What Car Oct 2013

MERC’S NEW £25k SUV

ALL-NEW 520mpg BMW

Why the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 could seem second best

True MPGReal-world economy tests

A to Z guide374 new carstested and rated

Target PriceWhat to pay for your next car

£A3t

Britain’s biggest and best car buyer’s guide October 2013

Full details, first drive and rated by you

Plus How good is your dealer? Full shock results on p94

Why the

£26k high-tech i3

£4.99

whatcar.com OCTOBER 2013 | 7

OCTOBER 2013

This month’s new cars tested

New BMW i3 Readers’ verdict

Contents 1

The UK’s biggest and best car comparisons

Audi RS7 p32

Honda Civic Tourer p35

Hyundai i10 p32

Hyundai ix35 p33

Mercedes A-Class p33

Suzuki Swift 4x4 p35

42 56 32

68

New cars around the corner p36

Save ££££s on your next car p39

On the cover

You tell us what you think of BMW’s first electric car p20

Star cars

First drives

Coming soon

Target Price

14 Star carMerc GLA

26 Star driveBMW 4 Series

42 Big group testExecutive cars

64 Twin testHot hatches

68 Twin testElectric cars56 Triple test

SUVs

73 Quick testHot hatches

76 Our carsLong-term tests

18 Star driveBMW i3

28 Reader Test Team Alfa Romeo 4C

Go towhatcar.comfor the latest on new cars

Find out how

to buy the perfect

used carp142

New Audi A3 Saloon vs new

Lexus IS vs BMW 3 Series

vs Mercedes-Benz CLA

New Skoda Octavia vRS

vs Ford Focus ST-2

New Nissan Leaf vs

new Renault ZoeNew Honda CR-V vs Mazda

CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4

New Kia Procee’d GT vs

new Seat Leon SC

Skoda Rapid p76

Ssangyong Korando p78

Suzuki Swift Sport p80

Fiat 500L p82

Honda CR-V p85

Volkswagen Up p85

Dacia Sandero p87

Mazda 6 p87

Audi A3 Sportback p89

BMW 318d GT p89

Ford Focus ST-2 p90

Peugeot 208 p90

Mini Paceman p91

Renault Captur p91

web


OCTOBER 2013

Buying & Owning

How good is your dealer?

New carsA to Zevery new cartested &rated p115

Buyer’sguideall the facts & figures p147

Contents 2

106 103

110

On the cover

JD Power survey exposes the best and worst brands p94

Advice and tips to save £££s and more

Plus

100 Buying usedVolkswagen Eos

104 Used dealsHot Renault Clio

110 Helpdesk

103 Used testSUVs

106 Personal shopper

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Welcome to What Car?

The BMW 3 Series has been What Car?’s

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Something’s come along that

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a new take on

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whatcar.com SEPTEMBER 2013 | 13

This month onwhatcar.com

49% of you would buy only a car with a five-star Euro NCAP rating, 39% say it isn’t crucial and 12% say other things matter more.

Plus

You say

Skoda Rapid Spaceback The sportier version of the Rapid

Vauxhall Insignia We try the new 99g/km version of the fleet favourite

Porsche 911 TurboThe most powerful 911 Turbo yet

We get behind the wheel of Peugeot’s all-new family hatchback – the 308

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14 | OCTOBER 2013 whatcar.com

What’s new?

Mercedes-BenzGLA What is it? A rival for the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque Price from £25k (est) On sale December

STARCARIn detail

Headlight make-up is similar to the GLA’s

sister cars’; full xenons on top-end models

Spacious front seats are about an inch

higher than the A-Class’s; good view out

Large tail-lights dominate the rear. They’re

shallow, so don’t encroach on the boot

First look

Photography John Bradshaw

15 whatcar.com OCTOBER 2013 |

GLA is longer and lower

than the Audi Q3 and

Range Rover Evoque

Mercedes-Benz GLA

MERCEDES-BENZ IS FILLING one of the biggest gaps in its range by launching the GLA.

Due on sale in December, with deliveries starting in early 2014, the GLA is the fourth car in Mercedes’ new ‘compact’ line-up, following the A-Class, B-Class and CLA-Class. It uses the same front- and four-wheel-drive

chassis parts as those cars, albeit with modifications designed to give it greater ride height. Unlike the A-Class, where

the engineering focus was on sporty handling and agility, the GLA is said

to be set up primarily for comfort.

At 4417mm long and 1494mm high, the GLA is around 120mm longer and

60mm taller than an A-Class. It’s longer but lower than both the Q3 and Evoque, though, so it still looks like a

beefed-up version of a regular family hatchback

rather than a full-blown SUV (more in tune with BMW’s

X1, in fact). Mercedes has included extra plastic body cladding around the wheelarches and along the flanks, plus metal-finish front and rear bodyguards, to give the GLA a more rugged look.

What’s under the bonnet?

Mercedes is pitching the GLA above the A-Class, so that car’s more modest engines (including the Renault-sourced diesel) won’t be on offer here. Instead the line-up is likely to start with the GLA200 petrol (with 154bhp) and the GLA200 CDI (134bhp), both with front-wheel drive.

The four-wheel-drive models, badged 4Matic, will get more powerful engines: the 168bhp GLA220 CDI (which could well prove to be the best-selling variant overall), and the GLA250 turbocharged petrol, with 208bhp.

Mercedes’ seven-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox will be standard across the range, but a six-speed manual will also be available as an option.

The GLA’s four-wheel-drive system defaults to front-wheel drive in most conditions (to cut emissions and fuel consumption), but it can transfer up to 50% of the drive to the rear when required. {

‘Unlike the A-Class, the GLA is said to be set up for comfort’

Rear headroom – even with the sunroof

fitted to this car – is decent for six-footers

Large screen displays audio and nav info;

most functions work via the central dial

The GLA is the fourth – and probably last –

model to be based on the MFA platform

16 | OCTOBER 2013 whatcar.com16 | OCTOBER 2013 whatcar.com

What’s new?

How the GLA compares with its rivals Last in the series

The GLA is the fourth car

to sit on Mercedes’ MFA

underpinnings. It’s likely to

be the last introduction on that

base for the foreseeable future;

Mercedes has been considering

a front-wheel-drive baby

drop-top, called the SLA, but

that project is said to have

been canned on grounds of

complexity, cost and potential

profit margins.

The next big model in

Mercedes’ schedule is the new

generation of C-Class. It’s due

next spring, and will be the

first model to be based on

the new MRA, or ‘Modular

Rear-drive Architecture’.

raised by about 30mm, although it would be incorrect to call it lofty. Mercedes UK is also considering offering an even higher suspension set-up (as an option) that would lift it further.

The higher seating position and a taller roofline make it slightly easier to get into and out of the GLA than the A-Class (and much more so than the CLA saloon). The car in our photographs has an optional panoramic glass roof with integrated front sunroof, but even with this in place there’s enough rear headroom for adults up to six feet tall. Also shown here are one-piece sports seats that will be optional, or standard on AMG Sport models; regular GLAs will get conventional front seats.

Mercedes has yet to confirm the boot size, but sources say the GLA’s

Audi Q3

Price from £25,270 Length 4385mm

Width 1831mm Height 1608mm

Boot size 420-1325 litres

Drive system Front-wheel

drive/four-wheel drive

Gearbox 6-speed manual/

7-speed dual-clutch automatic

BMW X1




Drive system Rear-wheel



8-speed automatic

Mercedes A-Class






Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch

automatic/6-speed manual

Mercedes GLA

Price from £25,000 (est) Length 4417mm


Boot size 420-1240 litres (est)



Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch

auto/6-speed manual

Range Rover Evoque







9-speed automatic

The default suspension set-up on all models (even AMG Sport) will be Comfort, but a stiffer Sport setting will be offered as an option.

What’s it like inside?

If you’ve seen an A-, B- or CLA-Class already, then you won’t be too surprised by anything on offer in the front of the GLA, because it shares almost all of its dashboard and fascia with those cars. Mercedes’ latest circular air vents (as originally seen on the SLS supercar) are still present, although they get a slightly different chrome surround, with deeper textures.

Thankfully, the fake wood trim shown here will not be offered in the UK. Instead, British buyers will have a choice of finishes such as metal, carbonfibre effect and ‘Piano’ black.

The dashboard’s layout is familiar enough, though, with the large central screen and Mercedes’ infotainment system controller between the front seats. As with the A-Class and CLA-Class, over-the-shoulder visibility is affected by the thick rear pillars, but the front of the cabin feels spacious enough.

You do sit slightly higher than in an A-Class; the seat position is

‘Merc UK is considering a higher suspension set-up’


FORM AND FUNCTION Circular

air vents look fantastic with their

textured chrome surrounds

SOUND DECISION A

DAB radio will be fitted

as standard to all trims

ALL CHANGE Expect to see

more contemporary finishes

instead of this fake wood

PASSES MUSTER Mercedes’

Artico leather-effect upholstery

looks and feels convincing

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Well-shaped boot holds around 420 litres

with the seats up and 1240 with them folded

Electrically operated boot mechanism will

be offered as an option on all versions

Four-wheel-drive system sends power to

the front wheels under normal conditions

John McIlroy

[email protected]

longer rear overhang and the fact that the tail-lights no longer encroach on the boot area give it around 80 litres more capacity than the A-Class. That would mean around 420 litres with the rear seats in place (about the same as a BMW X1), and about 1240 litres with them folded. The space looks squarer and more useful than the A-Class’s, and there are luggage hooks integrated into the plastic mouldings at either side of the compartment.

The standard equipment list is still being finalised, but even entry-level SE models will get all of the body cladding seen here, plus 18in alloy wheels (the car in these images is on 19-inchers), digital DAB radio and leather-effect upholstery.

How much will it cost?

Well-placed sources say the GLA’s pricing will start at around £25,000, so slightly less than the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, and around £5000 less than the cheapest Range Rover Evoque. That entry-level car will be front-wheel drive, though; factor in Merc’s 4Matic transmission and the more potent engines required for that set-up and the figure is likely to be more like £28,000 – or around the same as Audi’s 175bhp Q3 diesel.

A high-performance GLA45 AMG will launch later next year, with the same four-wheel-drive system and the A45 AMG’s 335bhp engine, priced at just over £40k.


What’s new?

BMW i3What is it? BMW’s first fully-electric superminiPrice from £25,680* On sale Now

Double kidney grilles and headlights add

BMW styling clues to the i3’s distinctive face

Professional 10-inch screen is the more

expensive option (6.5in screen is standard)

Front seats look thin but are surprisingly

comfortable, spacious and supportive

BMW CLAIMS IT has reinvented the electric car with this new supermini-sized model, called the i3 and available to order now through UK dealers.

The i3 makes use of high-tech lightweight materials such as carbonfibre and aluminium in its construction to offset the weight of its battery pack. It is available as a fully electric model, or as a range-extender with a 34bhp two-cylinder petrol engine that keeps the electric motor’s battery pack from running flat (CO2 emissions are 13g/km).

The i3 manages to look like a BMW without looking like a BMW. The twin-kidney front grille is present as usual, but it

First look


as eucalyptus wood. It manages to feel airy in the front, but some may find it a little dark in the rear.

The main instrument panel will be a single LCD display, and BMW will offer a choice of central screens for infotainment (a 6.5-inch unit called Business or

a 10.25-inch widescreen system called Professional).

The sat-nav will have extra functionality that will show you the current range on a map, based on your driving mode and the range-maximising Eco Pro+ setting, and a number of other

At 4m long and 1.77m

wide, the i3 is a bit

bigger than a Mini

sits at the front of a short bonnet. The vehicle is taller than most small cars – about the same height as BMW’s X1 SUV.

The i3 is powered by a 168bhp electric motor, mated to a single-speed gearbox and driving the rear wheels. Its top speed is 93mph, and it does 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds (0-37mph takes just 3.7 seconds). It has a range of between 80 and 100 miles in normal driving and can reach a full charge in eight hours (or four hours if you have a charging box installed on your house wall).


The dashboard mixes a high-tech look with natural materials such

STARCARCARCARIn detail

*Aft

er

Go

ve

rnm

en

t g

ran

t


Access to the rear is aided by rear-hinged

rear doors; front seats also fold forwards

Standard charge takes eight hours. You can

halve that if you have a home charging box

You won’t get much more than a small

holdall in the charging cable’s storage well

BMW i3

LOOKS FAMILIAR

Standard BMW switchgear will

make drivers familiar with the

brand more comfortable

STOP AND GO

The i3’s gearbox, such as

it is, is controlled via this

column-mounted ‘gearlever’

On the road in the i3

Need to go farther? Well now you can

See what our readers think over the page

d

parameters, including your driving style. It will also direct you towards charging points.

That aside, the cabin features familiar BMW switches for indicators and the stereo, and its iDrive controller sits between the front seats. You switch the car on and off, and move it between Drive, Reverse and Park, via a large, clunky stalk unit mounted on the right side of the steering column.

Rear passengers have to wait until the front doors are opened before they can exit via their own rear-hinged doors. Once they’ve done so, though, access to the back seats is decent enough, thanks to the absence of a central pillar on the side. You can also fold the front seats forwards to further open up the aperture.

The boot is small by supermini standards; reasonably wide, but shallow because of the high floor. There is 200 litres of space with the rear seats in place, and up to 1100 litres if you lower them. There’s room for a fair amount of shopping, though.

How much will it cost?

The i3 costs £30,680 outright, but this price will drop to £25,680 when a Government grant of £5000 is taken into consideration. This means the car costs around the same as a top-spec Nissan Leaf.

BMW has also confirmed the car will be available on a contract hire deal; customers pay an initial £2995 (including VAT), then a monthly payment of £369 (also inc VAT). The contract lasts three years and includes 8000 miles per year.

These prices are for the full-electric i3. The range-extender costs £3150 more than the EV version, starting at £28,830 after the Government grant. Contract hire deals on the range-extender will also be available.

The BMW i3 is on sale now, with the first UK deliveries scheduled before the end of the year.

John McIlroy

[email protected]

We’ve driven a development

version of the i3 briefly at a BMW

test facility. We had enough time

in the car to note that the i3’s

electric powertrain feels quiet

and smooth – with less whine, on

this evidence, than rivals’. Power

delivery is instantaneous, and in

the most performance-oriented

of the car’s modes, Comfort, you

can easily squirt up to 40 or

50mph in refined haste.

The i3’s agility at speed is likely

to surprise you. It changes

direction well at speed, and it

also feels very secure under

braking. In fact, the brake-energy

recuperation system can

actually do most of the braking

for you as long as you plan far

enough ahead.

The car also feels very capable

in tight spaces, thanks to quick

steering and a small turning

circle of just 9.86 metres. The

test road was pretty smooth, but

even now we’d advise you to

stick with the 19-inch wheels

instead of optional 20-inchers.

BMW says that the i3 will offer a different sort of ownership proposition;

one that could break down some of the barriers traditionally faced by

electric vehicles. To achieve this, the firm is offering packages of extra

assistance – priced from £40 per month up to around £80 per month –

through which i3 owners can get servicing and maintenance, access

to a UK-wide charging network (through ChargeNow) and, most

interesting, the occasional use of a conventionally powered vehicle.

BMW has yet to specify how this part of the deal works, but the theory

behind it is that you can drive an i3 happily throughout the year, then

have access to an X5 or a 5 Series Touring for your annual skiing holiday

or summer break in France. The scheme (called BMW Access) could win

over a few previous EV sceptics, although its success will depend on the

amount of ‘regular car’ time you get for your money.

20

What’s new?

‘I’ve been waiting for years

for a premium brand to

bring out a high-end rival

to the G-Wiz. The Nissan Leaf

and Renault Zoe come close but

haven’t quite managed to break

the styling mould.

‘This i3 is by far the best electric

car I’ve seen. It’s in a class of its

own, and highly desirable from a

practical and styling perspective.

‘The only exterior detail I’m not keen

on is this black overhang from the

rear quarter window.

‘The interior is beautifully styled.

It’s very modern, and this retro

wood finish lends a cool 1960s

classic car feel. The cabin is also

a lot bigger than I expected. I’m

over six feet tall but I have plenty

of legroom in the driver’s seat.

‘One design feature that

slightly concerns me is that the

[rear-hinged] back door has to

be closed before the front door.

I imagine there will be lots of owners

Age 48

Job Advertising creative director

Lives London

Drives G-Wiz

John Perlmutter

| OCTOBER 2013 whatcar.com

BMW’S I3 ELECTRIC city car is the first fruit from a £1.8 billion investment in the i sub-brand, so there’s a lot riding on it.

Just 24 hours after the i3 was unveiled to the world’s media, 70 What Car? readers became the first members of the public to rate it.

Would the world’s first ‘premium’ mass-market electric car live up to its hype? Would our readers concur with BMW’s ‘game changing’ claims? How would it be received by veteran early adopters, and would novices be convinced to take the plunge?

Here’s the verdict from our biggest reader test team event yet.

frustrated by the damage done

to the interior of the rear door.

‘Overall, though, I love it. I’m

certainly considering buying one.’

Words Emma Butcher Photography John Bradshaw and Will Williams

BMW i3

Reader Test Team A staggering 70 readers came to see BMW’s first mass-produced electric car. Here are some of their verdicts

John was impressed with the

(yet-to-be-finalised) materials

STARCARReader

Test Team

21

BMW i3

Robert Smith

Age 39

Job Civil servant

Lives Ayrshire

Drives Nissan Leaf and

Mini Countryman

‘I bought my Nissan

Leaf in February and

am an electric convert.

It’s perfect for my daily 69-mile

commute, and even including

charging my household

electricity bill is only £1.80 a day.

‘I’m very impressed with the

styling, and I love the high-gloss

black carbonfibre roof – it’s so

sleek. In fact, I can see a lot of

carbonfibre here, and the

renewable materials such as the

wool and wood appeal to me.

They give a sense of durability.

‘I would say the quality is a bit

better than in the Leaf, and I like

the fact that you sit lower in this

car rather than high up, like in

my car. However, the i3’s boot

space doesn’t compare.

‘The pricing is competitive,

though, and looks affordable

on both lease rate and outright

purchase. I am tempted, although

I wonder how long it will take to

install the quick chargers.

‘I’ll keep the Leaf, which fulfils

98% of my driving needs, and

trade in our Countryman for the

range-extender version of the i3.’

Peter French

Age 63

Job Chief executive

Lives Surrey

Drives Audi TT

‘My first impressions are

very good indeed. I like

the dynamic styling, and

I’m very pleased that a lot of

the concept design features

have made it through to the

production car.

‘It’s a nice place to be –

comfortable and relatively

spacious – with the premium

feel BMW promised.

‘I like the very simple, clean

layout and the use of digital

displays. The connected aspect of

the technology is very fitting, but

I really don’t like this wood in-lay

on the dash; it seems a bit out of

place. Dated, even.

‘As with all electric cars, the big

question is just how economical

it will be in the real world, and

that’s particularly relative to the

range-extender model.

‘Overall the i3 more than meets

my expectations and, pending

the test drive, it will be on our

shortlist. My wife drives a Mini,

which doesn’t have as much

space in the rear, so it could make

a good replacement for that.’

‘I’ve always wanted an

electric car. I like the idea

of doing my bit for the

environment, but nothing so

far has caught my attention like

the i3 has.

‘The most striking design

feature is those alloys – they’re

gorgeous. I wasn’t so keen on the

styling from the front at first,

although it is growing on me, but

the interior is just fantastic: simple

but luxurious.

‘The interior trim is really

special; very tactile, and I love the

eucalyptus wood on the dash, and

the way the glove box lid is

integrated. It’s very classy.

‘I’m surprised at how comfy

the seats are; really snug and

supportive, but not too firm. There’s

lots of space, too – far more than

I expected – and the way the doors

open makes it really practical.

‘The only thing that lets it down is

the boot. We have two kids and I just

Age 40

Job Operations director

Lives Hertfordshire

Drives BMW X1

Jas Mann

whatcar.com OCTOBER 2013 |

The i3’s digital readouts got

the thumbs up from Peter

Robert is going to buy the

range-extender version

don’t think it would cope with all

our bags and shopping.

‘My mother in law, who pops

into town, would love it.’

‘The trick BMW may already have pulled off is getting committed BMW drivers to take alternative fuels seriously, and committed eco-drivers to take BMW seriously.’

Live event comments

The dashboard’s eucalyptus

wood caught Jas’s eye

Go towhatcar.comto see the full video

video

‘I’ve been holding off on a Nissan Leaf to see if the i3’s worth the premium. It is. It’s a very special car that’s really raised the bar in terms of quality.’

‘It’s not quite as stylish as my 1 Series, but I love the doors. It’s taken ages to find the hidden handles!’

Martin Sylvester, 55,

parish priest,

Honda Insight Mk1

Adam Goran, 42,

digital marketer,

Porsche Boxster

Kitty Chamberlain,

20, PA, Volkswagen

Beetle Convertible

Turn the page to see what more readers think


TM

What’s new?BMW i3

‘The design works better in reality, but I’ll reserve final judgment until I’ve driven it’@dpeilow

‘If the test drive is good we will probably lease it as a second EV while we wait for Tesla Gen 3’@zerocarbonworld

‘Very cool engineering!’ Wilner Blue

‘Truly hideous. It looks like something from Star Wars.’ Adam Brannon

‘It’s not what I would have expected from BMW, but the big price is’ Ian Gardner

‘Is this the answer to all electric cars?’ Taher Malik

Readers’ views

‘A car’s got to look good as

well as being eco-friendly,

and this i3 definitely has

the looks.

‘I love the contrasting orange

and black paintwork, and the blue

detailing around the badges really

makes it stand out as BMW i.

‘Inside, it’s unmistakably BMW;

the controls are mostly the same

‘I understand this car

straight away, which

isn’t always the case

with BMWs – all the quirky

design elements come together

really well. It’s innovative and

eye-catching, and I really like the

fresh, minimalist dash, while the

layout of the doors allows easier

access to the rear seats.

as in my 3 Series, so it’s all very

familiar. The new doors and

absence of a central pillar are a real

innovation, and the fact there’s no

transmission tunnel in the back

means you don’t have to clamber

over it to get from seat to seat.

‘There’s also plenty of space in

the front and rear, and it’s really

very comfortable, even with my son,

James, in the back and me in the

front. You do get a sense of being in

a much bigger car.

‘The only things that stop me

giving it five stars are the boot,

which is too shallow for carrying the

‘I love the spacious cabin, but the

boot won’t take weekend luggage.

‘The overall cost does feel high

compared with rivals, and our X1

was about the same price, but

standard spec with alloys and

navigation that displays the location

and availability of charge stations

means you don’t need to spend

more than necessary.

‘I’d want to understand the

three-year total cost of ownership

versus a diesel car, and how much

charging will cost.

‘If it does stack up, I’ll recommend

it to my mother, who currently

Age 46

Job Water garden specialist

Lives Nottinghamshire

Drives BMW 3 Series Touring

Harp Mann

Age 41

Job IT bid director

Lives Hertfordshire

Drives BMW 6 Series, X1

Simon Bothwell

weekly shop or a dog, and the

dashboard finish. A carbon wrap

or soft-touch plastic would give

a more premium feel.

drives an old-style Mercedes

A-Class. In the meantime, I can

only say that it crushes its

like-for-like competition.’

Decent legroom means James

was happy to sit behind his dad

The i3’s shallow boot was the

only disappointment for Harp

If you’d like to be part of a future

Reader Test Team or have

a question about a specific car,

email us at readertestteam@

whatcar.com with your details.

Whatcar.com video

Your verdict on the i3

Join the debate at

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Our readers got to see the new i3 in the metal barely 24 hours after it had been unveiled to the world’s media


What’s new?

BMW 4 Series

THE BMW 4 SERIES is an all-new replacement for the 3 Series Coupé, with the change of name part of a plan to make it feel much more like a standalone model, rather than just a 3 Series with two fewer doors.

It’s longer, lower and wider than both the old 3 Series Coupé and the current 3 Series, proportions

a 2.0-litre turbo petrol (badged 428i), a 3.0-litre turbo petrol (435i), and the 2.0-litre 420d diesel that’s expected to be the best seller.

This range will quickly expand to include an xDrive four-wheel-drive version of the 420d, a less powerful 2.0-litre petrol model (420i) in rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions, and two 3.0-litre diesels (the 430d and the 435d xDrive).

What’s it like to drive?

We tried the 435i, which pulls strongly from low revs all the way through to 7000rpm. It

that help it look significantly sportier than either.

What’s more, the 4 Series is better equipped, with even the basic SE trim getting xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors, heated leather seats, cruise control and a DAB radio.

Three engines sourced from the 3 Series will be available at launch:

Optional eight-speed auto ’box works well and should appeal to owners

feels quick; it’s the sort of car that makes overtaking effortless, and the engine also makes a pleasant noise when you rev it, even if it isn’t especially loud. However, there is some wind and road noise at motorway speeds.

The optional eight-speed automatic gearbox fitted to our car is far more impressive, shifting swiftly and smartly. It’s likely to be a must-have option, because current manual versions of the 3 Series have offset pedals and a rather stiff gearshift action.

One of the best things about the latest 3 Series is the superb balance it strikes between ride comfort and agility, and this hasn’t been lost with the 4 Series. In fact, its lower centre of gravity and wider stance help it feel even more planted in corners. It should be noted, though, that our car was fitted with adaptive suspension, an option that greatly improves body control on other BMWs.

The steering is precise but relatively light, too, which

STARCAR

Drive

What is it? New coupé based on the latest 3 SeriesVerdict Classy, good to drive and surprisingly practical

‘The 4 Series is quick, and feels well planted in corners ’


BMW 4 Series

certainly adds to the enjoyment of driving the new 4 Series.


The 4 Series looks identical to a 3 Series saloon from the driver’s seat, aside from some minor trim changes. Fortunately, this means you get a classy, well laid out dashboard with clear instruments and BMW’s intuitive iDrive infotainment system.The seats are supportive, too, and they offer a good range of adjustment, although the 420d has fiddly manual seat controls instead of the full electric adjustment that comes as standard with the 428i and 435i.

Rear access is surprisingly good, thanks to front seats that tilt and slide a long way forward, so there’s a large gap to climb through. However, while there’s plenty of legroom in the back, only those under six feet tall will have enough headroom.

Rear access is good and there is

plenty of legroom in the back

The 4 Series is well equipped as

standard, even in basic SE trim

Boot capacity is only 35 litres

less than the 3 Series saloon’s

BMW’s iDrive infotainment

system is logical and easy to use

CABIN QUALITY

Interior fit and finish, and material

quality, are among the best to be

found in this category (or any other)

WIDESCREEN DISPLAY

Dash incorporates a huge screen

that can be split into two sections

displaying different information

The boot can swallow 445 litres of luggage, which is just 35 litres down on the 3 Series saloon’s capacity. What’s more, the rear seats split and fold 60/40, with a 40/20/40 split available as an option.

BMW also offers a powered boot lid that opens automatically when you wave your foot beneath the rear bumper, useful when your hands are full.

Should I buy one?

For all the talk of making the 4 Series feel different from the 3 Series, it’s actually very similar. However, given that the 3 Series is our reigning Executive Car of the

Year, this is no bad thing. True, the 4 Series carries a premium of more than £3000, but this isn’t excessive, given the extra style and equipment it offers.

The 4 Series is also priced in line with the rival Audi A5 and Mercedes E-Class Coupés, and

Elongated proportions make the new 4 Series look sportier than the 3; the new model is better equipped, too

is better to drive than both, at least in the form we tried it.

If you’re after a classy, four-seat coupé, the 4 Series is definitely worth waiting for.

Steve Huntingford

[email protected]

INSURANCE GROUPS tbc

AIRBAGS 6

DOORS 2

SEATS 4

COLOURS tbc

ON SALE October

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Audi A5

Merc E-Class C’pé

BUYER’S FILE

Engine size 2.0 T 3.0 T 2.0 TD

Price from £32,595 £40,795 £31,575

Power 242bhp 302bhp 181bhp

Torque 258lb ft 295lb ft 280lb ft

0-62mph 5.9sec 5.4sec 7.5sec

Top speed 155mph 155mph 149mph

Economy 42.8mpg 35.8mpg 60.1mpg

CO2 g/km/tax 154/22% 185/29% 124/19%

A convertible version of the

4 Series will join the range about

six months after the coupé goes

on sale. It will have a folding

hard-top similar to the one

on the outgoing 3 Series

Convertible, and should be

available with the same line-up

of engines as the 4 Series.

A few months after the arrival

of the convertible, BMW will

add a turbocharged six-cylinder

M4 model. Expect this to go

on sale at the same time as

the M3 saloon, with both

versions getting styling

tweaks that give them a

more aggressive appearance.

More Fours

28

What’s new?

‘I’ve had four Alfa Romeos,

which were all second cars

that could be used at the

weekend or for holidays, so I’m

a big fan of the brand. I came very

close to placing a deposit on a 4C

when it was first announced, but

early size comparisons with the

Lotus Elise put me off.

‘In reality, this seems slightly more

practical than the Lotus, but not by

much. The 4C doesn’t have a front

boot, and the one at the rear looked

too small for going away for

anything longer than a weekend.

‘Loading the rear boot is also

slightly unusual; to save weight,

there’s no hydraulic strut that holds

the lid open, so you have to prop it

up with a metal rod like you would

with a bonnet.

‘I think the level of weight saving

is just right – you’ve still got air-con

and leather seats inside, and that

manual boot prop wouldn’t put me

Age 38

Job Computer programmer

Lives St Albans

Drives Alfa Romeo Mito,

BMW 330d Touring

Richard Minchin


THE ALFA 4C is one of the most eagerly anticipated cars of 2013; it started the year by winning the What Car? Reader Award, chosen by whatcar.com users.

The mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat sports car has a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 237bhp. It accelerates from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 160mph, thanks largely to its ultra-low kerbweight of just 895kg.

The 4C takes several styling cues from Alfa’s 8C Competizione, so will its curves and swoops live up to our readers’ expectations? It’s time to find out.

off. What’s more, once you’re in

the cabin, you feel comfortable,

and I think at the price point the

interior quality is spot-on.’

Words Ed Callow Photography John Bradshaw

Alfa Romeo 4CReader Test Team Alfa’s mid-engined sports car goes on sale shortly for around £50k. Will it win over our team of readers?

Richard wasn’t that impressed

with the 4C’s carrying capacity

STARCARReader

Test Team

29

Alfa Romeo 4C

David Anderson

Age 50

Job Architect

Lives Newbury, Berks

Drives Alfa Romeo Brera and

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

‘I wanted to see what

impression the car left

on me after standing

right next to it. I also thought it

might be time to add another

Alfa to my collection.

‘Being an architect means

I have an eye for interesting

design, and I have always loved

these cars’ flair and individuality.

I think it’s what makes Alfas really

stand out from the crowd.

‘Now I’ve seen it in person,

it’s clear that the 4C is no

different – it’s absolutely fantastic.

It looks compact enough to be

a lot of fun along a decent road or

even around a track. The overall

shape is beautiful, and it actually

looks even better in the flesh than

I was expecting after seeing the

first photos.

‘If I had to pick one area that’s

not immediately perfect, I’d say

it’s the curves along the side up

to the intakes behind the rear

doors, but I’m sure they would

grow on me in time. I think it’s

incredibly important for an Alfa

to look absolutely stunning, and

the 4C does.’

Adam Lloyd

Age 26

Job Chartered surveyor

Lives Wokingham, Berks

Drives Alfa Romeo Giulietta

‘I chose my Alfa because

it has Italian style and

panache that isn’t

matched by any of its rivals.

It also offered relatively low

monthly bills in comparison to

competitors. The 4C obviously

won’t be as cheap to run, but

the list price of around £50,000

seems to be about right. It looks

so much more distinctive than

anything it’s going to be

competing with, too. It will be a

very tempting potential purchase.

‘While I understand the

stripped-back rationale, I think

Alfa could have made the interior

feel slightly more special.

However, there are some cool

weight-saving features, such as

the leather strap door pulls.

‘Even though the cabin doesn’t

feel as special as a Porsche

Cayman’s, it is at least easy to get

and out of, which is surprising

given how low you sit in the car.

I also love the carbonfibre that’s

on show – it immediately tells you

that this is a car with a proper

lightweight focus.’

‘The Alfa Romeo 4C is

the best looking car that’s

been launched for a very

long time – not just by Alfa, but

by any car manufacturer.

‘Now I’ve seen the car up close,

I know my first impression was

spot-on. The 4C is a very beautiful

car, and the only thing I saw

people querying were the

carbonfibre surrounds on the front

headlights. Personally, I quite like

those darker elements, although

I can see why they might be a bit

over the top for some people.

‘I was also impressed by how the

carbonfibre in the body helps to

keep the weight so low. Most people

would probably expect this car to be

just over a tonne, so for it to weigh

less than 900kg is incredible.

‘My wife and I both thought the

individual LEDs in the lights were

fantastic – when lit up at night

they’ll look really stylish. For us,

and I suspect many others, the way

Age 47

Job Police officer

Lives Hampshire

Drives Mazda MX-5

Andrew Bolton


The 4C’s interior didn’t feel

special enough for Adam

Overall, David thought Alfa had

done a good job with the styling

the car looks will be a major

factor in any purchasing decision.

However, for me it will also have

to handle brilliantly.’

‘Is the car easy to get in and out of, and is it comfortable to sit in?’Jack Holmes

Debbie Bolton There are wide

sills to get over, but it’s fairly easy

to step in or get out. You sit very

low once inside, which makes it

feel like a proper sports car, and

the seats are snug and comfy.

Helen Grimster The bulbs and

LEDs on the final production

car are surrounded by a glossy

carbonfibre finish. It looks quite

classy, and the daytime running

lights dotted in the middle

around the headlight and

indicator give it a jewelled effect.

‘I saw the 4C at the Geneva motor show and the light surrounds looked grey and rubbery. Have they been changed?’David Rathbone

Readers’ Q&A

The carbonfibre light surrounds

weren’t on the concept car

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video

If you’d like to be part of a future

Reader Test Team or have a

question about a specific car,

email us at readertestteam@

whatcar.com with your details.

Whatcar.com video

Your verdict on the Alfa 4C

Join the debate at


Want to join in?


What’s new?

First drivesWe drive the latest models: read our verdicts

HYUNDAI HAS BOLD ambitions for the new i10. Longer, wider and quite a bit lower than its predecessor, this is the car the company hopes will trouble the class-leading VW Up.

There’s still a fair amount of work to be done before the new i10 goes on sale this winter, but the early signs are positive. It will be more spacious than the current model; rear space and boot capacity will be roughly on a par with the Up.

The i10 is much classier inside, too. The dashboard is still mostly hard to the touch, but it’s textured in such a way that makes it look pretty upmarket. Unlike the interiors in rival cars, including the Up and Skoda Citigo, there are no exposed areas of bodywork in the cabin; Hyundai views that as a

both engines that are coming to the UK (a three-cylinder 1.0 and a four-cylinder 1.2), there’s enough evidence to suggest Hyundai has every right to be confident.

The new i10 feels far more grown-up than its predecessor; occupants are much more isolated from noise and mechanical vibration, and there’s far less body sway through tight corners. The steering doesn’t weight up as naturally as an Up’s, but Hyundai says this is still being worked on.

The 1.0-litre engine is essentially the same one found in the Kia Picanto, but it’s been improved for the i10, with quicker throttle responses and more low-down torque. There are still noticeable steps in the power delivery, which is something the more powerful 1.2 doesn’t suffer from. Both engines are expected to emit less than 100g/km of CO2.

While the i10 won’t necessarily undercut the headline prices of key rivals such as the Up and Skoda Citigo, it will come better equipped. A breakdown of exactly what the S, SE and Premium trim levels will get has yet to be finalised, but all i10s have five doors, six airbags (most rivals get four), and stability control, along with Hyundai’s five-year warranty.

sign of cost-cutting. You’ll also find some soft materials where competitors have hard and unappealing plastics, such as on the door-mounted armrests.

Our test drives were limited to just a few minutes on a smooth test track, so it’s impossible to give a conclusive verdict on how the new i10 rides and handles. However, having tried

There’s now more space in the rear and boot, similar to the VW Up

Engine tweaks improve throttle

responses and low-down torque

Hyundai i10What is it? Hyundai’s new VW Up rival (in prototype form)

Verdict Improved city car shows plenty of promise

AUDI’S RS7 Sportback uses the same sonorous, twin-turbo V8 as the RS6, which produces an identical 552bhp; that’s enough to get it to 62mph in a supercar-rivalling 3.9sec and on to 189mph (if you pay extra to have the 155mph limiter removed).

