Chris Davies
Verified
(He/Him)
As seen in:
Apple Podcasts,
The Waterstones Podcast,
Medium,
MSN,
Yahoo Life,
BBC,
Nature,
The Daily Mirror,
The Guardian,
The Independent (UK)
and
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Chris Davies
Fabrizio Bocca: The 1992 Champion Still Running the Show at Viverone
Fabrizio Bocca is organising his twelfth edition of powerboat racing at Lake Viverone this weekend, more than three decades after winning the world title that still defines his career. Fabrizio Bocca in Pattaya, Thailand, 1992. Photo: Chris Davies / Powerboat Pix The Italian clinched the 1992 UIM Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship at the season finale in Singapore, recovering from a nightmare Friday practice to take the title from 16th on the grid.
People Keep Taking My Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid Advice Original
Write about cars for a little while, and you get used to people asking you for your opinion on what vehicle they should buy. Write about them for a lot longer, and you'll realize nobody usually takes that advice: what they're really hoping for is validation of whatever they've already decided to buy. So, imagine my surprise when several of my friends actually went out and bought a RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, citing — at least in part — my thoughts on the matter.
2027 Audi Q9 And SQ9 Revealed: What Makes Them The New Flagships Original
Audi has a new flagship model line and — given the sales success of SUVs — it comes as little surprise that it's the 2027 Q9 and SQ9 that are the fresh flag-bearers for Ingolstadt. Bigger and more luxurious than the Q7, and with more seating than the Q8, the Q9 and SQ9 are actually Audi's first full-size SUVs. They're also priced to suit, kicking off at $89,095 (including $1,395 destination).
Not All Plug-In Hybrids Feel Luxurious: These 4 SUVs (And One Wagon) Do
Once seen purely as a transitional technology, plug-in hybrids have earned a reprieve as the shift to full electrification has stumbled. It's not difficult to understand why: by combining a gas engine with at least one electric motor, drivers get the convenience of some electric-only range but the flexibility of filling up at regular gas stations on road-trips, and with a smaller (and thus much cheaper) battery than in a full EV. They're not perfect, mind.
Not All Plug-In Hybrids Feel Luxurious: These 4 SUVs (And One Wagon) Do
Once seen purely as a transitional technology, plug-in hybrids have earned a reprieve as the shift to full electrification has stumbled. It's not difficult to understand why: by combining a gas engine with at least one electric motor, drivers get the convenience of some electric-only range but the flexibility of filling up at regular gas stations on road-trips, and with a smaller (and thus much cheaper) battery than in a full EV. They're not perfect, mind.
Modin on Double Trouble: “Cowes-Torquay Is the Biggest Thing You Can Win”
Anton Modin races in Class 1 for the first time on Saturday, sharing Double Trouble with Gary Aldington at UKOPRA Round 4, the MDL Marinas Mercury Offshore Grand Prix at Mercury Yacht Harbour, Hamble. The reigning UIM Class 3A World Champion has never raced anything larger than a 23-foot monohull. Double Trouble is a 42-foot Fountain running Express power, around 1,720hp.
5 Of The Most Fun Drivers' Cars That Don't Cost A Fortune, Ranked
It's all too easy to get caught up in the horsepower wars, and assume the average driver has been priced out of four-wheeled fun. Once the preserve of supercars, now the arms race of More Power Better has spread to everyday vehicles, while average selling prices lurch higher. Reset your expectations — or right-size them, I'd argue — though, and you can find plenty of charm for considerably less than the $50,000 or so that Americans are currently spending on a new car.
5 Of The Most Fun Drivers' Cars That Don't Cost A Fortune, Ranked
It's all too easy to get caught up in the horsepower wars, and assume the average driver has been priced out of four-wheeled fun. Once the preserve of supercars, now the arms race of More Power Better has spread to everyday vehicles, while average selling prices lurch higher. Reset your expectations — or right-size them, I'd argue — though, and you can find plenty of charm for considerably less than the $50,000 or so that Americans are currently spending on a new car.
5 Of The Most Fun Drivers' Cars That Don't Cost A Fortune, Ranked
Hyundai 1 hour ago Hyundai's electric SUVs are winning over buyers, and it's easy to see why Electrek - Peter Johnson • 1h The IONIQ 5 is one of the most popular EVs right now outside of Tesla, and now Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV is finding its niche. Hyundai drives growth as demand for EVs rises If you’re seeing more Hyundai vehicles on the road, it’s not by chance.
