Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Claudia Tuñón

Isobel Coughlan

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Alastair Shephard

With winter just around the corner, more extreme weather predicted left right and centre, and the road condition worsening, now might be the best time to jump into a 4x4 for your next car, but what are the best ones to look for?

4 wheel drive was invented for increased traction off-road, so I’ve added this section for useful but still comfortable 4x4s, perfect for anyone who lives in a rural area and needs to travel over rough terrain.

, itself being an evolution of the Series Landrover of old, being so revered, Land Rover had their work cut out bringing a completely new version to market. The new Defender is a good homage to the old one, albeit with much more luxury and comfort, although that isn’t hard!

Starting at £57,420 for the utility hard top version, with steel wheels and one paint finish option, the Defender is priced to the upper end of the market. Inside you’ll find a blend of old and new styling with a few callbacks to the classic Landy.

Although predominantly a pickup truck, the 

 offers plenty of passenger space alongside a very useful pickup bed, if you add on the optional tonneau cover this is essentially a huge boot!

Because many of the users of the Ranger double cab treat it as an SUV rather than a pickup, the interior is kitted out with all the mod cons you’d expect in a high-end Ford, including touchscreen infotainment, adaptive cruise and more, a utilitarian pick-up it is not!

As an established chemical processing company, Ineos doesn’t have the pedigree of Ford or Land Rover, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing a dependable and impressive vehicle in 

The mantra the company publicised was that the Grenadier is to be the “spiritual successor" to the outgoing Defender, and many argue it fills that gap better than the new Defender. 

Whatever your opinion, you can’t argue with its ruggedness, with its heavy-duty ladder-chassis, permanent 4-wheel drive and front and rear skid plates. 

If we’re being honest most 4-wheel drive vehicles rarely see dirt, and as such don’t need to offer long-travel suspension or locking differentials. 

What they do offer is an elevated driving position and heaps of passenger space.

 is based on the same platform as the VW Toureg, with an onus on on-road performance, comfort and safety. The latest model is one of the German brand's flagship models, featuring all the latest gadgets and styling hallmarks.

With a colossal 500NM of torque available, the new Q7 will make it to 60mph in 5.6 seconds, impressive for a car that weighs over 2 tonnes. Contributing to the heft is an abundance of safety and tech features, such as adaptive air suspension, a hybrid system and loads of safety systems.

Hailed by many as the peak of luxury SUVs, the 

 certainly exudes style and comfort. It has a price tag to match, though, starting at over £104,000. This gets you an SE trim level, with a mild hybrid diesel engine. 

Regardless of trim level, the interior of the new Range Rover is an excellent place to be, with premium leather and metal everywhere. The 24-way adjustable heated, cooled and massaging seats are a perfect example of the exuberance and comfort found throughout.

, it's still sizable enough to provide plenty of comfort and luxury touches. Whilst the base model xDrive30D xLine possibly offers the best value at just over £72,300, the M60i would be the dream spec, with its twin-turbo V8 producing in excess of 500hp!

All models come with the modern styling of contemporary BMWs, with the exterior of the current generation X5 being less divisive than that of the X7, for now at least. Inside the seats and controls are as well built and functional as you’d expect from a high-end BMW, which is to say very!

Another luxury SUV born from a utility vehicle, the first G-Classes made were for military use, it wasn’t until the updated version was unveiled in 1990 that it gained traction as a luxury/status vehicle.

 costs well over £130,000, with many opting for the superior G63 V8 version starting at £184,000+. For your £136,690 you get all-wheel drive and a diesel hybrid powertrain, giving a sprightly 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds, what’s even more impressive is its claimed economy of 30+ MPG. 

If you don’t need an enormous Land Rover or an ultra-luxurious German SUV, these bare-bones, simple and cheap 4-wheel drive options may be worth a look.

Another modern revamp of an old classic, the 

 is a quirky but practical small off-roader. Sadly due to EU emissions regulations, the passenger version was discontinued in 2020, but the commercial 2-seater is still made.

Inside the Jimny is just as functional but fun, with rugged switchgear and controls, despite its price and simplicity they still include a touchscreen infotainment system for interior convenience and a low-range gearbox for off-road capability.

 is a modern mild hybrid that has a certain degree of off-road capability, it's powered by a 3-cylinder 1200cc engine, that’s straight from the Renault production line, and it offers modest power and impressive fuel economy. 