The stunning acceleration is delivered effortlessly, due to all-wheel drive and a smooth, responsive eight-speed automatic gearbox. Handling is less impressive; there’s plenty of grip, but the steering feels oddly weighted when you turn in to corners. The RS7 also feels heavy, which isn’t surprising, given that it weighs two tonnes.

Air suspension and 20-inch wheels come as standard, which give a firm but reasonably comfortable ride. An optional steel sports suspension, Dynamic Ride Control (which is designed to reduce pitch and roll), and 21-inch alloys are also available.

Inside, you get supportive RS Sports Seats, a 14-speaker Bose stereo, sat-nav on an eight-inch LCD touch-screen and DAB radio.

The RS7 costs £83,495, £20k more than a S7 or Jaguar XFR, which handles better and isn’t much slower in a straight line. It’s where our money would go.

First drive

What is it? Range-topping

A7 Sportback

Verdict Massive grunt, but

rivals handle better

Audi RS7

Rob Keenan

[email protected]

Will Nightingale

[email protected]

BUYER’S FILE

Engine size 4.0 V8 T

Price from £83,495

Power 552bhp

Torque 516lb ft

0-62mph 3.9sec

Top speed 189mph

Economy 28.8mpg

CO2 g/km/tax 229/35%

INSURANCE GROUP 50 AIRBAGS 6

DOORS 5 SEATS 4 COLOURS 10

ON SALE Autumn

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Jaguar XFR

Mercedes-Benz CLS63


Hyundai i10 Audi RS7 Mercedes A-Class Hyundai ix35

What is it? Revised suspension

for AMG Sport models

Verdict Rivals are still far

more comfortable

THE LATEST A-CLASS has always been a bit of a disappointment, with its uncomfortable ride largely to blame. However, Mercedes has now decided to tackle this problem by offering a new lowered comfort suspension set-up.

Combining the slightly softer feel of SE- and Sport-spec cars with a lowered ride height, it is standard on AMG Sport models and replaces the sports suspension that was previously fitted.

The aim is to offer greater comfort without sacrificing their aggressive, low-slung appearance.

Sure enough, the new set-up feels a little more forgiving over expansion joints and high-speed bumps than the previous sports suspension. However, the A-Class still doesn’t ride anywhere near as well as most of its rivals; you’re jostled around over any surface that isn’t perfectly smooth, while urban potholes thump

Mercedes A-Class

First drive

through the cabin with enough force to cause genuine discomfort.

In some ways the old AMG Sport set-up was actually better, because it did at least keep body roll tightly controlled, allowing you to make

New comfort suspension aims to improve the A-Class’s overly firm ride

the most of the A-Class’s good grip and well-weighted steering, whereas the new lowered comfort cars suffer from a bit too much sway through corners.

We tried the A200 CDI model, which uses a 1.8-litre diesel engine that offers decent pace and flexibility. The trouble is, it sounds coarse and rattly, while road noise adds to the general racket at motorway speeds.

The driver environment is more appealing, thanks to supportive seats and a smartly styled dashboard. Unfortunately,

the curve of the rear side windows makes rear access tricky and the boot has a narrow opening.

While the new suspension set-up gives the AMG Sport models a slightly more forgiving ride, then, the A-Class remains a deeply flawed car.

Its three main rivals, the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and VW Golf, all strike a better balance between comfort and control, plus they’re more practical, refined and at least as cheap to run. In short, they’re all better buys.

Steve Huntingford

[email protected]

First drive

THE HYUNDAI IX35 has been given a mid-life face-lift. It now gets redesigned head- and tail-lights and LED daytime running lights. Hyundai has also improved the interior quality, and there’s a new infotainment system, too.

Further revisions to the 2.0-litre diesel engine mean slightly better fuel economy and CO2 emissions, and this engine now gets the option of an automatic gearbox.

Hyundai ix35Tweaked looks and suspension make the ix35 more attractive to buy

doesn’t inspire much confidence, and even in Sport mode it feels artificial. Grip is good, but there’s a fair amount of body lean.

We drove the two-wheel-drive 1.7-litre diesel, which never feels short of pull. It remains gruff when accelerating, though, and is noisy on the motorway because the engine spins away at 2500rpm at 70mph in sixth gear.

Our prototype test car rode well around town on our German test route, with only larger, deeper holes causing any discomfort.

Inside, there’s lots of head- and legroom up front, but while there’s plenty of seat adjustment, some drivers might wish the steering wheel went lower.

The ix35’s sloping roofline means rear headroom is tight and tall adults might also find their knees touching the seat in front. That said, the wide-opening rear doors are a big benefit.

The boot space is much more impressive. It’s a usefully square shape, with a relatively low load lip and a wide opening for easy access. The rear seats fold pretty much flat, too.

This ix35 is better than ever, then, but it still fails to sparkle next to more complete all-rounders such as the Nissan Qashqai.

However, Hyundai is likely to introduce a new entry-level trim level, which will have less standard kit but a lower starting price of around £17,000.

Rory White

[email protected]

What is it? Hyundai’s best seller now smarter and more comfortable

Verdict Improved ride, but ix35 still isn’t great to drive

BUYER’S FILE

Engine size 1.8 TD

Price from £24,765

Power 134bhp

Torque 221lb ft

0-62mph 9.3sec

Top speed 130mph

Economy 62.8mpg




ON SALE Now

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Audi A3 Sportback

BMW 1 Series

BUYER’S FILE

Engine size 1.7 CRDi

Price from (est) £17,000

Power 114bhp

Torque 192lb ft

0-62mph 12.4sec

Top speed 108mph

Economy 48.7mpg



DOORS 5 SEATS 5 COLOURS tbc

ON SALE Now

OR TRY A ...

Nissan Qashqai

Mazda CX-5

The ix35’s front suspension has been tweaked in the hope of improving ride and handling, too.

There’s certainly a difference to the steering. It’s quicker, and all UK versions are expected to come with the variable-weight Flex Steer system.

Left in Normal mode, the steering is light enough for easy progress through town. However, in faster bends, this lightness


What’s new?Honda Civic Tourer Suzuki Swift 4x4

What is it? Four-wheel drive

version of Suzuki’s supermini

Verdict Fairly limited appeal

THE NEW SUZUKI Swift 4x4 has few natural rivals. The only other conventional hatchback with four-wheel drive is the Fiat Panda 4x4, but that’s a much smaller car.

The Swift 4x4 is available with only one engine – a 93bhp 1.2-litre petrol unit – and five doors. We took it along rutted, poorly maintained tracks and the four-wheel-drive system proved simple but effective, driving the rear wheels when the front pair started to slip.

Without a low-ratio gearbox or off-road tyres, the 4x4 is by no means advanced enough to cope with proper off-roading, but for low-grip winter conditions or tackling rural farm tracks, it’s a neat and cost-effective solution.

However, in normal on-road conditions, the Swift 4x4 offers no significant advantage over the two-wheel-drive model. In fact, the extra weight puts even more

Suzuki Swift 4x4

strain on the 1.2-litre petrol engine, meaning you have to work it even harder. However, the firm edge to the two-wheel-drive version’s ride has been improved by the extra centimetres of suspension travel.

You need to work the engine hard; both trims come with loads of kit

First drive

The 4x4 is available in SZ3 or SZ4 trims. SZ3 has seven airbags, electric front windows, air-conditioning and an audio system with Bluetooth and a USB input.

SZ4 adds climate control, automatic headlights, keyless entry and start and electric rear windows, along with extra plastic cladding and skid plates.

As with the standard Swift, the 4x4 offers great all-round visibility and plenty of adjustment for the driver. The main shortfall is boot space; its 211 litres is far less than you get in most rivals.

THE HONDA CIVIC Tourer is the all-new estate version of the five-door hatch, and we’ve had the chance to drive early prototypes.

It has more than 600 litres of boot space (with the rear seats in place), so is big enough to worry rivals such as the class-leading Skoda Octavia Estate.

For the first time on any Honda, there’s the option of rear adaptive damping. While not self-levelling,

Honda Civic TourerCivic Tourer drives well, with or without adaptive suspension fitted

Farther forward, there’s the same cinema-style ‘flip-up’ rear seats as you get in the normal Civic hatchback.

The front of the cabin will be much the same as the hatchback’s, but rear passengers get a better deal, because headroom has been improved. The amount of legroom remains unchanged.

Both of the cars we drove were 1.6-litre diesels, and one was fitted with adaptive rear dampers.

The system is likely to be an option, but its three modes – Normal, Comfort and Dynamic –

First drive

Suzuki has VAT-free offers until the end of September, so if you buy quickly you’ll pay £11,516.

At full price, the Swift 4x4 SZ3 will be £1200 more than the two-wheel-drive model. The difference grows to £1800 on SZ4-trim cars – a big premium.

That said, a Fiat Panda 4x4 is even more expensive, and it isn’t as well equipped and has even less space inside.

Still, we’d be too tempted to save money and stick with the standard two-wheel-drive Swift.

provide a noticeable change to the way Tourer rides and controls its body movements.

Selecting Comfort gives more vertical travel to improve comfort on the motorway, and also allows the Civic to soak up lumps and bumps impressively in town.

Switching to Dynamic stiffens things noticeably to reduce body roll in tight bends; the driver is more aware of larger and high-frequency imperfections in the surface of the road, but never enough to be uncomfortable.

Normal mode hits a decent middle ground between the two.

Even without adaptive dampers the ride was never harsh, and the body roll was kept neatly in check through corners.

The Civic Tourer certainly shows promise, then. We’ve yet to try it in the UK, and Honda has yet to reveal economy and emissions figures, but it’s certainly spacious, flexible and good to drive. Prices should be pretty competitive, too, because Honda says it will charge roughly the same premium over the Civic hatch as competitors do for their estate models – around £1000.

the new suspension has been designed to help the Civic cope better with heavy loads and when towing over challenging road surfaces.

Honda says that the Civic Tourer’s boot floor will be closer to the ground than any of its rivals’, which should make loading and unloading easier. Furthermore, the load bay is a useful square shape, with a wide opening.

What is it? New estate version of Honda’s Golf rival

Verdict Loads of space and good to drive

BUYER’S FILE

Engine size 1.2

Price from £13,819

Power 93bhp

Torque 87lb ft

0-62mph 13.4 seconds

Top speed 103mph

Economy 51.3mpg

CO2 g/km/tax 126g/km

INSURANCE GROUP tbc AIRBAGS 7


ON SALE Now

OR TRY A ...

Dacia Duster

Fiat Panda 4x4

‘The boot floor will be closer to the ground than any rival’s’

Rory White

[email protected]

Ed Callow

[email protected]

| OCTOBER 2013 whatcar.com36

What’s new?

CITY CARS AND SUPERMINISBMW i3 (autumn 2013)

Electric supermini is the first car

in BMW’s new ‘i’ model range.

Citroën C3 (autumn 2013)

New three-cylinder petrol engines

help to improve fuel economy

and reduce emissions.

Honda Jazz (early 2014)

All-new, sharper-looking version

will trade practicality for

greater efficiency.

Hyundai i10 (autumn 2013)

City car gets the latest family look

and greater refinement.

MG 3 (winter 2013)

UK version will get a classier cabin

than the Chinese-market model.

Mini (December 2013)

New model gets a revised

dashboard and three-cylinder

engines for improved economy.

Vauxhall Corsa (autumn 2014)

Revamp of current car will introduce

three-cylinder engines.

SMALL FAMILY CARSAudi A3 Saloon (September 2013)

Blends A3’s cabin quality with

a three-box saloon shape.

Ford Focus Electric (winter 2013)

UK favourite gets pure electric

powertrain to compete with the

Nissan Leaf.

Honda Civic Tourer (winter 2013)

Swish-looking estate will have

‘class-leading’ space, Honda claims.

Kia Soul (early 2014)

Promises significant improvements

to refinement and driving dynamics.

Mazda 3 (autumn 2013)

Will be lighter than today’s 3, thanks

to Mazda’s Skyactiv technology.

Peugeot 308 (January 2014)

Lighter than current car.

Skoda Rapid Spaceback

(autumn 2013)

Shorter, sportier version of Rapid.

Seat Leon ST (October 2013)

New model will beat Astra and

Focus Estates on boot space.

FAMILY CARS AND EXECUTIVE CARSBMW 5 Series (September 2013)

Face-lifted model brings minor

cosmetic updates and more

efficient engines.

Infiniti Q50 (September 2013)

G Series replacement gets a new

name and four-cylinder engines.

Tesla Model S (early 2014)

Luxury electric car will go up

to 300 miles on one charge.

Maserati Ghibli (October 2013)

5 Series rival with V6 diesel power.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

(spring 2014)

All-new executive car will come with

the option of a hybrid powertrain.

Vauxhall Insignia

(September 2013)

Cosmetic updates inside and out.

Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer

(late 2013)

Rival to VW Passat Alltrack; raised

ride height and four-wheel drive.

LUXURY CARSBentley Flying Spur

(autumn 2013)

Continental-based saloon gets

sleeker looks and new V8 engine.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

(October 2013)

Top versions will replace Maybachs.

COUPES ANDOPEN-TOP CARSAlfa Romeo 4C (summer 2013)

‘Launch edition’ now sold out;

standard car priced from £50k.

BMW 4 Series (October 2013)

3 Series Coupé gets new name and

striking appearance.

Rolls-Royce Wraith (winter 2013)

New coupé is the most powerful

Rolls-Royce ever.

MPVsCitroën Grand C4 Picasso

(early 2014)

More practicality and efficiency.

Fiat 500L MPW (September 2013)

Longer version of 500L with

a bigger boot or seven seats.

Nissan Note (September 2013)

Sleeker appearance and lots of

safety equipment for compact MPV.

BMW 5 Series September 2013

Vauxhall Insignia September 2013

Coming soonCheck out all the great new cars just around the corner

SUPERMINI

Citroën C3

The face-lifted version of

Citroën’s supermini is about to

go on sale, and there are plenty

of deals to be had on the

outgoing car. The 1.2 VTi 82

VTR+ is our pick of the range

and is available through

Drivethedeal.com for £10,129,

saving you £3021.

SAVE £3021

FAMILY CAR

Peugeot 308

An all-new version of Peugeot’s

family car arrives early next

year, so some sizeable discounts

are available on the outgoing

model. The 1.6 e-HDi 112 Active

blends the best engine and kit

levels. It’s on offer for £14,464

via Drivethedeal.com, saving

you £5251.

SAVE £5251

EXECUTIVE CAR

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

You won’t be able to buy the

next C-Class until spring 2014,

but there are already deals to be

had on the current model. The

C220 CDI Executive SE is our

pick of the range and is available

for £24,890 through Carfile.net,

which is a saving of £4080. Even

bigger discounts are on offer if

you choose a different version.

SAVE £4080

SUVsAudi Q3 RS (winter 2013)

Evoque rival gets 306bhp engine.

BMW X4 (spring 2014)

Expect ‘son of X6’ to cost around

£3k more than equivalent X3s.

BMW X5 (autumn 2013)

All-new model offers four-cylinder

diesel engines and two-wheel drive.

Ford Ecosport (winter 2013)

Fiesta-based SUV will get a 1.0-litre

three-cylinder petrol engine.

Hyundai ix35 (September 2013)

Mild face-lift brings plusher cabin

and more equipment.

Jeep Cherokee (early 2014)

Freelander rival will borrow Fiat

diesel engine to boost UK sales.

Porsche Macan (winter 2013)

Cayenne’s baby brother will share

its underpinnings with the Audi Q5.

Range Rover Evoque 9-speed

(winter 2013)

New automatic gearbox boosts

economy and lowers emissions.

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross

(autumn 2013)

Bigger than current car, with

a starting price of around £15k.

SPORTS CARS AND HOT HATCHESAston Martin Vanquish Volante

(winter 2013)

Drop-top version of the company’s

range-topping sports car.

Ferrari LaFerrari (autumn 2013)

Maranello’s hybrid should reach

186mph in 15.5 seconds.

Kia Cee’d GT (autumn 2013)

The company’s first hot hatch has

the Ford Focus ST in its sights.

McLaren P1 (autumn 2013)

Race aerodynamic technology

and 903bhp for LaFerrari rival.

Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

(October 2013)

Swoopy saloon based on A-Class

gets engine from A45 AMG.

Peugeot RCZ R (early 2014)

The company’s most powerful

production car ever gets 270bhp.


Going soon

All you need to know about buying a car, p250

Peugeot RCZ R early 2014

Bentley Flying Spur autumn 2013

Ford Focus Electric winter 2013

Kia Soul early 2014

Fiat 500L MPW September 2013

Save £££s on old models


What’s new?

BUYERS OF CHRYSLER’S 300C have enjoyed the biggest new car discounts this month. The big American saloon can now be picked up for £25,995 for the 3.0-litre V6 diesel in Limited trim. That’s a discount of £10,005, nearly 28% off the £36,000 list price, and it’s all down to Chrysler offering dealer bonuses to shift stock.

The Volvo XC70 2.0 D4 SE S/S has also been discounted. Our Target Price team has found dealers offering discounts of £6342 on the four-wheel-drive family estate. That’s a discount increase of 7.2% from last month, and means you can now pick up this entry-level XC70 for £26,453.

Renault, meanwhile, has introduced a Pay No VAT offer on every version of the Mégane. As a result, the discount

The big Chrysler is a lot of car for the money, especially with current discounts

Co

nte

nts

su

bje

ct

to c

ha

ng

e

£

on the brilliant Renaultsport version is nearly 10% greater than it was last month. The Target Price for the Renault Mégane 2.0T Renaultsport 265 Coupé is now £22,442, a £4303 saving on the list price.

Remember, if your local dealer can’t match the Target Price, give our

team a call on 0845 123 2620 and they’ll put you in touch with a dealer who can.

Next monthOn saleSeptember 19

Target Price news

Enjoy big savings

on the Seat estate

The Target Price of the

Seat Ibiza Estate 1.4 85

Toca has dropped to

£10,811, an increase of

over 13% on last month

and a £3144 saving.

Take advantage of

Nissan Micra discount

The entry-level Micra 1.2

Visia is now available

for £8125, thanks to a

new manufacturer

incentive. That’s

a saving of £1755.

Target Price deals

Target PriceSave big with Chrysler and rapid Renaults

OUR CARS

READER TEST

A year in a Volvo V4019,000-mile report: is it really a match for a VW?

New Vauxhall InsigniaBetter for company car drivers – but do you like it?

We name the cars to buy, whatever your budget

Britain’sbest usedbargains

AWARDS


Expert, impartial and detailed tests that help you buy the right car

Twin testNew Skoda Octavia vRSvs Ford Focus ST-2

64

42

76

Our carsWe say farewell to the Ssangyong Korando; hello to the Skoda Rapid

73

Testcentre

‘The vRS gets the same great driving position and classy materials as regular Octavias’Will Nightingale New cars editor p64

Quick test New Kia Procee’d GTvs new Seat Leon SC

Big test ExecutivesNew Audi S3 Saloon vs new Lexus IS vs BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLA

New Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5vs Toyota RAV4

Triple test SUVs

56

Plus All you need to know about how to buy and finance your next car on p250

Twin testNew Nissan Leafvs new Renault Zoe

68


TEST CENTRE

Road TestCentre

BMW’S 3 SERIES HAS long been the default choice for people after a small executive saloon. However, the new Audi A3 Saloon and Mercedes CLA both offer a similar prestige image to the 3 Series, plus the Mercedes has sleek, coupé-like looks, and the Audi a much lower price.

The new Lexus IS has a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain that delivers more power and less CO2 than any of these rivals.

We’re testing the A3 and 3 Series with the optional automatic gearboxes, while the IS and CLA both get autos as standard. �

Execs and the city

New Audi A3 Saloon vs new Lexus IS vs BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLA

Photography John Bradshaw Thanks to Greenwich Film Unit

What we’re looking for: A stylish, comfortable executive saloon that’s great to drive and won’t cost a fortune to run

The contenders

BMW 320d Efficient

Dynamics auto

List price £29,935

Target Price £27,748

Class leader offers great handling,

performance, and running costs.

NEW Lexus IS 300h SE

List price £29,495


Hybrid IS is a cheap company car,

but can it compete in other areas?

NEW Mercedes CLA 220 CDI

Sport

List price £29,355


Based on the A-Class, the CLA is a

desirable, sporty-looking alternative.

NEW Audi A3 Saloon 2.0 TDI 150

Sport S tronic

List price £25,755


Promises similar prestige to larger

executive saloons for less cash.


EXECUTIVE CARS


IS is quick enough once it gets going, but does take a while to respond CLA performs strongly, even though its gearbox isn’t as slick as the BMW’s

Gutsy engine means that you rarely have to make the 3 Series kickdownA3 Saloon accelerates slower than rivals, but still feels fast and flexible

Test figures Test figures

Test figuresTest figures

Braking Braking

BrakingBraking

30–0mph 30–0mph

30–0mph30–0mph

70–0mph 70–0mph

70–0mph70–0mph

Acceleration 30–70mph in kickdown

30–50mph in kickdown











A A

AA

A A

AA

8.6sec 7.9sec

7.6sec7.9sec

3.4sec 3.1sec

3.1sec3.2sec

5.2sec 4.8sec

4.5sec4.7sec

Weather conditions Dry Weather conditions Dry

Weather conditions DryWeather conditions Dry

45.3m 46.9m

47.4m49.1m

8.2m 8.7m

8.8m9.1m

FASTEST ACCELERATING

Performance

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

The A3, 3 Series and CLA all have strong, four-cylinder diesel engines, but the Mercedes’ is particularly powerful.

It’s hardly surprising, then, that the CLA performed best in our 30-70mph acceleration test. However, it’s the 3 Series that

usually responds quickest in everyday situations, because it has more torque than its rivals and an eight-speed automatic gearbox that always seems to be in the correct gear.

The seven-speed dual-clutch auto ’boxes in the A3 and CLA aren’t as good at predicting what you’re going to do next. What’s more, the CLA’s can be slow to change down, whether you leave it to its own devices or use the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

TEST CENTRE

0-60mph Top speed

sec mph8.9 130

0-60mph Top speed

sec mph7.9 135

0-60mph Top speed

sec mph8.0 139

0-60mph Top speed

sec mph8.4 124

All three diesel cars’ engines feel more flexible than the IS’s, though. Lexus has combined a four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 220bhp – way more than you get from the diesels. Unfortunately, the IS feels distinctly flat until its continuously variable transmission has found the optimum revs, something that only happens after a lengthy pause. Still, the IS does accelerate quickly enough once it’s into its stride.

‘The BMW 3 Series has the most torque and responsive auto ’box’


Audi A3 Saloon vs BMW 3 Series vs Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA

BEST TO DRIVE

A very comfortable

motorway cruiser that

also feels agile in corners

Great around town, but

optional adaptive

suspension is worth

specifying

Comfy, even though it’s not

as controlled as the A3 or

as supple as the 3 Series

Handles better than the IS,

but the ride is too hard and

unsettled at all speeds

Audi A3 Saloon

BMW 3 Series

Lexus IS

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Ride and handling

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

Sports suspension is standard on the A3 Saloon, but our car had the slightly softer set-up that Audi offers as a no-cost option. Even with this, the A3 can thump a bit over low-speed bumps (the 18-inch wheels fitted to our car didn’t help), but its ride is never overly firm, and the suspension strikes a near-perfect balance between comfort and control at motorway speeds.

Turn in to a corner and the A3 continues to impress because there’s loads of grip and it resists body roll well. What’s more, its steering is precise and responsive, so you can always place the car with confidence.

The CLA is similar in some respects; its steering is well weighted, and the car stays pretty flat when you turn in to a bend. Unfortunately, it starts to lose composure when faced with a series of fast bends, and the ride just isn’t good enough; the CLA jostles its occupants around over patched-up surfaces and really thumps over bumps, potholes and expansion joints. In fact, this diesel model is less forgiving than the petrol CLA.

Traditionally, the 3 Series has set the benchmark for driver enjoyment in this class. However, the chunky, low-rolling-resistance tyres fitted to this Efficient Dynamics model take the edge off the handling; it feels a bit less grippy than a regular 320d and a bit less eager to change direction.

The up side is a very supple ride in town but, like all versions of the latest 3 Series, the ED is at its best when specified with the £750 Adaptive M Sport suspension (which our test car didn’t have).

This not only helps the car stay more composed in corners, but also improves high-speed comfort by reducing body bounce.

Things are much simpler when you’re speccing your Lexus IS; the model we’re testing is available with just one suspension set-up that gives it a pretty comfortable ride at all speeds. Just don’t expect it to be much fun to drive, despite the rear-wheel drive configuration. The heavy steering is vague and slow to self-centre, and the IS also runs out of grip first in sprightly cornering, though tight body control inspires confidence. �

Lock-to-lock

2.7 turns

Turning

circle

10.7m

Lock-to-lock

2.1 turns

Turning

circle

11.3m

Lock-to-lock

2.8 turns

Turning

circle

10.4m

Lock-to-lock

2.5 turns

Turning

circle

11.0m

EXECUTIVE CARS


Behind the wheel

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

The seats in the IS are deep and supportive, but many drivers will wish they dropped a little lower; you sit rather high. At least you can get the steering wheel where you want it and visibility is decent.

You get an even better all-round view in the A3 and 3 Series, but the

CLA has thick pillars to the front and back, and its rear screen is narrow.

The forward-tilted head restraints in the CLA can also cause problems; some people will feel that they force the driver’s head uncomfortably far forward. However, there’s a good range of adjustment for the rest of the seat and the steering wheel.

The 3 Series offers an even greater range of adjustment, even if it takes a while to get the seat exactly where you want it, due

TEST CENTRE

Audio, connectivity and sat-nav

Infotainment systems

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

Touch-screen infotainment systems are increasingly becoming the norm, but these cars all let you scroll through their various menus using a rotary dial instead.

It works very well in the A3, because shortcut buttons for individual systems flank its dial, while the screen is clear and the menus well laid out. The crisp graphics look appropriately classy, and it’s the only car here with a screen that disappears into the dashboard when you don’t want it.

The upgraded system shown here improves things further, bringing a wider screen and a touch-pad on the rotary controller that allows you to ‘write’ characters into the destination input for the sat-nav.

The system in the 3 Series also impresses. It’s similar to the A3’s, with a number of shortcut buttons that surround the rotary dial and make menu-hopping easy. In fact, the on-screen menus in the 3 Series are even more logically laid out.

Lexus takes a slightly different approach, giving you just two shortcut buttons; one to exit the

Audi A3 Saloon Simple rotary controller and shortcut buttons makes

this the easiest system to use; even base system has high-grade graphics

BMW 3 Series Sizeable screen and sharp graphics as standard, plus

a fairly intuitive rotary control. The menus are logically laid out too

Lexus IS Screen is heavily recessed, which protects it from bright sun,

but can obscure low-set icons. Controller can skip icons too quickly

Mercedes-Benz CLA Screen falls short of crisp graphics in the BMW

and Audi. Sound system is great at low volume, but tinny if turned up

BEST SYSTEM

current screen and another to return to the main menu. Then, if you specify sat-nav, the standard rotary scroll dial is swapped for a mouse-like controller.

This is trickier to use because you have to be quite precise with the controller movements, despite the cursor being programmed to jump straight to the next icon when you nudge it. Basic items, such as the postcode entry for the nav, are hard to find.

The system in the CLA could also be more user-friendly because its shortcut buttons are up on the dashboard rather than with the rotary controller, and many functions are hidden in menu bars at the top and bottom of the screen. However, it becomes easier to control with familiarity and works much better than the Lexus’s mouse.

All four cars come with steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth and a USB socket, but you have to pay extra for a DAB radio and full iPod integration in the CLA.

Both are standard in the other three cars, and it’s the IS that has the largest standard screen, although it would benefit from a more basic and affordable sat-nav option; the only system available is the full nav and connectivity package, which costs £1995.

The A3 just beats the BMW with a better standard sound system and cheaper entry sat-nav option.

��Standard��

��Not available

CD playerColour

screen

USB/

iPod

Upgraded

audio

system

DAB

radio

Steering

wheel

controls

Voice

control

Hard

drive

Number of

speakers

Navigation

system

Infotainment features Bluetooth

*Part of nav and media pack incl. 7” screen **Part of Professional media package ^Includes online connectivity ^^Part of COMAND nav package incl. 7” screen

to awkward controls that force you to lift your weight from the base to raise it.

Meanwhile, the A3 Saloon is identical to the hatchback version up front, which means drivers of all sizes can get comfortable, but some may wish the steering wheel would go lower.

The A3 has the simplest switchgear layout, but the controls in the 3 Series and CLA are also pretty logical. Only the IS disappoints in this area because its climate controls are horribly fiddly.

‘Drivers of all sizes can get comfy in the A3; it has the simplest controls too’

Audi A3 Saloon � � 5.8” �/� £255 � � � £1495* £495 8 �

BMW 320d� � � 6.5” �/� £430 � � £430 £1990**� £990 6 �

Lexus IS � � 7.0” �/� � � � � � £1995^ 6 �

Mercedes-Benz CLA � 5.8” �/£230 £680 £420 � £2100^^ £2100^^ £495 6 �


BEST DRIVING POSITION Audi A3 Saloon

BMW 3 Series

Lexus IS

Mercedes-Benz CLA


Sensible layout

Dash is clutter-

free and logical

Good

adjustment

Seat adjustment

is great. Some

might want the

wheel to drop

lower, though

User-friendly

Switchgear and

iDrive is easy

to use with

familiarity

Clunky mover

Best seat here,

but manual

adjustment

is awkward

Funky controls

Temperature is

controlled by

touch-sensitive

sliders on dash

Seat support

Seat is supportive

and widely

adjustable, but

could drop lower

Low visibility

Raked-back pillars

at the front and

rear limit visibility

Plastic problem

Dash looks fine

in general, but

cheap-feeling

plastics

disappoint

EXECUTIVE CARS


TEST CENTRE

Quality and reliability

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

The interior of the IS has some smart details, particularly its metal dashboard inserts, smoothly damped audio knobs and funky, touch-sensitive climate control sliders. However, the overall impression of quality is undermined by

archaic-looking temperature readouts coupled with some lightweight buttons.

It’s a similar story in the CLA, where the dash is smartly styled, but there’s too much play in the climate control dials. The central screen looks like a portable, aftermarket navigation system.

Instead, it’s the A3 and 3 Series that feel like the most expensive, cohesive products. In fact, the 3 Series is only really let down by the odd irregular panel gap, and few cars at any price better the A3’s

high-grade plastics and beautifully weighted switchgear.

These cars are too new to have been included in the last JD Power customer satisfaction survey (What Car?, July 2013), but while their manufacturers all finished in the top half of the table; Lexus’s second place finish was impressive.

Lexus also came sixth out of 38 in our last reliability survey (What Car?, September 2013). BMW, the next best performer, was 26th, while Mercedes and Audi came in 30th and 31st places respectively.

Audi A3 � £525 �/� �/� £595+/£345 £150 £1250* £225 £260 £1115 £300 £575**

BMW 3 Series � £645 �/� �/� £395/� �/� £710 � £325 £1295 � £510^

Lexus IS � £610 �/� �/� £600+ �/� � � � � � �

Mercedes CLA � £660 �/� �/� �/� �/� £1430^^ � £300 £1970++ £390 ��

Alloy

wheels

Metallic

paint

Air-con/

climate

control

Electric

windows

front/rear

Parking

sensors

front/rear

Auto lights/

wipers

Xenon

headlights

Cruise

control

Heated

seats

Leather

seats

Rear side

airbags

City

emergency

braking

Options prices

Safety and security

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

When Euro NCAP crash-tested the hatchback variant of the A3 it matched the 3 Series’ impressive 95% score for adult occupant protection. The A-Class, with which the CLA shares its platform, was slightly behind on 93%.

The A-Class’s 81% score for child safety was also down on the figures for the 3 Series (84%) and A3 (87%); it was also the worst for pedestrian protection. The current Lexus IS has yet to be tested.

However, the IS is the only car here that gets a tyre pressure-monitoring system. A similar system is available on the A3 for £75 and the CLA for £320. The Merc, along with the BMW, is also offered with run-flat tyres.

All but the Lexus are available with optional blind-spot monitoring, while the Audi and BMW can be specified with city emergency braking. On the A3, this comes with the adaptive cruise control function (£575), while you have to pay £510 on the BMW (£370 for the Driving Assistant pack and £140 for a full black display).

Equipment and safety and security

Audi A3 Saloon Electric parking

brake is standard on all A3s

BMW 3 Series Split-folding rear

seats are a pricey option

Lexus IS Changing cabin

temperature could be easier

Mercedes-Benz CLA Vents are

similar to those in SLS supercar

BEST EQUIPPED

Equipment

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

All four cars come with alloy wheels, climate control and four electric windows as standard, and all but the A3 give you cruise control and automatic lights. However, the CLA is alone in having front and rear parking sensors; the 3 Series makes do with rear sensors, while the A3 and IS miss out altogether. On the flipside, Mercedes charges extra for front foglights, whereas its rivals all fit them as standard.

The IS’s foglights are complemented by xenon headlights, and it’s one of only two cars in the test (along with the CLA), that has keyless entry and start. Unfortunately, the IS isn’t available with many optional extras, so if you want leather seats or rain-sensing wipers, the only way to get them is by upgrading to a more expensive trim level.

If you’re buying the A3, it’s worth considering the optional Comfort Package. This adds automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors and cruise control for £605. The pack also includes acoustic side windows and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Jet-style heater vents look great

and are easy to use, too

You can switch between driving

modes using a rocker switch

Standard rotary dial allows you to

cycle through driving modes

You engage ‘drive’ and ‘reverse’

using a stalk behind wheel


��Not available

‘Few cars can better the A3’s high-grade plastics and switchgear’

*Also includes light and rain sensors and interior lighting package **Part of adaptive cruise control package + Includes front and rear sensors ++Part of exclusive AMG package ^£370 for the driving assistant pack and £140 for compulsory full black display ^^Part of intelligent light system pack


Noise at 70mph71.9 dBs

0 100


0 100


0 100


0 100


0 100


0 100


0 100


0 100

QUIETEST AT 70MPH

Road noise is by far the

biggest intrusion; optional

large wheels don’t help

Audi A3 Saloon

BMW 3 Series

Lexus IS

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Lots of road noise and the

engine clatters like an

old-school diesel

Easily the quietest around

town, but it’s hard to stop

smoothly in the IS

Engine sounds gruff around

town, but it settles down at

higher speeds

Refinement

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

The CLA is best avoided if you’re after a quiet life. You hear a lot of road and suspension noise over most surfaces, while its engine clatters like an old-school diesel unit when you’re driving around town or accelerating. True, it’s less intrusive at a steady cruise, and wind noise is minimal, but overall it’s the noisiest car here.

The 3 Series isn’t exactly super-refined, either, because wind noise builds up around its door mirrors on the motorway and its engine is rather gruff at low speeds. However, it never sounds as unpleasant as the CLA’s, and there’s far less road noise in the 3 Series.

According to our decibel meter, the A3 is noisier than the BMW (if quieter than the Merc), and this is almost exclusively down to the amount of road roar it generates. It’s particularly bad on the motorway, although our test car wasn’t helped by the fact it came with 18-inch wheels instead of the standard 17s. It also suffers from a slight vibration through the steering wheel and throttle pedal.

The gearbox is more of an issue in the A3, too, because it can be jerky during parking manoeuvres.

The IS is the quietest cruiser of the bunch, shutting out road noise better than the A3 and wind better than the 3 Series. What’s more, it can run near-silently on electric-only power at town speeds. It’s just a pity its engine emits a rather unpleasant drone when you put your foot down.

Lexus has fitted an Active Noise Control system, which is supposed to counter this engine noise, but it’s still loud enough to irritate.

It can also be hard to brake smoothly in the IS, due to a shortage of feel and inconsistent response to the pedal, whereas its rivals all have brakes that are easy to modulate. �

‘The IS is the quietest, and shuts out road and wind noise well’

Audi A3 Saloon vs BMW 3 Series vs Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA EXECUTIVE CARS


TEST CENTRE

53

42

50

50

98

84

104

Boot capacity

425 litres

Boot capacity

480 litres

Boot capacity

450 litres

Boot capacity

470 litres

Tapering boot shape isn’t ideal but space is plentiful

Great generally, but folding rear seats are optional

Shortest load bay, but square boot shape is practical

Big capacity, but awkward boot opening frustrates

BIGGEST BOOT SPACE

Audi A3 Saloon

Lexus IS

BMW 3 Series

Mercedes -Benz CLA

Space and practicality

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

The A3 and CLA are smaller than the 3 Series and IS, but only the Mercedes feels in any way claustrophobic. However, all four cars give the driver and front passenger plenty of head- and legroom.