Mazda's New Infotainment Finally Fixes Years Of Complaints (But I Can't Say It's Perfect)
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is bigger, looks more striking, and yet still starts under $30,000 — albeit before destination fees and taxes — but it's the dashboard where arguably the most important changes are to be found. For years, now, the Japanese automaker has found itself at odds with drivers used to reaching out and touching their infotainment screens. Mazda's staunch opposition to such things has felt increasingly obstinate.
Mazda's New Infotainment Finally Fixes Years Of Complaints (But I Can't Say It's Perfect)
Kia Motors 1 day ago Modern Family: 2026–27 Three-Row SUVs Compared Car and Driver • 1d We compare eight three-row SUVs in search of the best vehicle for shuttling the hope for our species. From the July/August 2026 issue of Car and Driver. At some point, hopefully not too recently, you were probably eating a lot of dirt and regularly filling a diaper.
Where (nearly) Everybody Knows Your Name
Kia ora and welcome to your online edition of the northern Waikato community news. As the new owners of the Chatter News we look forward to continuing the great work of Jim and Karen but also adding to the publication through our 20 years experience with another community newspaper in the Waikato. raglanchronicle.co.nz We feel the responsibility to keep delivering you a publication that you can be proud of.
15 Best Shows Set in Texas, Ranked
6 Texas has always occupied a special place in American television. Its vast landscapes, larger-than-life personalities, distinctive culture, and complex history provide fertile ground for compelling storytelling. From high school football fields and dusty ranches to bustling cities and crime-ridden border towns, Texas has served as the backdrop for some of television’s most memorable series.
Before Driving Honda's New Prelude Even One Mile, I Knew How I Was Meant To Feel Original
Honda's 2026 Prelude is no friend to nostalgia. The long-anticipated return of the beloved nameplate was quickly branded a shameless cash-grab; a craven pretender not worthy of the Prelude legacy; a jumped-up Civic with aspirations well above its station. True fans should sneer at the new Prelude's hybrid drivetrain, or so the true fans told me. It is a glorious, galling fact of life — and product planning specifically — that heritage is a double-edged sword.
Before Driving Honda's New Prelude Even One Mile, I Knew How I Was Meant To Feel
4 hours ago Is this Jared Leto's best performance ever? I think so. My expectations for Masters of the Universe were low for several reasons. Chief among them, 2026 has been absolutely bleak in terms of movies based on intellectual property geared toward male audiences. The Super Mario Brothers Galaxy Movie was …
6 Things Every EV Owner Needs To Know Before Installing A Home Charger
Electric vehicles may have beguiling speed and luxuriously quiet motors, but arguably the biggest advantage of ditching internal combustion is never having to stop by a gas station again. For many EV owners, an overnight charge means they start each day with a full battery. It's one of the electric perks you have to live with to truly appreciate, but it also means figuring out home charging, too. Just about every new electric car comes with a portable charger.
4 Things I Couldn't Ignore While Driving Cadillac's Escalade (Which Is Very, Very Large)
The week after I returned Cadillac's Escalade, a woman in a lifted Chevy drove straight over a Lamborghini in Texas. The wedge-shaped Huracán squeezed neatly beneath the towering Silverado's outsized wheels. I'm sure, once the sting of insurance settlements has dimmed, all involved will chuckle at the irony of it happening in a Crunch Fitness parking lot. Crunch, get it? Thankfully, I didn't need a reminder to check this behemoth's blindspots and thus avoid a collision with some Italian exotica.
4 Things I Couldn't Ignore While Driving Cadillac's Escalade (Which Is Very, Very Large)
The week after I returned Cadillac's Escalade, a woman in a lifted Chevy drove straight over a Lamborghini in Texas. The wedge-shaped Huracán squeezed neatly beneath the towering Silverado's outsized wheels. I'm sure, once the sting of insurance settlements has dimmed, all involved will chuckle at the irony of it happening in a Crunch Fitness parking lot. Crunch, get it? Thankfully, I didn't need a reminder to check this behemoth's blindspots and thus avoid a collision with some Italian exotica.
What Is Lexus' Steer-By-Wire And How Does It Work?
Lexus turned some heads when it announced that the Lexus RZ, its first all-electric SUV, would be offered with a yoke steering wheel instead of the traditional circular one, but it's what's behind that oddly-shaped control that's actually the big change here. Lexus steer-by-wire — branded One Motion Grip in some regions — replaces the mechanical link you'd usually find connecting the steering wheel and the wheels. In doing so, Lexus says, it can offer a number of benefits.
What Is Lexus' Steer-By-Wire And How Does It Work?
