a gap between you and the driver in front of you, and never speed up just because a driver behind you is becoming impatient.

High Winds

Fall is also a time when we get high winds. They can come from seemingly nowhere, as the most dangerous winds are usually confined to a few specific areas on a journey, such as bridges. If there’s a high wind warning where you live, drive extra carefully. You should also keep two hands on the wheel at all times, and keep a distance between your vehicle and large trucks, as they are more susceptible to turn over.

Have Supplies in the Back

You can’t always stop things going wrong when you’re in your vehicle. But you can always be prepared. For instance, make sure that you have a fully stocked emergency car kit in the back of your vehicle, which should include bottles of water, a basic car repair kit, blankets, and a torch, among other items. Now’s a good time to check that your spare tire is in good condition, and to triple check that you’ll know how to change it if you’re in a pinch!

Take the advice above, and you’ll have pleasant fall and winter driving experiences.

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Scooters are the ultimate in retro chic. From Vespa to Lambretta, the mod culture exploded as the iconic ergonomically designed scooter was released to the public. People of all ages and from all walks of life wanted to get their hands on a small piece of Italian engineering. In the twenty-first century, there’s something nostalgic about owning a scooter. With their curves, shape, and colors, they remain aesthetically pleasing to the eye. With the resurgence of everything retro within the world of fashion, interiors, and art, it seems logical that retro vehicles would also find their niche among the masses. If you’re tempted to purchase one of these fantastic and fun little vehicles, take a look at these reasons why scooters are the epitome of cool.

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Make It Your Own

There aren’t many vehicles that you can personalize and make unique. With a Vespa, you can make all sorts of modifications to the chassis and frame of your bike. You could change the shape of your mirrors, add a windshield, or alter the paint job.

If you join a scooter club, you’ll want your little motor to hold its own amongst a sea of bespoke Lambrettas. The scooter community is close-knit, friendly and joining in is the perfect way to meet other like-minded enthusiasts and share stories of how scooters play such a massive part in your lives. No doubt you’ve felt the pang of jealousy when you’ve spied a troupe of thirty or more scooters in formation cruising down the streets, and you’ve wanted to join in. Well, now you can if you take the plunge and purchase one of your own.

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Safety

As with any vehicle, from a car to a bicycle, you need to take responsibility for your own safety. Grab yourself a solid helmet, rugged boots, and thick riding gloves as the bare minimum. You won’t be racing around the city at ridiculous speeds but other less cautious drivers might, so you need to be alert at all times. It’s easy to slip into the blind spot of a car driver, so you must take it slow when turning on roads.

The great thing about a 50cc scooter is that in most states you don’t need a motorcycle license to ride one. However, if scooter ownership gives you the taste for two-wheeled vehicles and you can see yourself opting for something a little more powerful in the future, you will need to apply for a license. You can get motorcycle test info here, showing the sorts of questions you might face should you want to obtain a license and allowing potential applicants to download sample tests for free.

From the James Bond movie Octopussy to the British 1970s classic Quadrophenia, scooters have made appearances on the big screen. Their iconic status as a piece of retro engineering that looks great on the open road has earned them a cult following. Supremely fun and easy to drive, as well as being cheap to run has made them the vehicle of choice for many people across the world. If you’re after a classic cool motor, you can’t go wrong with an original 1960s scooter.

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One of the most exciting experiences for teenagers is reaching the age when you are finally able to drive. Sitting in the driver’s seat behind the wheel inspires an immediate sense of freedom, as though the world has expanded and the many roads have become a new sort of playground to explore. But with this freedom comes many risks, for operating a vehicle is no small undertaking and requires serious focus and responsibility.

If you are a new driver, there are several habits that you can develop early on which will make you a safer driver and avoid careless accidents. Parents should encourage these habits as soon their child begins practicing driving. Some helpful driving tips include:

·      Put down the cell phone to avoid texting while driving

·      Always buckle your seatbelt as soon as you get in the car

·      Never drink and drive

·      Pay attention to the weather, especially when first taking to the road

·      During your first few months of driving, limit passengers

For more useful tips, read this guide to driving safety in order to develop simple but effective habits when hitting the road as a new driver.