It’s in the back that you’ll be more aware of the differences in size, because the A3 and CLA can both leave six-footers wishing they had a bit more kneeroom. That said, the Mercedes is the only one that’s cramped; its sleek, plunging roofline eats into headroom, and it makes the rear door apertures smaller.

The 3 Series and IS are better for adult passengers, although like their rivals, they have bulky transmission tunnels that make life uncomfortable for a central rear passenger.

More impressively, both the A3 and the CLA have rear seats that split and fold 60/40, whereas BMW charges £415 for folding seats, and the only way to get them on the IS is to upgrade to one of the more expensive trims. In fact, the A3’s boot is probably the most practical, despite having the smallest official capacity. It’s very square, which makes it easy to pack, and it has a low load lip and a very small step up to the seats when they’re folded.

The IS has a shallower, tapering load bay that could prohibit the occasional Ikea trip, even if it will be more than adequate for more common executive car duties. Meanwhile, the CLA’s narrow boot opening and high lip offset the usefulness of its deep space and standard folding rear seats.

Only the 3 Series’ boot gets close to matching the A3’s for usefulness because it’s the largest here and has some useful underfloor cubbies, but it’s still rather awkwardly shaped. �

98

101

103

101

102

‘Both the A3 and CLA have rear seats that split and fold 60/40’


Widest rear cabin space makes the BMW feel the most spacious here

Lexus has the most leg and headroom, but falls short for elbowroom

Despite being smaller, the A3 has as much space for the driver as the BMW

The most cramped rear cabin here; tall passengers won’t be comfortable

Generous headroom and a low-set seat makes for a comfortable position

Best up-front legroom here, and the cabin is just as wide as the BMW’s

More rear legroom than the Mercedes, and broader door apertures

74

95

90

111

71

68

114

93

94

73

111

90

BEST REAR SPACE

Plenty of room, but raked-back front pillars make it feel claustrophobic

94

89

112

BEST FRONT SPACE


94

EXECUTIVE CARS

List price

Contract hire(per month)

Company car taxper month (20/40%)

1

2

3

4

Target Price

£21,750 73% £18,300 62%£18,286 71%

£17,900 60% £15,200 52%£15,195 59%

£14,700 49% £12,700 43%£12,620 49%

£12,550 42% £11,100 38%£11,075 43%

£29,935 £29,495£25,755

£391 £389na

£27,748 £28,168£25,002

Residual value (by year)

Prices

Total

£19,804

Total

£20,782

Total

£23,163

54.6mpg

99g/km

£1854

£4748£760

£878 £1122

109g/km118g/km

53.2mpg48.3mpg

18%

11%

16%

£60

£2505£2505

£2295

£40 £60

£4311£4068

£1280

£20,175 69%

£16,600 57%

£13,625 46%

£11,625 40%

£29,355

£386

£80/£159 £54/£108£77/£154 £88/£176

£28,781

Total

£23,377

£4586

50.0mpg

117g/km

£12,382 £13,048 £15,468 £15,156

Three-year cost

Emissions and economy

£0£0£0 £0

First-year road tax CO2True MPG Tax liability

18%

Insurance ServicingDepreciation Road tax True MPG


Buying and owning

Audi

BMW

Lexus

Mercedes

The vast majority of these saloons will end up in the hands of company cars drivers, and it’s here that the IS has a big advantage. Its sub-100g/km CO2 emissions, and the fact it’s fuelled by petrol rather than diesel, mean 40% taxpayers will sacrifice just £108 of their salary each month.

Anyone choosing the A3 will have to stump up an extra £46, while the 3 Series adds a further fiver to your tax bill. The CLA is the priciest of all at £176 a month.

Contract hire rates weren’t available for the A3 at the time of writing, but we expect it to be the cheapest of the four to lease due to its low list price. The other three cars cost virtually the same (between £386 and £391 a month).

The A3 also makes a lot of sense as a private buy, because it’s predicted to work out around

£1000 cheaper to own than the 3 Series over the first three years, even after you’ve factored in the bigger discounts available on the 3 Series.

The 3 Series is still a bargain compared with the CLA, though, which will cost you a further £2600 over the same period.

Despite offering the best real-world fuel economy (54.6mpg), the Lexus IS is only slightly cheaper than the CLA as a private buy because it’s let down by comparatively heavy depreciation. �

‘The Lexus will cost just £108 a month for company car drivers’


Mercedes Most expensive

company and private buy

Audi Cheapest private buy and

second-cheapest as company car

BMW Low emissions help offset

relatively high price

Lexus By far the cheapest

company car in the test

CHEAPEST COMPANY CAR

EXECUTIVE CARS

54

Ratings

Performance

Ride & handling

Behind the wheel

Infotainment system

Quality & reliability

Equipment

Safety & security

Refinement

Space & practicality

Buying & owning

Performance

Ride & handling

Behind the wheel

Infotainment system


Equipment

Safety & security

Refinement


Buying & owning

Performance

Ride & handling

Behind the wheel

Infotainment system


Equipment

Safety & security

Refinement


Buying & owning

Performance

Ride & handling

Behind the wheel

Infotainment system


Equipment

Safety & security

Refinement


Buying & owning

95% 84% 78% 86%

Turningcircle10.7m

446

196

70

53

90 98

71

94

140 135

142177

102

111

264

Turningcircle11.3m

462

203

67

50

98

93

73

95

141 139

143184

101

111

281

Turningcircle10.4m

467

203

70

84

42

90

74

94

141 135

143189

103

114

280

Turningcircle11.0m

463

201

104

73

50

89

68

94

140 137

144172

101

112

270

Figures in bold are best in test Dimensions in cm

Measurements

Economy

Safety

Buying

Car pictured Audi A3 Saloon in German specification

List price £25,755Target Price £25,002




BMW 320d

Efficient Dynamics autoLexus IS 300h SE

Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 CDI Sport

Website www.audi.co.uk Website www.bmw.co.uk Website www.lexus.co.uk Website www.mercedes-benz.co.uk

Verdicts

Audi A3 Saloon 2.0 TDI 150 Sport S tronic

Space 450 litresSpace 425 litres Space 480 litres Space 470 litres

Size 2494cc, 4cyl, hybrid

Peak power 178bhp@6000rpm

Peak torque 163 lb ft@4200rpm

(E’tric motor 141bhp and 221 lb ft)

Size 2143cc, 4cyl, turbodiesel


Peak torque 258lb ft@1400rpm







Engine and performance

Car pictured BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics with optional

professional media package (£1990); black Dakota leather

(£1265); visibility package (£925); adaptive M Sport

suspension (£750); interior comfort package (£675);

front sports seats (£610); mineral white paint (£410)

Car pictured Lexus IS 300h Luxury with optional leather

seats (£2300); premium navigation (£1995); atlantic

blue paint (£610)

Car pictured Mercedes CLA220 CDI AMG Sport with

optional panoramic sliding sunroof (£960); distronic

plus (£880); seat memory package (£790); lane-tracking

package (£770); polar silver paint (£660), intelligent light

system (£570); and reversing camera (£300)

Stats, specs and ratings


TEST CENTRE

Average (Govt) 62.8mpg

Tank 50 litres

Emissions 118g/km, 18% tax

True MPG average 48.3mpg

Real-world range 531 miles


Tank 57 litres





Tank 66 litres





Tank 50 litres




0-60mph

sec

8.9Top speed

mph

1300-60mph

sec

7.9Top speed

mph

1350-60mph

sec

8.4Top speed

mph

1240-60mph

sec

8.0Top speed

mph

139

Euro NCAP crash rating Not testedEuro NCAP crash rating xyxyxyxxxxxyxxxxxy Euro NCAP crash rating Not testedEuro NCAP crash rating Not tested

55

See how other executive cars rate in our new cars A-Z p115

THE 3 SERIES has dominated this class for the best part of a decade. In fact, we were starting to wonder if it would ever be beaten. That shows the magnitude of Audi’s achievement here.

Like most Audis, the new A3 Saloon offers a stunning interior, but it also out-drives the 3 Series and costs less to run, whether it’s a private or company buy.

True, the BMW still sets the standard for passenger space and performance, and if you specify your 3 Series with the Adaptive

For Flexible engine; smooth

gearbox; classy, practical cabin

Against Wind noise; adaptive

suspension should be standard

Verdict Still a fantastic choice,

but shaded by the A3 Saloon

For Tiny company car tax bills;

good refinement; decent ride

Against Sluggish responses;

numb steering; fiddly controls

Verdict Worth considering,

thanks to its low emissions

For Stunning looks; strong

performance; well equipped

Against Harsh ride; cramped in

the back; most expensive to run

Verdict Hard to recommend

given the standard of rivals

BMW 320d

Efficient Dynamics autoLexus IS

300h SEMercedes-Benz CLA

220 CDI Sport

Audi A3 Saloon

2.0 TDI 150 Sport S tronic

For Gorgeous cabin; enjoyable

handling; superb motorway ride;

extensive safety kit; low price

Against Road noise; cruise

control and parking sensors extra

Verdict The best compact

executive car around

Our verdict

M Sport suspension, it’s more of a dynamic match for the A3. Unfortunately, this option also pushes up the price.

The A3 is the better all-rounder, then, and if you prefer a manual gearbox to an automatic, it only extends its advantage. The manual attracts a lower company car tax rating than the auto, whereas the 3 Series sits in the same band no matter which gearbox you choose.

The new IS makes an even cheaper company car, thanks to its super-clean hybrid powertrain,

‘The A3 is the best all-rounder, and has a stunning cabin too’

plus it’s a quiet cruiser with a pretty comfortable ride.

While the IS is undoubtedly Lexus’s best car, it still has to settle for third place in this test due to its sluggish throttle responses, stodgy handling and slightly disappointing interior.

The CLA, meanwhile, is the noisiest car here, as well as the least comfortable and the most expensive to run. Yes, it’s an absolute stunner and its engine is strong, but these virtues are outweighed by too many vices.

2

1

3 4


7HVFR�LV�WKH�RIILFLDO�IXHO�SDUWQHU�IRU�:KDW�&DU"�WHVWV�

Audi A3 Saloon vs BMW 3 Series vs Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA EXECUTIVE CARS

56

New Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4

TEST CENTRE


Photography John Bradshaw Thanks to The Boat Shop, Teddington Harbour

Is the CX-5 still the eco-SUV to beat?What we’re looking for: A car that can beat the Mazda’slow running costs, refinement and a practical interior


SUVs

YOU’RE LOOKING FOR an SUV, but are put off by potentially crippling running costs. What do you choose? Something with a diesel engine is a good place to start, quickly followed by two-wheel drive. In fact, the formula that this trio follows.

So far, so similar. What sets them apart is the size of their diesel engines; Honda has fitted its CR-V with the 1.6-litre unit from the Civic small family car. As a result, its official economy figures are the strongest, but you’re getting less power than its main rivals.

By contrast, the Toyota RAV4, which in Icon trim is £350 cheaper than the CR-V, gets a larger 2.0-litre engine and more torque.

The Mazda CX-5 is the smallest and cheapest SUV here, but is just as well equipped. Its 2.2 diesel engine is the largest and most powerful here, but matches the CR-V’s for CO2 emissions. {

Mazda CX-5 2.2 150 2WD SE-L

List price £22,995


Combines sharp handling and the

latest fuel-saving technology.

Toyota RAV4 2.0 D-4D 2WD Icon

List price £24,295


Toyota’s latest RAV4 is bigger

and more practical than ever.

Road TestCentre

The contenders

Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SE

List price £24,660


It’s always had the space. Now

it has a frugal new 1.6 diesel.

NEW

58

TEST CENTRE

Smallest boot here, but still huge

Honda CR-V

Mazda CX-5

Toyota RAV4

Engine has to be worked hard, but 1.6 diesel rides better than heavier 2.2 Plenty of kneeroom for tall adults

Luggage space is large and deep

BEST TO DRIVE

Flexible rear seats split 40/20/40 The CX-5 steers and controls its body best, despite a firm low-speed ride

Rear legroom is the best in class

Longest boot and widest opening

The RAV4 has a comfy ride, although it’s the first to lose grip in corners


What are they like to drive?

Honda

Mazda

Toyota

Unsurprisingly, the CR-V’s small diesel produces the least amount of torque. What highlights its inflexibility most is the way the pull arrives later than the RAV4 and CX-5’s, and over a narrower band. This means you have to use the gears more frequently to keep the CR-V in its sweet spot.

The RAV4 is frustrating in other ways; although it responds from lower revs and with greater strength, it has a surging delivery that ensures smooth progress is hard to maintain.

The CX-5 is the star performer here. Its 280lb ft of torque (available below 2000rpm), and longer gearing make it impressively flexible. It’s also consistently powerful all the way to its peak 148bhp at 4500rpm, offering plenty of confidence for safe overtaking. Admittedly, its engine is noisy when worked hard.

The CR-V’s is noisier still, and the RAV4’s can be heard loud and clear in the cabin, and sends noticeably more vibration through the wheel and pedals.

The Mazda comes out on top again on twisty roads, with tight body control and weighty but accurate steering. Despite impressive grip, the Honda’s body leans the most in bends, although its steering is precise, if a little light for truly confident high-speed manoeuvres. The Toyota’s steering set-up becomes more inconsistently weighted and vague at speed, and its handling is mediocre. However, the RAV4 does at least ride well. Subtle fidgeting around town is its worst sin, but it smoothes out large bumps well and remains comfortable over most surfaces. Honda claims the CR-V has been stiffened in 1.6 form, but our test car rode better than the heavier 2.2-litre diesel version, which is available only with four-wheel drive.

The CX-5 also rides well, which is surprising considering how well it handles. It can feel a little firm at low speed, but it’s never uncomfortable, and feels more composed at higher speeds. Unfortunately, this is when the CX-5’s large door mirrors generate wind noise. The CR-V is more susceptible to road noise, while the RAV4 has an unexceptional background hum that’s more easily ignored. {


Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4

Close to hand

Dash-mounted gearlever

sits at a comfortable height

Great view out

Cabin is huge and CR-V

offers the best visibility

Honda CR-V

Mazda CX-5

Toyota RAV4

BEST CABIN

Analogue only

The CX-5 is the only car

that doesn’t get DAB radio

Sitting pretty

Lots of adjustment and

supportive seat for driver

Looks better than it feels

Switchgear is big and bold,

but quality is mediocre

Misses out

No driver lumbar support

unlike its two rival SUVs

‘The RAV4’s load space stretches to two metres with the seats folded’

While there are lots of buttons

on the CR-V’s centre console,

these are mostly large and

clearly labelled. Unfortunately,

the system still isn’t as user-

friendly as it should be, because

the main display is hard to read

at a glance, and the volume

control for the stereo doubles as

the main scroll dial. However, the

CR-V does come well equipped

(see panel on page 61).

Infotainment

Most functions are controlled

through a dashboard-mounted

touch-screen with simple menus.

Alternatively, you can scroll

through these menus using

a rotary dial that’s positioned

within easy reach between

the front seats. Standard kit

is pretty comprehensive,

although it’s disappointing that

a digital radio isn’t even available

as an option.

Infotainment

Like the CX-5, the RAV4 features

a central touch-screen and a

rotary scroll dial. Unfortunately,

its dial is on the left side of the

dash, where the driver has to

stretch to reach it, and the

screen can be hard to read

in bright sunlight because it

isn’t recessed. You get lots of kit

as standard, including Bluetooth

phone connectivity, a USB socket

and a DAB radio.

Infotainment

What are they like inside?

Honda

Mazda

Toyota

The RAV4 provides more space up front than either rival, plus it has loads of rear headroom and class-leading rear legroom. However, the CX-5 and CR-V are still big enough to keep four six-footers happy, and it’s actually the Honda that has the most supportive rear seats.

The CR-V and CX-5 keep the driver comfortable on even the longest trips, whereas the RAV4’s front seats are a bit short on lower back support because it’s the only one without lumbar adjustment.

Still, all three cars offer good forward visibility and the sort of elevated driving position that SUV buyers expect. It’s the CR-V that is easiest to see out of when the driver looks over their shoulder, mainly because its rear screen is larger than the RAV’s, and its rear pillars intrude less than the CX-5’s.

Take a look at the official boot capacity figures (page 62), and you’ll see that the CR-V has the most room for luggage, but the RAV4’s space is just as useable in the real world, thanks to its extra width. In fact, even the CX-5’s boot, which is the smallest here, is likely to be big enough for all your family’s clobber.

When you need to transport larger items, the rear seats of the CR-V and CX-5 can be folded virtually flat just by pulling handles in the boot. By contrast, the RAV4’s must be folded down from the side door.

On the up side, with the seats toppled, the RAV4’s load space stretches to nearly two metres. That’s around 20cm longer than the next longest, which is the CX-5’s.

The perceived quality of the RAV4’s cabin is less impressive, because there are too many hard plastics and cheap-looking details. Both the CR-V and the CX-5 are slightly classier inside, although they still feel a little dour. {

SUVs


List price

Contract hire(per month)

Company car taxper month (20/40%)

1

2

3

4

Target Price

£17,509 71%

£14,303 58%

£11,837 48%

£9864 40%

£24,660

na

Insurance

£24,660

Residual value (by year)

Prices Honda Mazda Toyota

Three-year cost

Total

£19,730

ServicingDepreciation Road tax True MPG

£2055

£4059£733

119g/km18%

£60

£1785

£74/£148

£12,823

£15,800 65%

£13,000 54%

£10,650 44%

£9125 38%

£24,295

£290

£22,568

Total

£20,236

£1061

46.9mpg

20%18%

£4890

£210

£2157

£81/£162

£11,918

Emissions and economy First-year road tax CO2True MPG Tax liability

£17,050 74%

£14,175 62%

£11,775 51%

£10,200 44%

£23,295

£322

£22,153

Total

£18,222

47.2mpg56.5mpg

119g/km 127g/km

£1141 £4858£60

£70/£139

£10,378

£0 £0£0


All the costs compared

CHEAPEST TO OWN

Honda CR-V Has the cheapest

servicing costs and lowest fuel bills

Mazda CX-5 Strong in every

area, especially its residual value

Toyota RAV4 It depreciates the

quickest and road tax is dearer

Comparing the essential equipment and option prices


��Not available

Honda CR-V � £500 �/� �/� � � �/� � � £765 �/� 6

Mazda CX-5 � £530 �/� �/� � � �/� � � £700 �/� 6

Toyota RAV4 � £495 �/� �/� � � �/� � � £750 £600 6

Alloy wheelsMetallic

paint

Air-con/

climate

control

Electric

windows

front/rear

Cruise

controlBluetooth

3.5mm

input/USB

Steering

wheel

controls

Navigation

system

Parking

sensors

front/rear

Number of

airbags

What will they cost you?

Honda

Mazda

Toyota

Honda hasn’t released final prices for the CR-V yet, but the preliminary figures suggest it will cost £365 more than the RAV4 and £1365 more than the CX-5.

The CX-5 is expected to have the strongest resale values of the three, although the CR-V’s should be better than the RAV4’s.

Insurance costs are yet another area where the CX-5 beats both rivals. The Mazda also performed slightly better than the Toyota in our True MPG fuel economy test, although it’s the Honda CR-V that beats both rivals’ True MPG figures.

However, the RAV4 does start to look more appealing if you’re buying on PCP finance. Put down a £5000 deposit, and it will cost you £307 a month over three years. That’s £38 a month less than the CX-5, while Honda is still to confirm the CR-V’s PCP deals.

The RAV4 is also cheaper to lease than the CX-5, but the Mazda’s combination of a low list price and low CO2 emissions make it the most affordable company car; it will cost a 40% taxpayer around £100 a year less than the CR-V and £266 a year less than the RAV4.

All three cars give you lots of equipment for your money, including cruise control, climate control and electric front and rear windows. The RAV4 does miss out on parking sensors as standard, but it compensates with a reversing camera. {

DAB

radio

‘The CX-5 is the most affordable company car here’

SUVs

62

93

73

9795

263

103

67

Turningcircle11.8m

457

149 143

210

161

106

165

196

54-91

98

71

95

270

107

100

75

Turningcircle11.7m

456

147 142

215

170

105

171

193

50-88

97

78

95

266

107

107

67

Turningcircle11.2m

457

134 140

211

191

112

166

209

51-86

Performance

Ride & handling

Refinement

Behind the wheel




Buying & owning

Equipment

Safety & security

Measurements

Economy

Performance figures

Ratings

Weather conditions Dry

Space

589-1669 litres

Safety

Performance

Ride & handling

Refinement

Behind the wheel




Buying & owning

Equipment

Safety & security

Space

503-1620 litres

Car pictured Mazda CX-5 2.2 175 Sport AWD with optional Safety Pack (£700);

Stormy Blue Mica metallic paint (£530)

Car pictured Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SR with optional pearlescent paint (£500)

Performance

Ride & handling

Refinement

Behind the wheel




Buying & owning

Equipment

Safety & security

Website www.honda.co.uk

Buying

Website www.mazda.co.uk Website www.toyota.co.uk

Space

547-1746 litres

Car pictured Toyota RAV4 2.0 D-4D Invincible 2WD with optional Touch

and Go sat-nav (£750); Blind spot monitor (£650); and Decuma Grey metallic

paint (£495)

List price £24,660* Target Price £24,660 List price £23,295 Target Price £22,153 List price £24,295 Target Price £22,568

Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SE Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L 2WD Toyota RAV4 2.0 D-4D Icon

Stats, specs and ratings

Size 1596cc, 4cyl, diesel

Peak power

118bhp@4000rpm

Peak torque

221lb ft@2000rpm


Peak power

148bhp@4500rpm

Peak torque

280lb ft@1800rpm


Peak power

122bhp@3600rpm

Peak torque

228lb ft@1600rpm


0-60mph

sec

11.2Top speed

mph

1130-60mph

sec

9.5Top speed

mph

1200-60mph

sec

10.9Top speed

mph

116

TEST CENTRE


Tank 58 litres





Tank 56 litres





Tank 60 litres





Euro NCAP crash rating xxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyEuro NCAP crash rating xxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyEuro NCAP crash rating xxxxxxxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxy

89% 82% 66% 66% 94% 87% 64% 86%

Verdicts

Figures in bold are best in test. Dimensions in cm

93% 74% 68% 66%

30–50mph in 3rd/4th/5th/6th


44.7sec

18.8sec

6.6sec 5 10.7sec3

6

47.1sec

11.4sec

7.4sec 5 8.8sec3

6

Acceleration 30–70mph through the gears�

Braking 30–0mph/70–0mph

8.7m 46.4m

11.9 sec



43.7sec

13.7sec

5.4sec 5 8.7sec3

6

45.7sec

9.8sec

5.8sec 5 7.3sec3

6



9.6m 53.5m

9.2 sec



44.8sec

19.8sec

7.2sec 5 12.9sec3

6

47.0sec

12.5sec

7.4sec 5 10.0sec3

6



10.2m 54.4m

11.2 sec

* preliminary price



See how other SUVs compare in our new cars A-Z on p147

HONDA MIGHT HAVE given the CR-V one of the leanest, greenest diesel engines around, but it’s the CX-5 that stands proud here.

Even with its larger engine, and the resulting extra 30bhp and 59lb ft more torque, the CX-5 manages to perform just as well as the Honda where CO2 emissions are concerned. The icing on the cake is its smoother, more energetic engine.

Ultimately, the CX-5 is behind the others on space, but it copes with a family’s baggage as well

For Reassuring grip; impressive real-world

economy; big cabin; clever rear seats

Against Noisy engine; narrow powerband;

road noise

Verdict As family-friendly as ever, but could

be more refined and faster

For Huge interior space; good standard

equipment; comfortable ride

Against Surging power delivery; vibrations

from engine; poor interior quality

Verdict Has much of what families want, if

not the refinement

Honda CR-V

1.6 i-DTEC SEToyota RAV4

2.0 D-4D 2WD Icon

Mazda CX-5

2.2 Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L 2WD

For Smooth engine; strong

residual value; impressive

economy; generous kit

Against Firm low-speed ride;

wind and engine noise

Verdict A spacious, practical SUV

offering genuine affordability

Our verdict

as offering the practical touches they’ll love. It’s also proof that SUVs can be fun to drive and, importantly, affordable to run.

The Honda fights back in an important area, though: space and practicality. It has the biggest luggage space with the rear seats in place, and a huge amount once you’ve folded them flat with a simple pull of the boot-mounted lever. Furthermore, you can’t argue with the head- and legroom that’s available in the cabin both front and back.

‘The CX-5’s engine has the most poke of the three, but is as clean as the CR-V’s

The RAV4 should also be commended for the space it offers. It has the most luggage room with the seats folded and rear passengers will be chuffed with the amount of kneeroom. Unfortunately, the Toyota is let down by an inflexible, noisy engine and CO2 figures that look unremarkable against its rivals.

The Toyota also stands out as the most expensive car to own over three years, mainly because of steep depreciation, but also heftier VED and servicing costs.

2

1

3


SUVs


TWIN TEST Ford Focus ST vs Skoda Octavia vRS

FAST, FUN, PRACTICAL and great value for money; if any car can live up to this ‘all things to all drivers’ claim, it should be the latest Octavia vRS.

Our reigning Hot Hatch of the Year, the Focus ST, might not be quite as capacious, but with more power and smaller dimensions, it has the qualities to make it an even better driver’s car.

What are they like to drive?Despite the Focus’s extra power, it and the Octavia are closely matched for straight-line pace. However, our vRS was fitted with

an optional dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which enabled it to change gear more quickly than the manual Focus.

This probably explains why the Skoda was slightly faster in our 30-70mph acceleration tests, although the Focus clawed its way off the line more effectively, so it pips the vRS from 0-60mph.

The ST-2 also sounds better. Ford has used a trick device called a ‘sound symposer’ that essentially channels engine noise into the cabin under hard acceleration; you get a properly sporty growl whenever you put your foot down.

Ford Focus

ST-2

List price £23,495


With a stonking 247bhp from its

turbocharged 2.0-litre engine,

the ST is a formidable hatch.

Skoda Octavia

vRS 2.0 TSI

List price £22,990


The latest incarnation of Skoda’s

hottest model brings space

and plenty of kit to the fray.

NEW

The contenders

Photography Will Williams

What we’re looking for: Sheer grunt is important, but so is the way in which it’s delivered. The Octavia vRS will need to be exceptional if it’s to beat the superb Focus ST

Quick decisionFord Focus ST vs Skoda Octavia vRS

Road TestCentre


The vRS, by contrast, sounds rather plain and muted.

Accelerating hard shows up one of the ST’s less desirable traits, though: torque steer. Even on a smooth, straight road you have to fight with the steering wheel to keep the front wheels pointing straight, and if you’re not delicate with the throttle on the exit of corners, you’ll find yourself being dragged off line.

On the plus side, the Focus responds eagerly to the slightest turn of the steering wheel and remains flat during quick changes of direction.

The Octavia isn’t as sharp. Attack a corner and there’s a delay between the front of the car reacting and the rear following suit, so even though the vRS offers plenty of grip, it isn’t as agile or fun as the ST.

The Octavia’s steering isn’t as accurate as the Ford’s, either, although it weights up reassuringly enough when you turn in to bends.

Overall, the Focus is the easier car to live with. While its firmer suspension means you’re more aware of road surface

imperfections, its effective damping always keeps the ride well controlled. On the other hand, the Octavia tends to become uncomfortably crashy over bigger bumps and potholes.

Motorway journeys are also more pleasant in the Focus because it’s better at shutting out road noise, although both cars do let in a fair amount of wind noise.

What are they like inside?The vRS’s cabin isn’t that different from any other Octavia’s. There’s sportier-looking seats, steering wheel and some discreet vRS badges, but otherwise you could be sitting in an entry-level car.

On the up side, that means you get the same great driving position, easy-to-use dashboard and classy materials. It’s just a shame the seat bolsters don’t hold you in position better in corners.

The Focus does a better job of reminding you it’s a hot hatch. Its bi-coloured Recaro sports seats look great and are very supportive, while there’s plenty of metal-effect silver trim throughout the cabin and a big red ‘ST’ badge on the base of the steering wheel. {

BEST DASHBOARD

Keeps things simple Large

touch-screen makes life a lot

easier in the Octavia

A little sensible? vRS doesn’t

do a great job of reminding

you it’s a hot hatch

Infotainment issues The

buttons for the stereo are oddly

shaped and poorly labelled

Driving position ST’s seats are

supportive, and the important

controls are easy to reach

BEST TO DRIVE ST not only

handles more

sharply, it’s

also more

comfortable

Skoda has lots

of grip, but

feels heavy and

suffers from

a crashy ride

65

HOT HATCHES


144

200

203

152

104

67

94 7395

70

426

50-85

264110

ALTHOUGH THE LATEST Volkswagen Golf GTI is a natural rival to both of these cars, it’s a lot more expensive to buy; an equivalent five-door model will cost you £26,500.

However, if you can find those extra few thousand pounds it’s definitely worth considering.

No other hot hatch blends such an easygoing nature with a properly entertaining drive. Ride quality is exceptional, yet the GTI somehow still manages to keep body sway neatly in check along twisting B-roads. It matches the Focus ST for agility, while feeling less nervous and twitchy on the limit. True, the Ford has sharper steering and a slightly livelier chassis, but the GTI is almost as fast in a straight line and transfers its power to the road with far less fuss.

Better still, the GTI has a seriously classy cabin by hot hatch standards, and comes better equipped than the Focus ST. You get climate control, xenon headlights, a DAB radio, an iPod dock, adaptive cruise control, city emergency braking and front and rear parking sensors.

In fact, the only real problem is the price; the GTI isn’t that much cheaper than proper performance cars, such as the BMW M135i. For this reason, we reckon you’re best off sticking

Golf’s boot is larger than the

Focus’s and has a wide opening

Like most Golfs, GTI has a classy

cabin and lots of standard kit

TWIN TEST Ford Focus ST vs Skoda Octavia vRS

Where’s the Golf GTI?

Performance figures

Figures in bold are best in test

Dimensions in cm

Measurements

Economy

Safety

VW Golf GTI 3dr

Space

380-1270 litres


List price £25,845 Target Price £24,861


Size 1984cc, 4cyl, turbo



Euro NCAP crash rating xyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxy

True MPG average na


Tank 50 litres


94% 89% 65% 71%

9.0m 46.1m



42.9sec 3.9sec 5 5.3sec 6 7.5sec

6.0sec

3

43.0sec 3.8sec 5 4.8sec3

Acceleration 30–70mph through the gears�5.6sec


6

‘The Golf GTI blends exceptional ride quality with great body control’

with three doors and a manual gearbox. The optional six-speed DSG ’box adds £1450 to the price and actually robs you of some driving enjoyment, because it doesn’t always respond quickly enough – even in ‘manual’ mode.

The Performance Pack is worth more of a look, because it adds a limited slip-differential, bigger brakes and an extra 10bhp for £995. The differential certainly helps the GTI claws its way out of slow corners more effectively, but if you’re looking for a seriously hardcore hot hatch, you’re better off with a Renault Mégane 265 Cup. That’s why we’d stick with the GTI’s standard setup.

While the GTI is far from cheap to buy, it’s remarkably affordable to run. Average fuel economy of 47.1mpg means (officially at least) it’s as efficient as rivals from the class below, including the Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTi – although we’ve yet to see if that claim is backed up in real-world driving. CO2 emissions of just 139g/km will be of particular interest to company car drivers, because they mean the Golf GTI attracts lower company car tax bills than similarly sized rivals.

To top it all off, the Golf is predicted to hold onto its value better than any of its hot hatch competitors. So, assuming you can afford the extra outlay in the first place, you’ll actually lose less money in depreciation. All things considered, then, the latest GTI is an utterly brilliant hot hatch.

0-60mph Top speed

sec mph6.2 152

148

204

201

147

103

72

9194 85

66

436

49-77

265105

145

225

202

192

101

70

9494

73

469

107

57-81

269108


For Handling; performance;

sound; superior ride

Against Torque steer;

pathetic turning circle

Verdict Great fun and

great value

For Strong performance;

massive boot; lots of kit

Against Less agile;

lumpy ride; road noise

Verdict Lesser Octavias

make much more sense

Unfortunately, the Focus’s dashboard isn’t as user-friendly as the Octavia’s; the centre console is festooned with small, poorly labelled buttons, while the infotainment system is tricky to use on the move due to its small display and clunky interface.

The Octavia is closer in size to a Mondeo than a Focus, so it’s easily the more practical of the two cars. Rear passengers are seriously well catered for, with plenty of headroom and limo-like amounts of kneeroom.

Four six-footers will fit in the Focus, too, but there’s a lot less legroom and getting into the back is trickier because of smaller door openings.

If anything, the Octavia has an even bigger advantage when it comes to boot space. Officially, its load bay is almost twice as big as the Ford’s, and it’s considerably longer and wider.

Will they break the bank?The Focus costs £505 more than the Octavia, but that gap narrows to just £255 after discounts and is actually reversed when you factor in the Focus’s resale values.

True, the vRS is cheaper to tax, service and insure, and the Government figures suggest it’s significantly easier on fuel. However, unless the manual version performs significantly better than the auto did in our real-world True MPG test, the ST-2 will still work out cheaper to own over the first three years.

Both cars come with 18-inch alloys, climate control, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and automatic lights and wipers, while the Octavia adds rear parking sensors (a £350 option on the Focus) and xenon headlights. The Focus counters with a heated windscreen (£200 on the Octavia) and keyless start (a £180 option on the vRS).

Our verdictThe ST wins this test because it’s simply more fun to drive. That fact that it’s more comfortable and cheaper to own only extends its advantage. The vRS is the more practical car and gets lots of kit, but if those are your priorities, you aren’t looking for a hot hatch.

Skoda Octavia vRS

Ford Focus ST-2

ST has the better driving position, although it doesn’t get adjustable

lumbar support as standard; screen is well placed but tricky to read

Octavia has a much bigger boot and far more rear legroom; six-speed

DSG auto gearbox is best avoided as it can be slow to respond

BEST BOOT

BEST REAR SPACE

2

1

67


Performance figures*

Figures in bold are best in test Dimensions in cmMeasurements

Economy

Safety

Ford Focus ST-2 Skoda Octavia vRS

Space

316-1101 litres

Space

590-1580 litres





List price £23,495 Target Price £21,910 List price £22,990 Target Price £21,655





Euro NCAP crash rating xxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyEuro NCAP crash rating xxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxyxxxxxxy

Buying Website www.ford.co.uk

Car pictured Ford Focus ST-2 with optional Spirit Blue

metallic paint (£525)

Website www.skoda.co.uk

Car pictured Skoda Octavia vRS with optional DSG

gearbox (£1390); Columbus sat-nav (£1350); sunroof

(£750) and Race blue paint (£495)



Tank 62 litres


True MPG average* 30.7mpg


Tank 50 litres


HOT HATCHES

0-60mph Top speed

sec mph6.1 154

0-60mph Top speed

sec mph6.5 154

93% 86% 66% 66% 92% 82% 72% 71%

*Performance figures for six-speed DSG version



42.8sec 3.7sec 5 5.0sec 6 6.9sec

6.2sec

3

43.0sec 3.8sec 5 5.1sec3

Acceleration 30–70mph through the gears�5.6sec


8.6m 44.7m

6


8.6m 45.3m




5.3sec

2.1sec

3.2sec

A

A


TWIN TEST

ELECTRIC CARS. TOO many compromises, right? They’re too pricey, too impractical and too likely to run out of charge before you get to where you’re going. Well, the new Renault Zoe and revised Nissan Leaf are designed to change this.

With both cars, you lease the battery instead of buying it outright, which brings down the list price; the Zoe and Leaf are no more expensive than their diesel-powered rivals. What’s more, both have family-friendly hatchback bodies and a claimed range of more than 100 miles.

What are they like to drive?Both cars are usefully quick up to 30mph, and have accelerator pedals that are easy to modulate whether you’re driving in normal or eco mode. If you choose eco mode, it alters the accelerator response, regenerative braking force and air-con settings to help you eke out extra miles.

