It had the looks. It had the badge. It had the spoiler, the wheels, the stripes and the deeply important sense that whoever owned one was probably doing better than you.

Now Tolman has revealed a one-off Escort XR3i that keeps all of that glorious 1980s energy, but quietly fixes quite a lot of what we complained about at the time.

The Warwickshire-based specialist is best known for its Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTi, but customer demand has pushed it into other hot hatch heroes. This XR3i is one of four one-off customer-commissioned Tolman Edition cars being built in 2026, each based on a different 1980s icon, making the car look like the one the customer wanted as a teenager, but make it drive far better than the original ever did.

That meant starting with a standard Diamond White XR3i with Rosso Red inserts, then spending a heroic 1,600 hours restoring and improving it. The original shell needed a full-body restoration, including repairs for the kind of corrosion that old Escorts are rather famous for.

One of the trickier jobs was the sunroof aperture. With good replacement roof skins unavailable, Tolman developed a custom laser-cut jig and forming tool to recreate the sunroof opening from a non-sunroof panel. That is the sort of sentence that sounds deeply dull, but explains why proper restorations cost proper money.

Underneath, the car has been treated with modern underseal and corrosion protection, meaning it should be a little less terrified of British weather than it was when Ford first built it.

The engine is still based on the original 1.6-litre CVH unit. Tolman could have dropped in a later Ford engine and called it a day, but that would have changed the character of the car.

Instead, the CVH has been heavily reworked with a 16-valve Zetec head, new pistons and rods, a stronger bottom end and full electronic engine management hidden inside the original units. The result is 150bhp at the wheels and 163Nm of torque, compared with the original 105hp output. It still uses the original five-speed gearbox, but now breathes through a bespoke stainless exhaust.

The original XR3i wasn’t exactly famous for being the sharpest tool in the hot hatch box, so Tolman has used Bilstein dampers, a bespoke front anti-roll bar and lessons from Ford’s RS1600i homologation special to improve the front end.

There are also bespoke 15-inch alloy wheels inspired by the original 14-inch “Dog Leg” design. They keep the period look, but allow for a wider choice of modern tyres and improved brakes. Tolman has fitted upgraded AP front discs and swapped the rear drums for discs, with Michelin Pilot Exalto PE4 tyres completing the package.

So it should still feel like an XR3i, just one that has been to the gym, learned some manners and stopped making excuses.

Other upgrades are deliberately subtle. There are LED headlights, stainless-steel brake lines, a modern alarm, immobiliser and tracker, plus a Blaupunkt DAB radio inside. The Daytona cloth trim remains, because some things should not be messed with.

Tolman founder Chris Tolman said the XR3i remains popular because so many people have an emotional connection to it, but admitted that driving one today could be underwhelming.

He said: “Just as with the 205 GTi, we’ve applied our knowledge to make it drive the way you think you remember the original driving, while looking essentially like the one you yearned for.”

And that is really the magic here. This is not a wild restomod with carbon bodywork, a giant turbo and an interior full of screens. It is still recognisably an Escort XR3i, just carefully rebuilt and improved by people who understand why the original mattered.

The post Tolman has built the Ford Escort XR3i your teenage self wanted appeared first on Average Joes.

What is Edenmoor? 

Since 1989, the Devon-based company, formerly known as Pipers Farm, has been on a mission to bring quality, sustainable meats directly to consumers. It works with a trusted network of regenerative farmers, aiming to ensure that we, the customers, receive meat which has been ethically sourced and that the farmers are paid a fair rate. 

What we tried

There is a wide variety of products available from Edenmoor, but as it was national BBQ week and the sun was shining, we opted for the small BBQ meat box and the chicken BBQ box. 

The small BBQ meat boxes comprise 4 beef steak burgers, 6 pork sausages, 500g chicken wings, a bottle of BBQ sauce and 4 burger buns. There’s plenty of food for up to four people not to go away hungry. 

The burgers are a decent size, and the grass-fed beef has a lovely flavour. If cooked well, the burgers are juicy and delicious right to the last bite. The free-range chicken wings were surprisingly meaty – we’ve all had those tiny wings that take way too much effort to eat – but these were far from that. 

The sausages were my particular highlight. Plump and meaty, they were utterly delicious, working perfectly with the plum and pear BBQ sauce. I’d been a little sceptical about the flavouring of the sauce; as it turns out, I was wrong – I’d highly recommend it! My only criticism of the box is that the burger buns were much too large for the burgers, leaving the bread-to-meat ratio out of kilter. 

The BBQ chicken box is just that – a 1.5kg free-range spatchcock chicken and 500g of chicken wings, along with a bottle of plum and pear BBQ sauce and a wild garlic peri-peri sauce, both from Fruits of the Forage. 

It was my first time cooking a spatchcock chicken on the barbecue, but the Char-Broil griddle worked wonders. Having got the temperature to just the right level, it took around 45 minutes to cook through with the lid down. Chicken can be tricky to get right on a barbecue, particularly a whole bird, so in order to make sure it was properly cooked, I used Meater Pro cooking probes to ensure it was ready to eat. 

Once it was completely cooked and had rested for 10 minutes or so, the meat was tender and moist and worked well with the sauces. The wild garlic peri-peri was a little acidic for my tastes, with the garlic getting lost in the spicy sharpness of the peri-peri, but the subtle sweetness of the plum and pear BBQ sauce was a perfect accompaniment to the delicate flavour of the chicken. 

The wings were once again meaty and delicious, cooking much more quickly than the spatchcock, so getting the timings right was an interesting challenge. 

