Automotive Journalist & Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year Judge
Maxine Ashford has written for national and regional newspapers, websites and specialist magazines, as well as some work for BBC radio. She's a regular contributor to The Independent's motoring section. She was awarded the Guild of Motoring Writer's Feature Writer of the Year in 2024 and is one of two UK judges for Women's Worldwide Car of the Year. Maxine has been working in journalism since the late 1980s and has been specialising in motoring since the turn of the Century. She relishes the opportunity to drive all the latest models both here in the UK and overseas, as well as interviewing the specialists and engineers behind all the innovative technology as we move towards a fully electrified world of driving. She is also an avid rugby fan (watching not playing!).
When Toyota launched its fully electric bZ4X family crossover back in 2022 it was met with great excitement – after all Toyota had decades of hybrid expertise to draw upon. Sadly, it was a little underwhelming, mainly due to its low range. But the new 2026 model addresses that issue and the car has seen numerous revisions and upgrades for all-round improvements.
As far as mid-life facelifts go, the latest Peugeot E-308 has exceeded all expectations with a raft of new design upgrades, superior technology, improved performance and a far more tempting price-tag too.
Blending everyday practicality with executive comfort, the BMW 5 Series Touring is a premium estate that delivers sharp handling and high-end technology for all-round family and business appeal. The 5 Series Touring is the ultimate reminder of just how good estate cars can be.
Who knew a Mokka could be this much fun? The answer is Vauxhall did and they have backed up that belief with this rally-inspired GSE model, the firm’s most potent electric car to date.
If you think Geely is just another in a raft of new Chinese manufacturers to land in the UK, think again. The brand dates back 40 years, has strong links with Volvo, Smart, Lotus and Polestar, and just happens to be one of the top 10 automotive brands in the world. The EX5 is a great introduction to the Geely name – and its low price could make it really stand out from the crowd.
In an age when every EV coming to market seems to feature SUV styling cues, Kia has bucked that trend with its new hatchback and saloon EV4 models. Find out why the fully electric EV4 has got all bases covered when it comes to style and practicality.
After a quarter of a century Honda has welcomed back the Prelude into the fold – it’s a stunning two-door coupe that will leave onlookers green with envy. Car of the Year contender? It just might be.