Sadly, the brakes are less intuitive; they need lots of pressure and deliver inconsistent responses that make it tricky to come to a progressive, gentle stop.

Where the two cars really differ is in the way they ride. The Zoe shimmies a little over scruffy urban roads, but is good at soaking up bigger bumps and keeping body movement in check.

The Leaf’s revised suspension does give it a comfortable ride in town, but is also responsible for

fairly stodgy body movement at higher speeds.

These cars can keep up with the traffic easily enough, although the Leaf is the faster of the two and has more punch at higher speeds.

The Zoe counters with greater composure in corners and steering that’s marginally more reassuring, if still rather light. Road noise is noticeable in both cars, even if this is due in part to the fact that there’s no engine noise.

What are they like inside?The Zoe has a clean simplicity to its cabin. With a single, brightly

Nissan Leaf Acenta Flex

List price £18,490*


New trim grades, revised

suspension and a battery lease

option boost the Leaf’s appeal.

Renault Zoe

Dynamique Zen

List price £15,190*


Smaller than the Leaf, but cheaper,

loaded with kit and promising an

equally impressive range.

*After £5000 Government grant

NEW

NEW

The contenders


coloured driver’s readout and a user-friendly touch-screen dominating the dash, it’s minimalist but functional. High-gloss plastics break up the textured materials and make it feel more than classy enough.

Nissan has achieved a similar level of material finish, but the Leaf’s higher button count and quirky gearshifter ‘mouse’ looks more confusing at first glance.

However, the shortcut switches either side of the Leaf’s touch-screen are useful, and the major controls are easy enough once you’re used to them.

Equipment is generous in both cars, with sat-nav, auto lights and wipers, climate control, a USB input, Bluetooth, keyless entry and rear parking sensors. The Leaf also has a reversing camera.

Both have six airbags and five-star Euro NCAP ratings, and will seat four adults, but the supermini-sized Zoe inevitably feels smaller than the family-hatch Leaf. The driving position is flawed in both cars; the Zoe has no seat-height adjustment and the Leaf no steering wheel reach adjustment, although the Renault is easier to get comfortable in. �

Fight of the charge brigadeWhat we’re looking for: Parity with conventional hatchbacks. Do either of these electric cars have what it takes to persuade buyers to part with their cash?

New Renault Zoe vs new Nissan Leaf


ELECTRIC CARS

CLASSIEST CABIN

Simple touch-screen Zoe’s

menus have big icons and are

easy to fathom on the move

Futuristic view Letterbox

readout is easier to read at a

glance than Leaf’s busy screen

Sugar-coated Acenta

upholstery is made from

sugar cane and is recyclable

Wheel adjustment No reach

adjustment makes it difficult to

get comfortable while driving

69

Road TestCentre


Nissan Leaf vs Renault Zoe

Nissan’s revised Leaf has an extra 40 litres of boot space, which takes the total up to 370, whereas the Zoe makes do with 338 litres. The Leaf also benefits from a 60/40 split rear bench (the Zoe’s folds in one piece), but it’s actually the Renault’s boot that’s more useable, thanks to its wider, squarer opening.

How far will they go?Provided you have off-street parking, a wall-mounted charger will be installed at your house for free when you buy a Zoe or Leaf. The Leaf takes eight hours to charge from empty and the Zoe takes four hours, although the Leaf can be upgraded for similarly quick charging as a £99 option.

The Leaf also comes as standard with a three-point plug that fits a domestic wall socket. The Zoe doesn’t get a three-point plug, but its cable fits many public chargers. If you can find one of the rare fast-chargers, both cars can be fully charged in under an hour.

We range-tested the cars in their eco modes in 27C heat, with the air-con, radio and headlights on. The test route took in motorway, ¡ and slow town driving, and resulted in a range of

Our favourite diesel supermini

is the Renault Clio 1.5 dCi. It has

a higher list price than the Zoe in

comparable spec, but costs less

Can you live with electric?

TWIN TEST

Leaf is more powerful, and noticeably faster than the Zoe at higher

speeds. Ride soaks up bumps in town but body control could be better

Zoe feels more composed than the Leaf when cornering, the downside

being that it’s unsettled in town. Brakes are awkward to modulate

How reliable are they?

How easy is it to sell a used e-car?

How easy is it to insure an e-car?

How long will the battery last?

Is diesel cheaper than electricity?

What’s the deal with servicing?

What happens if I break down? Can the car be towed?

An electric motor has far fewer

moving parts than a combustion

engine, and should in fact be

substantially more reliable.

The Zoe is covered by a warranty

for four years and 100,000 miles,

and the Leaf for three years

and 60,000 miles.

There’s only one document to

sign to exchange ownership

(as with any car), and Nissan and

Renault deal with the exchange

of battery leasing contract, so

you don’t need to worry about

the buyer’s credit history or

finances, even if you sell privately.

Most major insurers will deal

with the Zoe or Leaf as with any

other car – you just need to tell

the insurer about the battery

lease contract when getting a

quote. Premiums are comparable

to a diesel equivalent.

You don’t need to worry about

it; the leased battery is the

responsibility of the manufacturer.

As soon as it drops below 75%

of its as-new efficiency, Renault

or Nissan will replace it. It’s

estimated it will take nine years

before that level of reduction in

efficiency will occur.

It’s the same as any normal car.

You take it to the dealership every

year and they’ll check it over and

stamp your book. It’s free for four

years with the Zoe, and will cost

£330 for three years on the Leaf.

No. Towing can damage an

electric car, so it will have to be

put on a flat-bed lorry. All major

recovery services will provide

a flat-bed lorry if you ask at the

time of breakdown, and both the

Zoe and Leaf have free lifetime

roadside recovery as part of the

battery leasing contract.

How do I find my nearest public charging point?Currently there is no official,

government-backed website to

show charging points. There are

good alternatives available, such

as zap-map.com, and electric cars’

sat-navs tend to have them listed.

Is it really any greener than a fossil-fuelled car, given the CO2 footprint of making it and producing the electricity?Manufacturers claim that an

electric car is responsible for

around half the ‘well-to-wheel’

CO2 output of a combustion-

engined car, or roughly 50g/km.

The Leaf and Zoe are around 95%

recyclable at end of life.

There are more than 3000

charging points in the UK

You’ll need a flatbed truck if

you end up stranded in an e-car

The Clio 1.5 dCi will cost less to

run… if you stay outside London

Electric cars ‘halve the CO2

emissions’ of conventional cars

BEST TO DRIVE

after discounts and is expected to

hold its value better.

The Clio also averaged 60.1mpg

in our True MPG test, which

translates into £2385 in fuel over

three years at today’s pump prices

(assuming you do 7500 miles a

year). The same number of miles

will cost £140 in electricity, at

roughly £1.50 per 80-mile charge,

although the battery lease fee

(see right) adds up to slightly more

than the Clio’s fuel costs and you

may pay a slightly different

amount for your electricity,

depending on your tariff.

Where the Zoe does work

out far cheaper is as a company

car. Plus, it’s exempt from the

Congestion Charge, so London-

based company car drivers are

on to a winner.

156

204

195

140

102

71

8699

69

64

408

63-93

259106

155

191

197

162

74

99

89 79

70

445

57-91

270105

101


For Smart interior;

composed handling;

lots of standard kit

Against No three-point

plug; body shimmy

Verdict The best electric

car on sale today

For Well specced; roomy;

comfortable ride in town

Against Pricier than Zoe;

small boot opening; body

control is a bit loose

Verdict Better than ever,

but is pipped by the Zoe

67.1 miles for the Leaf and 70.1 for the Zoe – not bad given the battery-draining mix of roads and heavy ancillary use.

Both cars should be able to cover more than 80 miles on a charge when driven mostly in town.

Will they break the bank?You won’t pay a penny in tax if you’re a company car driver.

Things are more complicated for private buyers. The Zoe and Leaf both qualify for a Government-funded £5000 discount, which makes their purchase prices comparable with those of similarly equipped, conventionally powered rivals.

However, you have to pay extra for the batteries; these come courtesy of a compulsory monthly contract. On both cars the cheapest contract is £70 per

Our verdictThe Leaf and Zoe prove that an electric car can be a viable alternative to a conventional hatchback for private buyers, and a complete no-brainer for business users. However, the Zoe wins because it’s cheaper to run, slightly better to drive and is hardly any less practical.

Nissan Leaf

Renault Zoe

Leaf is the roomier and has a 60/40 split rear bench. Its boot opening

is narrower and its driving position could do with more adjustment

Zoe’s minimalist interior has simple touch-screen, but the driver’s seat

doesn’t adjust for height. Rear visibility is better than in the Leaf, too

BEST BOOT

BIGGEST CABIN

2

1

70


Performance figures

Figures in bold are best in test Dimensions in cmMeasurements

Economy

Safety

Nissan Leaf Acenta Flex Renault Zoe Dynamique Zen

Space

370-912 litres

Space

338-1225 litres

Size 360 volt, 192 cells

Peak power 107bhp@3008-10,000rpm

Peak torque 187lb ft@0-3008rpm


List price £18,490* Target Price £18,490 List price £15,190* Target Price £15,190


Size 400 volt, 192 cells

Peak power 87bhp@3000-11,300rpm

Peak torque 162lb ft@250-2100rpm

Euro NCAP crash rating xyxxxxxxyxyxyxyEuro NCAP crash rating xyxxxxxxyxyxyxy

Buying Website www.nissan.co.uk

Car pictured Nissan Leaf Acenta Flex with optional

metallic paint (£525); heated steering wheel and front

and rear seats (£300); and rear roof solar panel (£260)

*After £5000 Government grant

Website www.renault.co.uk

Car pictured Renault Zoe Dynamique Zen with

optional metallic paint (£495); and Western European

mapping for sat-nav (£110)

Tested range 67.1 miles

Battery 24kWh lithium-ion


Tested range 70.1 miles

Battery 22 kWh lithium-ion


0-60mph Top speed

sec mph10.9 91

0-60mph Top speed

sec mph12.4 85

Acceleration


9.6m 51.0m




13.8sec

4.8sec

9.0sec

A

A

Acceleration


9.2m 51.0m




10.5sec

3.9sec

6.6sec

A

A

month, which covers you for 7500 miles a year over three years (higher-mileage deals are available). Over three years you’ll pay £2520, which makes it the second biggest expense after depreciation; the Renault should retain 35% of its value (or £6925) and the Leaf 33% (or £7365). The cost of electricity (see left) is paltry by comparison.

Servicing is free for the first four years on the Zoe, while three years’ servicing on the Leaf will come to £330. The Nissan also costs more to insure.

Overall, the Zoe is the cheaper car to run, at £12,351 over three years, compared with £15,958 for the Leaf. It’s worth remembering, though, that the Leaf is from the class above the Zoe, and its figures still look competitive when you compare it with regular rivals.

ELECTRIC CARS

89% 83% 65% 84% 89% 80% 66% 85%



171g/km

38.2mpg

£790

26%47.1mpg

139g/km

£700

19%

Kia Procee’d vs Seat LeonQUICK TEST

Kia for the hot seat? The heat is on for Kia’s hottest Procee’d and Seat’s warmed-over Leon

The Kia’s 1.6-litre engine pumps out 201bhp, which makes the GT feel pretty fleet once the turbo has woken. The gearbox is too notchy, though, while the brakes feel underpowered. The steering feels artificial, and offers little idea of the grip available.

Comfort isn’t bad though; the GT rides bumps decently, but its body pitches and rolls a bit much.

There’s a reasonable amount of head- and legroom for the two sitting up front, but those in the rear pay the price for the sleek looks. It’s decidedly dark in there, mainly because of the upwards sweep of the windows and the small rear window; over-the-shoulder vision is appalling.

It’s all well built though – as good as the Seat in most areas, and even better in some.

The Procee’d GT is cheaper than the Seat but you can’t yet get a discount on it. In addition, it puffs out a lot more carbon dioxide, so it sits a full seven company car tax bands higher than the Seat.

Private buyers will also be put off because of the fact that it does almost 9mpg less than the Leon.

Kia offers a deal where the first three services are just £399.

On paper, the 178bhp Seat has quite a bit less power than the Kia, but in reality it feels every bit as keen to get on with things. It’s easy to make good progress in the Seat because the gearbox is light and precise. The steering is light but informative.

The ride is undeniably firm, but the Leon manages to avoid falling into the trap of being crashy.

The Seat is undeniably the more upright and staid-looking of the two, but this has benefits. It’s easier to see out of, it’s simple to get into the back of, and there’s decent space once you’re in there.

Space is good if you’re the driver or front passenger too, and the seats are supportive.

The dashboard doesn’t have the pizzazz of the Kia’s, but it’s well built and simplicity itself to use.

List prices favour the Procee’d GT, but as soon as you start to haggle the advantage swings back the Leon’s way. However, this may change when discounts become available on the Kia.

The Leon SC sits in group 25 for insurance, four lower than the Kia, so you can expect your annual premium to be around £90 less.

Kia Procee’d GT

List price £19,995 Target Price tbc

Seat Leon SC 1.8 TFSI FR


Kia

Seat

What are they like to drive?

What are they like inside?

Will they break the bank?

BEST TO DRIVE

BEST TO OWN

BEST INSIDE

Kia has plenty

of standard

equipment,

and it’s all

very well built

Seat dash is the

simpler of the

two; screen

senses when

finger is close

Kia Procee’d GT

Seat Leon SC FR

For Equipment; warranty; relatively supple rideAgainst Steering; body control; visibility; running costsVerdict Good to look at, not so good to drive or own

For Punchy pace; sharp handling; low running costsAgainst Cabin looks a little plain; firm ride

Verdict Great to drive; cheap to run. A clear winner.

Our verdict 12

Road TestCentre

Fuel economy

Company car tax rate

CO2 emissions

Average insurance cost

HOT HATCHES

0-62mph

sec

7.5Top speed

mph

1400-60mph

sec

7.4Top speed

mph

143

NEWNEW


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Ourcars

76

OUR CARS

DOWNSIZING IS ALL very well, apart from one potential problem: the downsizing itself. If you need proper small family car space, a supermini simply won’t do, no matter how tempting the lower price and cheaper running costs appear.

This is where the Skoda Rapid comes in. It offers more space

SKODA RAPID

Model 1.2 TSI 85 SE

Run by Barnaby Jones

My rating

Mileage 1875

List price £14,650


Price as tested £15,145

than an equivalent Ford Focus, yet prices start at less than £13,000, closer to those of a Fiesta.

Which Rapid to choose, though? As with many cars, there are various engines and trim levels. Sadly, the ones with the attention-grabbing prices are those you wouldn’t want to live with. So, we avoided the super-cheap, non-turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol car. It’s the least economical engine and is likely to feel underpowered in something as big as the Rapid.

The next petrol engine up – an 85bhp turbocharged 1.2 – is our favourite, so that’s what I went for. It has decent low-rev shove, so it should be up to the job of hauling

around a Rapid full of people and luggage. It also promises low running costs: our True MPG figures suggest we’ll get about 43mpg, pretty good for a petrol car of this size. Low CO2 emissions will also help keep tax costs low.

Entry-level S trim offers the best trade-off between kit and price, but I like my creature comforts, so I opted for the plusher SE. For an extra £950, this adds alloy wheels and body-coloured door mirrors and handles, plus air-conditioning, Bluetooth, rear electric windows, a USB connection and a leather-covered steering wheel.

That accounted for almost everything I needed, so the only

A small family car that’s cheap to buy and run: perfect, right? We’ve got six months to find out

Skoda RapidNew arrival

‘The Rapid is easy to drive, with light and precise controls’


Skoda Rapid

option I added was Denim Blue metallic paint, at £495. All in, our Rapid cost £15,145, or £3500 less than my previous car, a similarly equipped Ford Focus.

Of course, the Rapid isn’t all about space and value for money. The cabin is refreshingly plain and simple. Sit in the driver’s seat for the first time, and the buttons and switches are self-explanatory and easy to use. However, the interior won’t win any awards for style, and while some will like its no-frills approach, others will think it’s boring. At least you won’t be left scratching your head when it comes to the dash controls.

A couple of aspects about the specification have caught my attention already, though. There are separate interior lights to illuminate the front and rear seats, which is good. The ones up front come on when you open a door, but you have to press a button to turn on the ones in the rear, which is bad. There are also four electric windows, but only two switches up front; the ones for the rear windows are in the back. Thankfully, there’s a button to deactivate the rear controls, but it’s an obvious (and unusual) money-saving measure.

It’s also clear the Rapid is built to a budget when you drive it. The seats are flat and short of lower-back support, and there’s quite a bit of noise at high speeds,

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Barnaby Jones

[email protected]

The cabin’s pretty basic, although SE trim does add a few creature comforts; 1.2 engine is already showing promise, but the ride is overly firm

so the Rapid isn’t the ideal choice if you regularly drive on the motorway. The ride is also uncomfortably firm and thumps crudely over potholes.

The Rapid is easy to drive, though, due to light and precise controls, and its narrowness is already proving a hit when parking on urban streets.

The engine is impressive, too. It feels far stronger than its modest output would suggest, and you don’t have to work it hard to keep up with traffic, even when the huge boot is full of bags and boxes.

I’ll certainly be putting the Rapid’s practicality to the test over the next six months, but it’s already clear you have to accept a few compromises with Skoda’s budget, small-family car. It’ll be interesting to see if these fade with familiarity, leaving me to appreciate the overall simplicity.

BUYING INFORMATIONList price £14,650


Extras Denim Blue metallic

paint (£495)

RUNNING COSTSTest fuel economy 40.2

True MPG 43.1

Official fuel economy 55.4mpg

CO2/tax liability 119g/km/15%

Contract hire £233

Cost per mile 39p

Insurance group/quote 10/£399

FULL STORYwhatcar.com/ourrapid

Skoda Rapid 1.2 TSI 85 SElogbook


OUR CARS

IN AN ERA when spending no more than necessary is both a requirement and a fashion, the austere Ssangyong Korando we’ve driven for the past year ought to have been just the ticket.

It promises family-sized SUV motoring for less than £18,000. The SX model was a new addition to the range when we collected ours last summer. It’s the cheapest four-wheel-drive version, and comes with the

SSANGYONG KORANDO

Model 2.0d SX 4WD

Run by Andrew Golby

My rating

Mileage 15,542

List price £18,795


‘Wind, road and engine noise frequently came in for criticism’

2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that powers all Korando models.

Having spent a year and 15,000 miles behind the wheel, I’ve had a long time to consider what austere means in 2013, and for that matter, whether cheap equals value.

Let’s not forget that the Korando is a two-star car by What Car?

standards. Those among its close competitors include Hyundai’s capable ix35, the highly rated Nissan Qashqai, Kia’s stylish Sportage and a new kid on the block, the Dacia Duster.

So do the weaknesses of a car that’s considered outclassed in its category fade away, or become ever more frustrating over time?

If refinement is a priority, then the Korando’s combination

of wind, road and engine noise will never be satisfactory. It’s noticeably worse than that produced by any of its rivals. I listen to the radio all the time, so turning it up a bit louder largely dealt with the issue for me. It’s hardly the answer to an engineering problem, though. When colleagues drove the Korando, noise was frequently one of the first criticisms they mentioned.

Cabin space was a mixed bag for our family. On the one hand, the rear is very spacious, with reclining seats that can help young children sleep on long journeys. However, if you choose to maximise your boot space by having the seats in their most

Final report

Ssangyong KorandoThis SUV can be yours for less than £18,000, but does cheap always mean good value? Here’s our verdict after a year with one


Ssangyong Korando

BUYING INFORMATIONPrice when new £18,795

Price now (new) £18,795

Extras Sat-nav/Bluetooth £999;

detachable towbar £602; metallic

paint £500; spare wheel £200

Total price new £21,096

Current part-ex value £10,260

RUNNING COSTSOverall test fuel economy

38.9mpg

Worst fuel economy 28.4mpg

Best fuel economy 42.7mpg

True MPG 42.6mpg



Contract hire £376

Cost per mile 61p

Insurance group/quote

19/£580

Ssangyong Korando 2.0d SX 4WD logbook

SERVICING AND REPAIRSServicing None

Repairs Squeaky clutch pedal;

passenger seat headrest rattle

FULL STORYwhatcar.com/ourkorando

Model

Ssangyong Korando 2.0d SX 4WD

Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi 360 4WD

Hyundai iX35 2.0 CRDi 134 Style 4WD

Create your own depreciation tables at whatcar.com

New Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

£26,000

£19,500

£13,000

£6500

£0

Four-wheel drive adds little to price; boot is okay, but rivals’ are bigger;

touch-screen is overly complex; even no-frills Duster gets more stars

comes as standard. Given the car’s popularity with caravan owners, we were surprised to find it came with not even a spacesaver.

Back inside the car, cabin storage is a particular strong point for the Korando. There are big door bins, dashboard-mounted and under-dash receptacles, a decent-sized centre console cubby and two cupholders.

The rest of the interior is a combination of perfectly acceptable plastics and a few areas that are just plain nasty. The 1970s-style digital clock is a low point, and so is the optional £1000 Kenwood/Garmin infotainment system. Its touch-screen was way too complicated to use easily, and the Bluetooth was patchy at best, although it did become better

when I switched to the latest version of the iPhone.

The interior is very durable, though. Despite the best efforts of my two boys (aged seven and 11), including plenty of snacking taking place over the past year, the seat cloth has remained unstained and bobble-free. The plastics have also stood up well, showing no obvious signs of wear and tear. There was one rattle that developed from the passenger seat headrest, but while our local dealer, Ssangyong West London, couldn’t trace it with confidence, whatever its technicians did made it stop. At the same time, they also rectified a squeaky clutch pedal.

A lot of my driving is spent on motorways and dual carriageways, so I was pleased that cruise control is a standard bit of kit on the Korando. However, on a number of occasions, it inexplicably stopped working, but always came back to life on the following journey.

Manual air-conditioning was also welcome during the summer months, but the heater system wasn’t powerful enough during the winter; it often took up to 20 minutes to warm the car sufficiently to be comfortable.

This lukewarm feeling is also how we ended up feeling towards the Korando after our time with it. Next year, an updated version is due that seeks to address many of the issues we’ve encountered.

upright position, the parcel shelf leaves around a third of the luggage area exposed to onlookers.

Our Korando was fitted with an optional Witter towbar, which was removable and could be stored in the boot. We only put this item to the test once, when it pulled an old Austin Princess home for restoration. It did the job respectably well, and our sister title, Practical Caravan, has also vouched for the SsangYong’s impressive stability while towing.

Partway through the year, we got a full-size spare wheel, which slotted into the boot. For those who tow, a proper spare is a ‘must-have’ £200 extra. Otherwise, you’re stuck with the (often ineffective) can of foam that

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Andrew Golby

[email protected]


OUR CARS

AFTER 12 MONTHS and 10,000 miles, our Suzuki Swift Sport has now left What Car?. We had high hopes for the little hot hatch when it first arrived with its ‘drive-me-now’ looks – and it has lived up to almost all of them.

It didn’t take long to realise the Swift Sport, with its rear spoiler, wraparound headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels and twin exhausts, is more than just a pretty face. What’s most striking

SUZUKI SWIFT

Model 1.6 Sport

Run by Emma Butcher

My rating

Mileage 10,232

List price £13,749


‘The Swift has enough fizz to keep most thrill seekers satisfied’

is the car’s tremendous value. There’s no options list, so what you see is what you get – and what you get is a lot.

There’s a whole array of staple safety equipment: seven airbags, automatic lights and electronic stability control all go towards a five-star Euro NCAP rating.

Gadgets are plentiful, too: cruise control, integrated Bluetooth, wheel-mounted audio and voice controls, USB port, electric windows, heated power-fold mirrors, sports seats and automatic air-conditioning don’t cost a penny extra.

It’s a pretty compelling package, and that’s before you even start thinking about how many thrills this pocket rocket has up its

sleeve. The nippy Sport has been a godsend in town, where I do most of my driving, zipping around mini-roundabouts, making short work of ducking in and out of queues, and tucking neatly into the smallest of spaces.

It’s true this isn’t the fastest hot hatch on the market, but the 1.6-litre 134bhp engine, combined with the car’s featherweight 1045kg, delivers enough fizz to keep most thrill seekers satisfied. In our head-to-head tests, the Swift Sport left its Renault Twingo Renaultsport rival for dust from a standing start.

The Sport’s playfulness is really unleashed on curvy roads, where you can make the most of its agility. Motorway driving isn’t

Final report

Suzuki SwiftCheap thrills were what this supermini promised when it joined us. What’s the story a year later?

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Suzuki Swift Sport

BUYING INFORMATIONPrice when new £13,499

Price now (new) £13,749

Extras na

Total price new £13,749

Current part-ex value £9080

RUNNING COSTSOverall test fuel economy

38mpg

Worst fuel economy 27.2mpg

Best fuel economy 44mpg

True MPG 38.9mpg


CO2/tax liability 147/21%

Contract hire £228

Cost per mile 43p


SERVICING AND REPAIRSServicing 9000-mile

service £195

Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport logbook

Winter tyres £676 (for wheels,

tyres, fitting and storage)

Repairs None

FULL STORYwhatcar.com/ourswiftsport

Model

Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport

Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133

Ford Fiesta ST 1.6T 180 Ecoboost

Create your own depreciation tables at whatcar.com

New Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

£20,000

£15,000

£10,000

£5000

£0

Suzuki took the pain out of servicing; lots of room for kids in the rear;

winter tyres were well worth the effort; cumbersome keyless entry

local Suzuki dealer, like most in the network, offers a free collection and delivery service within a 10-mile radius.

Other manufacturers would do well to take a leaf out of Suzuki’s book when it comes to servicing. Its central online booking system allows you to compare dealer prices without picking up the phone.

Having winter tyres fitted involved two voluntary dealer visits. The Swift had to go down a wheel size and take on steel rims, and the service wasn’t cheap, but when the snow finally did arrive it completely justified the decision. Thankfully, the cold-weather kit didn’t affect the Swift’s driveability excessively, although the look was rather retro.

There were niggles. The inexplicably less-than-intuitive USB system got my blood boiling

when I had to revert to the handbook to work out how to use it. The keyless entry was also annoying – brilliant in theory, but you still need to remember to press buttons on the door handles and under the tailgate. I gave up in the end, reverting to the old-school key fob.

The rear parcel shelf, which has no tailgate fastening strings, was also rather frustrating. If I forgot to flip it back into place after filling the boot, I’d hop in and glance in the rear-view mirror, only to be greeted by a vista of black felt.

On the whole, though, the Swift was sublimely easy to live with, and pretty practical, too. Friends and family were quite comfortable in the rear on shorter journeys, and none had to be contortionists to clamber back there. However, the space was best suited to children.

I also found the boot ample enough for groceries or weekend luggage for two. Hard-shell suitcases were a no-no with the rear bench up, which meant I could only holiday with one friend at a time. Dropping the bench was a doddle, though.

I gave the Swift Sport four stars when it first arrived with us, and a year later I stand by all of them. It may not be the cheapest car of its size, but if you want more thrills, punch, presence and versatility than your average supermini, this little hot hatch really is knockout value.

hard work, either, thanks to a sixth gear and cruise control. The engine never felt strained, even overtaking happily at the speed limit.

The Sport and I racked up more than a few 300-plus-mile journeys together, and on those intensive hauls it didn’t guzzle fuel as quickly as I expected. In True MPG tests, it returned 38.9mpg. Mostly, I got close to that, although a lot of stop-start, short-run urban driving did give the car a bit of a thirst.

Overall, the Swift proved a low-maintenance motor. I was forced to send it back to the dealer just once – for its 9000-mile service, which I grumbled about at the time for being way too soon. That said, the experience was pretty painless because my

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Emma Butcher

[email protected]


OUR CARS

I TOOK A deep breath when I was handed the keys to the What Car? new Fiat 500L long-termer. I’m not generally a ‘small car’ person, you see, and quirky retro styling isn’t enough to impress me.

However, the idea behind the 500L is to allow owners of the regular 500 city car to stick with the brand (and keep some of the

FIAT 500L

Model 1.6 Multijet 105 Pop Star

Run by Melanie Falconer

My rating

Mileage 3110

List price £17,490



style), when they need more space. It’s the same sort of principle that persuaded Mini to build the Countryman, a car that has been far more of a sales hit than its reviews ever suggested it would be.

As a result, the 500L put paid to my initial reservations the moment I saw it in the metal. For starters, it’s a lot bigger than its popular supermini smaller brother, and it manages to look both chic and grown-up.

There are a number of petrol and diesel options in the range, but in the end our choice really came down to the 1.6-litre Multijet diesel or the two-cylinder Twinair petrol. Our road testers reckon

that there’s not much to choose between the motors on refinement (they’re both a bit on the noisy side), so in the end we plumped for the extra torque of the diesel. We went for Pop Star trim, which brings air-conditioning, a touch-screen infotainment system, six airbags and cruise control as standard.

The L is designed to offer family-friendly practicality and space. While I might not have a family, I do need plenty of room and decent boot capacity to lug around lots of roller-derby equipment (a sport played by hard-hitting girls on roller skates), plus said derby girls. So the first

Can this appealing mini-MPV provide enough everyday practicality? We’ve got the next 12 months to find out

Fiat 500LNew arrival

‘Refinement isn’t one of the diesel engine’s strong suits’area to explore was exactly how much space was on offer, and how versatile the 500L is.

The rear seats slide forward to free up extra room in the boot, or you can fold and tumble them forward (this is so easy you can almost do it with one hand). The


Fiat 500L

boot has a useful three-position adjustable floor, which is great when lifting heavy kit bags in and out. The only downside is its fairly narrow opening, which can be a little restrictive. There’s also a long, slim, removable storage holder, which puzzles me. Its only conceivable use seems to be for umbrellas or snooker cues.

What I have been enamoured with so far is the light, airy cabin, and the glass panoramic roof (a £500 option), adds to the feeling of space. The roof is fixed, though. I would definitely prefer to be able to open it even a little bit.

The standard air-conditioning does a reasonable job, cooling the cabin down fairly quickly. Ten or so minutes on the highest setting normally does the trick in temperatures of more than 25c.

Up front, the cabin feels classy and well built, and the leather-covered gearknob and steering wheel are nicely finished, and look good. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with a good range of adjustment, including height, although I’d have liked lumbar adjustment as standard (it’s a £100 option, which we didn’t go for).

As yet, most of my driving has been in London traffic. The 1.6 diesel pulls cleanly enough, with a respectable amount of torque. However, refinement is not one of the engine’s strong suits; it’s noisy, and gets louder as you accelerate.

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Melanie Falconer

[email protected]

Cabin exudes class, but poorly positioned steering wheel can make dash dials hard to see; ride quality around town is good – next stop, the M25

Luckily, ride quality is good. The suspension feels plush and soaks up even quite serious road imperfections well. I have some fairly unforgiving speed bumps on my route home, but the 500L almost floats over them.

One niggle so far is the analogue dials. They look funky, but are quite hard to read. This isn’t helped by the chunky steering wheel obscuring the speedo; it covers up the all-important 30-50mph range. To compensate, I’ve had to raise the wheel’s height.

Overall impressions up to now, though, are positive. Next, I want to find out how the 500L copes with longer journeys, in terms of comfort and fuel economy, and with a full passenger and luggage load.

BUYING INFORMATIONList price £17,490


Extras Front foglights £160;

electric rear windows £200;

special pastel paint (Bossa Nova

White) £290; 17-inch alloy wheels

£350; fixed glass roof £500

RUNNING COSTSTest fuel economy 45mpg

True MPG 58.9mpg



Contract hire £263

Cost per mile na


FULL STORYwhatcar.com/ourfiat500l

Fiat 500L 1.6 Multijet 105 Pop Star logbook

Find out what you’ll

really get to the

gallon

Get your True MPG at whatcar.com/truempg

Use our online tool to get your personalised MPG figure based

on our exclusive real-world tests on UK roads


Volkswagen Up, Honda CR-V OUR CARS

Volkswagen Up 1.0 75 High Up 3drMileage 9079

List price £10,900



Average MPG 42.8

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/ourup

An early morning sprint down to Hayling Island, and they were established on the pebbly beach before the crowds arrived. The Up’s smooth ride surprised them all on the motorway, and its boot easily accommodated their picnic blanket and sandwiches, and the boys’ buckets and spades.

Both kids were more than happy in the back seats, and loved their view of the world through

OUR UP HAS been lucky enough to go to the beach this month. It was set to be the hottest day of the year, so my colleague Michele and her family headed for the seaside.

the big rear windows as they drove along, waiting for the sea to appear on the horizon.

After a day spent digging holes, paddling in the warm water and eating ice-cream, it was time to go home. Unfortunately, the Up didn’t impress Michele and the boys so much on the return trip. The family is used to melting cabin temperatures in the summer, because their 20-year-old Volkswagen Golf doesn’t have the luxury of air-conditioning, but they were looking forward to taking advantage of the Up’s air-con. However, even on full power for half an hour, it made little impact, seeming to blow out only warm air. Michele gave up in the end and opened the windows, despite the noise from the traffic, but her boys both still fell asleep in the heat.

I think it’s time to investigate the problem because several other colleagues have also commented on it. I’ll get in touch with Volkswagen, and update you next month.

The kids soak up some rays, but they soon lost their cool in an airless Up

Round-up

[email protected]

Full story whatcar.com/ourv40

Mileage 17,965

List price £23,070



Average MPG 50.6

My rating

There’s a lot I like about the V40:

the comfortable seats, the clear

and powerful stereo, the effective

air-con system and the efficient

diesel. It also offers something

different from its upmarket

German hatchback rivals. Not

everyone wants to drive an Audi,

BMW or Mercedes, after all.

There’s a lot I don’t like,

though, such as how gutless the

engine is at low revs, the vague

steering, the notchy gearshift

and the small boot.

My biggest issue with the V40,

however, is its ride. It’s unsettled

on seemingly smooth roads,

uncomfy on scruffy ones and

crashy on pockmarked surfaces.

It’s bad – plain and simple.

It’s also unforgivable,

considering our model has a

comparatively light four-cylinder

engine (the larger D3 and D4

five-cylinders are far heavier).

It also has the standard, smallest

wheels available, so the ride

should be as good as it can be

in a diesel V40.

This, therefore, is a deal-

breaker for me, which is a shame

because I really wanted the V40

to be a proper alternative to the

established big players.

‘The ride is unsettled, even on seemingly smooth roads’

Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC EX autoMileage 21,200

List price £33,215



Average MPG 37.1

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/ourcrv

away scarcely tested the car’s huge carrying capacity. Loading up could hardly have been easier, either. All I had to do was pull two levers in the boot, and the rear seat bases automatically flipped up and forward, then the seatbacks dropped to create a flat and long load bay. The big, square boot opening was also very helpful.

There was lots of storage space for our travel documents and my emergency stash of sweets, while up front there’s plenty of room

YOU LEARN A lot about a car when you use it as holiday transport, and I was pretty impressed after taking the CR-V to France recently.

Two people, two bikes and sufficient luggage for a few days

to stretch out, so the CR-V sailed through the practicality test.

However, not everything else went so smoothly. I never did get to grips with all the buttons scattered around the dash, and the automatic gearbox was sometimes slow to respond.

Still, that all seemed fairly trivial when the car broke down on the way home. The CR-V appeared to lock properly on the ferry (it beeps when something’s amiss), but when we tried to start it later to disembark, nothing happened. Cue embarrassment, a few muttered expletives and, after trying everything we could think of, defeat. Sadly, the CR-V wasn’t going anywhere under its own steam.

We were towed off the ferry, so I could call the AA, who quickly arrived and diagnosed a flat battery. Something had drained it during the 90-minute crossing.

Thankfully, we were on our way shortly after, but whatever caused the battery to go flat so rapidly remains a mystery. We’ll investigate and keep you updated.

Failure to launch – the holiday almost ended as flat as the CR-V’s battery

Volvo V40 1.6D D2 SE Nav

Rory White

[email protected]

Barnaby Jones

[email protected]

87whatcar.com OCTOBER 2013 |

Dacia Sandero, Mazda 6 OUR CARS

The Stepway (left) may be a bit funkier, but we still prefer our Sandero

Dacia Sandero 0.9 TCe Laureate

Mazda 6 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150

Mileage 3503

List price £8795

Target Price £8795

Price as tested £9515

Average MPG 37.7

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/oursandero

Mileage7890

List price £22,595



Average MPG 46.8

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/ourmazda6

comfortable ride. Inside, it’s hard to spot the difference really.