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Getting roadworthy can be a difficult time. It might feel like there is an overwhelming amount of requirements you need to make before you can happily call yourself roadworthy. At the very least, making sure that you have an operational car, the correct insurance and road tax, as well as the confidence to do well on the road is required. As a new driver trying to figure out all of this information and begin your driving career safe, it’s likely that there are many driving insights you simply aren’t told as a new driver. Some people don’t figure them out for years, or neglect to even learn them at all.

You’re an intelligent reader, and so if you’re a new driver, or even a driver looking to brush up on their roadworthy knowledge, it’s worthwhile reading the following advice. Who knows? One day, it could help you out in a pinch.

Road Rage Will Come Your Way

It’s natural to feel frustrated while driving. It’s not natural or wise or acceptable to let it inform your driving behaviours. You will experience a plethora of personality types on the road, from those with attitudes, those showing off to the inhabitants of their car, as well as people who are overly cautious such as a small percentage of the elderly. All of these people can cause you stress on the road, especially if they cut you up or drive dangerously near you. While it might be tempting to flip the bird or honk the horn, or even yell out of the window, all of this adds to the distractions of yourself and other drivers on the road.

Don’t add to a situation his danger through your own anger, even if it will take saintly patience to prevent yourself from doing so. The dangers far outweigh the benefits of letting out some of your frustration. If someone has seriously inhibited you from driving safely, or has put you in harm’s way, memorize the license plate or read it out to someone else in the car, pull aside and call the police on them. They will notify the highway authorities and track the vehicle down. If they do, it’s likely that they will require a statement from you, and that’s where you can have your justified ‘revenge,’ for lack of a better term. Getting a dangerous driver officially penalized can maybe even save lives at a later date, and at the very least you will feel vindicated from having to experience the situation.

Ignoring Small Repairs Lead To Big Repairs

You needn’t be the wisest or most adept car mechanic to understand that ignoring the smallest fixes will lead to big repairs needing to take place. Depending on your model and make of your vehicle, this can get VERY costly. Some small repairs, while seemingly insignificant, can actually render your car less than roadworthy without you knowing. Most people have limited knowledge about the model of car they drive, so they are unable to identify the errors and issues that can accumulate from them.

For example, small chips which occur from flying chipped tarmac or rocks on the road can leave you with tiny cracks on the windshield. Why the small crack might not seem like much, it heavily reduces the structural strength of the tempered glass, and as such provides an unsafe environment for you to drive in. Over time, the crack is sure to spread, and if you’re really unlucky, a crash will make the entire screen collapse and smash in on you. For a small preventative cost, using a auto glass repair and replacement firm can help you immediately fix the issue and continue driving with peace of mind. It’s not just the windshield which can be subject to problems like this however. Even seemingly innocuous issues like frayed seatbelts can be a major problem if you leave them too late.

The world of driving is a world of unpredictability. Think about it. You are driving a thick metal and plastic vessel in a line next to plenty of others at high speed. You want this vessel to stay as structurally safe and sound as it can, and for the safety features to be like new at all times. What’s more important, a saving here and there or the solid understanding that you are safe alongside your family during your holiday travels?

These tips can get you far on the road, but they’re usually not explicitly told to you as soon as you begin driving. Knowing them can help you stay a more temperate, patient and more importantly safe driver. Who knows, with these correct attitudes, you may even enjoy your driving experience more.

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The Jetta is a great family car, well regarded as one of the top sellers on the market. It’s know to be a reliable, practical machine that is perfect for transporting lots of people to their destination without any hassle. But how does it measure up in terms of the specific categories such as safety, cost, and style, and is it a good overall investment? Read the post below to find out.

Ticket Price

One reviewer at https://ca.motor1.com/reviews/99836/review-2017-volkswagen-jetta  refers to the Jetta as a big car for a small price, and they are certainly not wrong. The basic level model that is one without all of the bells and whistles is little over $15K. While the top of the line spec, filled kitted out version will usually set you back under $30K. Not bad for a family vehicle.