Edenmoor BBQ boxes: The verdict

There’s no doubt that the meats in Edenmoor’s barbecue boxes are a noticeable step up from the standard barbecue products available in many supermarkets. The headline prices might seem a little steep, at £29 for the chicken boxes and £24.80 for the small BBQ meat boxes, but when you take into account the quality of the meats, it’s actually pretty reasonable. 

The meats are frozen and are well packed to ensure they’re still frozen when they arrive, so you can order ahead of time for an upcoming event. The barbecue meat boxes come with burger buns, but if you are ordering ahead, unless you drop them into the freezer, they could go to waste. Personally, I’d prefer not to have the buns included and just get those once I need them, but the everything-in-one-box approach is something that could work well for some. 

You do also have to take into account the delivery costs of between £3.95 and £5.95, but the convenience of the box is likely to outweigh that, particularly if you place a larger order. 

If you’re looking to up your barbecue game this summer season, prioritising more premium, ethically sourced meats but without adding any extra hassle, Edenmoor is an excellent option. It couples easy ordering and quick delivery with quality meats and sauces that will keep your family and friends well fed and green with envy at your barbecuing prowess. 

The post Edenmoor BBQ meat boxes: Does the product justify the premium price tag? appeared first on Average Joes.

At first glance, that might sound like one badge too many. But Lepas is being pitched as something a little different: a more premium, more design-led brand aimed at people who quite fancy a posh SUV, but don’t necessarily want the cost, image or baggage that comes with a traditional premium badge.

The first model will be the Lepas L8, a large SUV that’s due to launch with plug-in hybrid power. It will use Chery’s ‘Super Hybrid’ system, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and an 18.4kWh battery. Lepas claims that’s enough for a combined range of 800 miles, with up to 55 miles of electric-only driving.

That, frankly, is the bit most buyers will understand immediately. Not everyone wants to go fully electric yet, and not everyone has the driveway, charger or lifestyle to make an EV painless. A plug-in hybrid with a useful electric range and a massive total range could be a neat halfway house.

Chris Clayton, fleet director for Omoda, Jaecoo, Chery and Lepas, thinks that’s exactly where the brand has an advantage.

“The brand stands out because it’s not sole EV,” he told Average Joes. “In my opinion, all of the new entrants that come in with sole EV very quickly backtrack, and the slogan that I hear from them is, ‘Don’t worry, we’ve got plug-in hybrid coming next year.’

“I joined this brand and this group in 2023 because they’re not saying you have to have an EV. They’re saying we’ve got petrol, now we’ve got hybrid, we’ve got plug-in, whatever stage you are on that electrification journey, we’ll support you on it.”

That might not sound very glamorous, but it is sensible. And sensible matters when you’re trying to persuade people to take a chance on a badge they hadn’t heard of a few months ago.

Clayton also pointed to the claimed 800-mile range as one of the big reasons buyers might take notice.

“The plug-in hybrid’s got 800 miles — that’s the highlight from that,” he said. “I can drive up to see our dealers in York, and I can drive back on a single tank. For me, it’s just so much easier to do that rather than worrying about whether I’ve got the app or whether the charging station’s going to be blocked.”

Premium, but without shouting about it

Lepas is not being pitched as a budget brand. The company wants it to feel premium, but not in the traditional “look at my badge” sense.

Lynn Du, UK marketing director for Lepas, described the target audience as “the quiet middle” — people who want “premium without the price tag and elegance without excess.”

“Premium brands have moved out of reach, and most new entrants have yet to define meaning,” she said. “Lepas enters the market as a credible alternative to the brands people are moving away from — not because they cannot afford them, but because they no longer feel right in today’s age.

“Lepas brings back the part of premium people still want: taste, confidence and quality, without the baggage of status theatre.”

There’s a lot of marketing language in there, obviously, but the idea is easy enough to understand. Lepas wants to attract buyers who might previously have looked at Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo or Lexus, but now feel those brands are either too expensive, too obvious or simply not offering enough for the money.

And while final UK pricing has not yet been confirmed, the L8 is expected to come in below £40,000. Clayton said, “It’ll be sub-40. I just don’t know where it’s going to sit between Jaecoo 7 and £35,000.”

If Lepas can deliver a large, well-equipped plug-in hybrid SUV for that kind of money, it could find itself in an interesting position. Not cheap, exactly, but potentially very strong value against established premium rivals.

Big SUV, big comfort

The L8 will be the first of three Lepas models due in the UK within 12 months, with the smaller L6 and L4 set to follow later.

The L8 itself is being pitched as a refined family SUV with plenty of space, lots of technology, and a softer, calmer take on premium design. It gets a 2,800mm wheelbase, which Lepas says gives it “limo-like” rear legroom.

There’s also a feature called “executive nap mode”, which reclines the front seats to create what Lepas describes as a business-class-style lounge. The seats are also electrically adjustable, heated, ventilated and fitted with an eight-point massage function.

That all sounds a bit launch-presentation bingo, but let’s be honest: heated, ventilated, massaging seats in a sub-£40k SUV are exactly the sort of thing that gets people interested, especially as the interior feels as plush in real life as it does in the marketing material.

Du said the L8 has been designed to feel confident rather than flashy.

“It doesn’t try to impress everyone,” she said. “Not loud, but confident. Not made to please everyone, but to resonate with the right ones.”

So, should you care?

Cautiously, yes. The UK car market is already packed with new Chinese brands, and not all of them will stick. Some feel like fully formed car companies. Others still feel like they’re working out who they are, what they sell and why anyone should pick them over something familiar.

Lepas, at least, seems to have a clearer pitch. It wants to be premium without being shouty, high-tech without being intimidating, and electrified without forcing everyone straight into a pure EV.

The real test will come when UK buyers can drive the L8, sit in it, prod the screens, check the boot, compare the finance deals and decide whether they trust the badge. That’s when the “quiet premium” idea either works or falls apart.