The biggest negative for both is refinement. Our Sandero is noisy at speed and has noticeable body roll in corners. The Stepway is even worse on both counts.

My experience with the Stepway made me glad we got the Sandero with the little petrol engine and in top-of-the-range specification. The Stepway has a diesel (and a clattery one at that), and came in Ambiance

hoping for a diagnosis – and hopefully a fix – within the next few days.

The tragedy is that, up to this point, the 6 had been a mightily impressive addition to our fleet. In fact, I tried a BMW 320d earlier this year, and I still reckon elements of the Mazda (in particular its 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine), are even better than the BMW’s. The power delivery in the 6 is really smooth and refined, and while the ride quality can get a bit

THE SANDERO HAS covered 600 miles this month because more people are using it. They’ve all been impressed by the amount of room in the cabin, and some have even enjoyed the ‘back-to-basics’ motoring experience.

I thought fuel consumption would improve with the extra mileage, but this hasn’t been the case. This month, the average was 37.7mpg – way off the claimed 56.5mpg. Temperatures have soared recently, so maybe it’s down to the air-conditioning. Or perhaps What Car? drivers just have lead feet?

We had another member of the Dacia family in this month: the Sandero Stepway. It has 4cm extra ground clearance, larger wheels, chunkier styling and costs about £400 more than our Sandero. Both cars are very similar, benefiting from a spacious cabin and a

A CONFESSION: THE Mazda 6 isn’t actually around at the moment. It’s been away for a few weeks now with a fault.

Ever since the car arrived back in February, there’s been a bit of judder through the clutch pedal as you pull away from a standing start. Some of my colleagues had barely noticed this, but it was proving a pain for me, particularly because my daily commute takes in the M25 and, by default, a lot of stop-start traffic.

First, I took the 6 to my local dealer, but the conclusion of the engineers there was individual cars may have different clutch set-ups when they leave the factory (I found this dismissive attitude alarming, quite frankly).

I then handed the 6 over to What Car?’s road testers, and they agreed with me something definitely wasn’t right. So, I’ve sent it back to Mazda head office. I’m

trim, which does without such niceties as rear electric windows, air-con and electric mirrors.

Both cars offer a lot for your money. If you prefer the raised driving height and funkier styling, go for the more expensive Stepway, but I’d probably just save my cash, or spend it on adding parking sensors to the Sandero.

fidgety on broken road surfaces, the supportive driver’s seat has prevented me from suffering any backache on longer journeys.

In fact, the more I write about it, the more I realise how much I’m missing the thing. It’s holiday season now, and that’s normally my cue to put a few hundred miles on my long-termer. Fingers crossed the 6 is back soon.

The 6 has had to be returned to Mazda to solve a juddery clutch issue

Matthew Burrow

[email protected]

Stephen Hopkins

[email protected]

Round-up

[email protected]

Full story whatcar.com/ourcivic

Honda Civic1.6 i-DTEC ES-TMileage 6150

List price £21,775



Average MPG 56.3

My rating

I recently mentioned how our

Honda Civic’s engine stop-start

system was all too willing to

operate when it probably

shouldn’t: for example, shortly

after coming to a halt from

speed on the motorway, when

the turbo is still hot.

The stop-start works as it

should in town, though, cutting

the engine and restarting it

smartly. However, you certainly

know when this 1.6-litre diesel

rumbles back into life, because

it’s far from refined.

I’ve also noticed what seems

to be something of a stop-start

electrical gremlin. If you are

sitting at a standstill with

the engine running and your

foot on the clutch pedal, you

sometimes feel a little ‘hiccup’

from under the bonnet. It’s

almost as if the engine is about

to cut out, but then catches

itself before doing so.

It doesn’t do this every single

time you stop, but I notice it

happening at least once every

journey. I suspect it’s a case of

‘They all do that, sir’, so I won’t

be heading for the dealer any

time soon. It’s something to

keep an eye on, though.

‘The stop-start is all too willing to operate when it shouldn’t’


Audi A3 Sportback, BMW 3 Series GT OUR CARS

Audi A3 S’back 1.4 TFSI 122 SportMileage 2500

List price £21,050



Average MPG 41.8

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/oura3sportback

me by getting in the way of my enjoyment of the car.

First, there’s the turbocharger clip, which has started to buzz at around 2000rpm. After mentioning this in our weekly online updates, I had some correspondence from What Car? readers who have encountered the same thing. The response from Audi dealers, however, seems to be patchy. Some, such as my local outlet, Camberley Audi, say it’s

I’M DEFINITELY BEGINNING to settle into life with our A3 Sportback now – to the point where a couple of recent problems have really bugged

a known problem. Other parts of the network deny all knowledge.

My customer rep at Camberley left me a voicemail message the other day to say there’s no sign of a new clip arriving just yet. It was a progress report detailing, er, precisely no progress, but at least it was communication, which is a good thing.

In other news, the A3’s windscreen received a stone chip at around 2000 miles, which turned into a nasty crack as soon as the Autoglass repair man tried to fix it, so I’m waiting for a replacement. In fact, scratch that: I’m waiting for a second one, because the first wasn’t ordered to the correct specification.

These glitches are doubly frustrating because, without them, the Sportback would be outstanding indeed. Even my drudge-worthy commute up what is currently a very sticky M3 hasn’t been able to destroy its fuel economy. It’s still sitting at almost 42mpg after more than 2000 miles. I count that as impressive.

Despite Autoglass’s best efforts, the A3 now needs a new windscreen

BMW 3 Series 318d GT ModernMileage 6130

List price £30,910



Average MPG 44.6

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/our3seriesgt

passenger area is also very generously proportioned.

When a family member was competing in an archery tournament in Herefordshire, it meant not only a long drive, but also accommodating a longbow, arrows, quiver and other kit. The GT’s boot had no problem swallowing all the gear, and if you’ve seen the size of a longbow, you’ll realise that’s no mean feat.

The past month has also given me more time to reflect on how

RECENT ROAD TRIPS have reinforced my first impression that there’s a huge amount of space available inside our long-term 3 Series GT. It’s not just the boot that’s big; the rear

the GT drives, especially in relation to some of its competitors. While other manufacturers offer cars with similar styling and purpose – think Audi A5 Sportback – you could argue BMW’s own 3 Series Touring is the key rival for the GT.

The 3 Series GT has an impressive high-speed ride, but the Touring is definitely on a par, and its low-speed characteristics are much better than the GT’s. A lower centre of gravity also prevents the same amount of body lean in corners, and its steering is lighter and more precise.

However, as a spacious cruiser, I think the GT is my top choice in the 3 Series range. It has excellent forward vision, the legroom is better than in both the Touring and the Audi A5, and its rear seats recline to allow passengers to get even more comfortable.

The 3 Series Touring has the largest boot if it’s filled right up to the roof, but because I’m a photographer, I need to keep all my expensive kit hidden under the load cover. In this format, the GT also has the most space.

The English bowmen could have done with a few 3 GTs at Agincourt

John Mcllroy

[email protected]

John Bradshaw

[email protected]

Round-up

[email protected]

Full story whatcar.com/ourpanda

Fiat Panda 1.2 PopMileage 8238

List price £8900

Target Price £7500

Price as tested £9700

Average MPG 41.7

My rating

‘Muuum! I can’t put my seatbelt

on’ came the cry – in stereo –

from my two boys in the back

of the Panda.

I’d been spoiled when

borrowing the What Car?

Volkswagen Up a few weeks

before. Both kids could easily

climb in the Up and fasten their

own belts. Not so in the Panda;

our car has three rear seats (an

extra £100 option), compared

with the Up’s two, so each is

narrower, and consequently the

belt buckles are trickier to access.

This isn’t the only element

that lets the Panda down

compared with the Up. I find the

Fiat’s front seats quite rigid and

uncomfortable, and the ride is

pretty fidgety, too. It’s not that

it’s too firm, it’s just that the

whole car seems to bounce up

and down on bumpy roads.

True, the Panda is a few

hundred pounds cheaper than

the Up, and offers an equivalent

sense of roominess and boot

space, but it can’t match the

quality and refinement of the

VW, and comes with much less

standard equipment. If I were

to spend my own money, I’d

go for the Up every time.

‘With three rear seats, the belt buckles are trickier to access’


OUR CARS Ford Focus, Peugeot 208

Infotainment’s fiddly buttons and confusing menus can be distracting

Ford Focus ST-2

Peugeot 208 1.2 VTi Allure 3dr

Mileage 1900

List price £23,495



Average MPG 25.3

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/ourfocusst

Mileage 7440

List price £13,695



Average MPG 40.8

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/our208

are some prices to pay for that handling and performance.

I had a chat with a senior Ford engineer at that dinner. Most of the time, I was extolling the virtues of our ST, but when he asked me what I didn’t like about it, I didn’t hesitate: the infotainment system.

Maybe it’s just me, but the proliferation of tiny buttons on our Focus is distracting, and the menus for the trip computer

back in their eyeline. The general rule was that taller drivers, or those who set the seat high up, were able to see okay, while shorter individuals, and those who sat lower down, couldn’t.

I’ve found a compromise seat setting where I feel safe and can see everything just fine, but it still feels like I’m fitting around the Peugeot, which I don’t have to do in any other car of this size.

It makes me wonder whether there are any potential 208 buyers

OUR FOCUS ST seems to be something of a ‘mood car’. Let me explain: how I feel about it largely depends on my frame of mind. The other day was a good case in point. I had a business dinner near Oxford. On the way there, I felt fresh and drove the car just as it should be driven – hard and fast. Excellent it was, too.

On the way back, however, it was gone midnight, dark and raining, and my route home via the motorway was closed, so I had to make a sizeable detour. At that point, the ST’s firm ride and noticeable engine boom at 70-80mph irritated me more than I care to say.

My need to be in bed wasn’t exactly the Focus’s fault, I’ll admit, but it did make me think how careful you have to be when buying this sort of hot hatch. It’s brilliant in lots of ways, but there

I’VE COMPLAINED ABOUT the steering wheel in the 208 before. I can’t see the dashboard dials when the wheel’s in a position that feels comfortable to me. This isn’t unique to me, either; other people have pointed out the same thing. However, many of my colleagues have told me they have no problem with the wheel, so I’d begun to wonder if I was imagining things.

To solve this, I dragged a selection of co-workers down to the What Car? studio, and filmed them all getting settled behind the wheel of the 208, but without paying any attention to whether they could see the dials.

Once they’d done this, I asked whether they had a clear view of the speedometer and rev counter. Of the 18 people who took part, nine said the dials were easily accessible, but a further nine had to move the wheel to get the dials

and audio systems aren’t at all intuitive. Nearly all the other car manufacturers do this so much better, especially the Germans.

My Ford friend agreed. However, the company has a fix coming soon that will simplify the whole instrument panel. Sadly, it won’t be of any use to us, or anyone else with a current Focus.

who’ve tried to get comfortable, but failed and walked away. Equally, are there any of you out there who feel frustrated by having to drop the steering wheel lower than you’d like? Do email me and let me know.

The full video of our experiment is at whatcar.com/our208, along with my weekly updates on life with the Peugeot.

Video evidence: 50% of subjects found steering wheel obscured dials

Round-up

We’ve got almost £3000 of

options on our Jag, but for me

the most useful is the £500 front

parking aid, which beeps and

flashes to warn of imminent

impact. At the rear, you get the

beeps, flashes and a camera.

It’s a boon, but it can’t protect

the car from other road users.

Someone has nudged the front

bumper, and left a lovely scratch.

For months, I couldn’t work out

why most of my iPhone contacts

couldn’t be selected via the

Prius+’s touch-screen. Having

finally found time to ask my local

Toyota dealer, I’ve kicked myself

for not going there sooner.

Staff noted that the ‘missing’

contacts were all ones I’d entered

in the ‘other’ box on my phone,

rather than the dedicated ‘mobile’

box, which is the one the Prius+

downloads. Problem solved.

Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2.2D 200 Sport

[email protected]

Full story whatcar.com/ourxfsportbrake

[email protected]

Full story whatcar.com/ourpriusplus

Toyota Prius+ 1.8 VVTi T SpiritMileage 5444

List price £29,795



Average MPG 43.8

My rating

Mileage 6050

List price £37,445



Average MPG 37.5

My rating

Tom Webster

[email protected]

Chas Hallett

[email protected]


Mini Paceman, Renault Captur OUR CARS

Mini Paceman 1.6 Cooper SMileage 5450

List price £22,360



Average MPG 43.1

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/ourpaceman

Whatever you think, you’ve got to admit it has presence.

Contrasting red and white bodywork and gleaming chrome, the Paceman’s a head-turner all right, and I’ve been surprised by how much people seem to like it, given its style with attitude.

In my experience, the more ostentatious the car, the less likely you are to be let out at junctions and the more likely you are to be cut up at traffic lights. Not so in the

THE MINI PACEMAN is an opinion-divider, variously described as snub-nosed, ugly or OTT by some people, but striking, sporty or even pretty by others.

Mini, I’ve been enjoying hassle-free drives; even pedestrians wave the car on, so they can linger longer to check out this curiosity.

What the Paceman doesn’t have, though, is grace. Manoeuvring around town, you’re under no illusions you’re behind the wheel of a big, heavy lump of metal.

It’s cumbersome to handle, so parking is a gingerly executed affair. In small spaces, it tends to take more than one attempt, because the Paceman’s voluptuous curves give the impression of you being much closer to the kerb than you actually are. Thank goodness, also, for the rear parking sensors, although often I’ve wished our car had front sensors too.

However, while this Mini may not be an urban native, it’s transformed on the open road. The engine feels like it’s impatient to unleash its power, and the car’s lumbering weight seems to fall off as it picks up speed, making the 340 miles up the long straights of the M40 and M6 on a recent drive to Cumbria positively fly by.

A cumbersome city car, the Paceman is more at home on the open road

Read updates

on our fleet

every week at

whatcar.com

Audi A3 Sportback

BMW 3 Series GT

Dacia Sandero

Fiat 500L

Fiat Panda

Ford Focus Ecoboost

Ford FocusST

Honda Civic

Honda CR-V

Jaguar XF Sportbrake

Mazda 6

Mini Paceman

Peugeot 208

Renault Captur

Renault Twizy

Skoda Rapid

Toyota Prius+

Volkswagen Up

Volvo V40

Our fleet

Renault Captur 1.5 dCi 90Mileage 2803

List price £16,395



Average MPG 55.0

My rating

Full story whatcar.com/ourcaptur

round-trip commute, and on the whole, it performed rather well.

The interior isn’t as plush as a Peugeot 2008’s, but it’s comfortable enough. There’s also more than adequate boot space for a week’s holiday for two, while the door bins and compartments on the dashboard and between the seats easily contain all the usual holiday detritus.

Yes, the ride is firm and a bit unsettled on rough roads, but cruising down smoother-surfaced

LAST MONTH, I took our Renault Captur long-termer down to Cornwall on a week’s holiday. It was my first opportunity to try out the Captur on something other than my regular 50-mile

motorways and A-roads was a relaxing experience. With its fairly tall gearing, even the lack of a sixth gear wasn’t a major issue. Fuel economy on the way down didn’t match the returns on my daily commute, but the trip computer still indicated nearly 60mpg.

However, the same can’t be said when it came to driving around the steep, narrow, Cornish coast roads. The driving style required, with constant changes down into second gear to make it to the top of the next hill, resulted in holiday miles that averaged out at only 44mpg. Compare this with a genuine 63mpg achieved on my usual route, and you can see how the district in which you live can have a major impact on fuel consumption.

Our True MPG team has already tested this engine in the Renault Captur, and recorded 58.3mpg. If you use our tool at whatcar.com/truempg, always make sure you adjust for driving style and conditions, to give a more accurate indication of your likely real-world fuel economy.

The rigours of coastal motoring put a dent in the Captur’s fuel economy

Ed Callow

[email protected]

Emma Butcher

[email protected]

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Personal shopperChris and Clair try a Hyundai ix35, Skoda Octavia and VW Golf Plus

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Used twin testKia Sportage vs Nissan Qashqai: family-friendly SUVs from £9500

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HelpdeskA Mazda MX-5 with rust, a badly repainted BMW and a glitchy Ford

JD Power Satisfaction Survey reveals which brands aren’t worth your trouble

Buying & owning

‘The number of used vehicles bought with finance in April this year was 22% higher than in April 2012’Matthew Burrow, consumer reporter p105

Buying usedVolkswagen Eos offers practical, convertible fun from just £5800

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Plus All you need to know about how to buy and finance your next car on p250


BUYING AND OWNING

HOW GOOD IS YOUR DEALER?

You’ve bought a new car and are happy with your decision, but what sort of service can you now expect from the dealer? Find out with the 2013 JD Power Satisfaction Survey service results


JD POWER DEALER SATISFACTION SURVEY

27 23=

26 22

25 21

23= 20

Did you know? Chevrolet customers awarded dealers the lowest scores in most categories

Chevrolet69.7%

Alfa Romeo72.7%

Mazda77.2%

Fiat75.7%

Suzuki77.6%

Vauxhall77.7%

Peugeot76.9%

Among the best Better than most Doesn’t stand out The rest

Mitsubishi76.9%

Another year at the bottom of the survey for

Chevrolet. Customers awarded it the lowest

marks in every category bar one. Work was too

pricey and took too long, said owners. Service

advisers were the best part, while limited

parking was a particular bugbear. More than

40% said they probably wouldn’t go back.

A lacklustre showing drops Mitsubishi nine

places. Although clean dealerships manned

by friendly staff were rated well, complaints

included uncomfortable waiting areas and

difficulty with access and parking. Almost a

third said they wouldn’t be back, although 85%

said they’d recommend the network to others.

Alfa falls six places in the survey. Customers

criticised everything from inconvenient parking

to the size of their bills. In fact, when it came to

value for money, Alfa was rated worst overall.

Polite service advisers were their dealers’

saving grace, although more than a quarter of

customers said they wouldn’t buy there again.

Customers upped their scores for Mazda,

resulting in a three-place rise. Simple booking

procedures and clean premises won dealers their

best marks, while cars were returned in good

nick after servicing. Insufficient parking and

steep charges were the biggest gripes, but most

customers said they might be tempted back.

Fiat customers reported a better experience this

year than last, moving the dealer network up

one place. Highest praise went to dealership

cleanliness and helpfulness of staff at pick-up.

Cars were returned in reasonable condition, but

customers didn’t feel prices were fair. However,

more said they’d continue with Fiat than in 2012.

Suzuki dealers raised their game this year.

Customers found it easy to book a service

at a convenient time, and enjoyed a good

relationship with staff. The network was let

down by poor waiting areas, and prices that

were a little too steep. However, 88% said they’d

recommend their dealer to family and friends.

Peugeot plummets 12 places after 26% of its

customers said they’d be unlikely to revisit their

dealer. Polite and friendly service advisers were

given highest marks, while owners felt their cars

were returned in almost spotless condition. Bills

weren’t quite so agreeable, though, and the work

could have been carried out more quickly.

Vauxhall customers said it was easy to book

in their cars for servicing, and said friendly

advisers were on hand to help them. Customer

perceptions of their experience from then on

were rather less impressive, although dealers

did improve enough for the network to climb

three places up the index. {

The analysis is based on the dealer service portion of JD Power’s 2013 UK Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study, and considers the views of 13,511 customers who had a service experience with their dealership within the past 12 months. They gave feedback on vehicles bought between January 2010 and December 2011.

This part of the survey focuses on a number of areas, including the booking process, overall staff helpfulness, dealership facilities, quality of work and how fair the service charges were.

Every new car buyer deserves a friendly, efficient, and value-for-money service from their local dealership. What Car? has teamed up with JD Powe-r and Associates, the world leading publisher of research into vehicle ownership, to find out which manufacturers get it right, and which ones don’t.

The ratings range from two to five ‘Power Circles’:

How the resultsare calculated

Good service makes all the difference

The JD Power ratings


JD POWER DEALER SATISFACTION SURVEYBUYING AND OWNING

15=19

13=18

13=15=

1215=

Who has the fairest charges?1 Lexus2 Honda3 Jaguar4 Mini5 Skoda

…and who has the least fair charges?23 Peugeot24 Mazda25 Fiat26 Chevrolet27 Alfa Romeo

Who delivers service with a smile?1 Jaguar2 Lexus3 Honda4 Mercedes-Benz5 Skoda

…and who doesn’t?23 Mazda24 Mitsubishi25 Fiat26 Alfa Romeo27 Chevrolet

Most recommended*Lexus 47%Jaguar 46%Honda 43%Mercedes-Benz 42%Land Rover 41%

Least recommended*Fiat 26%Mazda 26%Peugeot 25%Mitsubishi 24%Chevrolet 20%

* % of customers who ‘will definitely’ recommend their dealership’s services

Audi78.0%

BMW79.1%

Ford78.6%

Volkswagen79.2%

Mini79.1%

Hyundai79.2%

Citroën79.1%

Renault79.3%

BMW dealers were rewarded for their improved

service levels with scores that boosted them one

place. Dealerships were judged clean and comfy,

while technicians carried out top-quality work.

This premium service came at a premium price,

however, and many owners were unhappy

about long waits for their cars to be serviced.

A fall of nine spots for Audi drops it out of the

top 10 and into the table’s bottom third. Owners

complained about high charges, but did say

dealership facilities were what you’d expect of

a premium brand. They felt their cars were in

safe hands, but in general, scores suggested they

found the experience rather underwhelming.

Customers felt Volkswagen dealers took pride

in their premises, customer care and work, and

reported a job well done – and with a smile.

More than three-quarters said they’d probably

buy another VW from the same place, and even

more said they’d recommend their dealer. Better

parking and cheaper bills would be nice, though.

Ford rose two places, after owners said their

dealers had nailed the service booking process.

Staff were friendly and cars were handed back

clean and in good condition. However, bills were

higher than expected, while parking was tight

and waiting areas weren’t as salubrious as many

customers expected from a market leader.

Hyundai customers’ renewed confidence in

their dealers helped push the network up five

places. Staff were friendly and flexible when

it came to bookings, while premises were clean

and tidy. On the whole, work was thorough,

with cars handed back in fine fettle. However,

customers felt they paid over the odds.

Getting their car into the workshop was the

biggest hurdle Mini owners faced, and they gave

their lowest scores to the booking process. They

also reported a finger-tapping wait at vehicle

drop-off. However, work was completed quickly

and to a high standard, and cars were returned in

good condition. Even charges were deemed fair.

Customers reported an impressive aftersales

experience, highlighting courteous and helpful

staff. Dealerships were clean, although waiting

areas could do with a few more creature

comforts, and more parking bays would help.

The network was deemed one of the 10 fairest

in the survey when it came to service charges. {

Citroën has moved up four places. Customers

were impressed with the speed and efficiency

of bookings. Service advisers were friendly

and helpful, and workmanship was deemed

top-notch. On the downside, customers said

they’d prefer lower bills, more comfortable

waiting areas and more parking spaces.

The JD Power surveyasked customers…

Did you know? Lexus customers rate their dealerships as the best for fair service charges


BUYING AND OWNING

711

5=9=

5=9=

48

Seat79.5%

Skoda81.4%

Honda84.0%

Nissan80.2%

Toyota82.0%

Kia80.2%

Land Rover82.0%

Lexus85.4%

Volvo80.8%

Mercedes-Benz82.6%

Skoda customers were happier than ever with

their dealers. A staggering 89% reported they’d

heartily recommend them to others, after being

impressed by their slick bookings service and

caring, friendly advisers. Owners also felt they

were charged fairly compared to rivals, but

said waiting areas could be better appointed.

Seat customers said they could rely on their

dealer to look after their car and leave no stone

unturned in the workshop. They also felt cared

for by staff. Dealerships were clean, although

perhaps not as comfortable as they could be.

Finding a parking spot was particularly tough,

however, and charges were on the steep side.

Loyalty is Toyota’s reward for delivering

consistently outstanding service. An impressive

80% of Toyota owners said they’d buy another

car from their dealer, and a stonking 88% said

they’d tell their friends about the excellent

service they’d enjoyed, citing polished premises

and professional, helpful and friendly staff.

Clean dealerships and cars that were well

valeted before being handed back helped to

keep Nissan in the top 10. Customers were also

pleased with the quality of work and the helpful

staff. Bookings were hassle-free, too. Only a

dearth of parking and tricky-to-access premises

took the shine off the experience.

Land Rover owners said their dealer experience

was befitting of their cars’ premium badge,

reporting that staff made them feel welcome

and cared for, but rave reviews also went to the

dealerships themselves – for plush surroundings

and refreshments on tap. Most importantly, they

trusted the technicians to look after their cars.

The Kia network makes it into the top 10

after customers raved about the quality of

workmanship at their dealers; an impressive

87% said they’d recommend their service to

friends. It wasn’t all high praise, though. Owners

often found it tricky to negotiate dealership

entrances and park, and said bills were too high.

Another year, another impressive performance

from Mercedes-Benz dealers, who customers

said excelled at making them feel valued and

well cared for. A third of customers rated their

service advisers as outstanding, while 56%

found dealer waiting areas positively sumptuous,

although they did feel this luxury came at a price.

Volvo dealers were as solid and reliable as their

cars, said owners. They gave their highest praise

to workshop technicians, who were deemed

quick, thorough and helpful, taking the time to

explain any work that needed to be done.

The worst scores were reserved for high prices

and a limited number of parking spaces.

3

2

Lexus owners are happier than ever with

their dealers, rating them even more highly

than last year. They reported seamless,

textbook levels of service from the moment

they picked up the phone to make a booking,

to collecting their car after it had been in the

workshop. Work was completed on time,

cars were returned in mint condition and

keys handed back promptly and with a

smile. Customers had no qualms about

paying their bills, either, and they rated the

network the best in the survey for fair prices.

Accommodating, helpful, professional,

friendly: the Honda dealer network is

getting most things right when it comes

to aftersales, according to their customers.

Only limited parking spaces took the shine

off some owners’ experiences. Every other

part of the service was rated as exceptional.

Customers felt that they were getting value

for money, too, with 31% stating that the

fairness of the charges was outstanding. No

surprise that 92% would recommend their

Honda dealer to friends and family, then.

Over 90% would recommend their dealers

Dealers came very close to beating Jaguar’s

Did you know? Toyota dealers impressed 80% of owners enough to buy another car from them


Average 78.5%

19 Audi 78.0%

20 Vauxhall 77.7%

21 Suzuki 77.6%

22 Mazda 77.2%

23= Mitsubishi 76.9%

23= Peugeot 76.9%

25 Fiat 75.7%

26 Alfa Romeo 72.7%

27 Chevrolet 69.7% Jaguar dealers’ work was universally praised

JD POWER DEALER SATISFACTION SURVEY

1It’s official: Jaguar owners love their dealers

as much as their cars, yet again awarding the

network top marks in the survey. Customers

gave glowing reviews about their dealers

right across the board, feeling they gave

the ultimate in customer care.

Friendly advisers were flexible and

understanding in finding booking slots that

suited customers’ busy schedules, vehicle

hand-over and pick-up was quick and

painless and staff took the time to explain

the technical details of any work that was

required. The quality of what they did was

also praised, with 68% of customers rating

work as excellent or outstanding.

It’s a performance that’s highlighted by this

year’s Motor Codes Franchised Garage of the

Year, Sturgess of Leicester – a Jaguar main

dealer. ‘Excellent attention to detail’, ‘happy

to go the extra mile to help’, ‘a quick, efficient

service and within the agreed timescale’ are

all typical comments from happy customers.

JAGUAR85.5%

The overall scores

Ranking Dealer Score Rating network

1 Jaguar 85.5%

2 Lexus 85.4%

3 Honda 84.0%

4 Mercedes-Benz 82.6%

5= Land Rover 82.0%

5= Toyota 82.0%

7 Skoda 81.4%

8 Volvo 80.8%

9= Kia 80.2%

9= Nissan 80.2%

11 Seat 79.5%

12 Renault 79.3%

13= Hyundai 79.2%

13= Volkswagen 79.2%

15= BMW 79.1%

15= Citroën 79.1%

15= Mini 79.1%

18 Ford 78.6%

Did you know? 68% of Jaguar owners felt work done on their cars was ‘excellent’ or ‘outstanding’


VOLKSWAGEN EOSBUYING USED

Two proper rear seats mean four adults can be carried in comfort; boot space is a useful 380 litres with roof up

Rear seats and boot

Volkswagen EosThis stylish convertible with a folding metal roof has space for four adults, and is now available for as little as £5800Photography John Bradshaw

CONVERTIBLES AREN’T NORMALLY the most practical form of transportation. The Volkswagen Eos seems to go against that trend, however. It has a 380-litre boot with the roof up and seats four adults. It’s also great to drive, and the metal roof gives refinement and useability all year round.

The Eos went on sale in 2006 and was face-lifted in 2010. Its combination of fun, quality and practicality makes it a good used buy, and resale values are good.

How much should I pay?Cars from 2006 can be found for as little as £5800. For that, you get a 1.6-litre petrol model with high mileage. Face-lifted cars from the end of 2010 can be bought for around £13,700.

Our choice here is the 1.4 TSI SE, which starts at about £10,700 for a pre-face-lift model. The 158bhp 1.4-litre petrol is the pick of the range because it has more power but is still economical, returning 41mpg. The diesels are more expensive to buy.

What to look for?One of the Eos’s main attractions is its metal folding roof, which includes an integrated sunroof. When it’s down, you get the wind-in-your-hair motoring experience but with it up the Eos feels like a coupé.

The roof operates well most of the time, although there

have been reports of leaks and malfunctions, so make sure you check it thoroughly. There should be no rattles when you’re driving, and no water damage to the floor mats, which could indicate past seepage issues.

Volkswagen has recalled the Eos twice: once for potential fuel leaks and the second time to fix

On sale 2008-present

Our pick 1.4 TSI 160 SE

MPG 41.0

CO2 157g/km

Typical price’11/60, 19,000 miles

£13,900

‘The Eos combines fun with more than a little practicality’


Front seats Dashboard

Cabin materials are mostly good,

but with some scratchy plastics

Dashboard from the Golf is a bit

bland but clear and easy to use

Owners have had issues with the folding roof (1). Water can sometimes get in, so check for damage to the

floor mats (2). The door seals (3) can fill with water, too, so examine them when you get in. Some cars were

recalled to fix a problem with the DSG gearbox (4); if yours was one, make sure a VW dealer did the work

Ones we found

1.4 TSI 160 SE’11/60, 18,900 miles, £13,920Car comes with low mileage and is sold by a VW dealer

2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Sport’11/11, 11,400 miles, £20,000This model is more expensive to buy, but averages 58mpg

OPEN-TOP CAR

a problem with the programming of the DSG gearbox. If your car was one of those affected, check the remedial work was done by VW.

What’s it like?The Eos is a stylish convertible, and its Golf underpinnings mean it has a quality ride. The metal roof makes it a refined cruiser, and quieter than other convertibles.

There are petrol and diesel engines, all with a choice of six-speed manual or semi-automatic DSG gearboxes.

All models get air-conditioning, electric windows, a CD player and rear parking sensors, but the 1.4 petrol has the best mix of value for money, performance and kit. SE trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic wipers. As the most popular used version, there are plenty to choose from.

Excellent driving position; easy to get

into and out of; good all-round visibility

2

3

4

1

Go towhatcar.com/used for your next used car

web

What goes wrong?


149g/km

44.1mpg

£399

£140

45.6mpg

144g/km

£545

£140

Used TestCentre

Why buy this one?

Why buy this one?

Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi 1

For Generous specification and huge boot; great warranty

Against Rivals are better to drive; visibility isn’t great

Verdict Roomy cabin and boot, but not so great to drive

BUYING USEDNissan Qashqai vs Kia SportageUSED TWIN TEST

Family-friendly SUVs from £9500

Prices

What to look for

What’s itlike inside?

On the road

The Kia’s perky 1.6-litre petrol engine costs the least, and it’s

more flexible than the diesels. The entry-level trim comes

with lots of kit, such as cruise control and air-conditioning.

The dashboard is simple and easy to use. The cabin has lots

of room for four people, and there’s a 564-litre boot. Thick front pillars and a small rear

window compromise visibility.

The seven-year warranty when new is a big selling point, and

whatever’s left is transferred to the new owner. Insurance

costs are low and the petrol engine returns 44.1mpg.

There have not been any major recalls for this car. Keep

a lookout, though, for issues with the stop-start system and

rear numberplate light, along with torn leather in the cabin.

It’s not the best thing to drive. The ride is bouncy, and the

steering is light and not precise enough. It’s okay

around town, but it can be a bit difficult at motorway speeds.

Expect to pay around £12,500 for an ’11/11 1.6 GDi that’s

covered around 20,000 miles. You can get a nearly new ’12/12 model that has done less than

10,000 miles for £14,500.

The costs The costs

Prices

What to look for

What’s itlike inside?

On the road

The face-lifted Qashqai has better soundproofing and styling. The 1.6 petrol is also the cheapest option. Acenta trim includes rear parking sensors and climate control.

Four adults fit comfortably in the cabin, and a fifth will be okay on short trips. The high driving position and well-designed dash are pluses, and the boot is a decent 410 litres.

The 1.6 diesel engine is more economical than the petrol, but costs more to buy. The petrol averages 45.6mpg and emits 144g/km of CO2, which keeps down the cost of tax.

There have been recalls to fix fuel leaks and steering problems. Listen for a knocking noise, which is caused by faulty rear shock absorbers; these will have to be replaced.

The Qashqai is very refined. Its supple suspension gives a smooth ride, but this also results in a lot of body roll. However, for normal driving, this isn’t much of an issue.

A 1.6-litre petrol ’10/10-plate car with 55,000 miles on the clock will cost in the region of £9500. Alternatively, a 2011 model with a 60 plate on 11,000 miles will set you back around £11,000.

They’re both roomy workhorses, but there’s only one real winner here

Th

an

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to

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of

Win

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rd (

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w.fo

w.c

o.u

k)

Nissan Qashqai 1.6 117 Acenta

For Refined and comfy, with lots of room for the family

Against Some body roll; rear suspension problems

Verdict Stylish and comfortable family transport

Kia

Sportage

1.6 GDi 1

Years made

2010-present

Price range

£12,500-

£22,000

Nissan

Qashqai

1.6 117 Acenta

Years made

2010-present

Price range

£9500-

£17,000

Fuel economy

Annual road tax

CO2 emissions

Avg. insurance cost

1 2The verdict


USED NEWS THIS MONTHBUYING USED

Hot used deals

Clio Renaultsport promises cheap thrills

Used cars still rising in valueFigures collected by British Car

Auctions show the average

value of used cars has passed

the £7000 mark. This is 8% up

on last month, and an increase

of more than 15% on this time

last year. The average price for

the same period in 2012 was

£6908; it’s now £7045.

There are lots of cars on the

market, but buyers are unwilling

to settle for second best, and are

paying more for a better product.

This is pushing the value of used

cars higher and higher.

The Trading Standards Institute

has formed a partnership with

the Motor Codes organisation

to offer government-backed

standards of practice for garages

to follow. The aim is to provide

clarity, honesty and a simple

complaints procedure for buyers

should something go wrong.

More than 7500 garages have

signed up to the scheme so far.

Among the benefits to motorists

are assistance in finding a garage

that offers the best service, and

a free advice phone line to help

resolve any problems.

Used news

Ones we found

NOW’S A GOOD time to buy a used hot hatch. Prices are 2.5% lower than this time in 2012, with a 0.3% fall over last month, so why not give in to temptation and bag a bargain pocket rocket?

The arrival of the new Ford Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208 GTi and Renault Clio Renaultsport has made their used counterparts great value for money.

Renault has quite a history of creating fast small cars, and has put a lot of that heritage into making the Clio Renaultsport (on sale from 2006 to 2012), a fantastic hot hatch. All models get a 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 194bhp in earlier cars, and 197bhp in models sold from mid-2009 on. The 0-62mph sprint takes less than

seven seconds, while average fuel consumption of 33mpg is not terrible for a hot hatch.

Standard Clio Renaultsports get a CD player, alloys, air-conditioning, cruise control and sports seats. Cup models lose out on some of these extras to save weight and improve performance.

The Renaultsport can seat four, and has a 288-litre boot. The suspension is quite firm, which gives a hard ride, especially around town, but this improves out in the country, where the car is in its element.

There are large numbers of this agile Renault on the used market, with ’06-plate cars starting at £4200. That’s not a lot for a great hot hatch.