Safety

One that is regarded as very safe, with a plus rating from the IIHS, scoring good in front, side, rear, and roof tests.  The Jetta comes with brake assist, plenty of airbags, and ABS too. So it is a truly good choice for those concerned about the safety of their families when they are on the road.

Interior

It is also praised for having a spacious interior, large enough to comfortably seat adults in the back. As well as a roomy boot, so it’s a  great choice for driving vacations or families that have large pets like dogs that they want to transport with them.

Image here

Insurance

Also, in favour of the Jetta is that it is relatively low cost to insure as it’s seen as a safe, stable, and reliable choice by insurance providers. Of course, to make it even cheaper, shop around using an independent comparison site like https://www.gobear.com/sg/car-insurance as well. As then you can guarantee that you get the lowest quote, and it won’t even cost you a penny! After all every little helps when you are paying out to run a car!

Fuel Economy

However,  if you are assuming you will get the fuel economy up in the 70 that we see from some of the smaller new cars on the market with the Jetta, you will be sadly mistaken. As you are looking at 55- 65 tops. Not bad, as a whole for a large and roomy car like this, but certainly something that you will want to take into consideration before you buy.

Looks

Lastly, we also need to consider how this car performs on looks. Unfortunately, despite being a sedan version of the sporty VW golf, the Jetta seems determined to keep its dates look. In fact, the 2017 version looks almost like a twin for the 2015 version, with hardly a difference between them. Something that is especially noticeable when you have a model like the Toyota Corolla in the same category to compare it to. I mean sure we get that it’s best not to reinvent the wheel if you’ll pardon the pun, but even the owners of family cars want models that look modern too!

So, if you are looking for a safe, well-priced family car, the Jetta is a good choice. As long as you aren’t too bothered about outside look a fuel economy.

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Updates in car safety have long taken the motoring world by storm, but it’s the technology advances and the luxury upgrades that are the game changer. Sure, everyone wants a car that is easy to use and safe to drive, but you can get basic car models that do those things. Throw in some high-tech gadgets, some excellent entertainment and a car that is so clever it parks itself, and you have a luxuriously attractive car. Car enthusiasts the world over flock to car shows and review the biggest and best cars around with the features that the public cry out for, and if there’s one brand that is able to give people what they want it’s Subaru. From the Outback to the Impreza, Subaru have taken the time to update their profile as brand that thrives on luxury every year.

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New car creation is always an exciting time, and the Subaru brand have year on year brought out new models that are bigger and better than before. The Japanese brand have this year brought out the Subaru XV, an updated all-wheel drive that is a crossover hatch. However, you won’t find reviews that are screaming about the positives of the XV, purely because the way this car has been modelled. It takes a very different approach compared to the rest of the crossover market. The Subaru XV has a car-sized body, so it’s not giant in size like it’s sister Outback, but it has all the underpinnings of an off-roader. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, because while the positive reviews aren’t splashed across the world wide web, they are still there and those who have the privilege of driving the XV know there are aspects to be admired. It’s important to remember that the XV is not a standard 4×4, and the styling of the vehicle is very unique. Its roots are from the Impreza range, but don’t be fooled: they are very different vehicles in what they offer. The alloy wheels are a distinctive feature, and the XV stands out because of them.

One of the biggest most talked about features of the XV is the fact that there is a blockbuster entertainment system. The Subaru brand are all about infotainment and the entertainment features of the car itself are high-end in the luxury car market. 8” in-car touchscreens that are enabled for Apple CarPlay and Android use are able to read your texts out loud to you while you drive. Not only this, you can bounce the mapping system of your smartphone to the screen – instant sat nav! This type of interlinking safety with convenience is what draws people to the Subaru brand: they think of more than just the sat-nav! The best bit about the screen at the front of the car? It’s voice-enabled, which means if you need to change your destination or even the radio station you can keep your eyes on the road and ask your car instead. Clever technology is a huge selling point for people – especially those who have children.

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Speaking of clever technology, the Subaru brand is renowned for its technological safety features, as well as its impressively regular updates on each of its vehicles. The EyeSight technology that has been featured in other cars, like the Subaru Outback, is prominent in the XV. EyeSight will tell you when it’s time to go, so you don’t have to announce to other vehicles that it’s time to keep moving forward. The safety sensors in the XV adjust as you need them to, helping you to keep in control of the car. Combining the tech features with the need for utmost safety is a huge plus with the Subaru XV, and the adaptive cruise control and Vision Assist technology are there to bolster the safety of the car.

The all-wheel drive is the signature of the Subaru brand, and the XV doesn’t miss out on it. The want for a vehicle to have a grip on all surfaces that is consistent, whether on road or off, is highlighted with the XV. One of the biggest reasons people love Subaru, is the ground clearance. It’s obvious on any one of their vehicles, but they sit high and above other brand name cars. The XV has a stunning 220mm ground clearance, which is one of the highest in the small SUV class of vehicles. When you need a car that has all the features of being fashionable but also urban, the Subaru XV should be on the top of your list of considerations. The XV fits nicely between the niche of the of the small and medium SUVs such as the Honda HR-V or the Mazda CX-5.

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The interiors of the XV are close those that were sported by the Impreza, but there are some touches that ensure these two vehicles stay worlds apart. The orange contrast stitching on the doors, seats and dash is seen in some models in Japan. The dash itself is far more modern it has ever been and that’s due to the sleek style and larger screen on offer. The XV offers a larger interior space to make room for the wider, more comfortable front seats and the larger foot space of the back seats. This makes it a popular choice for families, as there is more space for a car seat. If you love to go on holiday, then the roof rails on the XV have been increased by 15% and are well designed so they won’t stick out like most roof rails on vehicles. The door mirrors on either side are as aerodynamic as ever, and are smooth and functional. Function has been in the mind of Subaru during the design of the XV, and that much is plainly obvious to all who test drive it.

Subaru went to a lot of trouble to ensure their engine offers a smooth and quiet ride. It’s not just the engine either, the impressively big wheels stand at up to 18” and reduce the vibrations of the car as well as road noise. This kind of quiet drive is great for driver concentration and means you don’t have to shout to be heard with the other passengers on board. While we are on the topic of sound, check out the way the windows close on the XV compared to other models. They slow right down just before closing, which makes for a softer close and is an impressive addition to the car overall.

Road Utah Wanderlust Travel Rocks Roadtrip

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The torsional rigidity has been increased, which means that there is greater handling on the XV. This allows the suspension to do the right job rather than reducing the handling accuracy. When you want to road trip in the XV, you’ll be impressed by the power steering and the handling you have on the vehicle. The X-mode that was on the Forester has been added to the XV, and in doing so, Subaru have managed to adjust the stability control response. This then better suits the conditions that are low-grip. There is also an impressive Hill Descent feature, which you can read about in more detail right here. The Subaru XV is an automatic drive, but that doesn’t mean you cannot switch to manual handling. Taking control on those steep road curves can give you everything you need in power-assisted driving and let you do more on your road trip. Speaking of those sharp curves, the XV directs its power into the outer wheels. Better turning on the road means for safer driving and a sleek interaction with the way the car is handled. It can make it so much easier for you to drive on the road, no matter the terrain, because you are the one in control of the car. Subaru made a name for itself when it comes to off-road handling, and the XV is very well-suited to off-road exploits. It just doesn’t disappoint!

Subaru have always prided themselves a brand that is great value for money, with a fab reseller value on its models. The XV is a very dependable car to own, meaning that while the initial face value of the car is rather steep when buying new or used, the running costs are manageable. The after sales coverage with Subaru, which you can read about here, is very enticing. Overall, the XV by Subaru is a decent car. It’s efficient, practical and luxurious for the model. It has a charming simplicity, and is very much an appealing option for those who want to avoid the open flashiness of the 4×4 counterparts. It has been reimagined for the audience that wants better technology, larger interiors and great car handling. There will always be a market for luxury cars, but for now, the Japanese brand have clearly outdone themselves with a range of vehicles to suit everyone. The XV simply fits beautifully in with the rest!

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