Lexus turned some heads when it announced that the Lexus RZ, its first all-electric SUV, would be offered with a yoke steering wheel instead of the traditional circular one, but it's what's behind that oddly-shaped control that's actually the big change here. Lexus steer-by-wire — branded One Motion Grip in some regions — replaces the mechanical link you'd usually find connecting the steering wheel and the wheels. In doing so, Lexus says, it can offer a number of benefits.
International HR Day 2026: Celebrating HR’s transformative impact
To mark International HR Day, AHRI spoke with business and people leaders to reflect on the role HR plays in helping organisations navigate change, strengthen culture and support long-term performance. From restructuring teams and managing change to improving performance and shaping workplace culture, HR practitioners are often involved in some of their organisations’ most complex decisions.
If This Stunning Coupe Is The Future Of BMW ALPINA, The Purists Will Be Delighted Original
You can tell a lot from a concept car. No, these flights of automaker fancy — divorced as they are from factors so tedious as road safety, regulations, and "can we actually afford to build this?" — are unlikely to make it to dealership forecourts, or at least not in their original form. But as signposts to what a car company believes is important (and will eventually sell), they're rich seams for the digging.
2026 Subaru Solterra Vs Toyota bZ: The Right Choice Depends On One Thing Original
Much like many human twins, Toyota and Subaru's pair of all-electric crossovers waited until a few birthdays had passed before striking out in different directions. Little separated the original 2022 bZ4X and Solterra, bar badging. That's something a mid-cycle refresh offered the opportunity to address, along with a list of other shortcomings that left both EVs as also-rans in the segment. The 2026 revamp brought most conspicuously a greater distinction in style.
This Affordable New reMarkable E-Paper Tablet Made Me Wish I Was A Notetaker
The more we're told to trust AI, offload our note-taking to machine intelligence, and outsource creativity to agent prompts, the more appealing pen and paper sound. It's a compulsion that reMarkable has carved out its niche in, with a range of e-paper tablets that promise the familiarity of a pen but with the undeniable organizational boon that digital brings. Now, it's the turn of the company's cheapest model to get an update, in the shape of the reMarkable Paper Pure.
4 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Cheap Electric Car
Affordable electric cars have the potential to change individual transportation, though there are a few important facts and caveats to bear in mind as you pick a cheap EV. It's no surprise that many drivers are considering going electric in the next few years. After all, the appeal of never pumping gas again, getting to use the ride-share lanes in certain U.S. states, and knowing that you're not emitting gases that contribute to climate change is considerable.
4 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Cheap Electric Car
Affordable electric cars have the potential to change individual transportation, though there are a few important facts and caveats to bear in mind as you pick a cheap EV. It's no surprise that many drivers are considering going electric in the next few years. After all, the appeal of never pumping gas again, getting to use the ride-share lanes in certain U.S. states, and knowing that you're not emitting gases that contribute to climate change is considerable.
Tricks To Make Your Amazon Fire TV Stick Run Faster
There's nothing more frustrating than streaming video that skips, lags, or just won't play smoothly. You've dimmed the lights, made the popcorn, and negotiated what movie or series you're going to watch together, but jerky playback — or just videos that refuse to play altogether — turn date night into a disaster. There are plenty of reasons why an Amazon Fire TV might struggle to play streaming video smoothly, and diagnosing them can be a chore.
Tim Cook Is Stepping Down As Apple CEO, But He's Not Leaving
Apple's Tim Cook is stepping down as chief executive officer, and will be replaced by John Ternus, currently senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, the Cupertino company announced today. Cook will step into a new role as executive chairman of Apple's board of directors on September 1st, 2026. It'll bring to an end fifteen years of Cook as Apple CEO, a position he took after Steve Jobs' resignation. It proved to be a controversial — though lucrative — period.
Tim Cook Is Stepping Down As Apple CEO, But He's Not Leaving
Apple CEO Tim Cook - John Gress Media Inc/Shutterstock Apple's Tim Cook is stepping down as chief executive officer, and will be replaced by John Ternus, currently senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, the Cupertino company announced today. Cook will step into a new role as executive chairman of Apple's board of directors on September 1st, 2026. It'll bring to an end fifteen years of Cook as Apple CEO, a position he took after Steve Jobs' resignation.
Chris Davies: AR regime consultation signals stronger accountability ahead
The recent HMT consultation on reform of the Appointed Representative (AR) regime signals that the structure remains under close scrutiny. Chris Davies – Illustration by Dan Murrell While the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has already strengthened its supervisory framework through PS22/11, HMT is clearly testing whether further structural reform is required to address harm within principal–AR models.