The Clio Renaultsport’s firm suspension gives precise handling and plenty of grip on the open road

Hot low-milerRenault Clio Renaultsport 200’10/59, 11,000 miles,£9495

Nearly new bargainRenault Clio Renaultsport 200’12/62, 3500 miles,£12,600

Less powerful model Renault Clio Renaultsport 197’07/07, 34,700 miles,£5750

TSI and Motor Codes set new standards

USED BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

The latest news, deals and opinions on the used car market

For free usedcar valuations,go to whatcar.com/valuations

web


HOT USED DEALS

Marketwatch

The percentage fall in used cars sales during 2013’s first quarter compared with the same period last year

5.06%

FAMILY CARS HAVE experienced a slight drop in price of 0.4% from this time last month. They’re also 2.0% cheaper than for the same period in 2012.

We found a Ford Mondeo 2.0 TCDi Zetec Business Edition on a 62 plate with 4400 miles on the clock for £14,299. That’s almost a third less than the list price of £21,195.

New vs used

Did you know?

Family car savings

Source: Experian

The price of used cars is

still rising, forcing private

buyers to explore finance

options to fund their purchases.

The number of used vehicles

bought on finance in April this year

was 22% higher compared with

April 2012, with the figure standing

at more than

81,000.

Dealerships

provide a

variety of

buying options,

such as hire

purchase,

personal

contract

purchase

and personal

contract

hire plans.

Dealers offering finance have to

conform to the Consumer Credit

Act, which gives the customer

greater protection. Make sure you

read everything, and if you don’t

understand, ask.

The advantages of finance are

that it brings peace of mind, fixed

costs and protection should

something go wrong.

Consumer reporter [email protected]

Audi A3 Saloon2.0 TDI SportList price £24,275

The saloon version of What

Car?’s Car of the Year has an

economical yet pacy 2.0-litre

diesel, a high-quality interior

with room for four adults, and

a 425-litre boot. If downsizing

from a larger executive saloon,

you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

BMW 320d SE’12/12, 6700 miles,£24,000

The 3 Series saloon is one of

our favourite used cars. Build

quality is great, the cabin

comfortable and the drive

engaging. There are lots on the

market, so you can afford to be

picky. It has more room than the

A3, and handles brilliantly.

Consumer reporter Matthew Burrow gets beneath the surface of the used car world

‘Some of the advantages of finance are that it brings fixed costs and protection’

Prices of used family cars such as the Mondeo continue to fall

Family car savings

CBs

es of used family cars such as the Mondeo continue to fall


BUYING AND OWNING

CHRIS WILSON AND Clair Goodwin’s Vauxhall Astra has done them proud for 50,000 miles. However,

with Chris’s 6ft 6in frame plus two growing boys – Ben, who’s almost 13, and 10-year-old Jack – it’s now becoming a squeeze too far.

The couple downsized to the Astra three years ago, but accept they need to scale up again. They

WHAT THEY WANT

Chris and Clair’s Vauxhall Astra is too small for their needs. Emma Butcher offers three bigger options

Personal shopper

Need help? Email [email protected] with details of your current car, your budget and what you need from your next car

Chris Wilson and Clair Goodwin

Ages 33 and 38

Live Kidderminster, Worcestershire

Budget £20,000

Current car Vauxhall Astra

Annual mileage 10,000

Uses car for Commuting, family

life and holidays to Scotland

Photography Will Williams


��

��

PERSONAL SHOPPER

‘I absolutely adore this car,’ said Clair. ‘It’s really blown me away. If it were just up to me, this is what I’d go for. I know there are gadgets on this particular model that we’d have to go without, but what I really love is the height. The view of the road is fantastic, and it’s so comfortable.

‘I also really love the all-round electric windows, which we’ve missed more than I thought we would on the Astra. The two sunroofs are just great, too. They make the cabin really light and airy.’

Chris wasn’t so easily convinced. ‘It’s a good-looking car,’ he said, ‘and the gadgets are excellent – even those we could afford – but I find it hard to get comfortable behind the wheel. The seats are too firm, and the media display sits at a strange angle, so I have to lean across to see it. I also prefer to sit lower in a car.’

CHOICE ONE HYUNDAI ix35 2.0 CRDi PREMIUM 4WD AUTOTHE SHORTLIST

CHOICE TWO SKODA OCTAVIA 1.2 TSI SE

List price £25,450


Best deal £21,522

(Orangewheels.co.uk)

Chris & Clair’s rating

‘I adore this car. The view of the road is just fantastic, and it’s so comfortable’

The twin sunroofs and four electric windows

were great, but Chris couldn’t get comfortable

1 Hyundai ix35

2.0 CRDi Premium 4WD auto

2 Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI SE

3 Volkswagen Golf Plus

1.4 TSI SE

WITH LEGROOM IN mind, our first pick was an easy one: Skoda’s new Octavia, with its mammoth cabin and cavernous boot. Not only does this economical yet nippy 1.2-litre motor come in well under budget, in SE trim the spec is very generous. Chris will get his climate control – dual zone, no less – while parking sensors, Bluetooth and DAB radio are also thrown in.

Next up, another Volkswagen Group model: the versatile Golf Plus. Its innovative sliding rear {

‘The performance surprised us most,’ said Chris. ‘You’d never guess the engine was only a 1.2. It feels like at least a 1.6; it really goes. I’d never have gone for a 1.2 before this.’

A promising start for the Octavia, but what about the crucial legroom test?

‘It more than ticks that box,’ said Clair. ‘It’s like the Tardis inside. There have been no complaints from the boys, that’s for sure.’

Chris agreed. ‘I didn’t even need to push my chair right back on its runners, and the boot is just enormous,’ he said. When I first lifted the lid, it took my breath away. We were also impressed with the DAB radio and optional built-in sat-nav.’

‘I have just one complaint,’ said Clair. ‘I’ve found the seatbelt digs into my neck, even with the seat as low as it goes.’

List price £17,190


Best deal £14,863

(Carfile.net)


‘You’d never guess there was a 1.2-litre engine under the Octavia’s bonnet’

Masses of space for luggage and occupants,

although the seatbelt was an annoyance

don’t have many demands, just the bare essentials: space in the back for the boys and a bigger boot.

As well as needing a car for day-to-day life, there are holidays to think of, too. The family makes the long trip up to Scotland twice a year to visit Clair’s parents.

An upgrade would be nice, as well. Nothing too fancy, but electric windows in the back and a few gadgets wouldn’t go amiss.

‘I’d really like cruise and climate controls,’ said Chris, ‘and if it had sat-nav and DAB radio, that would be perfect, but I’m not too picky.’

Neither Chris nor Clair has any particular preference on style, brand or engine. ‘Legroom is the key’, was the single mantra they gave us for our mission.


��

BUYING AND OWNING

Chris and Clair’s choice Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI SE

CHOICE THREE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 1.4 TSI SE

VERDICT

seats will give Chris and Clair the option of a bigger boot if they need it, or more space in the back for the boys when luggage isn’t a priority. This mega-sized Golf also represents decent value for money, with impressive fuel economy and a few luxuries, too, including parking cameras.

Finally, to throw a little bit of variety into the mix, we suggested the Hyundai ix35. The Premium trim model that was available for Chris and Clair’s test week is a little pricey for their budget, so if they like the ride and accommodation, we’d recommend that they go for the 2.0-litre diesel Style model. If bought at Target Price, this comes in just a couple of hundred pounds over budget. Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty makes the deal even more attractive.

‘The ix35 might offer good

visibility and a huge boot, but

Chris and Clair will find it tiring

to drive on their trips up to

Scotland, because the steering

is vague at speed and the ride

rather bouncy.

‘Chris and Clair’s favourite

car, the Octavia, is a much

better choice. It’s even more

spacious than the Hyundai and

feels a lot more composed at

higher speeds. What’s more, it

has a classier interior and SE

trim comes with a longer list

of standard equipment.

‘The Golf Plus also has its

strengths, most notably its

airy cabin, sliding rear seats

and strong engine. However,

it’s based on the Mk5 Golf

hatchback rather than the latest

MK7 version, and is feeling

its age in some areas. The

dashboard looks particularly

dated, and the Golf Plus lets in

a lot of wind noise at speed.’

Steve Huntingford

Road test editor

Road testers’ choice

‘I really like the standard Golf, but it’s too small for us, so I was keen to try this bigger version,’ said Clair.

‘We like it,’ said Chris. ‘It’s not a bad car at all, and the engine is great, although it’s a bit short on gadgets compared with the other two.’

‘The cabin is really cleverly designed,’ said Clair. ‘Lots of storage space, four cupholders in the back and drawers under the front seats.

‘What I don’t understand is that it’s got all the ingredients to make a really practical family car, and it looks big, but there’s not an awful lot more space than in our Astra.’

Chris agreed: ‘Yes, the boys have enough legroom with the rear seats slid all the way back, but that compromises the space in the boot. One large suitcase is about all we’d be able to get in.’

List price £21,385


Best deal £17,264

(Orangewheels.co.uk)


‘It looks like it should be a practical car, but it isn’t much bigger than our Astra’

Clair liked the under-seat drawers, but boot

space was limited with the rear seats slid back

Although Chris and Clair were

impressed with the feel and

ride of the Golf Plus, they were

less taken with the minimalist

cabin and limited space

compared with its rivals here.

That left the Skoda and

Hyundai. After much debate,

Clair agreed to put her love

of the ix35 aside in favour of

the Octavia. ‘It’s not really

a compromise, because I think

we’ve just found our perfect

car,’ she said. ‘I’m definitely

sold,’ said Chris. ‘The only thing

I’d change is the colour; black is

probably more our style.’

‘The Skoda has lots of legroom, the Golf Plus sliding seats and the ix35 a great warranty’


PERSONAL SHOPPER

Quick shopper BUDGET £15,000

NEARLY NEW OUR PICK

USED

BUDGET £30,000

NEARLY NEW

USED

New, nearly new and used cars for different budgets

Name Julia Burrow

Age 22

Drives Fiat 500

Annual mileage 10,000

Name Jim Thomson

Age 70

Drives Mercedes C220 CDI SE

Annual mileage 5000

Julia is looking for a fun, small convertible to use

mostly at the weekends to escape London. She’d

like something with pace, but is willing to sacrifice

some performance to lower her insurance costs.

Jim’s C-Class is coming to the end of its lease,

and he needs to decide whether to buy it or go

for something else. He and his wife are looking

for a car that’s easier to get into and out of.

Mini Convertible

1.6 Cooper

’12/62, 1700 miles

£14,950

Audi A3 Cabriolet

1.2 TFSI

’11/11, 10,600 miles

£14,495

Mazda CX-5

2.2D Sport Nav AWD

’13/13, 2400 miles

£28,995

BMW X3

2.0 xDrive20d SE

’11/11, 11,900 miles

£27,990

The Mini Convertible is all about fun. It even

features a dial that records how long you’ve

been driving with the roof down.

Or try a… Peugeot 207 CC 1.6 VTi Allure

’12/12, 4300 miles, £12,995

Audi’s A3 Cabriolet is a desirable option. It’s not

quite as thrilling to drive as the other cars in

this selection, but it seats four adults and has

a decent-sized boot, unlike some of its rivals.

Or try a… Volkswagen Eos

’11/60, 13,900 miles, £14,995

Mazda’s CX-5 is one of What Car?’s favourite

compact SUVs, with a frugal diesel engine

and plenty of toys with this trim level.

Or try a… Land Rover Freelander 2.2 SD4 HSE

’12/12, 4000 miles, £29,995

The X3 offers Jim the high-quality cabin and

equipment he’s used to. It’s good to drive and

practical, too. He should also find it easier to get

into and out of than his current Mercedes.

Or try a… Lexus RX 450h SE-L

’10/10, 19,000 miles, £29,995

Julia’s shortlist Jim’s shortlist NEW NEW OUR PICK

Fiat 500

Convertible

1.2 Lounge

List price £14,360


Volvo XC60

2.0 D4 SE

List price £30,735


The 500’s retro styling has won it many admirers,

and it’s a good-value introduction to wind-in-

your-hair motoring. The hood folds back, but the

pillars stay in place, maintaining the car’s looks.

Or try a… Citroën DS3 Cabriolet 1.2 VTi DSign


The XC60 has a generous specification, with

auto wipers and headlights, and electric folding

mirrors. It’s a refined cruiser and the raised

driving position allows easy entry and exit.

Or try a… Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC SR AWD


Need help? Email [email protected] with a digital photograph of you, plus your full name, age, budget, current car and annual mileage

Used alternative

BMW 5 Series Touring

520d M Sport Business Edition

’10/10, 21,500 miles, £19,850

The 5 Series Touring is a great

used buy. The diesel engines

are smooth and fuel efficient

and the cabin is classy and

practical. Rear passengers

get generous legroom, too.

Chris would like the amount

of kit on offer; the Business

Edition comes with climate

control, cruise control and sat-nav.

The only thing it misses out on is

a DAB digital radio.

This example comes from

a BMW dealer, and benefits

from a 12-month warranty.

BUYING AND OWNING


STEVEN WINTERS HAD been saving up for months while looking for his dream car: a white BMW 3 Series M Sport. His search reached its conclusion last Christmas Day, when he spotted a 2011-plate BMW at Phoenix Motown in Paisley.

Steven drove away a happy man a few days later, but his smile disappeared when, in the sunlight, he noticed the driver’s side door was a different shade of white to the rest of the car. He hot-footed it back to Phoenix, who he’d already got to know well as he’d had ongoing issues with the car’s service history. The salesman was sympathetic but said it was a manufacturing defect and BMW’s responsibility.

Steven made an appointment with his local BMW dealer, Douglas Park, and was staggered to learn this was no production line fault; the door had been badly repainted.

Armed with a £795 repair estimate, Steven got in touch with Phoenix, but his calls and emails went unanswered.

Then he consulted the car’s logbook and discovered its previous owner was a car hire company – Scot Group, trading as Thrifty. It’s an advertised policy of

1 Never buy a car before

checking that all the

supporting documentation,

including service book,

is present.

2 If you have any concerns

about the car’s history contact

the previous owner using their

address in the logbook.

3 Third parties such as the

AA and RAC carry out vehicle

inspections that can reveal

accident damage.

HelpdeskSteven Winters

Got a problem you can’t resolve? Get in touch, because we’re here to help

Car BMW 3 Series M SportProblem Dodgy paint repair

‘Steven’s smile disappeared the moment he saw the colour mismatch on the driver’s door’

Need our help? Email [email protected]

AVOID THIS HAPPENING TO YOU

Inspection found broken glass

HELPDESK


1 Take dated photos of any defect as soon as you spot it.

2 Don’t hang around. Take the car to the dealer as quickly

as possible. The claim is more likely to be accepted if

you don’t dawdle.

3 If the dealer won’t approve your claim, send the photos and

inspection documents directly to the manufacturer. {

AS SOON AS Richard Carling noticed rust

developing on his Mazda MX-5 he rushed it to his local dealership, SG Petch, in Darlington. The Copper Red MX-5 was bought new in 2008 and had been well looked after, so Richard was shocked to find rust around the indicator repeater on the driver’s side after just 11,900 miles. To make matters worse, the paintwork around the repeater on the passenger side soon started to blister, too.

SG Petch took photos of the rust, which were then sent to Mazda UK customer services. Bodywork inspection records were also requested by Mazda. However, the arrival of the requested documents was delayed, so Richard sent the company his own copy of the car’s service records, including a bodywork inspection carried out in September 2012 – just seven months before the rust was noticed. The report clearly showed there were no problems with the bodywork at that time.

Mazda UK refused the claim, which was made under the manufacturer’s 12-year anti-perforation warranty. It argued that the repeaters had been replaced before Mr Carling bought the car new, and therefore the warranty was no longer valid.

However, as a gesture of goodwill, Mazda offered to pay 25%

of the £500 repair cost. Richard rejected the offer on the grounds that the car is in otherwise fantastic condition and has always been serviced by a Mazda dealership.

Richard was about to get in touch with Mazda in Japan to see if he could get a resolution from the top, but before he did, he contacted Helpdesk. We informed him of his legal rights and he went back to SG Petch and appealed to the service manager, who tracked down Mazda’s local area manager, who then negotiated on Richard’s behalf.

On seeing all the facts, Mazda upped its goodwill offer to 50%, and SG Petch went the extra mile, offering to cover the remaining 50%. A spokesman for SG Petch said: ‘We decided to help out Mr Carling as he is a loyal customer.’

Car Mazda MX-5

Problem Rust repair claim dismissed

Richard CarlingPhoenix Motown’s that it never sells pre-rental cars; it can vouch for the history of every vehicle.

Steven got in touch with Helpdesk and we contacted Thrifty to ask about the car’s history. The company refused point blank to speak to us.

We then appealed for Phoenix Motown to shed some light on the car’s history, and to pay for the door to be repainted properly. The company responded swiftly; the car had been serviced in line with BMW’s warranty requirements and Phoenix could supply all supporting documents.

However, Phoenix disputed the paint repair had affected the car’s value. It did agree to buy the car back, but at several thousand pounds less than Steven had paid.

We believed Steven should not lose money through no fault of his own and got in touch with Douglas Park BMW. It agreed to conduct an extensive inspection of Steven’s car and ascertain its value.

The examination revealed a catalogue of problems pointing at vandalism. All the windows bar two rear quarter panes had been replaced. There were loose glass shards beneath the seats and behind the door trim.

Rejection was now the only option. We went back to Phoenix Motown. The dealer is a member of the What Car?-endorsed Trusted Dealer network, so we wasted no time informing both MDs.

It wasn’t long before we heard from Phoenix Motown’s sales director. He explained the BMW had been acquired for a customer who had been unable to raise the necessary finance.

‘It’s not our policy to sell ex-rental cars, or cars in the condition it’s now clear this one is in,’ he said. ‘Obviously the right thing to do is give Mr Winters his money back.’

Steven has now bought a new BMW 318d M Sport, and was happy to deal with Douglas Park BMW.

Helpdesk result

Rejection accepted and a full refund

issued

IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU

Illu

str

ati

on

Ja

me

s F

rye

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�

Helpdesk result

Mazda and dealer foot the

entire £500 rust repair

bill


Citizens’ Advice Bureau

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Service and repair standards

www.motorcodes.co.uk

Check car has a valid MoT test

www.motinfo.gov.uk

Check if a car has

outstanding finance

www.whatcar.com/historycheck

Trading Standards

www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

Office of Fair Trading

www.oft.gov.uk

New or used?

John Harrison couldn’t believe

his luck when he found a Mazda

CX-5 on an internet broker site

being advertised as new for

thousands of pounds less than

the list price. When the logbook

failed to arrive, however, alarm

bells started to ring. He chased

it up, but to no avail. When

eventually it did arrive it showed

the car had been pre-registered.

Should he complain?

Yes he should, and

vociferously. John bought

the car on the basis that he

would be its first registered

keeper, and therefore it was

mis-sold to him. In addition,

while he had the car but it was

registered to someone else,

he was committing an offence.

Finance opt-out

Louise Smith was devastated

when her partner died suddenly.

Her grief was made worse

when, tidying up his affairs, she

realised there was outstanding

finance on his car. She can’t

afford to continue these

payments. What can she do?

Sadly these very sensitive

cases are rarely clear cut.

Strictly speaking, the finance

company could insist on

repayments being made under

the terms of the agreement,

but each case is different.

If the agreement has nearly

ended Louise may benefit from

finishing the deal, selling the

car and keeping the proceeds.

The best advice is for

Louise to contact the finance

company as soon as possible,

and explain her situation.

HelpdeskExpress

Useful websites

SPACE, COMFORT AND fuel economy attracted Martin Gore to the Ford Mondeo, and in February he found what he thought was the perfect example at Arnold Clark in Leyland, Lancs. By the time Martin went to collect the car it was late and dark, and although he persevered with a cursory inspection, there was no time for a test drive.

After signing the paperwork, he noticed one of the front tyres was nearly flat. Not a good start. The salesman drove with Martin to a local garage to reinflate the tyre. Finally Martin was homeward bound, but he didn’t get far before the road noise prompted him to turn round and take the car right back to Arnold Clark.

The salesman he’d been dealing with had gone home for the evening, but one of his colleagues was able to help. He went out in the car with Martin but said he couldn’t hear anything unusual. He suggested the noise was due to Martin not being used to the car.

However, the next day Martin noticed a hesitation when changing from first to second gear.

HELPDESKBUYING AND OWNING

Martin Gore

Car Ford Mondeo

Problem Mechanical complaints disputed

Dealer pays for full independent

inspection of the car

Ford and Arnold Clark couldn’t find anything wrong with the Mondeo’s gearbox, but the ECU update helped

The revs rose by around 300rpm and then the car lurched forward. He went back to Arnold Clark

who suggested he take the car to a Ford dealership.

No one was able to find a fault with the gearbox, although the ECU was updated a number of times.

When the car’s fuel economy started to slump considerably,

Martin tried to reject the car, only to be told by Arnold Clark

that he couldn’t do that as he had bought the car on finance. He got in touch with the finance company but both parties insisted upon an independent report from DEKRA costing around £200. Martin then called Helpdesk.

We got in touch with Arnold Clark, outlining everything Martin had been through. After investigating further, it offered to pay for a full independent mechanical inspection of the car to reassure Martin or allow him to pursue repair or rejection.

As we went to press, the software on the Mondeo’s onboard computer had been updated by Ford, and Martin said he’d noticed an improvement in its running.

Need our help? Email [email protected]

IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU

1 Always take a test drive, and if

you’re unhappy about any

aspect of it, do not buy the car.

2 Try to avoid taking delivery of

the car when it’s dark and time

is limited.

3 If you buy your car on finance,

update your finance company

as soon as possible and ask for

its intervention.

Helpdesk result

TERMS AND CONDITIONS *Online quotes only. What Car? Warranties are available for most cars up to 10 years old and with fewer than 100,000 recorded miles since new. Certain ‘exotic models’ are ineligible. Full terms and conditions upon application, or visit www.whatcarwarranty.com. These policies include a 14-day cooling-off period subject to no claim having been made. Warranty Direct Limited is a company, registered in England No. 3233010 at Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 2XX,

and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, Register No. 309075 that is wholly independent of What Car?. What Car? is a registered trademark of Haymarket Media Group, used under licence by Warranty Direct Ltd. Haymarket is an introducer-appointed representative of Warranty Direct Ltd.

O Warranty cover for cars up to 10 years old/100,000 miles

O�LuxuryCare Cover now available for cars up to four years old/60,000 miles

O Your choice of garage for repairs O No limit on labour charges

O Claim limit up to the value of your car

O Extensive cover and benefits

No need to worry about repair bills

What Car? has you covered

Call 0800 097 8828

WHAT CAR? WARRANTY WORRY-FREE MOTORING

Cover from as little as £15 per month Get an instant quote online

or visit whatcarwarranty.com

CoVisit us for an

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car warranty and you could

be in with a chance to win

either a fitted Parrot

CK3100 Bluetooth Car Kit

or a free 12-month

car warranty*

What Car?WarrantyIn association with

New cars

A to ZClass by class,

every new car pictured, reviewed and rated


A t

o Z

116 City cars 117 Superminis 119 Small family cars

122 Family cars 123 Executive cars

125 Luxury cars 126 Estate cars 128 MPVs

131 SUVs 135 Coupés 137 Sports cars

139 Hot hatches 140 Open-top cars

PLUS Our new and used best buys in every class

all family

PLUS Our new and usedd best buys in every

Citroën C1Price £8095-£10,845

Target Price £6887-£10,251

MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km

For Cheap to buy and run, and the deals from Citroën make it even more affordable.Against The C1’s ride is too firm on all but the smoothest roads, which can make life more of a chore than it should be. It’s also tight for rear space.Our pick 1.0 VT 3drWhat Car? says

Hyundai i10Price £8345-£9495

Target Price £6995-£9061

MPG 61.4-67.3

CO2 99-108g/km

For It’s a lot of car for not much cash. It’s good to drive, cheap to run, well equipped and spacious.Against The eco-focused Blue model doesn’t add up unless you live in a city, and there could be more security kit provided.Our pick 1.2 Classic What Car? says

Fiat PandaPrice £8900-£14,950


MPG 54.3-72.4

CO2 95-125g/km

For With five doors and decent space inside, the Panda is a pretty practical city car. It’s cheap to run.Against It’s pricey, the ride is unsettled and the cabin plastics are utilitarian. The Twinair engine is gruff and inflexible.Our pick 0.9 85 4x4What Car? says

Nissan PixoPrice £7250-£8250


MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km

For Very cheap to buy and the running costs are low. The engine is perky enough in town.Against There’s not a lot to love about the interior, the Pixo isn’t brilliant to drive anywhere other than around town, and the entry model is short of safety kit.Our pick 1.0 VisiaWhat Car? says

Chrysler YpsilonPrice £10,695-£14,950


MPG 57.6-74.3

CO2 99-115g/km

For An attractively styled alternative to ho-hum superminis. The top models are well equipped.Against It’s not as good to drive as most, with wallowy handling and a lumpy ride. It’s pricey and looks ordinary inside.Our pick 1.2 SWhat Car? says

Kia PicantoPrice £8045-£11,945


MPG 60.1-67.3

CO2 99-109g/km

For You get a classy cabin, good levels of equipment, fine driving position and a seven-year warranty. Against The brakes and clutch are sharp; it has numb steering and a knobbly ride. The entry-level engine is weedy.Our pick 1.0 1 Air 3drWhat Car? says

Chevrolet SparkPrice £8695-£9815


MPG 55.4 CO2 119g/km

For It’s more practical than most city cars and is reasonably refined. All versions get six airbags.Against Basic models are short of some kit and those with decent equipment aren’t as keenly priced as rivals. The cabin plastics aren’t that appealing.Our pick 1.2 LSWhat Car? says

Ford KaPrice £8725-£12,225


MPG 57.7-68.9

CO2 109-115g/km

For More fun to drive than the Fiat 500 it’s based on, and passably practical, too.Against Nowhere near as charming as a 500; it’s also overpriced and under-equipped. There’s a diesel option, but it makes no economic sense.Our pick 1.2 ZetecWhat Car? says

Renault TwingoPrice £10,550-£13,770

Target Price £10,162-£13,325

MPG 43.5-55.4

CO2 119-150g/km

For A surprisingly mature four-seater with a supple ride and fine road manners. Renaultsport version adds extra zip.Against The interior plastics look and feel rather cheap. Curtain airbags cost extra.Our pick 1.6 Rn’ltsport 133What Car? says

Proton SavvyPrice £8000

Target Price £7579


For It’s one of the cheapest new cars around. It rides and handles reasonably well, and looks striking.Against The 1.2-litre engine is rough and unwilling, space is limited, and the interior looks dated and cheap. There’s no steering wheel adjustment, either.Our pick 1.2 StyleWhat Car? says

Perodua MyviPrice £6999-£9399


MPG 44.1-48.7

CO2 137-151g/km

For It’s affordable, has good space inside and comes with a decent level of equipment.Against The interior is drab, there’s not much safety kit and refinement is poor. There’s not much grip, either.Our pick 1.3 SXiWhat Car? says

Aston Martin CygnetPrice £30,995



For It looks smart, fits in tight parking spots and is nimble in town. It’s well equipped and cheap to run.Against The price – it’s more than double that of the Toyota iQ on which it is based. You have to choose between rear passengers or boot space.Our pick 1.33What Car? says

Fiat 500Price £9960-£16,060


MPG 43.5-72.4

CO2 95-155g/km

For Quirky looks, flexible engines and undercuts some rivals on price. It’s also one of the safest and most desirable baby cars.Against The ride is jittery, the handling is so-so and the boot is small. Air-con costs extra on some.Our pick 1.2 Pop S/S What Car? says

Peugeot 107Price £7995-£10,145


MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km

For Peugeot’s little hatchback has cheeky looks, a willing engine and low running costs. It’s nippy in town and can hold its own on faster roads.Against It rides stiffly and out-of-town refinement is poor. The boot is also tiny and access isn’t great.Our pick 1.0 Active 3drWhat Car? says


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CITY CARS A to Z

A to ZCity cars

BestBuys

1 Volkswagen Up 1.0 75 High Up2 Skoda Citigo 1.0 60 Greentech SE3 Hyundai i10 1.2 Classic

Volkswagen UpPrice £8185-£11,920


MPG 60.1-68.9

CO2 96-108g/km

For It’s economical, spacious, comfortable and good to drive. It’s also smarter inside than the class norm.Against It looks a bit pricey compared with rivals, and the lower-powered version can feel slow.Our pick 1.0 75 High Up 3drWhat Car? says

Skoda CitigoPrice £7720-£10,460


MPG 62.8-68.9

CO2 96-105g/km

For It’s economical, solidly built and mature to drive. It’s also cheaper than the Volkswagen Up.Against It’s not as attractive as the Up, and the lower-powered engine can struggle at speed.Our pick 1.0 60 Greentech SE 5dr What Car? says

Smart FortwoPrice £9575-£15,375


MPG 54.3-85.6

CO2 86-119g/km

For Smart owners can park where other drivers can’t. The running costs and emissions are very low.Against The ride is too firm, it’s noisy and poor to drive. The entry-level model is stingily equipped and the diesel is too slow.Our pick Electric DriveWhat Car? says

Toyota iQPrice £10,995-£12,995

Target Price

£10,470-£12,367

MPG 57.6-64.2

CO2 99-113g/km

For The iQ is a cinch to park and is nimble in town. It’s well kitted, cheap to run and emissions are low.Against You must choose between rear passengers or boot space. It struggles on faster roads, too.Our pick 1.0 VVT-iWhat Car? says

Seat MiiPrice £7925-£10,840


MPG 60.1-68.9

CO2 96-108g/km

For It’s remarkably grown up to drive for a city car. It’s also economical, well built, and cheaper than the near-identical VW Up.Against Seat is renowned for Latin flair, so it’s a shame the Mii looks plain. A Skoda Citigo is cheaper.Our pick 1.0 60 Ecomotive What Car? says

Toyota AygoPrice £8535-£10,490


MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km

For The Aygo has cute looks and low running costs. It’s solidly built and has a five-year warranty. Against The ride is stiff and refinement is poor once out of town. There’s not much standard kit and the boot is tiny, with a very small opening.Our pick 1.0 VVT-i + 3drWhat Car? says

Audi A1/A1 SportbackPrice £13,790-£21,710

Target Price

£13,661-£20,787

MPG 47.9-74.3

CO2 99-139g/km

For All the desirability and quality of a larger Audi in a smaller package. The petrol engines are good.Against As you go up the trims you get firmer suspension, bigger wheels and a poorer ride. Our pick 1.4 TFSI Sport 3dr What Car? says

Suzuki AltoPrice £7199-£9599


MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km

For It’s economical, cheap to insure and has a simple dashboard. Its size and tight turning circle are great in the city.Against The boot is tiny and has a high lip. The cabin plastics are poor and the steering is heavy when parking.Our pick 1.0 SZ3What Car? says

Alfa Romeo MitoPrice £12,500-£18,765

Target Price £11,714-£17,573

MPG 47.1-80.7

CO2 90-139g/km

For It looks distinctive and has a smart cabin. Resale values are strong.Against The ride is uncomfortable, refinement is poor and so is rear visibility. There’s also little rear legroom.Our pick 1.4 135 Multiair DistinctiveWhat Car? says


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CITY CARS & SUPERMINIS A to Z

A to ZSuperminis

BestBuys

1 Ford Fiesta 1.0T Ecoboost 100 Zetec 5dr2 Audi A1 1.4 TFSI 122 Sport 3dr3 Dacia Sandero 1.2 Ambiance

Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i + 3dr’09/09, £4110

With funky looks and

rock-bottom running

costs, the Aygo is the

ideal used city car.

It’s also easy to drive.

Or try a…

Fiat 500 1.2 Sport

’08/08, £5305

The 500 is super stylish

and reassuringly safe.

The 1.2-litre petrol engine

is willing and flexible, too.