For now, though, the numbers are interesting, the pricing target looks ambitious, and the brand’s positioning is sharper than many of the new names arriving in Britain.

Another Chinese SUV brand? Yes, but this one might be worth keeping an eye on.

The post Another Chinese SUV brand? Lepas thinks it has something different appeared first on Average Joes.

Sperry

Sperry has been producing high-quality shoes since the founder, Paul Sperry, invented and patented the first non-slip soles in the 1930s. This innovation led to the development of the original boat shoe, which has since become a staple in the summer wardrobe. The range has developed over the years, but the classic boat shoe style remains firmly in the line-up.

Men’s Billfish 3-Eye
£110

Sperry has taken the iconic boat shoe and added a modern twist to create Billfish. This sporty adaptation combines nubuck leather with a highly breathable mesh, making for a comfortable, practical and stylishly reimagined update to a classic. 

The materials might have been updated, but all the hallmarks of the boat shoe remain. The moccasin stitching, the 360 laces and the triple eyelets bring that well-known boat shoe silhouette to the Billfish 3-Eye, but with the comfort of a well-ventilated trainer – the best of both worlds.

Men’s Gold Cup Penny Loafer
Currently £64

Another classic look that should never be underestimated is the Penny Loafer. Part of Sperry’s premium Gold Cup range, these woven leather loafers bring luxury and comfort in spades. The leather is soft and supple, with a lightly padded insole, and the shoes’ woven construction provides plenty of airflow to keep you cool on hot summer days. 

From a day of sightseeing to an evening out, the Gold Cup Penny Loafers add a touch of class and style to any outfit, and the quality of the leather will see you wearing them season after season.

Women’s Captain Oxford Mule
£100

A slip-on shoe is a must for a summer wardrobe, but not everyone is a fan of the open-toe look. This Captain Oxford Mule is a great compromise, combining the airy feeling of a cutout back with the easy slip-on comfort of a mule. 

Made with a nubuck leather upper and a padded, comfortable crepe sole, it’s a chic look that works from the pool to the dance floor. These mules will become her go-to summer shoes, and probably well into the autumn, too.

Women’s Authentic Original 1-Eye boat shoes
£50

If she’s looking for a classic, the Authentic Original 1-Eye boat shoe is surely it. The leather upper is finished with brass eyelets and moccasin stitching, with 360 laces to complete the iconic look. The leather laces do have a habit of working their way loose, but as frustrating as that might be, it at least gives a good reason to stop, take a look around and enjoy the scenery! 

The white, non-slip, non-marking sole contrasts nicely with the tan upper, adding a sophisticated style that works with shorts, dresses, or jeans and brings nautical vibes to her holiday wardrobe.

TOMS Shoes

For 20 years, Toms has been creating shoes and supporting children’s education and well-being through donations from every single pair sold. Known for its espadrilles, or Alpargatas, Toms’ range has significantly grown over the decades. It now encompasses boots, shoes, and trainers, as well as classic Alpargatas, for the whole family.

Carlo 2.0 Trainer 
£60

Casual and simply styled, Carlo 2.0 is an excellent trainer choice for summer. The uppers are made of a highly breathable mesh fabric that helps keep feet cool and fresh even in the height of summer.  

With matching laces and contrasting heel detail, they elevate an outfit with ease and can go from daytime to evening with style. The padded heel grip and cushioned insole add an extra layer of all-day comfort, right from the first wear. 

Choosing a light-coloured pair for your summer wardrobe is a must; any rogue marks can be easily removed with a damp cloth, and the thin mesh dries in no time.

Women’s Valencia Lace-up Espadrille
£75

An elevated take on a classic espadrille, these lace-up platform pumps bring comfort and style in a neat package. 

The canvas upper is perched on a 3.8cm rope-covered platform, with a hardwearing rubber sole. Inside is a CloudBound insole for comfort and support, and the padded heel holds the shoe in place without being overly firm. 

The embroidered logo on the heel and decorative laces finish the look with a little touch of elegance and glamour. They look great and feel chic – lovely summer shoes to enhance any outfit.

Flower Mountain

Since 2015, Flower Mountain has been combining the essence of Japanese craftsmanship with the vibrancy and fast pace of modern life to create unique designs that work for everyday life. The brand officially launched in the UK in 2021, bringing a variety of unisex styles, from performance trainers to lifestyle-driven options. There are choices to suit everyone.

Rulis Uni
£210

These unisex trainers combine fabric sports-style uppers with layered multi-coloured suede to create a unique look that is both bold and yet subtle at the same time. The laces pass through reinforced eyelets, and the upper part of the lining is leather, giving strength and stability, wear after wear. The insole is made from natural cork, which is antibacterial, keeping your feet fresh. 

The moulded rubber sole and sidewalls add more interest, with indented tread and geometric patterns that complement the cutouts and embroidered patterns adorning the sides. 

There is a good range of sizes available, but, unusually, many of them are half-sizes, which may make the fit rather loose; you may need to size down. 

Stylish, comfortable, and just a little unusual, Flower Mountain Rulis make a great addition to your summer wardrobe.

Chatham Footwear

Chatham Footwear has roots in both nautical and country life, and for 30 years, it has produced quality footwear suited to even the most rugged lifestyle. Using the best materials and tried-and-tested methods, the results speak for themselves.

Lyme Lady G2 Premium Boat Shoes
From £145

These British-designed lace-up deck shoes are a core staple of the Chatham range. Available in men’s and women’s sizes and in a variety of colours, the G2 is made from high-quality leather and features an enhanced grip sole. Inside, the cushioned insole is antibacterial to keep your feet protected during the warmest of weather. 

The brass eyelets, 360 lacing and hand-stitched finish add to the premium feel, while the contrasting-coloured stitching to the heel adds an extra flash of interest. 