Tricks To Make Your Amazon Fire TV Stick Run Faster
There's nothing more frustrating than streaming video that skips, lags, or just won't play smoothly. You've dimmed the lights, made the popcorn, and negotiated what movie or series you're going to watch together, but jerky playback — or just videos that refuse to play altogether — turn date night into a disaster. There are plenty of reasons why an Amazon Fire TV might struggle to play streaming video smoothly, and diagnosing them can be a chore.
Right now a hybrid sounds like a great idea, but is the Prius PHEV worth it?
Chris Davies It's no surprise, with gas prices surging, that drivers fearing their next fuel-up are looking to electrification to ease the pain. While EVs may avoid the gas station forecourt altogether, hybrids and plug-in hybrids can ease the transition and help avoid things like range anxiety. In fact, that's always been the Toyota Prius' big boast. We're a long way from the oddball first-generation Prius launch in 1997 , however.
Right Now A Hybrid Sounds Like A Great Idea, But Is The Prius PHEV Worth It?
It's no surprise, with gas prices surging, that drivers fearing their next fuel-up are looking to electrification to ease the pain. While EVs may avoid the gas station forecourt altogether, hybrids and plug-in hybrids can ease the transition and help avoid things like range anxiety. In fact, that's always been the Toyota Prius' big boast. We're a long way from the oddball first-generation Prius launch in 1997, however.
Rolls-Royce's Next EV Is A 19-Foot-Long Two-Seat Convertible With A Mystery Price Tag Original
As gas prices soar, and pump-scalded car shoppers look to EVs to save their wallets, the super-super-rich have some fresh electric salvation of their own. Rolls-Royce has pulled the wraps off its latest model, and Project Nightingale will do little to tame accusations of utter excess amid cars with price tags most mortals can't afford. Profligacy comes as standard, of course, though even by Rolls-Royce standards this is a wild car.
It Was Arguably A Terrible Week To Test The Land Rover Defender Octa Original
The scheduling gods have a sense of irony, it seems. How else to describe Land Rover's most thunderous Defender arriving on my driveway in a week where gas prices threaten to challenge historic highs across the U.S., and — regardless of politician verbiage — show every sign of rising further? Launched in 2025, the Defender Octa eclipses the already-potent Defender V8 with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged engine kicking out 626 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.
Cagliari to Open 2026 F1H2O World Championship Season
F1H2O has confirmed Cagliari, Sardinia as the opening round of the 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship. The race will take place May 29-31, with the announcement coming after a prolonged period of calendar uncertainty caused in part by the continuing situation in the Middle East, which has disrupted several of the championship’s traditional venues. Cagliari returns to the F1H2O calendar for the first time in many years.
Sonos Play Goes Back To Basics, And I Think It's About Time Original
If you had to quantify the Sonos Play, you might say the new portable speaker takes us back to basics with a sprinkle of the old Sonos sparkle. On the one hand it's a (relatively) affordable entry point to multi-room home music; on the other, a Bluetooth speaker that punches above the crowd for sound quality. In fact, the Play arguably straddles Sonos' home and portable speaker ranges in the most convincing way to-date.
Sonos Play Goes Back To Basics, And I Think It's About Time
13 hours ago Sonos has started shipping its two latest speakers. They are both designed as gateway products to the Sonos system, the Apple of multi-room audio? Like Apple, Sonos designs beautiful products and has a slick ecosystem that’s easy to use and has prompted comparisons with Apple which also closely …
Forex considerations for UAE expats: Why currency risk needs attention
Most expats in the UAE do not think of themselves as taking currency risk. They think about investments, property prices or interest rates. Currency tends to sit quietly in the background. But for many expatriates, it is one of the largest hidden risks in their financial life. If you earn in dirhams, hold savings in dollars and plan to retire in pounds or euros, you are already exposed.
Has The 2026 Toyota Highlander Outstayed Its Welcome? Original
The writing has been on the wall for the Toyota Highlander for a while now. Though it's only recently that the Japanese automaker has confirmed the 2027 Highlander will adopt an all-new design — and an all-electric drivetrain — the three-row SUV was already feeling the pressure, and it was coming from inside Toyota's own dealerships. The culprit was the Grand Highlander, a longer three-row SUV that had the regular Highlander in its sights from day one.
2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Review: Affordable Crossover Plays It Safe
On paper, it's the perfect combination. Take Toyota's perennially-popular RAV4, throw in the automaker's well-established hybrid drivetrain, and slap on a reasonable price tag for a new compact SUV. For those in need of crossover practicality and a little extra fuel economy, the 2025 RAV4 Hybrid's talents are hardly hidden.