UsedBestBuy

Chevrolet AveoPrice £10,535-£13,855


MPG 44.8-78.4

CO2 95-147g/km

For The Aveo offers plenty of space inside and is easy to manoeuvre. It’s backed by a five-year warranty.Against The petrol engines are short of pull at low revs and noisy at high revs, and the quality of some cabin plastics is disappointing.Our pick 1.2 LTWhat Car? says

Citroën C3Price £12,990-£16,000

Target Price £11,042-£13,502

MPG 49.6-83.1

CO2 87-132g/km

For It’s stylish, refined and rides well, and has a decent-sized boot.Against The steering and body control are poor, and the C3 isn’t as spacious in the back as many rivals. Its crash test rating could be better, too.Our pick 1.2 VTi 82 VTR+What Car? says

Vauxhall AdamPrice £11,255-£15,290

Target Price £10,844-£14,721

MPG 51.4-56.5

CO2 118-129g/km

For It has a smart cabin and all versions are well equipped There are many ways to personalise it.Against The ride is firm and the handling isn’t assured enough at speed. It’s pricey and there’s very little space in the back.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Citroën DS3Price £12,840-£21,345

Target Price £11,857-£19,932

MPG 47.9-78.5

CO2 91-136g/km

For Citroën’s answer to the Mini gives you loads of style. The cabin is classy and there are some strong engines on offer.Against It isn’t a Mini to drive, the ride is crashy and rear space isn’t great. Our pick 1.6 THP 150 DSportWhat Car? says

Nissan MicraPrice £9880-£13,980


MPG 56.5-68.9

CO2 95-115g/km

For A tight turning circle, light steering and good visibility make it easy to drive, and low emissions make it cheap to run.Against Ride, handling, refinement and cabin quality aren’t as good as those of most rivals.Our pick 1.2 AcentaWhat Car? says

Peugeot 208Price £9995-£18,895


MPG 47.9-83.1

CO2 87-139g/km

For Looks great inside and out, with chic styling and a high-quality cabin. Most versions are cheap to run.Against The ride and handling disappoint, and the cabin has some ergonomic issues.Our pick 1.2 VTi 82 Active 5drWhat Car? says

Proton Satria NeoPrice £8500-£9500



For You get reasonable handling and performance, and a fair amount of kit. An auto gearbox is an option.Against It’s short of space and safety kit, the price is too high and the ride is firm. It’s also unrefined, expensive to run and the cabin is unappealing.Our pick 1.6 GSXWhat Car? says

Seat IbizaPrice £10,095-£18,575


MPG 47.9-80.7

CO2 92-139g/km

For The Ibiza is attractively priced and smartly styled. It has competitive running costs, decent equipment and a composed ride.Against Quality isn’t up to the best and rear space is tight. Some engines are underpowered and noisy.Our pick 1.4 85 SE 3drWhat Car? says

Mini

Price £11,870-£28,795

Target Price

£11,287-£27,488

MPG 42.8-74.3

CO2 99-153g/km

For The Mini drips with style and is great fun to drive. No other rival holds its value as well.Against The boot is small and the interior quality is disappointing,considering the car’s classy image.Our pick 1.6 CooperWhat Car? says

Mazda 2Price £10,495-£13,495


MPG 44.8-56.5

CO2 115-145g/km

For It handles well and is keenly priced. It’s pretty economical and resale values are strong.Against The ride is jolty, there’s road roar and the diesel engines are noisy. The boot is small and the cabin plastics are drab.Our pick 1.3 75 TS AC 3drWhat Car? says

Renault ClioPrice £10,595-£18,995

Target Price

£9938-£18,282

MPG 44.8-88.3

CO2 83-144g/km

For It’s comfortable, refined and cheap to run. There are also lots of personalisation options.Against The gearshift is notchy and some of the cabin plastics are hard.Our pick 1.5 dCi 90 Dynamique Media NavWhat Car? says


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SUPERMINIS A to Z

Hyundai i20Price £9995-£14,295


MPG 52.3-88.3

CO2 84-126g/km

For The i20 is cheap to buy and run, and comes stacked with kit. Safety is top-drawer and the car feels civilised.Against It’s not as much fun to drive as some other cars in this class and the cabin is dull.Our pick 1.2 Classic 5drWhat Car? says

Kia RioPrice £9995-£14,895


MPG 51.4-88.3

CO2 85-128g/km

For An impressively refined supermini that’s a credible and good-value rival for the Polo. Its ride is comfortable, too.Against A Fiesta is better to drive, the 1.4-litre diesel could be more flexible and the boot lip is high.Our pick 1.25 1 Air 5drWhat Car? says

Honda JazzPrice £11,695-£19,865

Target Price

£11,157-£18,693

MPG 50.4-62.8

CO2 104-129g/km

For There’s masses of space, resale values are strong and it’s reliable.Against The low-speed ride is jiggly, the car’s very noisy on the motorway and the handling is uninspiring. Top models are dear to buy.Our pick 1.4 ESWhat Car? says

Ford FiestaPrice £9995-£17,995


MPG 47.9-85.6

CO2 87-138g/km

For The class benchmark for driving pleasure and it rides comfortably. Stylish inside and out, and the engines are economical.Against Trails the best for space and some of the cabin plastics feel cheap.Our pick 1.0T Ecoboost 100 Zetec 5dr What Car? says

Fiat PuntoPrice £9800-£16,857


MPG 47.1-80.7

CO2 90-142g/km

For The interior is smart and spacious, and the 1.4 Multiair petrol engines are strong and economical.Against The low-speed ride is too firm and the steering is vague. There’s too much wind noise and the pedal area is cramped.Our pick 1.4 8v Easy 3drWhat Car? says

Dacia Sandero/ Sandero StepwayPrice £5995-£10,795


MPG 48.7-74.3

CO2 99-135g/km

For It’s incredibly cheap to buy, it has loads of interior and boot space, and is decent to drive. The cabin feels decently solid.Against Its safety rating is below-par and there’s too much road noise.Our pick 1.2 AmbianceWhat Car? says

Mitsubishi MiragePrice £9054-£12,054


MPG 65.7-67.3

CO2 96-100g/km

For The 1.2-litre petrol engine is efficient and pretty strong, and there’s lots of safety equipment.Against Many rivals are better to drive and there’s too much wind noise. The interior feels cheap and the driving position is poor.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Renault ZoePrice £13,995-£15,195

(after Govt grant)

Target Price £13,995-£15,195

Battery hire

£70-£113/month

Range 130 miles

For It’s cheap for an electric car, looks funky and the cabin is practical.Against You’ll have to pay a monthly cost for battery leasing. The high-speed ride is firm.Our pick ZoeWhat Car? says

Audi A3/A3 SportbackPrice £17,905-£28,785

Target Price

£17,905-£28,785

MPG 40.4-74.3

CO2 99-162g/km

For The engines are strong and efficient, and the cabin is beautifully built. SE suspension successfully mixes comfort and control.Against Prices are high and rear-seat space could be a bit more generous.Our pick Sp’k 1.4 TFSI 122 SEWhat Car? says

BMW 1 SeriesPrice £17,510-£31,100

Target Price

£16,486-£28,723

MPG 35.3-74.3

CO2 99-188g/km

For The only rear-wheel-drive hatch in the class is enjoyable to drive and offers strong performance, economy and emissions.Against It’s not very roomy in the back and the driving position is offset. Our pick 116d EDWhat Car? says

Skoda FabiaPrice £9945-£17,150


MPG 45.6-83.1

CO2 89-148g/km

For It rides smoothly and space for passengers and luggage is good. It’s solidly made and affordable.Against The cabin plastics are tacky and the gearshift is sloppy. Curtain airbags are standard only on the top model. Our pick 1.2 TSI 105 SEWhat Car? says

Vauxhall CorsaPrice £9495-£22,390


MPG 37.2-85.6

CO2 88-178g/km

For The Corsa is refined, roomy, comfortable and good to drive. Running costs are affordable.Against The smaller engines are short of pace. Resale values are poor and bulky screen pillars obscure your view.Our pick 1.4 VVT Excl’ 5drWhat Car? says

Suzuki SplashPrice £9599-£11,879


MPG 55.4-60.1

CO2 109-118g/km

For It looks cute inside and out and has a spacious cabin. It’s well equipped and good to drive.Against The tiny boot limits practicality, it’s pricey and a few details are annoying, such as the hard-to-read rev counter.Our pick 1.2 SZ3What Car? says

Volkswagen PoloPrice £10,650-£20,190

Target Price £10,207-£18,951

MPG 47.9-80.7

CO2 91-139g/km

For Mixes a comfortable ride with secure handling. The cabin is spacious and classy, and most versions are well priced.Against The cheaper Polos are basic inside and use slow and noisy 1.2-litre petrol engines.Our pick 1.4 85 Match 5dr What Car? says

Alfa Romeo GiuliettaPrice £17,765-£25,530

Target Price

£16,348-£23,483

MPG 37.2-64.2

CO2 114-177g/km

For It looks distinctive and most versions are well priced and kitted.Against Rear space and cabin quality are below par. Refinement is a weakness and the Giulietta isn’t fun or comfortable enough.Our pick 1.4 TB 120 LussoWhat Car? says

Vauxhall AgilaPrice £8495-£13,355


MPG 55.4-60.1

CO2 109-118g/km

For A small car that’s practical and good to drive. The cabin is spacious.Against The 1.2-litre versions cost more than those of the near-identical Suzuki Splash. Resale values are weak and some rivals have more kit.Our pick 1.0 Ecoflex SWhat Car? says

Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 5dr’09/09, £5970

Fun to drive, refined,

comfortable and roomy;

the Fiesta suits most

’mini buyers perfectly.

Or try a…

Mini 1.6 Cooper

(Pepper pack)

’08/08, £6905

Few cars have the Mini’s

desirability or fun factor,

and used examples are

decently priced.

Toyota YarisPrice £10,895-£17,195

Target Price

£10,195-£16,070

MPG 52.3-80.7

CO2 79-127g/km

For The Yaris is roomy and packed with equipment, while superb reliability and a long warranty reassure.Against It’s not as good to drive as rivals and the interior is unappealing. Refinement isn’t great.Our pick 1.5 Hybrid T3 5drWhat Car? says

Suzuki SwiftPrice £10,799-£14,249


MPG 44.1-72.4

CO2 101-147g/km

For It’s smart-looking, handles well and is keenly priced. Running costs are affordable.Against The 1.2 petrol is a little weedy, refinement isn’t great and it can’t match the best for quality or practicality.Our pick 1.2 SZ3 5drWhat Car? says


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SUPERMINIS & SMALL FAMILY CARS A to Z

A to ZSmall family cars

BestBuys

1 Audi A3 Sportback1.4 TFSI 122 SE

2 Seat Leon 1.2 TSI 105 S3 Kia Cee’d 1.6 CRDi 128 1

UsedBestBuy

Chevrolet CruzePrice £14,570-£18,975

Target Price

£13,595-£17,686

MPG 42.8-62.7

CO2 117-155g/km

For The Cruze has plenty of interior space, and the bargain price and long warranty are tempting.Against The petrol engines are gutless and the Cruze isn’t particularly exciting or comfortable to drive.Our pick 1.6 LS 5drWhat Car? says

Chevrolet Volt Price £30,255

(after Govt grant)



For The Volt is amazingly efficient and you’ll go much farther than an electric car thanks to its petrol-engine generator. Against It’s expensive to buy, the cabin plastics aren’t appealing and rear visibility is awful.Our pick VoltWhat Car? says

Chrysler DeltaPrice £16,000-£18,495

Target Price

£14,530-£16,780

MPG 44.8-60.1

CO2 122-146g/km

For It’s one of the most spacious small family cars, with a good-sized boot and sliding rear seats.Against Poor body control, vague steering and an unsettled ride. Parts of the cabin feel cheap.Our pick 1.4 M-Air 140 SEWhat Car? says


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SMALL FAMILY CARS A to Z

Mercedes-Benz A-ClassPrice £20,370-£37,845

Target Price

£19,840-£37,845

MPG 40.9-70.6

CO2 98-161g/km

For The engines are strong and efficient, it looks stylish and resale values are strong.Against The ride is too firm, yet most models handle poorly. It’s not as refined as it should be.Our pick A180 SEWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz B-ClassPrice £21,670-£25,080

Target Price

£20,396-£23,615

MPG 46.3-64.2

CO2 114-144g/km

For There’s a big, classy cabin and boot, and the engines balance power and economy well. Against Poor ride and refinement make it disappointing to drive. Our pick B180 CDI Blue Efficiency SEWhat Car? says

Mazda 3Price £15,995-£23,995

Target Price

£15,299-£22,967

MPG 30.1-65.7

CO2 115-219g/km

For Good to drive, with agile handling and plenty of grip. Lots of kit and most 3s are reasonably priced.Against The 1.6 petrol is sluggish and the ride has a firm edge. Space in the rear is no more than okay.Our pick 1.6D VentureWhat Car? says

Lexus CT200hPrice £21,995-£30,995

Target Price

£20,593-£28,998

MPG 68.9-74.3

CO2 87-94g/km

For Posh hatch with hybrid tech for low emissions, high mpg and small tax bills. Lots of kit for the cash.Against Dreadful ride and lifeless steering. Hybrid powertrain is short of poke and the CVT auto whines.Our pick SWhat Car? says

Kia Cee’dPrice £14,400-£23,595

Target Price

£12,900-£21,584

MPG 38.2-74.3

CO2 97-171g/km

For It offers lots of space, a high-quality cabin and plenty of equipment for a competitive price.Against It’s not as good to drive as many rivals, and the 1.6 petrol engine could be punchier and quieter.Our pick 1.6 CRDi 128 1What Car? says

MG 6 GT/6 MagnettePrice £15,455-£21,195

Target Price £15,455-£21,195

MPG 37.7-53.5

CO2 139-174g/km

For It’s spacious and good to drive, and has lots of standard equipment.Against The interior plastics look cheap, and running costs are high due to poor fuel consumption and high emissions. The engines are noisy, too.Our pick 1.9 DTi GT S 5drWhat Car? says

Honda InsightPrice £20,100-£23,190

Target Price £18,913-£21,814

MPG 61.4-64.2

CO2 101-105g/km

For It’s efficient, well kitted and decently practical.Against The hybrid engine is short of muscle and isn’t particularly refined. The ride is crude, the steering has virtually no feel and the gearbox is jerky. Some rival hybrids are cheaper.Our pick 1.3 SEWhat Car? says

Hyundai i30Price £14,605-£20,415

Target Price

£13,062-£18,768

MPG 46.3-76.3

CO2 97-143g/km

For The spacious cabin is as good as any for quality and equipment. It rides well and has good engines.Against The steering is lifeless and vague around the straight ahead, and the gearshift is notchy.Our pick 1.6 CRDi 110 Active What Car? says

Honda Civic Price £16,955-£27,090

Target Price

£16,118-£24,572

MPG 46.3-78.5

CO2 94-145g/km

For A huge boot and rear seats that flip up to give extra storage. The diesels and 1.8 petrol are strong.Against The steering and ride disappoint, while refinement, headroom and visibility are poor.Our pick 1.6 i-DTEC ESWhat Car? says

Ford FocusPrice £13,995-£25,495

Target Price

£13,590-£23,773

MPG 39.2-83.1

CO2 88-169g/km

For The Focus is superb fun to drive. It’s also refined, has lots of safety kit and competitive CO2 emissions.Against The boot is small, interior quality is average and some of the controls are fiddly.Our pick 1.6 TDCi 115 ZetecWhat Car? says


Target Price £16,557-£22,041

MPG 44.1-64.2

CO2 114-149g/km

For The DS4 is a good-looking, high-quality alternative to other small family hatches. All trim levels are well equipped.Against It’s expensive and not very practical. Its hard ride is just too harsh for UK roads.Our pick 2.0 HDi 160 DStyleWhat Car? says

Fiat BravoPrice £15,805-£17,800

Target Price

£15,805-£17,800

MPG 44.8-62.8

CO2 115-146g/km

For The Bravo looks good and is cheap to buy and run. There are strong engines and it’s refined.Against The ride and handling disappoint, while build quality is below par. Depreciation is heavy.Our pick 1.4 ActiveWhat Car? says


Target Price

£12,127-£18,609

MPG 44.1-74.3

CO2 98-148g/km

For It’s refined and there are some fine engines and a few innovative features.Against It’s not the best to drive nor the roomiest. The semi-auto gearbox is jerky and many of the controls are fiddly.Our pick 1.4 VTi 95 VTR+What Car? says

Mercedes-Benz CLAPrice £24,355-£31,555

Target Price

£23,891-£30,950

MPG 40.9-62.8

CO2 117-161g/km

For It doesn’t look like your average saloon and it has lots of standard kit. The cabin is smartly styled.Against Rivals are better to drive, quieter and more practical. The petrol model is sluggish at low revs.Our pick 220 CDI SportWhat Car? says

Most popular small family cars on whatcar.com

1 Volkswagen Golf

2 Audi A3

3 Ford Focus

4 Seat Leon

5 BMW 1 Series

6 Kia Cee’dRanking based on most

searched-for cars on whatcar.com

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Proton Gen-2Price £9200-£11,215


MPG 39.8-40.9

CO2 164-170g/km

For The Gen-2 is smartly styled, and rides and handles well. Prices undercut rivals’ by a lot.Against The cabin is of abysmal quality and the driving position is awkward. Engine is gruff and resale values are weak.Our pick 1.6 GSX 5drWhat Car? says

Peugeot 308Price £15,550-£20,600

Target Price

£13,234-£17,949

MPG 42.2-76.4

CO2 95-155g/km

For Excellent diesel engines, an attractive cabin and plenty of safety kit.Against The ride is crashy and the steering is vague. Visibility and rear legroom are poor, and the driving position is offset.Our pick 1.6 e-HDi 112 Act’veWhat Car? says

Mini CountrymanPrice £16,545-£28,605

Target Price

£15,805-£27,312

MPG 38.2-64.2

CO2 115-172g/km

For It blends the retro style that Mini buyers love with enough practicality for a small family. Against The ride is firm and it isn’t as much fun to drive as a Mini hatch. Some versions are pricey.Our pick 1.6 Cooper 2WDWhat Car? says

Nissan LeafPrice £15,990-£25,490

(after Govt grant)

Target Price

£15,990-£25,490

Range 124 miles

For The all-electric Leaf is easy, fun and comfortable to drive. It’s roomy and costs peanuts to run.Against The standard eight-hour charging time. Limited range, which is cut drastically in cold weather.Our pick VisiaWhat Car? says

Toyota PriusPrice £21,845-£33,245

Target Price

£20,350-£30,940

MPG 70.6-134.5

CO2 49-92g/km

For It has a smooth drivetrain and roomy cabin; emissions and economy are first-rate.Against The interior plastics are disappointing and the ride unsettled. Rear visibility is poor.Our pick 1.8 VVT-i T3 What Car? says

Toyota AurisPrice £14,495-£21,745

Target Price

£13,325-£20,205

MPG 46.3-74.3

CO2 84-140g/km

For The Auris is keenly priced, well equipped and affordable to own.Against It doesn’t ride or handle as well as the class best. Many rivals are more spacious and there’s too much wind noise at speed.Our pick 1.8 HSD IconWhat Car? says

Seat LeonPrice £15,370-£22,375

Target Price

£14,283-£20,791

MPG 47.1-74.3

CO2 99-139g/km

For It handles well, the engines are strong, and the cabin is practical and user-friendly. Cheaper models are great value. Against The 1.6-litre diesel engine is noisy and some cabin plastics feel cheap.Our pick 1.2 TSI 105 SWhat Car? says

Renault MéganePrice £16,550-£22,850

Target Price

£13,983-£19,249

MPG 40.9-80.7

CO2 90-159g/km

For The Mégane is keenly priced, has plenty of kit and some fine engines.Against Rear head- and legroom are poor. It isn’t as classy, fun to drive or comfortable as the best cars in the class.Our pick 1.5 dCi 90 Expr’n+What Car? says

Vauxhall AmperaPrice £29,995-£33,995

(after Govt grant)

Target Price

£29,241-£33,153


For The Ampera is very efficient, and when the batteries get low the petrol engine charges them. Against It’s expensive to buy, the cabin plastics could be better and rear visibility is awful.Our pick Ampera EarthWhat Car? says

Volkswagen JettaPrice £17,880-£21,960

Target Price

£15,415-£19,258

MPG 44.8-67.3

CO2 109-145g/km

For The Jetta is an elegant saloon that is well built and keenly priced. It has a big cabin and a huge boot. Against It’s unloved by hatchback-mad UK buyers, so its resale values suffer.Our pick 1.6 TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech SEWhat Car? says

Volkswagen BeetlePrice £15,515-£22,240

Target Price

£14,357-£20,545

MPG 38.2-65.7

CO2 113-169g/km

For There’s good head- and elbowroom up front, and the large side windows light up the cabin. There are some fine engines.Against The rear seats are cramped and some of the interior feels cheap. Our pick 1.2 TSI 105What Car? says

Vauxhall AstraPrice £12,995-£25,180

Target Price

£12,995-£22,093

MPG 41.5-76.3

CO2 99-160g/km

For The Astra looks great and the cabin is solidly put together. It’s pretty refined and the ride is smooth.Against It’s expensive to buy or lease, and doesn’t hold its value well. The steering is vague.Our pick 1.4T ExclusivWhat Car? says

Seat ToledoPrice £12,500-£17,840

Target Price

£11,716-£16,708

MPG 46.3-72.4

CO2 104-137g/km

For It offers a roomy cabin and a huge boot, and is significantly cheaper than many rivals.Against The ride is firm, refinement could be better and there are signs of cost-cutting in the cabin.Our pick 1.2 TSI 85 SWhat Car? says

Skoda RapidPrice £12,905-£17,850

Target Price £11,290-£15,565

MPG 47.9-64.2

CO2 114-137g/km

For You get loads of interior and boot space, all for a lot less than a similarly equipped rival.Against The ride is uncomfortable and there’s too much wind noise at motorway speeds. The cabin feels cheap in places.Our pick 1.2 TSI 85 SWhat Car? says

Volkswagen GolfPrice £16,495-£26,500

Target Price

£15,172-£25,491

MPG 47.1-88.3

CO2 85-139g/km

For It’s comfortable, refined and fun to drive. The cabin is classy, resale values are strong and there’s lots of safety kit.Against The most basic engines in the range don’t have a lot of power.Our pick 1.4 TSI 122 SEWhat Car? says


Target Price

£21,080-£30,042

MPG 42.2-74.3

CO2 91-155g/km

For It looks striking, cabin quality is good and the engines are refined.Against The ride is too hard and rear space is tight. Visibility could be better and the hybrid model’s boot is small.Our pick 2.0 HDi 160 DSignWhat Car? says

Peugeot 508Price £18,855-£31,850

Target Price

£17,842-£28,840

MPG 45.6-78.5

CO2 95-150g/km

For It’s good to drive, has strong engines and a classy cabin. The 1.6 e-HDi diesel model is very efficient.Against The ride is firm, there’s too much wind noise and some rivals provide more space.Our pick 1.6 e-HDi 112 Act’veWhat Car? says

Mazda 6Price £19,595-£26,095

Target Price

£18,351-£24,438

MPG 47.9-67.3

CO2 108-135g/km

For Low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions make the 6 affordable to run, and there’s lots of cabin and boot space.Against The ride is firm and there’s too much road noise.Our pick 2.2D 150 SE-LWhat Car? says

Ford MondeoPrice £15,995-£28,255

Target Price

£15,687-£25,925

MPG 36.7-65.7

CO2 114-179g/km

For Huge space inside, and it’s comfortable and fun to drive. The diesel engines are strong and economical.Against Its size can be daunting. Too much road noise on coarse surfaces.Our pick 1.6 TDCi 115 Eco Zetec S/S What Car? says

Toyota AvensisPrice £19,160-£28,255

Target Price

£19,160-£28,255

MPG 43.5-62.8

CO2 119-167g/km

For It’s effortless to drive and to live with. Ownership costs are relatively low and equipment levels are good.Against The diesel engines are gruff and the pricier models aren’t much better than the cheaper ones.Our pick 2.0 D-4D IconWhat Car? says

Suzuki KizashiPrice £21,995



For It has 4wd and lots of equipment, including a CVT automatic gearbox.Against The running costs are high, the engine is short of low-rev punch and the ride is unsettled. The steering feels inconsistent, and there’s lots of wind and road noise. Our pick 2.4 CVT 4WDWhat Car? says

Skoda SuperbPrice £18,555-£32,500

Target Price

£17,304-£30,308

MPG 30.4-67.3

CO2 109-215g/km

For You get an innovative boot/hatch arrangement, a vast and classy interior, and plenty of equipment.Against Cheaper rivals are almost as spacious, while its sheer size can make parking tricky.Our pick 1.4 TSI S What Car? says

Hyundai i40Price £18,515-£23,820

Target Price

£17,988-£22,183

MPG 55.4-65.7

CO2 113-134g/km

For The i40 is spacious and packed with kit. It has efficient diesel engines.Against Most rivals are better to drive. The gap between boot and cabin is small and oddly shaped.Our pick 1.7 CRDi 115 Blue Drive ActiveWhat Car? says

Honda AccordPrice £22,765-£33,180

Target Price £21,319-£31,043

MPG 40.9-52.3

CO2 138-199g/km

For Build quality and reliability are top-notch. The seats are comfortable.Against Costs more to buy and run than most rivals, which also offer more rear-seat space, a smoother ride and sharper handling. Too much road noise.Our pick 2.2 i-DTEC 150 ESWhat Car? says


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SMALL FAMILY CARS & FAMILY CARS A to Z

Kia OptimaPrice £19,595-£24,495

Target Price

£18,343-£22,919


For The Optima’s cabin and boot are roomy. The basic model is temptingly priced and well equipped.Against Many rivals are far more comfortable and quieter, and feel classier inside. Some versions are pricey.Our pick 1.7 CRDi 1What Car? says


Target Price £16,431-£26,826

MPG 47.9-62.8

CO2 117-155g/km

For The C5 is a stylish and refined saloon. There are some fine diesel engines and the ride is cushy.Against The steering and handling aren’t as good as rivals’, and the dashboard layout is confusing. Resale values are weak.Our pick 1.6 HDi 115 VTR+What Car? says

1 Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi 115 Eco Zetec S/S2 Volkswagen

Passat 2.0 TDI 140 Bluemotion Tech Highline

3 Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI S

A to ZFamily cars

FFForddd MMMonddeo

BestBuysVolkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Match 5dr’10/60, £11,140

No rival matches the Golf

for fun and comfort, and

this diesel model keeps

fuel bills low. It’s classy

and spacious, too.

Or try a…

Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi

Zetec 5dr

’09/09, £6810

Great to drive and cheap

to run, the Focus is

a superb all-rounder.

Volvo V40Price £18,995-£34,065

Target Price

£17,524-£31,481

MPG 35.8-83.1

CO2 88-185g/km

For The V40 has a smart, high-quality cabin and lots of safety and convenience equipment. The engines are strong and efficient.Against The ride is firm, the gearshift is notchy and the turning circle is wide.Our pick 1.6D D2 115 SEWhat Car? says

UsedBestBuy

Skoda OctaviaPrice £15,990-£22,990

Target Price

£14,706-£22,990

MPG 45.6-74.3

CO2 99-142g/km

For It has a huge, classy cabin and lots of standard equipment. It’s good to drive, and most versions are cheap to buy and run.Against It’s not the most exciting car to sit in. The diesels are a touch noisy.Our pick 1.2 TSI SWhat Car? says

Vauxhall InsigniaPrice £16,279-£30,870

Target Price

£13,912-£28,577

MPG 26.4-67.3

CO2 112-251g/km

For It’s good-looking inside and out. It also comes with plenty of high-tech kit.Against It’s not as refined as it should be, rear headroom is tight and the steering is dull. Ride and handling are below par.Our pick 2.0 CDTi 160 Exc’vWhat Car? says

Volkswagen PassatPrice £20,005-£25,145

Target Price

£18,259-£22,948

MPG 39.2-68.9

CO2 109-169g/km

For It is spacious and good to drive. Resale values are strong and most versions are well equipped.Against Some interior trim is dour, while the front seats need more support.Our pick 2.0 TDI 140 Bluemotion Tech HighlineWhat Car? says

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec’09/58, £7040

The Mondeo is spacious,

refined, comfortable and

great to drive, all for an

incredibly low price.

Or try a…

Volkswagen Passat

2.0 TDI 140 SE

’07/07, £5945

The Passat is a cut above

most family cars for

quality, yet this version is

affordable to buy.

Volkswagen CCPrice £25,455-£28,580

Target Price

£23,204-£26,072

MPG 38.7-61.4

CO2 120-169g/km

For The cabin is plush and the boot is big. The engines are strong and efficient.Against It’s pricey, rear headroom is limited and the ride can be jiggly on rough surfaces. Our pick 2.0 TDI 140 Bluemotion TechnologyWhat Car? says


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UsedBestBuy

BestBuys

Audi A7 SportbackPrice £41,170-£83,495

Target Price

£35,731-£83,495

MPG 28.8-55.4

CO2 135-229g/km

For Stunning high-speed composure and impressive refinement. The cabin is beautifully built.Against The coupé-like roof limits boot space. Much of the fantastic high-tech kit costs extra.Our pick 3.0 TDI 204 SE What Car? says

Audi A6Price £30,985-£54,505

Target Price

£26,974-£50,586

MPG 29.4-57.6

CO2 129-225g/km

For The A6 is refined and has a spacious, luxury interior. It’s also well kitted, clean-running and frugal.Against Not as rewarding to drive as a Jaguar XF. Some minor controls are a little fiddly to operate.Our pick 2.0 TDI SEWhat Car? says

Audi A4Price £23,960-£40,095

Target Price £21,694-£37,519

MPG 34.9-65.7

CO2 112-190g/km

For The A4 is decent to drive and has powerful engines. Resale values are strong and running costs are competitive.Against You’ll have much more fun driving a BMW 3 Series, and you’ll be more comfortable, too. Our pick 2.0 TDIe 136 SEWhat Car? says


Target Price

£21,549-£33,677

MPG 35.8-68.9

CO2 109-186g/km

For It’s tax efficient and the engines are economical and punchy. The cabin is spacious and classy.Against The low-speed ride can be unsettled and there’s wind noise at speed. Our pick 320d Efficient Dynamics automatic What Car? says

A to ZExecutive cars

1 BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics automatic

2 BMW 520d SE automatic3 Jaguar XF

3.0D V6 Luxury

BMW 5 Series Gran TurismoPrice £37,010-£60,380

Target Price

£32,846-£53,936

MPG 30.7-53.3

CO2 139-214g/km

For Limousine-like space, a classy cabin and a high-set seating position.Against The ride and refinement disappoint, as does the size and versatility of the boot.Our pick 520d SEWhat Car? says

Audi A5 SportbackPrice £26,425-£42,595

Target Price

£24,164-£39,752

MPG 34.9-64.2

CO2 117-190g/km

For It’s as spacious as an A4 saloon and has added versatility. It has some good engines, too.Against It’s not exciting to drive, nor is it comfortable enough to be relaxing. The pedals are off-set.Our pick 2.0 TDI 177 SEWhat Car? says

BMW 3 Series Gran TurismoPrice £29,835-£39,735

Target Price

£27,926-£38,981

MPG 34.9-62.8

CO2 119-188g/km

For There’s plenty of cabin space and a large boot. You get a raised driving position and plenty of kit.Against It’s expensive and isn’t as good to drive as a standard 3 Series.Our pick 320d SEWhat Car? says


Target Price

£27,833-£68,565

MPG 27.2-62.8

CO2 119-242g/km

For Impressively refined, economical and tax efficient. The cabin is plush and beautifully assembled.Against It needs optional Variable Damper Control or Adaptive Drive to make it ride and handle properly. Our pick 520d SE automaticWhat Car? says

BMW 6 Series Gran CoupéPrice £61,625-£97,515

Target Price

£56,699-£92,351

MPG 28.5-50.4

CO2 148-232g/km

For It’s a striking-looking car with a classy and comfortable interior, and a range of excellent engines.Against It needs the pricey adjustable suspension to ride and handle well.Our pick 640d SEWhat Car? says

BMW Alpina B5/D5Price £56,950-£78,150

Target Price

£56,950-£78,150

MPG 26.6-47.9

CO2 155-247g/km

For It’s effortless and relaxing to drive, despite being so powerful. The ride is surprisingly supple, too. Against The handling isn’t that engaging and those huge tyres kick up road noise on rough surfaces.Our pick D5 BiturboWhat Car? says


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EXECUTIVE CARS A to Z

Mercedes-Benz E-ClassPrice £32,400-£73,745

Target Price

£29,047-£68,408

MPG 28.8-68.9

CO2 109-230g/km

For It majors on comfort and safety. Fuel economy, CO2 emissions and equipment levels are good.Against Refinement is disappointing and the interior looks drab.Our pick E350 CDI Blue Efficiency AvantgardeWhat Car? says

Porsche PanameraPrice £62,922-£107,903

Target Price

£62,922-£107,903

MPG 26.4-91.1

CO2 71-249g/km

For Handles brilliantly, has enough space for four and all versions are rapid. It’s refined and classy, too.Against It’s practical for a Porsche, but rivals are better on that score. It’s pricey to buy and run.Our pick 3.0D V6What Car? says

Mercedes-Benz CLSPrice £47,605-£88,425

Target Price

£40,857-£80,008

MPG 28.5-54.3

CO2 135-231g/km

For It’s hugely desirable, offers strong performance and excellent refinement. It’s also pretty practical.Against It’s expensive and the ride isn’t as cosseting as an E-Class’s.Our pick 250 CDI Blue EfficiencyWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz

C-ClassPrice £26,275-£56,965

Target Price

£22,967-£52,343

MPG 23.5-68.9

CO2 109-280g/km

For It’s roomy, generously kitted and decent to drive.Against Poor refinement and the smaller diesels are rough. Prices and contract hire rates are steep.Our pick C220 CDI Blue Efficiency Executive SE What Car? says

Volvo S80Price £29,520-£39,030

Target Price

£25,415-£33,599

MPG 46.3-68.9

CO2 109-159g/km

For Strong engines, plenty of space and a nicely trimmed cabin.Against An unsettled ride, noisy suspension and numb steering. Contract hire rates are high and front visibility is poor.Our pick 2.0 D3 SEWhat Car? says

Volvo S60Price £20,250-£40,665

Target Price

£20,250-£35,289

MPG 28.5-72.4

CO2 103-231g/km

For Cabin is classy, comfy and spacious. It rides smoothly and offers a huge array of safety kit.Against The five-cylinder diesel engines can be boomy and the manual gearbox is vague.Our pick 1.6D Business Ed’nWhat Car? says

UsedBestBuy

Vauxhall VXR8Price £45,065-£51,315

Target Price

£45,065-£51,315

MPG 20.6-20.9

CO2 320-324g/km

For Searing pace and capable handling make the VXR8 great fun. With space for four and a big boot, it’s practical, too.Against A huge thirst for fuel means hefty running costs. The cabin is bland.Our pick 6.2 V8 GTSWhat Car? says

Jaguar XFPrice £29,945-£79,995

Target Price

£26,293-£79,995

MPG 24.4-55.4

CO2 135-270g/km

For Stylish looks, a dramatic interior, sensational handling and superb refinement.Against Its economy and CO2 emissions can’t match a BMW 5 Series’, and rear headroom is a little tight. Our pick 3.0D V6 Luxury What Car? says

Lexus GSPrice £32,995-£50,995

Target Price

£31,294-£48,298

MPG 31.7-46.3

CO2 141-207g/km

For It’s a comfortable cruiser that’s loaded with convenience and safety kit.Against It feels unwieldy unless you go for the expensive models. There’s no diesel version and the hybrid is pricey.Our pick 450h F SportWhat Car? says

Lexus ISPrice £26,495-£38,495

Target Price

£26,495-£38,495

MPG 30.7-65.7

CO2 99-213g/km

For The hybrid is tax efficient. Plenty of kit and it feels solidly put together.Against You have to work the engines hard for decent progress, and the hybrid is noisy when you do. Rear headroom is a bit tight.Our pick 300h SEWhat Car? says

Infiniti MPrice £38,955-£46,825

Target Price

£37,126-£44,592

MPG 27.7-40.9

CO2 159-235g/km

For The M gets almost every luxury, and tidy handling makes it fun.Against The low-speed ride is jittery and its emissions are high. It’s also far too expensive, considering its weak resale values.Our pick 3.0d V6 GTWhat Car? says

Chrysler 300CPrice £36,000-£40,000

Target Price

£25,995-£36,908

MPG 39.2-39.8

CO2 185-191g/km

For It’s a lot of car for the money and it looks different from established German rivals.Against There’s no four-cylinder diesel engine and cabin quality leaves a little to be desired.Our pick 3.0 V6 LimitedWhat Car? says

Infiniti G37Price £34,960-£40,670

Target Price

£33,163-£38,565

MPG 25.7-26.9

CO2 246-255g/km

For You’ll rarely see another, so you’ll have that ‘exclusive’ cachet. The G37 is rapid and refined.Against The V6 petrol engine means high fuel and tax bills. The cabin materials don’t feel special.Our pick 3.7 V6 G37 GTWhat Car? says

Maserati GhibliPrice £48,830-£63,415

Target Price

£48,830-£63,415

MPG 27.2-47.9

CO2 158-242g/km

For It’s got more cachet than a BMW or Jaguar, and is a pretty quiet motorway cruiser. The cabin is stylish.Against The ride is shuddery on patchy surfaces and there’s not much rear-seat space.Our pick 3.0 V6 DieselWhat Car? says

Audi A6 2.0 TDI SE’09/09, £13,095

There are few nicer

places to be than the

cabin of an A6, and this

economical diesel model

is good value used.

Or try a…

BMW 320d SE

’08/08, £9685

Not only is the 320d

refined and cheap to run,

it also handles and steers

superbly. The classy

cabin is solidly built, too.

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LUXURY CARS A to Z


Aston Martin Rapide SPrice £149,995



For Aston’s four-door ‘saloon’ is beautiful and fast. It’s incredibly civilised and comfortable, yet also feels nimble and compact.Against Getting in and out of the back with dignity isn’t easy, and although there are four seats, rivals are far more spacious.Our pick 5.9 V12What Car? says

A to ZLuxury cars

BestBuys

1 Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue SE

2 Mercedes S350 Bluetec SE Line

3 Rolls-Royce Phantom

Audi A8Price £53,685-£95,440

Target Price

£47,602-£84,652

MPG 23.7-47.1

CO2 147-277g/km

For Advanced, refined and superbly made. Standard kit is good and the diesels are quick and economical.Against Standard-length car isn’t as roomy as some rivals and the steering is short of feedback.Our pick 3.0 TDI SE Exec LWhat Car? says


Target Price

£53,000-£93,583

MPG 21.1-50.4

CO2 148-314g/km

For It’s technologically advanced, beautifully made and spacious. The diesel models have very low CO2 emissions.Against Refinement and ride comfort aren’t good enough for a luxury car.Our pick 730d SEWhat Car? says

Jaguar XJPrice £56,865-£95,870

Target Price

£49,859-£95,870

MPG 24.4-46.3

CO2 159-270g/km

For It’s agile, and the engines are punchy and refined. Kit is lavish and the interior looks great. Against You sit low in the back, yet headroom is a bit tight. The ride could be more comfortable, too.Our pick 3.0D V6 Luxury What Car? says

Bentley MulsannePrice £224,700



For There’s massive performance, spectacular refinement, controlled handling and a superb ride. The cabin is as opulent as it is huge, and there are plenty of bespoke options.Against Some controls are similar to those found in mainstream Audis.Our pick 6.75 V8What Car? says

Bentley Flying SpurPrice £149,900-£151,340

Target Price

£149,900-£151,340


For Fabulously appointed inside, refined and comfortable. It’s also seriously fast yet relaxing. Has a level of cachet that few rivals can match.Against It’s expensive to buy and run, even by luxury car standards.Our pick 6.0 W12What Car? says

Rolls-Royce GhostPrice £200,500-£230,000

Target Price

£200,500-£230,000


For A magnificent V12 engine and eight-speed auto gearbox give pace and smoothness. It feels reasonably light-footed.Against The ride is too firm, most noticeably in town. Its size means it can be awkward to manoeuvre.Our pick 6.6 V12What Car? says

Mercedes-Benz S-ClassPrice £62,650-£88,130

Target Price

£62,650-£88,130

MPG 27.9-51.4

CO2 146-237g/km

For Combines a cosseting ride with composed handling. The cabin is sumptuous and the refinement exceptional.Against Some of the most desirable kit costs extra.Our pick S350 Bluetec SE LineWhat Car? says

Maserati QuattroportePrice £110,000



For Fabulous performance and sporty handling, plus a luxurious cabin with limousine levels of space in the back.Against It’s expensive, and maybe too sporty and unrefined if you want to spend most of the time in the rear seats. Our pick 3.8T V8What Car? says

Lexus LSPrice £71,995-£99,495

Target Price

£68,894-£95,166

MPG 26.4-32.8

CO2 199-249g/km

For The LS is whisper quiet, especially the hybrid version. It’s also superbly built and packed with kit.Against The cabin doesn’t feel special enough and the LS is uninspiring to drive. Gearbox can be hesitant.Our pick 600h LWhat Car? says

Land Rover Range Rover Price £71,310-£98,430

Target Price

£71,310-£98,430

MPG 20.5-37.7

CO2 196-322g/km

For Brilliant on and off road, and it’s superbly refined. The swish cabin is a fabulous place to be.Against It’s pricey to buy and will be expensive to run if you go for a V8.Our pick 3.0 TDV6 Vogue SEWhat Car? says

Volkswagen PhaetonPrice £53,915-£56,475

Target Price

£45,883-£48,393


For It’s refined, luxurious, hugely roomy and superbly built.Against Resale values are awful, so it makes little financial sense. Parts of the cabin look dated and the dashboard is cluttered.Our pick 3.0 V6 TDI 240 4Motion SWBWhat Car? says

Rolls-Royce Phantom

Price £285,200-£336,700

Target Price

£285,200-£336,700

MPG 17.9-18.0

CO2 377-380g/km

For It’s refined, immensely comfortable and fast, and more agile than it looks. It’s put together beautifully.Against Too much wind noise at speed, and the styling and rear-hinged rear doors are love-or-hate.Our pick 6.75 V12 What Car? says

UsedBestBuy

Audi A8 3.0 TDI quattro SE’07/07, £10,305

The A8 is big, refined

and sophisticated. This

model has four-wheel

drive and an economical

diesel engine.