Inside the new Duster is a far cry from the plastic-heavy early Dacias, with synthetic leather and high-quality plastics elevating the feel. Infotainment is provided through a touchscreen system combined with sleek physical controls for certain features. 

Although the Allgrip system isn’t a permanent 4-wheel drive, it can offer some additional traction in tricky situations, the 

 is slightly lacking in ground clearance too so don’t attempt any difficult green lanes or off-road courses!

Although not an all-out offroader, the Ignis does offer a good compromise between a compact city car and a 

 with its quirky body mouldings and interior designs. As standard, the SZ-T trim comes with 16” alloy wheels and Apple Car Play as standard. 

4x4 means the car’s engine powers all 4 wheels, most cars use either the front or rear wheels only. 4-wheel drive gives the car better traction in slippery conditions such as snow, ice or mud.

Delivering power to all 4 wheels requires more components and therefore more complexity and weight. This means 4x4 cars typically have more costly maintenance schedules and use more fuel than 2-wheel drive vehicles.

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Best 4-Wheel Drive Cars You Can Buy

Music whilst driving is an absolute must. There's no better way to pass the time than belting out some tunes at the top of your lungs.

But with so much time spent in our cars and only, let's face it, a handful of songs that we truly like it's incredibly difficult to find the perfect playlist.

We're all guilty of playing the same songs over and over until we can't stand to hear them one more time – I'm looking at you, Wicked Soundtrack.

But fear not, to spice up your drive-time playlists, we bring you the ultimate list of the most popular songs for your next musical road trip.

's research, the most popular driving songs of all time have now been revealed.

Taking the top spot is the undisputed ultimate rock banger Mr Brightside by The Killers. Followed closely by good 4 u by American singer-songwriter, Olivia Rodrigo. Heat Waves by Glass Animals took third place.

Other honourable mentions include Africa by American rock band TOTO, As It Was by One Direction's Harry Styles, and Hey Ya! by Outkast.

Want to add these top tunes to your driving playlist? We've included the full list below. Happy listening!

Revealed: Most popular driving song of all time

When the snow starts to fall and our roads become a slippy, sludgy mess there are many things drivers need to think about. Reduced visibility, increased braking distance, and the risk of skidding are just some of the perils facing motorists when the weather becomes too cold.

Now drivers are being warned of a less well-known risk associated with driving in wintery conditions.

 advises motorists that driving with snow on the top of their car could incur a serious fine.

While there is no law that says it's illegal to drive with ice and snow on your car, the Highway Code stipulates you must be able to see out of every glass panel in your vehicle. This is supported by the Road Traffic Act (1988) which states it's a legal requirement to have a clear view of the road ahead before you set off.

Snow and ice falling from the roof of your vehicle while on the move could not only be potentially life-threatening but could land you a fine of £60 and three points on your license.

Not properly clearing your vehicle could also mean trouble with your insurance company. If you're involved in an accident due to snow falling on your windscreen, insurance companies could find you are at fault for neglecting to properly clear your vehicle and could withhold a payout.

So what should you do? Using an ice scraper and de-icer, make sure to thoroughly clear your vehicle of snow and ice before setting off. De-mist all windows windows using your car's heater.

Snow day driving mistake that could get you 3 points

Hybrids are great at offering incredible economy, without sacrificing long range, in the same way an electric car does. The first hybrids used a petrol engine for simplicity, but diesel engines are just as suited to working in conjunction with an electric motor. These are the best diesel hybrids on sale today.

 is one of BMW’s most popular SUVs, and from 2023 it was offered with the impressive 6-cylinder diesel engine and 48v mild hybrid system. This boosts power to nearly 300hp, with a 0-60mph time of 6.1 seconds, which is impressive considering the X5’s size!

As standard the new X5 comes with air suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels and loads of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance and more! 

At nearly £40,000 less than the ‘full fat’ Range Rover, the 

 has been a favourite of those who love the opulent styling and prestige, but don’t need such a large vehicle.

In order to increase fuel efficiency whilst delivering a smooth and powerful ride, the Sport uses the 3.0 diesel hybrid powertrain from BMW, the same one featured in the X5 above.

This gives it comparable power and acceleration figures, and should mean the reliability is pretty good too!

 has all the comfort and features of a car. Plus, as a commercial vehicle, it is excluded from 

Only the Invincible X trim level and above are available as a diesel hybrid, which makes it around £9,000 more than the cheapest double cab trim. 

It yields more than just a hybrid option though, it also includes 18” alloys, a high-quality built-in nav system and a 360-degree camera. Whilst the 

 and motor do not add power, Toyota claims up to 5% reduction in 

In a bold move straying away from the competition with their 

 Mazda have opted to offer their CX-60 SUV with a sizeable 3.3 Litre diesel engine, accompanied by a mild hybrid system. There are two power options, the rear wheel drive 200hp version, and the 3 wheel drive 250hp version. 

Because the system is a mild hybrid, there is no electric-only range, except on the petrol PHEV model. The MHEV can achieve 60MPG though, which is pretty good considering the size of both the engine and car. 

, that has a substantial diesel engine but also gets good fuel economy, the 

 would be perfect. Using the same drivetrain as the X5 we discussed above, the X7 makes even better use of the torque on offer, being that it’s around 350kg heavier!

Inside the X7 is even more refined too, with premium materials everywhere, it is very apparent this is the competitor to the Range Rover, it even features a split tailgate; a revered feature of the Range Rover since the ‘80s. 

The Diesel-Hybrid is a relatively rare fuel type, with only 6 brand new cars for sale on Autotrader at the time of writing. 

Why Are Petrol-Hybrids More Popular Than Diesel?

Petrol and diesel engines produce power in different ways, the power delivery of a petrol engine complements that of an electric motor much better than a diesel engine, with the electric motor providing the low speed torque that petrol engines are inefficient at providing.

In contrast, diesel engines are good at providing low-speed torque, so the benefit of having a supplemental power source for accelerating up to cruising speed is lessened. 

What Are the Benefits of a Diesel Hybrid?

Much like a petrol hybrid, the main benefit of a diesel hybrid is the fuel efficiency gains. For example, Toyota claim the addition of the mild hybrid system in their Hilux Hybrid gains around 5% efficiency. 

Emissions regulations also play a part. All new cars need to adhere to strict EU laws on carbon dioxide and other chemical emissions. The addition of a hybrid system allows some manufacturers to continue using older engine designs or larger-capacity engines. 

AdBlue as it is used on many modern diesel engines to help their emissions output stay within legal limits, many diesel-hybrid engines use it, as determined by EU regulations. 

 is a catalyst solution that improves the conversion of harmful emissions into less harmful compounds.

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two; blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

What Are The Best Diesel Hybrids?

We've all done things we're not proud of behind the wheel – road-raging at other drivers, playing music too loudly, accelerating when we see the amber light. 

But not all bad driving habits are made equal. Some are particularly worse than others.

When one anonymous X (formerly Twitter) user took to the platform to confess their driving sins, they could be forgiven for thinking it was a habit everybody shared.

But unfortunately, it didn't go down the way they'd planned, as other users responded with absolute disgust.

Posted by @fesshole, an account sharing anonymous confessions on various topics, the motorist admitted to a driving habit so gross not even the strongest amongst us could stomach it.

I used to have a strange addiction”, the user began. They then explained how they “used to wipe my earwax on the underside of my driver's seat in my car.”

The user then confessed how they'd sold this waxy vehicle to another unsuspecting driver: “It got to a bad point actually, so if you're driving around in a 56-plate VW Golf covered in earwax then I personally apologise.”

Well, at least they've apologised to the new owner!

Some Twitter users, understandably, found this disgusting. One said, “This grosses me out." While another replied simply, “I hate”.

Other users seemed to see the funny side, with one user commenting, “The real test drive isn’t on the road—it’s the immune system of whoever bought that car.” Another said, “Volkswaxen golf”. 

However you see this confession one thing is for sure, if you're the owner of a 56-plate VW Golf, you'd better check under your seats.

Motorist admits to gross driving habit

Whether you're letting your imagination run wild or standing on a piece left on the living room floor, everybody loves a bit of LEGO – right?

But imagine if you could step into your very own showroom and select your favourite car made completely out of these colourful little bricks.

Well, now you can! We've used AI to turn the most popular cars on UK roads into marvellous LEGO creations.

Ready for a tour of our showroom? Step inside…

What would our cars look like made out of LEGO?

You’ve just passed your MOT — hooray! 

But what’s this? A list of MOT advisories? 

MOT advisories are small or potential future problems that should be checked as soon as possible. 

In this article, we’ll explain how to navigate MOT advisories, how long you have to fix them, how to stay safe, and other frequently asked questions. 

MOT advisories highlight potential issues or minor problems identified during your car’s MOT test. 

While they don’t pose an immediate safety risk, they could develop into more serious issues over time. Addressing advisories promptly is essential to maintaining your vehicle’s safety and preventing 

MOT advisories are given to inform owners about upcoming maintenance needs. This helps 

ensures road safety, and helps you prepare for future inspections. 

MOT advisories alert drivers to potential issues that, while not immediate safety concerns, may require attention in the future. 

 highlight severe defects that demand instant repair to comply with road safety standards and legal frameworks.

The critical difference between MOT advisories and failures lies in the level of danger and the urgency of action needed. Don’t take advisories too lightly, though. You must still get these checked out quickly.

Yes, MOT advisories are an important element of maintaining your vehicle’s safety and overall performance. 

While they’re not as urgent as MOT failures, they highlight potential danger in the future and may worsen over time if you don’t address them. 

and don’t fix it, the rust may spread to other parts of the car and weaken its structure. This will lead to a future MOT failure.

Ignoring MOT advisories won’t just lead to a bad MOT test. It can also result in breakdowns, higher repair costs, or even road accidents. So, it’s vital that you make repairs as needed.

Alongside preventing future issues, keeping on top of MOT advisories improves your car’s performance. 

When your car is in good condition, it delivers a smoother drive, 

 and less wear and tear from daily usage.

Plus, a well-maintained car has a higher resale value. So, if you plan to sell your car in the future, you should keep it in tip-top condition.

How long do I have to fix an MOT advisory?

MOT advisories don’t come with strict deadlines. They offer guidance on what to fix rather than safety concerns with deadlines.

However, it’s best practice to fix them as soon as possible. This will make your car safer and less likely to get worse.

Leaving an MOT advisory can lead to higher repair costs, future MOT failures, and an unsafe car. 

Most will worsen over time, so you should address them quickly while there’s no specific repair deadline. This is vital for your safety and will save you time and money in the long run.

Some MOT advisories are more common than others. Here are the ones UK drivers are most likely to see:

with MOT advisories can be a reasonable idea, but only if you know what to look for. 

Advisories show that the vehicle has problems that may become major issues. This can cost you time, money, and safety.

Don’t assume that a car is road-safe just because someone’s selling it. Always ask to see the car’s log book, check MOT details and ask for a professional opinion before you buy.

Other tips for buying a car with MOT advisories include:

Checking a car's MOT history helps uncover past issues, such as failed tests or recurring advisories. 

It can also verify the car's maintenance and repair history, ensuring you're making an informed decision and avoiding unexpected costs or safety risks.

Here's a quick step-by-step guide to checking a car's MOT history:

As long as you address them in good time, MOT advisories aren’t anything to worry about! 

However, this is your reminder not to put them off. Leaving them can lead to safety and performance issues, and you’ll have to spend a chunk of cash fixing larger problems. 

MOT advisory repairs and failure costs can set you back. However, Bumper’s here to help you navigate these frustrating expenses.

split the cost of MOT advisories and failure costs

 into manageable, interest-free monthly payments with Bumper.

Everything You Need to About MOT Advisories

Congratulations to LSH Auto Mercedes-Benz Stockport for being named the latest winner of Bumper’s Dealership of the Month. 

The team uses Bumper’s PayLater to split the cost of customers’ service and repair bills into monthly payments. 

Operations Manager for LSH Auto Stockport, Andrew King, noted how useful the interest-free monthly payment option was for keeping drivers safe on the road. 

He said, ‘Bumper is a great tool in assisting us to deliver a brilliant customer experience. Bumper is especially useful during the Christmas period when a customer's priorities may lie elsewhere and helps alleviate any anxieties about covering the bill.’ 

LSH Auto recently launched PayNow, allowing customers to make one-off payments remotely from their own device. 

Andrew said, ‘We find PayNow to be an incredibly useful tool, as it streamlines our checkout process with customers.’ 

The group also plan to implement the Bumper integration in Tjekvik’s self-service kiosks, allowing customers to pay by Bumper when they check-in. 

Congratulations to Andrew, Matthew, James, Joel and the whole team at LSH Auto Mercedes-Benz Stockport. 

LSH Mercedes-Benz Stockport win Dealership of the Month

Find all the latest industry news and handiest car repair and service tips on the Bumper Blog. Want to get the Bumper view on something? Let us know and we’ll drop a blog post on it as soon as we can.