So confident is the brand in the high quality of its products that the G2 Deck Shoe comes with a 2-year warranty – something you don’t come across very often…

Lyme Lady G2 Mule Boat Shoe
£125

New for the 2026 summer season, Chatham has updated the popular lady’s boat shoe, creating the Lyme Lady G2 Mule. The slip-on mule is crafted from soft, premium leather for flexibility and comfort. 

The insole is well-padded and antibacterial, which, for a leather shoe worn in the hottest of summers, is a bonus, keeping things wiff-free and fresh. 

The Lyme Lady G2 is well-finished and looks stunning, and is extremely comfortable to wear. The soft leather moulds beautifully to the foot, making it an excellent choice for any time of day or night. Summer shoes at their very best.

The post Summer shoes that add a splash of style appeared first on Average Joes.

To fairly test each bag, I packed them all with the same items, assuming a three-night trip in the UK.

Thule Aion Carry On Spinner
£285

If I’m going to use a carry-on suitcase, I’d always opt for a spinner. The multi-directional wheels make it much easier to handle when fully packed, and you have space on top to stack an extra bag if needed. 

The Aion Carry On Spinner from Swedish brand Thule is made from durable, high-quality materials, with a waxed canvas shell fabric, inner mesh and lining, and a polycarbonate back panel made from 100% and 50% recycled materials, respectively. 

Inside, there’s a lined, waterproof compression packing cube that clicks into place, providing an isolated space for either your laundry, a pair of dirty shoes, or damp swimwear, keeping it sealed away from the rest of the case contents. It is attached securely with straps that can be tightened to compress the rest of your clothes, keeping everything neatly in place.

On the outside, there’s a zipped pocket that runs the length of the case, which is perfect for storing a jumper or jacket, travel documents or a book – all the things that you might want to have within easy reach without needing to undo the main case. There’s also a small zipped pocket with a hook for safely storing your car and house keys, phone chargers, or a wallet. 

The Aion Carry On has a 35L capacity and weighs in at a respectable 3.25kg when empty. It currently falls within the sizing requirements for many major airlines, at 35 x 23 x 55cm, but it does exceed the sizes set out by some budget airlines; although it’s far from being alone in that. 

It is the most premium of the bunch, but Thule products are well known for their longevity and durability, so this one should last for many years of travel and can be paired with other sizes in the same range to complete a full luggage set. 

When I packed it up with my weekend away clobber, it absorbed it all with ease. I could happily have fitted more in by making better use of the zipped pocket in the lid, so there would be no need to skimp on the packing with this weekend carry-on bag.

Airback Backpack Original Carry-on with pump
Model tested: £220

If you prefer to keep both your hands free while travelling, then the Airback Backpack could be the perfect option for you. 

While backpacks don’t usually have the same amount of space available as a carry-on case, the Airback has a little pump-sized trick up its sleeve. The clamshell-style backpack opens to reveal a pocket made of a fairly heavy rubberised material with a central zip. A word of warning here – the zip is incredibly difficult to open the first few times, but keep pulling, it gives eventually. 

Once you’ve packed your soft clothing, you attach the pump to the valve and switch it on to remove as much air as possible, condensing the pocket. Once that is sealed, there’s some space on top of the vacuum-packed area, as well as a number of good-sized pockets both inside and outside. 

A particularly good feature if you’re travelling with tech is the large, well-padded pocket at the back of the bag. From laptops to tablets, they can all be stored easily and safely within the copious sleeve. Another of the bag’s strengths is its built-in charging port on the side, with a lead that connects to the laptop section. Here, you can connect your power bank and charge your phone on the go, but since it isn’t built into the bag, it can be removed while you’re flying, as required by most airlines. 

The headline capacity is pretty generous, ranging from 22L to a reputed 48L when using the compression pocket and the expansion zipper that gives you about an extra inch of depth. When I’d loaded the main pocket to capacity – which can be challenging with larger items, as the opening isn’t very large – and removed the air with the pump, I was a bit disappointed. 

The brand claims that vacuum packing doubles the backpack’s capacity, but I didn’t find that to be the case. It was compressed, but I didn’t feel that it freed up a significant amount of space. I could fit my Helly Hansen jacket in easily without straining the zip, and everything did fit, but there would definitely be no room for souvenirs. 

It’s not the lightest backpack out there, weighing 1.9kg when it isn’t packed, but if you’re maximising the space using the compression pocket for a longer trip, it can get pretty heavy. With only the shoulder straps and no waist strap to help distribute that weight, it can be an uncomfortable and slightly sweaty carry. That said, you have everything in one bag, so less luggage juggling is required. 

Airback Original Carry-on isn’t a one-size-fits-all option. Luxury-led travellers will want to look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for a little extra space for a weekend away, or heading to a festival this summer and want everything in one handy, compact, weather-resistant bag, this will tick a lot of boxes.

Gatwick carry-on duffel bag by Roka London
£90

There is something to be said for the pure simplicity of a holdall. Gatwick encapsulates that perfectly while adding a splash of fun with its wide, varied colour range. 

Offering 32L of space, the medium-sized Gatwick duffel has a wide zip opening that makes it easy to pack for your trip. Inside, there are two large and two small zipped pockets so you can keep things well organised. It weighs in at just 1.2kg when empty, so you’re working for a nice, low starting point when it comes to maximising a luggage limit.

Outside, there are three smaller zipped pockets to stow anything you want to keep within easy reach. The largest zipped pocket contains a padded laptop slot with a velcro fastener to keep your tech safe and protected as you travel.