How To Survive A Power Outage: Generators, Portable Batteries And Caffeine
Whether it's a planned outage or an unexpected one, losing power at home is never fun, but with some straightforward preparation it needn't be a nightmare. With big chunks of California going offline this week – myself included – it's been a good opportunity to test out my emergency plan, including some low-tech preparation and some high-tech gadgets like the latest battery backups. Here's what has worked for me, and how it might help you. Read more: Tech From 2021 That Changed Our Lives Forever
The 2026 Polestar 4 Is Weird, And That's Just Great Original
The 2026 Polestar 4 may be a new addition to the automaker's line-up, but it's what's missing which has arguably overshadowed the SUV coupé's arrival. After all, the shapely Porsche Macan Electric rival is priced to sell with its $57,800 starting price — including destination but before some seriously hefty incentives Polestar is offering to make up for the absent EV tax credit — has plenty of power and no shortage of luxury tech.
Chris Davies: Why evidence will define FCA supervision in 2026
My prediction for 2026 is that FCA supervision will be driven less by rule expansion and more by how firms evidence delivery. Chris Davies – Illustration by Dan Murrell The Consumer Duty is now the regulator’s primary supervisory lens, focused on whether firms can demonstrate good client outcomes and show how they respond when outcomes fall short. For advice firms, this represents a clear shift in emphasis.
RIP Volvo V60 Cross Country, You Were More Than We Deserved Original
Sometimes, the universe goes heavy on the irony. A day after this 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country was collected from my driveway, the automaker closed the U.S. order books on the model altogether. Its self-imposed sales deadline came on the heels of years of slumping American demand for wagons generally; when production ceases in April 2026, it'll leave Volvo's line-up here entirely comprised of SUVs and crossovers.
A Snowy Week With The CX-30 Showed Where Mazda's Cheapest AWD Model Shines - SlashGear Original
I wish I could tell you what the 2026 Mazda CX-30 is like on dry roads, in sunny weather. After all, the Japanese automaker's smallest SUV certainly looks the sporting part, with hints of MX-5 Miata and echoes of the now-retired-but-still-appealing "Zoom-Zoom" ethos. Unfortunately, Midwest weather was not playing ball. Instead I had ice, snow, and a set of Bridgestone Turanza EL440 all-season tires to go with the CX-30's standard all-wheel drive (AWD). I also had the optional turbocharged engine.
This Might Be The Best New Car To Learn To Drive Stick In Original
The death of the manual transmission is still exaggerated, but it's fair to say that your options are small if you're looking for a new car in the U.S. with a stick shift. That's doubly the case if you have neither appetite, nor budget, for a sports car with three pedals to play with. So, what's the fresh-to-manuals driver looking to get to grips with their gears to pick, if they want something brand new off the forecourt? Growing up in the U.K., learning to drive stick was the norm.
5 Ways Lexus' 2026 TX 550h+ Earns Its Luxury Price (And Where It Struggles) Original
You can't accuse Lexus of not taking hefty, three-row SUVs seriously. Toyota's upscale arm has three of them: the TX, GX, and LX, spanning price points from just shy of $60k through to six-figures. This particular 2026 TX comes in a total of ten different versions. Of that count, the TX 550h+ PHEV sits at the top of the tree. Starting at $80,960 (including $1,450 destination) it's the most expensive, the most powerful, and the quickest of the TX line-up.
The Cheap Toyota I'd Probably Pick If I Wanted A New Car On A Budget Original
Excitement is not in the budget, for a lot of new car buyers right now. The thrill of a big and vocal engine, or high horsepower, or being on the cutting-edge of electrification is a luxury that can, and must, play second-fiddle to reliable, frugal, (relatively) affordable transportation. And it's with that framing that I think the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid genuinely shines. Should it be a hatchback? Sure, but crossovers sell much better, and so it's a crossover. Should it be fully electric?
A Weekend With The McLaren Artura And BMW M5 Proved The Future Is Fast, But Not Flawless Original
Sometimes, the scheduling gods smile upon you. Rarer still, they've negotiated beforehand with the deities responsible for the weather, delivering a weekend that while maybe not totally dry, is close to it. As last-hurrahs before the Midwest winter sets in, a BMW M5 and McLaren Artura landing on the driveway simultaneously is tough to beat. As is invariably the case with a car bearing the BMW "M" badge or McLaren's swooping logo, these are first and foremost performance cars.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Chris
Contact Chris, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack