Adithya Gopal

Motoring Journalist/Content Editor

Adithya is the Content Editor at AA Cars and a Motoring Journalist, with over 1,000 published articles across numerous publications.

Adithya is a mechanical engineering graduate turned Motoring Journalist. His career began as a correspondent, and he later became the Content Editor for Microsoft Bing, editing and curating automotive content for over 40 countries. Adithya holds the coveted MA in Automotive Journalism degree from Coventry University and has been doing this for more than eight years, with over 1,000 published articles in 11+ titles. Adi (as he likes to be called), is the resident Content Editor here at AA Cars.

Outside of work, you’ll often find him spending long hours on Facebook Marketplace searching for performance bargains, or combing through forums to diagnose issues with his cars – a 15-year-old W212 E350 and an equally old MX5.

Awards and qualifications

More than 1000 published articles
Bylines in 11+ websites/magazines
MA Automotive Journalism degree
Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Recent reviews

MINI John Cooper Works

4.2/5

As endearing as affordable petrol hot hatchbacks are, they are slowly starting to fade away. With the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST long gone, Mini is still soldiering on with the JCW, which packs a 231hp turbo petrol engine. At least on paper, it’s got everything that suggests the making of a legitimate hot hatch. However, does it really come together on a spirited drive, and more crucially, is the 2026 Mini JCW the affordable petrol hot hatch to buy today?

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Toyota Prius

4.3/5

Think Toyota Prius, and what comes to mind are cabs. The Prius is also known for being too uninspiring for families. With the fifth-generation Prius, Toyota has taken an unconventional approach, transforming the hybrid commuter to a sleek car from the future. We spent some time with a 2026 Toyota Prius in Design trim to find out if it’s finally desirable enough as a private family car.

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Volvo XC40

4.3/5

It might come as a surprise that the XC40 is almost 9 years old. Volvo’s entry-level SUV has not only aged gracefully, but it continues to be a top pick in its segment. Having been subject to many updates over the years, the 2026 XC40 comes with two mild-hybrid petrol engine options. We drove the XC40 Black Edition Ultra B4 to ascertain why it is still one of the best small SUVs, despite intense competition from the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1 and the Audi Q3.

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Kia Sportage

4.1/5

The Sportage is consistently Kia’s best-selling model. It is also undoubtedly one of the best family SUVs if you’re on a budget. What makes it a winning proposition is how much space and practicality it offers without compromising on value. The 2026 Kia Sportage only adds to this with better styling, equipment and a wide range of engine options. With ever-increasing competition, we drove a Sportage hybrid to find out if it’s still the safe and sensible choice for families.

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Lexus LBX

4.1/5

The LBX is Lexus’ attempt at cracking the subcompact SUV space, bringing in a fresh outlook. It promises to be a luxury car, but without the hefty price tag. To make that possible, it shares its platform with the Toyota Yaris Cross. However, the LBX is far from just a badge job. Lexus has set out to create something unique and quirky, hoping to attract more first-time buyers. Has it worked? We find out.

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Skoda Kodiaq

4.3/5

Skoda borrows the name from Kodiak, the world’s largest brown bear found in Alaska. Like the grizzly, the Skoda Kodiaq is large and offers acres of space. Now in its second generation, and with over 870,000 units sold worldwide, the Kodiaq builds on the same winning formula with more engine options, including a plug-in hybrid. We’ve tested the Kodiaq 4x4, equipped with the 2.0-litre TSI, to see if it still lives up to its name.

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