The weather-resistant outer canvas and base are made from recycled materials, and the recycled nylon lining gives a neat finish. The Gatwick weekend carry-on bag feels hardwearing and durable, with high-quality zippers that will stand the rigours of time and travel. The contrasting-coloured webbing strap handles, shoulder strap, and trolley sleeve add versatility, so you can use it how you like. However, the carry handles could use a little more padding; with a heavy load, they can be a bit hard on the hand. 

Gatwick might not be packed with advanced features, but it is a brilliant bag. There really is very little to dislike. It looks great, feels sturdy and holds everything you need for a few days away. What more could you possibly want?

The post Spoiled for choice: Finding the perfect weekend carry-on bag appeared first on Average Joes.

Which brings us to the Volvo ES90, a big electric saloon-ish fastback that proves Volvo hasn’t completely forgotten how to make cars that aren’t SUVs. In a world where every premium car seems to have been inflated into a tall, heavy crossover, the ES90 is a welcome reminder that sitting slightly lower can still feel special.

The version tested here is the ES90 Plus Single Motor Extended Range. It’s the most affordable ES90, although that phrase needs some context, because it still costs close to £68,000. For that, you get rear-wheel drive, 333hp, more than 400 miles of official range, enough standard kit to think that the Plus badge is being rather modest, and enough performance for the kind of person who isn’t trying to win every traffic-light grand prix.

There are more powerful versions, but I’m not sure I see the point. The Single Motor ES90 is already quick enough. It moves away smoothly, gathers speed easily — it hits 62mph in 6.8 seconds — and generally behaves like a large luxury EV should. It’s not dramatic, it isn’t aggressive, and it doesn’t shout.

It barely even whispers. The ES90 is incredibly quiet. Possibly the quietest car I’ve driven this side of a Rolls-Royce. That’s the thing I’ll remember most about it. At normal road speeds, the outside world fades away, as if it’s been edited out. Wind noise is barely noticeable, road noise is incredibly well suppressed, and general modern-life irritation is reduced significantly.

Our time with the car didn’t give the ES90 much chance to show what it can do dynamically. Most of the drive was spent trundling along at 40-50mph on fairly ordinary roads, so I can’t tell you whether it comes alive when pushed hard. I suspect it doesn’t, and I suspect Volvo doesn’t really care.

It does ride well, though. Even without the fancy air suspension you get on higher-spec versions, the ES90 Plus felt composed and comfortable. It’s a big car, and you’re always vaguely aware of that, but it doesn’t feel clumsy. It just feels relaxed.

There is an off-road mode, which is… interesting. I have no idea what Volvo expects ES90 owners to do with it. Perhaps it’s for gravel driveways outside expensive Scandinavian holiday homes. Perhaps it’s for escaping a muddy National Trust overflow car park. Either way, I wouldn’t plan a green-laning weekend around it.

Inside, the ES90 is mostly lovely. It’s calm, clean, expensive-feeling and very Volvo. There’s lots of space up front, the driving position is more commanding than you might expect, and the whole cabin has that calm Scandinavian thing that Volvo does so well.

The back seats are less convincing. At first glance, the legroom looks massive. You open the door and think, “Excellent, this is basically a limo.” But then you sit in the back and realise there isn’t much space under the front seats for your feet. That means your legs end up in a slightly perched, knees-up position. So yes, there’s loads of room, but it isn’t quite as comfortable as it looks.

Rear visibility is ridiculous, too. The view through the back window is like peering through a letterbox from the wrong end of a hallway. Honestly, Volvo might have been better off doing what Polestar did with the Polestar 4 and ditching the rear window altogether. At least then it would feel like a deliberate design choice rather than a tiny apology in glass form.

And then there’s the touchscreen.

Yes, I know I’ve talked about touch screens in endless other reviews, but I don’t apologise for that. I know minimalism is the vibe. I know physical buttons are apparently deeply unfashionable. But come on, some things shouldn’t be hidden behind a screen.

Mirror adjustment? Screen.
Steering wheel adjustment? Screen.
Opening the glovebox? Inexplicably, also screen.

Why? A button is not a moral failing. A switch is not an admission of defeat. Volvo has built one of the calmest cars on sale, then made some of the simplest tasks needlessly annoying.

The frustrating thing is that the ES90 gets so much right. It’s comfortable, refined, quick enough, roomy enough and genuinely relaxing. It feels like a proper luxury car, which Volvo hasn’t always managed to achieve in recent years. And, in a market obsessed with SUVs, it has a real point of difference.

Should you buy one over a BMW i5, Audi A6 e-tron or Mercedes-Benz EQE? That depends on what you want. If you want the sharpest drive, probably not. If you want something that feels calm, understated and very, very quiet, the Volvo makes a strong case for itself.

My old S80 had 717,286 miles on the clock and still understood comfort better than many new cars. The ES90 is more complicated, more expensive and far more futuristic, but it understands the same basic idea: sometimes the best luxury car is the one that simply makes everything quieter.

Volvo ES90 Plus: The Average Joes verdict

The Volvo ES90 is expensive, very digital and slightly daft in places, but it’s also one of the most relaxing cars I’ve driven. It’s incredibly quiet, comfortable, quick enough and refreshingly different from the usual luxury SUV.

The rear seats aren’t as naturally comfortable as they look, rear visibility is laughably poor, and the touchscreen obsession needs to calm down. But if you want a big electric car that majors on silence and comfort rather than fake sportiness, the ES90 gets a lot right.

Just give us some proper buttons back, Volvo. And maybe a rear window you can actually see through.

What: Volvo ES90 Plus
How much: £67,560
Average Joes rating: ★★★★☆

The post Volvo ES90 review: Big, luxurious, silent, slightly annoying appeared first on Average Joes.

The trick is knowing where to save money and where not to. Flights, hotel location, travel dates and even the way you book can all make a big difference to the final price, but cutting the wrong corner can turn a bargain into a false economy.

