I tested Ford, Mazda, and BMW cars over a day – one stole the show

If you're a car enthusiast like myself, the prospect of spending an entire day test driving some of the latest vehicles on UK roads is an enticing one.

I was fortunate enough to experience this very scenario earlier this week when I attended the annual SMMT test day at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

The event showcased vehicles from nearly every major manufacturer, including Skoda, VW, BMW, Mercedes, Alpine, Renault, Honda, Ford, and Smart. It provided journalists with a chance to reacquaint themselves with models they hadn't driven in a while or, for novices like me, an opportunity to familiarise ourselves with various cars in a controlled setting.

Despite the common criticism that many modern cars sound, look, or drive similarly, attending an event like SMMT's serves as a reminder that the reality is quite the opposite. With this in mind, I eagerly delved into the day, armed with numerous questions and anticipating a wealth of answers.

One question I had was 'What kind of car can you purchase for £43,000?' This is admittedly a specific query, but it was prompted by Auto Express's report last year stating that the average price of a new car in the UK was around £42,000. Armed with this information, I selected three distinct cars. One stole the show, but there was a rather big catch.

The first competitor to step up was the latest BMW 1 Series. Although the model I tested was kitted out to a hefty £42,000, the base price for the car is just over £31,000, making it well within our set parameters.

The 1 Series is a family hatchback, offering seating for five, ample boot space, and BMW's most recent interior technology. The version I drove was loaded with extras, resulting in a plush and comfortable interior, supportive seats, and a wealth of features on the central driver information display.

As I navigated the 1 Series around Millbrook's alpine handling course, there was minimal understeer and the tyres coped admirably with the track's bumps, undulations, and twists. However, the noticeable absence of any steering feedback, coupled with an incredibly thick steering wheel, left me somewhat in the dark about what was happening at each corner of the car.

This isn't an issue exclusive to BMWs; many modern cars I've driven seem to have had the sensation of steering engineered out of them to make them easier to drive. So, it wouldn't be fair to single out BMW too harshly for following a market trend; it's just my personal 'ick' with contemporary driving.

Christopher's rating for the BMW 1 Series: 7/10

While the BMW comfortably occupies the hatchback niche of the car world, Ford's electric Explorer SUV sits in the opposing corner. Much like the BMW and our third contender, prices for the most basic models start from around £40,000, but can quickly escalate if one opts to add extra features.

The decision to opt for an SUV was influenced by their popularity, and it seemed only fitting to test drive one powered by an electric motor rather than a traditional petrol or diesel engine. The range, naturally, is contingent on the size of the battery - the larger the battery, the greater the distance it can cover.

Like most large vehicles, it offered ample space and comfort both inside and out. The Explorer, very much designed with families in mind, could easily accommodate all the paraphernalia a family might need to transport. Additionally, Ford has embraced the trend of incorporating a touchscreen in the centre of the car, which proved relatively user-friendly.

However, it wasn't all plain sailing. Similar to my experience with the BMW, I tested the Ford on an alpine handling course. It's worth noting that an electric SUV is unlikely to offer the same level of enjoyment as a lower-riding petrol hatchback. While it didn't, it maintained a steady ride and the platform remained stable despite the increasingly tight corners and close armcos.

One aspect that fell short of expectations was the lack of support from the seats. This meant that if you took a corner too sharply, there was a risk of sliding out of them.

While SUVs aren't expected to perform like sports cars, the seats should at least offer a sense of security given the momentum even moderate speeds can generate. After testing the Ford, I felt that although this was a downside, it wouldn't pose much of an issue in most driving scenarios.

Christopher's rating for the Ford Explorer: 6/10

The variety of vehicles available for test drives at SMMT was impressive, and I must confess, a Mazda MX5 caught my eye. The MX5 has been a staple for 40 years and is a favourite in the UK's second-hand car market due to its affordability, enjoyable drive, and ease of maintenance and modification.

A UK-based company, Rocketeer Cars, has taken on the task of giving this British B-road favourite a restomod makeover. A restomod involves upgrading an older vehicle with modern parts to enhance its performance, speed, or reliability.

The Rocketeer MX5 ticks all these boxes. The original four-cylinder engine has been replaced with a Porsche-Cosworth developed V6, delivering just under 300bhp through a five-speed manual gearbox. As it's a restomod, prices can fluctuate depending on whether you choose to build it yourself or have the Rocketeer team do it for you.

Mazda's tend to sell for around £40,000 but, I must confess, this Rocketeer version with all the add-ons came to £70k so it is perhaps no surprise it came out the winner.

I must confess, I'm a huge enthusiast of restomods, so naturally, the MX5 was the first vehicle I hopped into. The convertible feature allowed me to savour the V6 engine even more; I even remarked to my co-driver that it echoed the sound of a Jaguar E-Type.

Despite not being the most practical of the three cars I've evaluated for this piece, it's likely the one I'd choose. This is because cars are not mere appliances like washing machines; they possess a depth beyond that.

Cars may be assemblies of metal, plastic, and carbon fibre, but they also represent works of art.

We require vehicles like the BMW and Ford, machines designed for everyday use, but we also need cars like the Rocketeer MX5. These are the moments that remind both the automotive world and our own human world that we can let loose and enjoy ourselves.

Christopher's rating for the Mazda MX5: 8/10