The easiest win is to be flexible. It’s not possible for every traveller, but getting away outside of school holidays, avoiding Friday and Saturday departures, and looking at less obvious destinations can quickly bring the cost down. A long weekend in Porto, Valencia or Krakow can often feel more rewarding than joining the crowds in Paris, Barcelona or Venice, especially if you’re open to midweek travel.

It’s also worth thinking about what kind of trip you actually want. If you’re planning to spend most of your time exploring, you probably don’t need a luxury hotel with a huge pool, spa and three restaurants. A clean, comfortable base with a good breakfast and easy access to the places you want to see will often be enough.

And the cheapest room isn’t necessarily the best value if it means you’re staying miles away from the action, facing the cost and inconvenience of taking taxis or public transport. A slightly more expensive hotel in a central location could save money overall, particularly on short breaks where time is limited.

City breaks can be especially good value, particularly in cities where much of the enjoyment is free or inexpensive. Wandering old streets, visiting markets, touring museums and galleries, sitting in a square with a coffee or heading to a viewpoint can be just as memorable as any organised excursion.

The same applies to beach holidays. Opting for a quieter resort just along the coast from a famous one offers the same sunshine, but usually for much less money. If all you’re doing is lounging by a pool or on a beach, that’s money worth saving.

It’s not just the week or two away that matters, though. There’s so much around your holiday that needs sorting that you’ll find plenty of other ways of saving money. Sorting airport parking, transfers, and travel insurance early usually means lower rates and prevents last-minute stress from creeping in.

Ultimately, a good-value holiday is not about spending the least possible amount. It is about spending carefully, avoiding the obvious traps and putting your money into the parts of the trip that matter most. Get that right, and a budget break can still feel like a proper escape.

The post <img class="icon_title" src="https://averagejoes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/redtag.png" />How to book a cheap holiday without making it feel cheap appeared first on Average Joes.

Why choose P&O Cruises’ Azura? 

There’s no shortage of cruise companies promising to take you almost anywhere, from short hops around Europe to full-on world cruises. The ships vary just as much as the destinations, with some the size of a small city (the largest currently sailing can carry 7,600 passengers and thousands of crew members), while others are cosier, taking as few as 100 guests per sailing. The price tags are just as diverse, too.

Where P&O Cruises excels is in offering cruises that fall neatly in the mid-range: less elite than Regent or Silversea, less formal than Cunard and less glitzy than Royal Caribbean, but it feels more relaxed and less crowded than MSC. It covers plenty of different routes, too, from the British Isles to the Caribbean, and for the really dedicated cruise lovers, there are world cruise options available.

From the moment you book the cruise to the moment you land back in the UK, P&O Cruises makes things as easy as possible, which is a huge bonus for nervous travellers or first-time cruisers. You know exactly where you need to be and what paperwork you need to have with you, and there are always plenty of staff members around, even at the airport, to help should you need it.

Our trip took us around the Canary Islands and Madeira, spending seven nights on board the fleet’s mid-sized ship, Azura. With 14 guest decks and a capacity of 3,100 guests and 1,250 crew members, Azura might sound big, but once we got our bearings, we found it easy to navigate.

If you’re new to cruising or just hate the idea of being overwhelmed on a huge ship with thousands of other people, then Azura is a great option. It had the bustle you want from a holiday resort, but it was rare for any area to feel crowded – other than in Malabar for the karaoke night – and finding a quiet space to sit and relax was never an issue.

Our cabin on P&O Cruises’ Azura

There are several cabin options on board to suit different budgets. We stayed in a balcony cabin, which offered the best combination of space, relaxation, and value for money — although it does add around £300 a week to the cost of the cruise. Unless you’re splashing out on a suite, you’re never going to be overwhelmed by space on a cruise ship, but the addition of large sliding doors and a balcony provides plenty of natural light in the cabin. It also gives you somewhere extra to relax, watching and listening to the waves, which I found incredibly soothing. If your budget allows, the balcony is absolutely worth considering, especially on sea days.

While space is at a premium, there’s ample storage and hanging space for your clothes and luggage behind a dividing wall. It’s simple but effective, helping you keep the main room tidy and uncluttered. Located just outside the petite bathroom, the space also serves as a dressing area, with a full-length mirror for your final fit check before you head out. 

The bed is a decent size and comfortable, with bedside cabinets on each side. What it lacks, though, are easily accessible plug sockets near the bed, or any USB sockets. The only usable sockets are at the far side of the small desk, the furthest point from the bed. That’s fine if you aren’t using your phone as an alarm clock, but if you want your phone by the bed or need to plug in medical equipment like a CPAP to sleep, it’s far from ideal.

Beyond the bed, there’s a desk and chair, an armchair, a fridge and a small TV, albeit with only very limited channels. It’s really everything you need.

What do you actually do during the day?

We joined Azura in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, after a Jet2 charter flight from Gatwick. Because the ship stayed in port for two nights, we had a full day to explore Tenerife before setting sail.

With stops at Madeira, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, as well as two full days at sea, the itinerary gave us a chance to enjoy some of the highlights of each place, interspersed with relaxing sea days. From the heights of Mount Teide in Tenerife, with snow underfoot and the sun beating down, to a colourful tuk-tuk tour of Funchal in Madeira, there are excursions available at every port.

Cruising in March means the weather can be slightly unreliable, especially if you’re expecting wall-to-wall sunshine, but we were only caught out once, by a flash shower in Gran Canaria. We were on our way to the Arehucas rum distillery, and had to console ourselves with a sample or five of rum, so it wasn’t all bad. 

While stops at each port are usually only a day long, they give you a glimpse of each place, letting you taste the food and drink and see a snapshot of what it has to offer. The visits might be short and sweet, but they’re brilliant for getting a flavour of a place and working out where you might want to return to properly.

Without the distraction of activities on land, we threw ourselves into cruise life on sea days and headed off to play shuffleboard, wander around the art gallery and enjoy some time by the pool. There’s plenty happening around the ship, from poolside quizzes (no, we didn’t win) to paint-and-sip art classes that combined artistic tuition with plenty of wine, plus bingo and ballroom dancing. Happily, there’s no pressure to join in, so you can do as much or as little as you like.

If that all sounds just a little bit too active, there are four heated pools on board to lounge around or in, weather permitting, of course. The spa is the perfect place to head for a bit of pampering — at extra cost — with a variety of treatments available, from massages to facials, and a salon if you fancy getting really glammed up for one of the black-tie evenings.

What about evening entertainment?

There’s no shortage of things to do in the evenings on board, either. With 22 bars and restaurants and eight entertainment venues, you’ll be hard pushed to try them all. 

The 900-seat Playhouse Theatre has a mix of entertainment, from polished stage shows to music, comedy and magic. There’s live music at the Moroccan-inspired Malabar, followed by karaoke for those of a bolder temperament, or you can hit the dancefloor in Manhattan until the early hours. Brodies is a popular evening spot, with pub quizzes most nights, as well as being home to the ship’s casino.

The outdoor cinema screen shows several movies nightly, with a family-friendly film for younger guests showing during the early evening, followed by something for the grown-ups. If you fancy a little more hustle and bustle, the ship’s central hub, the Atrium, is usually the place to go, with everything from line dancing classes to a silent disco, which was far from silent but a lot of fun.  

Our cruise had two sea days, and each featured a black-tie Celebration Night, giving us plenty of opportunity to get dressed up. Glamming up in formal wear isn’t everyone’s idea of a fun night, so it isn’t compulsory, and there were enough guests who didn’t take part to ensure you wouldn’t feel out of place. On these nights, a couple of the more formal restaurants won’t seat guests in casual attire, but with so many options available, it’s no big deal.

What about food and drink choices on P&O Cruises’ Azura?

One thing you definitely don’t need to worry about is going hungry on Azura. From morning until night, there’s always something available, and with P&O Cruises catering largely to British guests, the food choices feel familiar rather than intimidating. If you’re travelling with children — or indeed adults — without an adventurous palate, they won’t go hungry.

Azura’s food options range from casual buffet dining to smarter restaurants, so you can keep things simple or make more of an evening of it. There’s plenty to enjoy, with the potential to try something different every night, although it’s worth booking ahead to avoid disappointment, as the restaurants can get very busy at peak dining times.

My favourite meal of the week was at Sindhu, the ship’s impressive Indian restaurant. The food felt fresh, delicious and a little more distinctive than the more familiar main dining options, and I loved every bite.

While food is available throughout the day as part of your booking, not all restaurants are included in the holiday price. Some of Azura’s more tempting options cost extra, including Sindhu for Indian dining, The Glass House for wine-bar dining, Epicurean for modern fine dining, and The Beach House for relaxed grill-style meals. The prices are surprisingly reasonable, but they could still come as a surprise at the end of your break if you’re not expecting them.

Drinks are another thing to think about before you sail. You can pay as you go, which may work out best if you only want the occasional glass of wine, beer or cocktails, especially as individual drink prices are fairly reasonable. P&O Cruises also offers pre-paid drinks packages, but whether they’re worth it depends entirely on how much you’re likely to drink each day, so do the sums honestly before booking.

Who is a P&O cruise best for? 

P&O Cruises is a strong choice for anyone who wants an easy, good-value cruise without too much formality or fuss. It’s ideal for cruise novices who want to give it a go without worrying too much about the price tag, and for multi-generational families who want to get away together. Those looking for something genuinely premium or ultra-luxurious may want to look elsewhere.

During our time on board, we chatted to plenty of other guests, some of whom were first-time cruisers, but many had cruised before. A couple from Dundee told me this was the third time they’d holidayed on Azura, each time travelling a slightly different route, but loving the familiarity of the ship.

Sue, whom we met while taking in the impressive magician, Phil Hitchcock, at The Playhouse, was enjoying her first-ever solo cruise. Rather than booking any excursions, she was heading off the ship at each port and enjoying solo sightseeing at her own pace, before rejoining the ship and making the most of the friendly atmosphere and surroundings each evening. 

Guests on Azura spanned most age groups, from young babies to octogenarians, and the atmosphere was noticeably friendly and relaxed, with most people seeming very happy to be there.

P&O Cruises’ Azura: The verdict

If you’re looking for a holiday that offers variety, this is certainly it. Different ports bring different experiences, whether you choose an organised excursion or head off to find your own adventures.

Want to kick back and relax on the ship and enjoy the world floating past? Go for it. There’s no right or wrong way to cruise, and that’s the beauty of it. There’s so much to do on the ship itself, you’ll need to book a second trip just to experience it all.

Azura isn’t flashy or especially indulgent, but at such affordable prices, you wouldn’t expect it to be. The black-tie gala evenings bring a wonderful touch of glamour, with so many guests taking the opportunity to dress up and embrace that classic idea of cruising.

No two days are the same, which is something I love about it. If you’re looking for ultra-luxury, then Azura isn’t for you. If you want an easy, sociable, good-value way to see multiple destinations but only want to unpack your case once, P&O Cruises’ Azura is hard to beat.

What: P&O Cruises Canary Islands And Madeira Fly-Cruise
How much: Two-person cabin from £1,198 (balcony cabin from £1,398)
Average Joes rating: ★★★★☆

The post P&O Cruises Azura: Exploring the Canaries appeared first on Average Joes.

i-Provo high-back booster seat – what is it? 

Once your child has outgrown a rear-facing seat, the next step is something a little more grown-up. Joie’s i-Provo will fit them from around 3 and a half right up until they are 12 years old, and it should be the last child car seat you need to buy. 

This high-back booster seat is lightweight, at just 3.2kg, so the days of lugging a heavy car seat when moving it between cars are gone. It comes in two sections that click together easily, and while it doesn’t fold for storage (if it isn’t a permanent fixture in your car), it isn’t difficult to take apart again. 

Is it easy to fit? 

i-Provo simply sits on the car seat, and the child is strapped in using the vehicle’s three-point seat belts. The upper strap feeds into a retaining section built into the adjustable head support so that the belt is always at the correct height, no matter the age or height of the occupant. 

The lap belt crosses the child’s body as normal, passing under the built-in arm rest and clicking into place, holding them securely. 

Unlike more costly rivals, i-Provo doesn’t have an Isofix to hold it in place. The downside of that is that the lightweight seat can move easily as the child climbs in and out of it, but the lack of need for extra engineering within the seat is reflected in the price. 

While Isofix can add a layer of reassurance, seats that use 3-point seat belts meet the same safety standards, provided they are fitted, used, and adjusted correctly. Joie makes it as easy as possible by clearly marking all fitting points on the seat, giving parents peace of mind that their child is safely seated. 

During our test drives, Mini Joe happily climbed into the seat and settled comfortably without any wobbles. Once the back height was adjusted and he was strapped in, i-Provo remained securely in place, with no movement in corners or under braking. 

How easy is it to adjust the seat? 

One of the things I love about this car seat is just how uncomplicated it is. There are no hidden adjustments or concealed clips. As the child grows, the seat back moves up to accommodate their extra height.

To do that, you squeeze the handle at the top of the headrest and pull it up to the height you want, where it clicks into place. The range of height adjustments is impressive, with 10 available heights. 

What other features are there? 

The i-Provo might seem fairly basic in its construction, but it isn’t basic when it comes to comfort. The fabrics used feel soft and durable, providing excellent cushioning and breathability to ensure every part, from the seat base to the side-impact wings, is comfortable to sit on or lean against. 

Another great feature is that all the seat covers are removable and fully machine washable. If you’re going to have a seat that lasts up to 8 and a half years, you need to keep it fresh and clean, particularly after a hot, sweaty, ice-cream-melting summer season. 

There are retractable cup holders at the front corners of the seat base, which is a lovely touch, particularly for older children. I’d probably keep those folded in until around age 5, since younger children need to lean forward to reach them, but as they get older, it’s a nice way to give them a sense of grown-up independence. 

The one thing that it lacks is the ability to fold the seat. Being able to take it out of the car, fold it, and stash it in the boot would make storage a little neater.

i-Provo high back booster seat: The verdict

The i-Provo from Joie is an excellent, lightweight seat at an affordable price. It’s perfect for parents who don’t want a heavy seat permanently installed in the back of their car, or who frequently move a seat between cars. It’s also a cost-effective choice for grandparents who babysit regularly and want to get out and about while the little ones are with them.

The seat is highly adjustable to ensure the best fit for the occupant, and i-Provo, with its frontal and side-impact protection, has been rigorously tested to meet ECE R129 safety requirements and is i-Size certified, making every trip as safe as possible.

But by far the most compelling aspect of i-Provo is its price point. At just £50, it is extremely competitive, with well-known rivals coming in at almost £120 for a very similar product. 

For parents who prefer the extra security of Isofix or prioritise a premium feel, the i-Provo is not the seat for you. We found the i-Provo to be secure and comfortable, and for cash-strapped parents, it’s a true bundle of Joie.

Reviewed: Joie i-Provo high-back booster seat
How much: £50
Average Joes rating: ★★★★☆

The post <span style=color:#1d201f;background-color:#e5a913;>  JOE LOVES  </span>&nbsp&nbspReviewed: i-Provo high-back booster seat appeared first on Average Joes.

Built by British engineer and Lego designer Dave Collins — who goes by devonbricks online — this brick-built version of the gloriously unhinged Renault 5 electric hot hatch is one of those ideas that just feels right.

The project has been submitted to the Lego Ideas platform, where fan creations can be turned into official sets if they gather enough support. Renault would very much like people to get behind it and cast their vote, but more importantly, someone has made a very cool Lego version of a very cool car, and we’re into it.

The real Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a 555hp, limited-run electric “mini-supercar” with the sort of attitude that suggests subtlety was never invited to the design meetings. The Lego version uses around 1,200 pieces, took about 100 hours to create, and does a remarkably good job of capturing the car’s chunky, aggressive little shape.

It helps that the £140,000 Renault 5 Turbo 3E already looks a bit like it was designed by an overexcited teenager with a neon marker and lots of sugar. That makes it pretty much ideal Lego fodder, with enough visual drama to look good on a shelf even if you’ve never touched a Lego brick before.

Collins, who is based in Devon, said he got into designing his own Lego creations during the Covid lockdown, combining childhood memories of Lego and Technic with an engineer’s obsession with getting the details right. He also pointed out that angular cars tend to work especially well in brick form, which, frankly, is hard to argue with.

Will it become a proper Lego set? It’s too early to say, but if you’re going to build a tiny car from tiny bricks, it may as well be something this daft and this brilliant. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wish car makers and Lego collaborated on more genuinely interesting sets.

I’m still waiting for the Lego recreation of my imported original Renault Twingo…

The post <img class="icon_title" src="https://averagejoes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/newstag.png" />This Lego Renault 5 Turbo 3E looks good enough to become a real set appeared first on Average Joes.