Or try a…

Land Rover Range Rover

TD6 Vogue

’06/06, £16,030

A luxury car that’s also

a great 4x4. Diesel engine

keeps fuel bills bearable.


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ESTATE CARS A to Z

Ford Mondeo EstatePrice £17,245-£29,505

Target Price

£16,912-£27,071

MPG 36.7-65.7

CO2 114-179g/km

For It’s refined, the diesel engines are strong and frugal, and the boot is huge. It’s superb to drive.Against Resale values are poor and some might find its sheer size off-putting. Too much road noise.Our pick 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec What Car? says

Mazda 6 TourerPrice £21,265-£26,245

Target Price

£19,923-£24,578

MPG 47.9-64.2

CO2 116-136g/km

For It’s cheap to run, thanks to excellent fuel economy and CO2 figures. Cabin and boot space are similarly impressive.Against The ride is too firm for a family estate and there’s a lot of road noise.Our pick 2.2D 150 SE-LWhat Car? says

Hyundai i40 TourerPrice £19,765-£25,070

Target Price

£19,150-£23,344

MPG 39.2-65.7

CO2 113-169g/km

For An estate to take Hyundai upmarket. It’s roomy and interior is good.Against It’s no bargain, and the diesel engine can feel unresponsive. The rear seats don’t fold flat.Our pick 1.7 CRDi 115 Blue Drive ActiveWhat Car? says

Hyundai i30 TourerPrice £16,300-£21,515

Target Price £14,692-£19,777

MPG 42.8-67.3

CO2 110-150g/km

For It’s spacious, practical and classy, while the diesel engines are economical. It rides well and has plenty of standard equipment.Against Many rivals are more refined, the steering is vague and the gearshift is notchy.Our pick 1.6 CRDi 110 ActiveWhat Car? says

Honda Accord TourerPrice £24,265-£34,680

Target Price

£22,720-£32,444

MPG 32.5-50.4

CO2 143-201g/km

For Excellent build quality and reliability, and the boot is a decent size.Against It’s expensive and doesn’t ride or handle well enough. It’s not that practical, either, and there’s too much road noise.Our pick 2.2 i-DTEC 150 ESWhat Car? says

Jaguar XF SportbrakePrice £31,945-£51,510

Target Price

£28,044-£45,172

MPG 46.0-55.4

CO2 135-163g/km

For It’s an elegantly proportioned estate with sensational handling and a supple high-speed ride.Against The boot is shallow, and rivals are more efficient and have classier cabins.Our pick 3.0D V6 LuxuryWhat Car? says

Kia Cee’d SportswagonPrice £16,895-£24,795

Target Price

£15,279-£22,731

MPG 64.2-67.3

CO2 109-116g/km

For It’s good value for money, with lots of space, a high-quality cabin and plenty of equipment.Against It’s not as good to drive as many rivals, the gearshift is notchy and road noise is an issue.Our pick 1.4 CRDi 90 1What Car? says

Citroën C5 TourerPrice £21,555-£30,160

Target Price

£17,490-£27,886

MPG 46.3-62.8

CO2 117-159g/km

For It’s refined, the ride is comfortable and the diesel engines are strong and economical.Against The steering and handling aren’t as good as many rivals’ and resale values are weak.Our pick 1.6 HDi 110 VTR+ What Car? says

Ford Focus EstatePrice £17,405-£24,745

Target Price

£15,308-£22,063

MPG 39.2-67.3

CO2 109-169g/km

For Handles sweetly and is as practical as most rivals. It’s also well equipped and attractively priced. Against The low-speed ride is a touch firm, and the interior quality isn’t as good as a VW Golf’s.Our pick 1.6 TDCi 115 ZetecWhat Car? says

BMW 5 Series TouringPrice £32,955-£58,865

Target Price

£30,222-£53,244

MPG 26.4-57.6

CO2 130-249g/km

For It is comfortable, has loads of space, and punchy and economical engines. It’s a must-have car.Against You must pay for Variable Damper Control or Adaptive Drive to make it ride and handle well.Our pick 520d SE automaticWhat Car? says

Chevrolet Cruze SWPrice £15,680-£20,890

Target Price

£14,629-£19,482

MPG 39.2-62.7

CO2 119-170g/km

For It’s a spacious and practical estate with low prices and a long warranty.Against It isn’t particularly enjoyable or comfortable to drive, and the 1.6-litre petrol engine is gutless and noisy.Our pick 1.7 VCDi 130 LTWhat Car? says

BMW 3 Series TouringPrice £26,510-£38,035

Target Price

£24,620-£35,263

MPG 41.5-62.8

CO2 123-159g/km

For Excellent performance and economy, and a plush cabin. The big boot has lots of practical touches.Against Needs the optional adjustable suspension to ride and handle well. A tad too much wind noise.Our pick 320d SEWhat Car? says

Audi A4 AvantPrice £25,260-£55,525

Target Price

£22,867-£55,525

MPG 26.4-64.2

CO2 116-249g/km

For It has a well-shaped boot and a roomy cabin. It’s good to drive and resale values are strong.Against The rear seats don’t fold flat, the pedals are offset and some plastics aren’t that good.Our pick 2.0 TDIe 136 SEWhat Car? says

Audi A6 AvantPrice £33,110-£56,725

Target Price

£28,835-£52,939

MPG 28.8-57.6

CO2 132-229g/km

For There’s a big, high-quality cabin and plenty of standard equipment. It’s a refined motorway car.Against Boot capacity is some way short of some rivals’. It isn’t as good to drive as a BMW 5 Series.Our pick 2.0 TDI SEWhat Car? says

1 Skoda Octavia Estate 1.6 TDI 105 SE

2 BMW 520d Touring

SE auto3 Kia Cee’d

Sportswagon 1.4 CRDi 90 1

A to ZEstate cars

BestBuys


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ESTATE CARS A to Z

Mercedes-Benz

C-Class EstatePrice £27,475-£58,165

Target Price

£24,070-£53,507

MPG 23.2-60.1

CO2 124-285g/km

For It’s economical, the boot is big and safety equipment is excellent.Against It’s unrefined and the smaller diesel engines are gruff. Prices are high.Our pick C220 CDI Blue Efficiency Executive SEWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz

E-Class Estate Price £34,315-£75,535

Target Price

£30,874-£70,111

MPG 28.3-62.8

CO2 119-234g/km

For It’s bigger and more practical than rivals, and has potent engines.Against It’s pricey and the smaller engines aren’t refined enough.Our pick E350 CDI Blue Efficiency AvantgardeWhat Car? says

Mini ClubmanPrice £14,570-£26,260

Target Price

£13,848-£25,071

MPG 42.2-72.4

CO2 103-155g/km

For It’s a Mini with more space, so it’s fun to drive, has a reasonable ride and room for four. Against The one rear door is on the ‘traffic’ side. It’s bigger than the hatch, but still impractical.Our pick 1.6 CooperWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz

CLS Shooting Brake Price £49,390-£83,080

Target Price

£42,568-£74,885

MPG 28.0-53.3

CO2 139-235g/km

For Offers slinky styling, estate car practicality and strong, efficient engines.Against It’s pricey, rear visibility is poor and some of the controls are fiddly. Our pick 250 CDI Blue EfficiencyWhat Car? says

Peugeot 207 SWPrice £12,150-£17,695

Target Price £11,069-£15,862

MPG 42.2-67.3

CO2 110-155g/km

For The 207 SW has more boot and rear space than the 207 hatch. It’s good to drive and large discounts are available at dealers.Against It’s expensive and the diesel-engined models don’t ride as well as the petrol versions.Our pick 1.4 VTi 95 ActiveWhat Car? says


Target Price

£14,729-£19,684

MPG 41.0-62.8

CO2 110-159g/km

For There’s a massive boot, and top-spec versions get seven seats. It is better to drive than the hatchback.Against There’s not enough space in seven-seat mode. It’s pricey, and the driving position is offset.Our pick 1.6 HDi 112 SWhat Car? says

Renault Mégane Sport TourerPrice £17,350-£23,650

Target Price

£14,653-£19,919

MPG 40.9-80.7

CO2 90-159g/km

For It’s spacious, affordable and has a well-built cabin. It handles well.Against The rear seats won’t fold flat. Resale values are relatively weak.Our pick 1.5 dCi 110 Expression+ S/SWhat Car? says


Target Price

£18,809-£30,845

MPG 44.8-68.9

CO2 107-154g/km

For It handles well, the cabin is plush and the 1.6 e-HDi version is efficient.Against The ride is firm and some rivals have more cabin and boot space. Entry-level versions aren’t especially well equipped.Our pick 1.6 e-HDi 112 Act’veWhat Car? says

Seat Ibiza STPrice £12,260-£17,475

Target Price £10,811-£14,967

MPG 47.9-80.7

CO2 92-139g/km

For The Ibiza ST is a spacious, attractive estate. Economy and emissions are spectacular on the Ecomotive diesel model.Against The interior is rather utilitarian; the 1.4 petrol and 1.2 diesel are weak performers.Our pick 1.2 TSI 105 SEWhat Car? says

Skoda Fabia EstatePrice £11,215-£18,000


MPG 45.6-67.3

CO2 89-148g/km

For There’s huge luggage space, and it has good resale values. It handles tidily and rides well.Against The cabin plastics are disappointing and the engines are noisy. Some versions miss out on curtain airbags.Our pick 1.2 TSI 105 SEWhat Car? says

Subaru LegacyPrice £26,900-£31,375

Target Price

£25,047-£29,228

MPG 33.6-49.6

CO2 149-196g/km

For Every Legacy gets four-wheel drive and a long list of standard kit. The cabin and boot are roomy.Against It’s dearer to buy and run than some rivals, and it’s unremarkable to look at, sit in or drive.Our pick 2.0D SWhat Car? says

Skoda Superb EstatePrice £19,680-£34,430

Target Price

£18,352-£32,103

MPG 30.4-65.7

CO2 113-217g/km

For Vast boot and cabin. It’s well priced, relaxing to drive and feels solid inside.Against You get a stepped load area when you fold the rear seats. An Octavia Estate is better value and almost as big.Our pick 2.0 TDI 140 SWhat Car? says

Skoda Octavia EstatePrice £16,790-£25,450

Target Price

£16,790-£25,450

MPG 45.6-74.3

CO2 99-142g/km

For Offers a huge amount of boot and cabin space for a competitive price. Good to drive and classy inside. Against You have to pay extra or buy the top model to get a flat boot floor when the rear seats are folded.Our pick 1.6 TDI 105 SEWhat Car? says

Toyota Auris Touring SportsPrice £15,795-£23,245

Target Price

£15,795-£23,245

MPG 46.3-76.3

CO2 85-140g/km

For It’s a practical and user-friendly estate. The hybrid version is cheap to run as a company car.Against It’s disappointing to drive, the cabin is drab and the hybrid feels slow.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Most popular estate cars on whatcar.com

Ranking based on most


1 Ford Mondeo

2 Ford Focus

3 BMW 3 Series

4 BMW 5 Series

5 VW Passat


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ESTATE CARS & MPVs A to Z

Chevrolet OrlandoPrice £17,620-£24,190

Target Price

£16,436-£22,553

MPG 40.3-53.3

CO2 139-164g/km

For The Orlando has space for seven. It’s cheaper than many rivals and running costs are low.Against It’s not as versatile as some rivals and resale values are poor. The petrol engine is weak and noisy.Our pick 2.0 VCDi 130 LTWhat Car? says

Chrysler Grand VoyagerPrice £28,265-£36,265

Target Price

£28,265-£34,087


For It offers loads of space and fold-away rear seats. A classy image means resale values are fair, too.Against It’s expensive, the diesel engine is sluggish and thirsty, and interior quality is disappointing.Our pick 2.8 CRD TouringWhat Car? says

Citroën Berlingo MultispacePrice £12,960-£17,130

Target Price £11,606-£15,652

MPG 42.0-58.9

CO2 125-155g/km

For You can buy the vast space that a family needs for the price of a supermini. It is civilised to drive and affordable to run.Against Cheaper models are meanly equipped, notably for safety.Our pick 1.6 HDi 90 VTRWhat Car? says

Citroën C4 PicassoPrice £17,500-£21,060

Target Price

£16,808-£20,219

MPG 44.8-74.3

CO2 98-145g/km

For A classy interior with space for five and a big boot. Most versions have low running costs.Against Ride comfort could be better and there are too many functions on the touch-screen system.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Citroën C3 PicassoPrice £12,995-£17,865

Target Price

£9890-£15,452

MPG 44.1-67.2

CO2 112-149g/km

For A spacious interior and a big boot. Ride comfort and refinement are impressive, while forward vision is excellent.Against Some rivals are cheaper and the entry-level model has just two airbags.Our pick 1.4 VTi 95 VTR+ What Car? says

Volvo V70Price £25,395-£35,970

Target Price

£21,553-£30,603

MPG 58.9-67.3

CO2 111-126g/km

For It’s practical and has a well-shaped boot. The cabin is comfortable and standard kit is generous.Against The ride is choppy around town, the steering is vague and the larger diesel engines are noisy.Our pick 2.0 D3 SEWhat Car? says

Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI 140 SE’08/58, £7755

The Passat has a big,

flat-sided boot, and is

classy, comfortable,

spacious and good value.

Or try a…

Volvo V70 2.0D SE

’09/09, £11,270

Volvo has a reputation for

making excellent estates,

and the V70 is another

fine example. It’s practical

and used prices are low.

A to ZMPVs

1 Seat Alhambra

2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S2 Peugeot 5008

1.6 HDi 112 Active

3 Citroën C3 Picasso 1.4 VTi VTR+

S t

BestBuys

UsedBestBuy

Volvo V60Price £21,450-£41,965

Target Price

£21,450-£36,778

MPG 27.7-68.9

CO2 108-237g/km

For A classy, comfortable and spacious cabin. It’s keenly priced and there’s a big choice of safety kit.Against The boot isn’t as big as you’d expect, and the V60 isn’t as much fun to drive as some competitors.Our pick 1.6D Business Ed’nWhat Car? says

Volkswagen

Passat EstatePrice £21,340-£28,985

Target Price

£19,475-£26,427

MPG 39.2-65.7

CO2 113-169g/km

For It’s good to drive. The boot is well shaped, resale values are strong and most versions have plenty of kit.Against Some interior trim is a bit dour.Our pick 2.0 TDI 140 Bluemotion Tech HighlineWhat Car? says

Volkswagen

Golf EstatePrice £17,915-£24,440

Target Price £17,915-£24,440

MPG 53.3-72.4

CO2 102-124g/km

For The big boot is a practical shape, and the cabin is roomy and classy. The Golf is comfortable, refined and good to drive.Against The equivalent Skoda Octavia Estate is cheaper and even bigger.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Vauxhall Insignia Sports TourerPrice £18,629-£32,300

Target Price

£15,892-£29,895

MPG 25.0-55.4

CO2 119-265g/km

For It’s stylish; there’s more rear headroom than you’ll find in the hatchback.Against You have to lift items over the deep bumper. It’s not as good to drive as some rivals.Our pick 2.0 CDTi 160 Excl’What Car? says

Toyota Avensis TourerPrice £20,210-£29,905

Target Price

£20,210-£29,905

MPG 42.8-62.8

CO2 119-173g/km

For It has a big boot, it’s easy to drive and the cabin is comfortable. Most have low running costs.Against It’s not much fun to drive, the diesels are noisy and the pricier models aren’t good value.Our pick 2.0 D-4D IconWhat Car? says

Vauxhall Astra Sports TourerPrice £17,280-£25,175

Target Price

£15,960-£22,089

MPG 44.1-70.6

CO2 105-149g/km

For It’s practical and comfortable, and the cabin is solidly built.Against It’s expensive and doesn’t hold its value well. The steering is vague.Our pick 1.7 CDTi 130 Ecoflex Tech LineWhat Car? says

Vauxhall VXR8 TourerPrice £49,500



For It’s big, brash and loud, so offers something different from the norm. The boot is massive and the V8 engine thunderous.Against You’d better like paying for fuel and tyres, and the heavy gearbox and clutch certainly give you a workout.Our pick 6.2 V8What Car? says


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MPVs A to Z

Fiat DobloPrice £13,420-£18,310

Target Price £12,369-£16,838

MPG 39.2-56.5

CO2 133-166g/km

For The sliding side doors and deep boot are good for families, as is the comfortable ride. Against Cheaper models don’t have much kit. The rear tailgate is heavy and rear legroom isn’t as generous as you’d hope.Our pick 1.6 M’jt 105 MylifeWhat Car? says

Fiat 500LPrice £14,995-£19,590

Target Price

£14,503-£19,590

MPG 45.6-67.3

CO2 110-145g/km

For It’s a stylish mini-MPV with plenty of room, an airy cabin and some neat practical touches.Against Rivals are better to drive and more refined. It’s a bit pricey and the petrol models feel slow.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Fiat QuboPrice £11,490-£15,080

Target Price

£10,643-£13,938

MPG 42.8-68.9

CO2 107-152g/km

For Compact outside, but spacious inside. It’s easy to drive and comfortable.Against There’s not much safety or security kit, you need space to open the long tailgate and the rear windows don’t open far.Our pick 1.4 MylifeWhat Car? says

Ford C-Max/Grand C-MaxPrice £17,850-£25,950

Target Price

£15,633-£22,868

MPG 42.8-61.4

CO2 117-154g/km

For It’s one of the best-handling cars in its class and running costs are low.Against It’s not as versatile as some and reliability could be better.Our pick Grand 1.6 TDCi 115 ZetecWhat Car? says

Ford B-MaxPrice £12,995-£18,895

Target Price

£12,682-£16,763

MPG 44.1-70.6

CO2 104-149g/km

For It’s brilliant to drive and very practical. Having sliding rear doors and no middle pillar makes access to the rear seats easy.Against Entry-level models don’t get much kit and the top versions are pricey.Our pick 1.4 90 ZetecWhat Car? says

Ford GalaxyPrice £25,165-£32,365

Target Price

£23,040-£29,628

MPG 34.9-54.3

CO2 139-189g/km

For It is good to drive, and refined. The cabin is roomy and versatile, and all versions are well equipped.Against The S-Max costs less, is better to drive and is almost as practical. Resale values aren’t strong.Our pick 2.0 TDCi 140 ZetecWhat Car? says

Ford S-MaxPrice £22,805-£31,115

Target Price

£20,818-£28,405

MPG 34.9-54.3

CO2 139-194g/km

For The S-Max is more fun to drive than most, yet it’s also refined. The cabin is roomy and versatile.Against The two rear seats are cramped for adults and are fiddly to fold. Higher-spec models are expensive.Our pick 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec What Car? says

Kia CarensPrice £17,895-£23,895

Target Price

£17,895-£23,895

MPG 44.1-60.1

CO2 124-149g/km

For It’s a family-friendly seven-seater with a supple ride and a smart interior. The controls are simple to use and visibility is good.Against Access to the rear seats could be better and it’s pretty ordinary to drive.Our pick 1.7 CRDi 114 1What Car? says

Hyundai ix20Price £12,320-£16,145

Target Price £11,471-£15,006

MPG 47.1-64.2

CO2 117-140g/km

For The ix20 is roomy and the cabin is stylish. Comfort and safety kit is comprehensive.Against It’s no better than average to drive and the interior isn’t as classy as it looks. The diesel engine is noisy and inflexible.Our pick 1.4 ClassicWhat Car? says

Hyundai i800Price £22,700-£24,620

Target Price

£22,700-£23,090

MPG 32.1-37.7

CO2 197-231g/km

For There’s space for eight. It’s well priced and the engine is powerful.Against The driving position is too van-like and the ride can be bouncy. There are just two airbags and the cabin is utilitarian.Our pick 2.5 CRDi StyleWhat Car? says

Kia SoulPrice £12,800-£18,695

Target Price £11,271-£16,900

MPG 44.1-57.6

CO2 129-149g/km

For It has a spacious cabin and plenty of safety and security kit. The petrol engine is decently strong.Against The ride, handling and refinement are poor. It’s not especially cheap to buy and run, and the cabin isn’t versatile enough.Our pick 1.6 GDi 1What Car? says

Mercedes-Benz VianoPrice £35,745-£42,695

Target Price

£33,642-£40,175

MPG 32.8-38.7

CO2 195-226g/km

For Comes in three body lengths and two wheelbases, plus a variety of seating arrangements.Against It’s pricey, noisy and uncomfortable. The seats are heavy to remove.Our pick 2.2 CDI Ambiente SWBWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz R-Class Price £44,620-£48,775

Target Price

£36,650-£39,520

MPG 33.2-37.2

CO2 201-223g/km

For It’s a smooth, quiet cruiser with hushed engines. It is good to drive.Against It’s very expensive, and the standard model is too cramped in the rear. The car feels huge.Our pick R350L CDI Grand Edition 4WDWhat Car? says

Mazda 5Price £19,995-£21,295

Target Price

£19,221-£20,468

MPG 40.9-54.3

CO2 138-159g/km

For The Mazda 5 handles well, is well priced and is generously specified.Against The cabin isn’t as roomy or clever as those in many MPVs. The ride is firm, while some of the interior plastics feel flimsy.Our pick 1.6D VentureWhat Car? says

Kia VengaPrice £11,595-£17,970

Target Price £10,523-£16,274

MPG 47.9-64.2

CO2 117-139g/km

For The cabin is spacious and reasonably stylish. There’s lots of comfort and safety equipment.Against The Venga isn’t particularly cheap, it’s lacklustre to drive and the diesel engine is noisy and inflexible.Our pick 1.4 90 1What Car? says


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Toyota VersoPrice £17,500-£23,450

Target Price

£16,406-£21,963

MPG 41.5-57.6

CO2 129-159g/km

For There’s lots of space in the front two rows and a big boot in five-seat mode. It’s comfortable and has lots of safety equipment.Against Not as roomy or as clever as some rivals. Rear visibility could be better.Our pick 2.0 D-4D IconWhat Car? says

Toyota Verso-SPrice £15,145-£16,445

Target Price

£14,160-£15,371


For There’s masses of space, despite it being small and easy to park. Running costs are low.Against It’s not particularly cheap or practical. The engine is pretty weak and the CVT gearbox makes it very noisy.Our pick 1.3 VVT-i TRWhat Car? says

Vauxhall Zafira TourerPrice £20,145-£29,190

Target Price

£18,789-£25,103

MPG 39.2-62.8

CO2 119-169g/km

For The cabin looks and feels classy. Standard kit is competitive and the Tourer rides well at speed.Against The diesel engines are noisy, others are more practical and raising the middle-row seats is tricky.Our pick 2.0 CDTi 130 Excl’What Car? says

Vauxhall ZafiraPrice £18,570-£25,505

Target Price £15,116-£20,683

MPG 39.2-55.4

CO2 134-168g/km

For As roomy as any other, and good to drive. There are big discounts to be had.Against The one-piece second-row seat means the cabin isn’t that versatile. Ride and refinement aren’t up to standard and visibility isn’t great.Our pick 1.7 CDTi E’flx Excl’What Car? says

Vauxhall MerivaPrice £12,505-£22,155

Target Price

£12,505-£19,453

MPG 44.1-68.9

CO2 109-149g/km

For Rear-hinged rear doors mean access is easy. It’s full of family-friendly features.Against It struggles to take five people comfortably. The steering is vague, the engines are weak and economy is so-so.Our pick 1.4T 120 ExclusivWhat Car? says

Toyota Prius+Price £26,495-£29,795

Target Price

£25,362-£28,517

MPG 64.2-68.9

CO2 96-101/km

For It has class-leading environmental performance, lots of kit and decent versatility.Against It’s expensive next to similar rivals, it’s slow and the interior materials look and feel cheap.Our pick 1.8 VVT-i T4What Car? says

Seat Altea/Altea XLPrice £16,430-£20,735

Target Price

£15,197-£19,166

MPG 43.5-62.8

CO2 119-152g/km

For The Altea is enjoyable to drive. It’s roomy, keenly priced and well-equipped.Against It isn’t as quiet and refined as some, and Sport models ride too firmly. Its cabin isn’t that versatile.Our pick XL 1.6 TDI 105 Ecomotive SWhat Car? says

Ssangyong TurismoPrice £18,000



For Space for seven and luggage for a temptingly low price. It has a long warranty and four-wheel-drive versions are available.Against It’s short of safety equipment and you have to put up with lots of body lean, slow steering and a bouncy low-speed ride.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Skoda RoomsterPrice £11,970-£16,195

Target Price £10,371-£13,976

MPG 45.6-76.4

CO2 109-143g/km

For The cabin is airy and spacious, and there’s a large, well-shaped boot. Big discounts are available.Against The interior plastics are drab and the entry-level model is poorly equipped. The engines are noisy, too.Our pick 1.2 TSI 85 SEWhat Car? says

Seat AlhambraPrice £25,040-£31,885

Target Price

£23,094-£29,405

MPG 47.1-50.4

CO2 146-158g/km

For It is incredibly spacious and practical. It’s also refined and smooth-riding.Against It’s big, so finding a parking space can be tricky. The rearmost seats don’t fold away as quickly as those in some rivals.Our pick 2.0 TDI 140 Ec’v S What Car? says

Renault Scénic/Grand ScénicPrice £17,955-£23,395

Target Price £17,955-£23,395

MPG 36.7-68.9

CO2 105-178g/km

For There’s a large, practical boot and the diesel versions have low CO2 emissions.Against The cabin isn’t that big or clever, and reliability could be better. Our pick Grand 1.5 dCi 110 Dynamique TomTomWhat Car? says

Peugeot 5008Price £18,350-£25,605

Target Price

£15,868-£23,303

MPG 40.4-65.7

CO2 113-163g/km

For It’s one of the most practical MPVs, thanks to its spacious cabin and flexible seating. Against Some of the switches are fiddly and hard to reach. There are no alloys on entry models.Our pick 1.6 HDi 112 Active What Car? says

Peugeot Partner TepeePrice £12,960-£16,210

Target Price £11,407-£14,528

MPG 38.7-58.9

CO2 125-169g/km

For It’s spacious and practical. The engines are smooth and it feels solid.Against Some versions are costly, and you’ll have to spend extra on desirable comfort and safety kit. It jolts over potholes and the cabin plastics are hard.Our pick 1.6 HDi 92 SWhat Car? says

Peugeot Bipper TepeePrice £12,595-£14,245

Target Price £11,433-£12,994

MPG 62.8-68.9

CO2 107-119g/km

For It’s hugely practical. The ride is smooth and, considering it is van-based, refinement is good.Against It’s short of some safety kit, the rear windows don’t open fully and the long tailgate is tricky to open in tight spaces.Our pick 1.3 HDi 75 S S/SWhat Car? says

Nissan NotePrice £11,900-£16,950

Target Price

£11,900-£16,950

MPG 54.3-78.5

CO2 95-119g/km

For Offers a spacious cabin, generous equipment levels and low running costs. It’s also quiet on the motorway and good to drive.Against Practicality could be better and the cabin isn’t particularly plush.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says


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Volkswagen CaravellePrice £35,205-£42,705

Target Price

£33,375-£40,479

MPG 35.8-39.2

CO2 189-208g/km

For The Caravelle has plenty of space and a flat floor. It has an adaptable cabin and is good to drive.Against It’s costly, and has van-like looks and size. The seats are heavy to remove.Our pick 2.0 TDI 140 SE SWBWhat Car? says

Volkswagen Sharan Price £24,600-£33,050

Target Price

£21,904-£30,111

MPG 33.2-50.4

CO2 146-198g/km

For A versatile seven-seat cabin that feels classy yet hard-wearing. It’s good to drive, and the sliding rear doors are really handy. Against Entry trim is basic. The third-row seats could be easier to fold flat.Our pick 2.0 TDI 140 SEWhat Car? says

Volkswagen Golf Plus Price £18,060-£23,335

Target Price

£15,372-£20,286

MPG 43.5-65.7

CO2 114-153g/km

For Offers more space and easier access than a regular Golf hatchback.Against It’s not as versatile as many compact MPVs. Dearer than the equivalent Golf hatch and doesn’t hold its value as strongly.Our pick 1.4 TSI SEWhat Car? says

Volkswagen Touran Price £19,210-£26,355

Target Price

£17,764-£24,338

MPG 34.9-61.4

CO2 121-159g/km

For Has a spacious cabin, great engines and is good to drive. All versions are well equipped.Against It’s pricey, and you have to lift out the mid-row seats for best load space.Our pick 1.2 TSI SE Bluemotion TechWhat Car? says

Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec ’09/09, £10,705

Space for seven, agile

and composed handling,

and a comfortable ride:

the S-Max offers all this,

and its diesel engine

keeps running costs low.

Or try a…

Vauxhall Zafira

1.6 Exclusiv, ’08/08, £4570

The Zafira is a bargain

seven-seater. There are

lots to choose from, too.

Audi A6 Allroad Price £43,805-£50,105

Target Price

£38,859-£44,453

MPG 42.2-46.3

CO2 159-176g/km

For Classy blend of SUV and estate with strong diesel engines, superb quality and a huge boot.Against It’s pricey, there’s a little too much wind noise and the rear seats are uncomfortable for three.Our pick 3.0 V6 TDI quattroWhat Car? says

Audi A4 AllroadPrice £31,810-£37,275

Target Price

£29,458-£34,509

MPG 38.7-46.3

CO2 159-170g/km

For Offers some of the image and ability of a 4x4 in estate-car form. It also has a practical boot, strong engines and plenty of kit.Against It’s pricey, the pedals are offset and the ride isn’t smooth enough.Our pick 2.0 TDIWhat Car? says

1 BMW X3 xDrive20d SE automatic2 Land Rover

Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS3 Mazda CX-5

2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L 2WD

Audi Q5 Price £30,980-£44,055

Target Price

£28,994-£41,208

MPG 37.7-47.9

CO2 154-174g/km

For Great refinement, and a big boot and cabin. It’s also well equipped and the dashboard is easy to use.Against The biggest problem is its over-firm ride, although high prices and wind noise are niggles.Our pick 2.0 TDI 170 SE S/SWhat Car? says

Audi Q3 Price £25,270-£32,080

Target Price

£23,771-£30,101

MPG 36.7-54.3

CO2 137-179g/km

For Impressively smooth and quiet; it’s also a punchy performer and it rides well, too. Interior finish is impeccable.Against Some extras are pricey. Resale values aren’t quite what you’d hope for. Our pick 2.0 TDI 140 SEWhat Car? says

A to ZSUVs

UsedBestBuy

UVsBestBuys

BMW X6Price £47,230-£86,220

Target Price

£43,979-£81,568

MPG 20.3-38.2

CO2 195-325g/km

For One of the best SUVs to drive. It’s also refined and economical.Against Just four seats as standard, and the sloping roofline means head- and legroom suffer. The diesel engines are slightly coarse.Our pick xDrive30dWhat Car? says

BMW X5Price £45,560-£83,800

Target Price

£42,415-£77,982

MPG 20.3-38.2

CO2 195-325g/km

For Few big SUVs are as good to drive. It’s agile and mixes strong performance with good economy.Against The ride is a little firm over rough surfaces. The X5 looks costly next to a Land Rover Discovery.Our pick xDrive30d SEWhat Car? says

BMW X1Price £25,030-£33,235

Target Price

£23,368-£31,022

MPG 37.7-62.8

CO2 119-176g/km

For It’s a refined cruiser that’s also composed in bends. It’s economical and has low CO2 emissions.Against Interior quality is disappointing and the cabin isn’t hugely practical. The ride is unsettled. Our pick sDrive18d SEWhat Car? says

BMW X3Price £28,970-£42,900

Target Price

£27,390-£40,538

MPG 46.3-55.4

CO2 135-162g/km

For With optional Dynamic Damper Control, the X3 is comfortable and agile. The cabin is spacious, and running costs are low.Against Space isn’t great in the mid-rear seat and the manual gearbox is clunky.Our pick xDrive20d SE auto What Car? says

Audi Q7Price £43,660-£60,875

Target Price

£40,224-£56,077

MPG 30.7-39.2

CO2 189-242g/km

For Imposing looks, broad engine choice and reasonably sporty to drive.Against It is so big that it’s a nightmare to park. The third row of seats is cramped, and it’s pricey to buy and run.Our pick 3.0 V6 TDIWhat Car? says


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Jeep WranglerPrice £28,665-£32,490

Target Price

£27,226-£30,877

MPG 23.7-34.9

CO2 213-273g/km

For It’s great off road. Cabin finish is competent and the diesel engine pulls hard. Against It’s slow, noisy and rough on-road. The steering is vague, and resale values are nowhere near a Land Rover’s.Our pick 2.8 CRD Sport 3drWhat Car? says

Kia SorentoPrice £26,500-£35,105

Target Price

£23,809-£32,186

MPG 41.5-47.9

CO2 155-178g/km

For It has a spacious cabin, a strong diesel engine and lots of equipment. It’s also relatively cheap for a seven-seat SUV. Against The ride is unsettled and the interior plastics feel cheap.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Jeep Grand Cherokee Price £38,615-£59,630

Target Price

£36,850-£56,909

MPG 20.2-37.7

CO2 198-327g/km

For It has imposing styling and plenty of equipment. It’s good off road, too.Against Cabin quality doesn’t match the price. Cheaper models don’t ride or handle particularly well, and the steering is vague.Our pick 3.0 CRD V6 Overl’dWhat Car? says

Land Rover Defender Price £21,415-£33,000

Target Price

£20,070-£30,917

MPG 25.5-28.8

CO2 266-295g/km

For Its ability in the rough stuff is legendary, and the diesel engine is strong.Against On road, there’s vague handling and a bouncy ride. The driving position is cramped.Our pick 110 2.2D County Station WagonWhat Car? says

Kia SportagePrice £17,305-£26,940

Target Price

£16,294-£25,352

MPG 35.8-54.3

CO2 135-188g/km

For The Sportage looks great and has a practical, stylish cabin. It’s cheap to buy and well equipped.Against The diesel engines aren’t as flexible as some’. The ride can be unsettled, while the steering is vague.Our pick 1.6 GDi 1What Car? says

Infiniti EX Price £37,170-£45,875

Target Price

£35,330-£43,610

MPG 25.0-33.2

CO2 224-265g/km

For It handles well, the interior is high-quality and the dashboard is well laid out. Kit is very generous.Against It’s too expensive and the V6 petrol is thirsty. Rear space is cramped and the boot is too small.Our pick 3.0dWhat Car? says

Jeep Compass Price £17,465-£24,215

Target Price

£16,291-£22,579

MPG 32.8-42.8

CO2 172-199g/km

For Cheaper to buy than key rivals and every version is well equipped. Plenty of room for four.Against Ride and handling disappoint, and the diesel engine is noisy. The cabin plastics are cheap. Our pick 2.2 CRD Sp’t+ 2WDWhat Car? says

Infiniti FX Price £46,815-£100,835

Target Price

£44,502-£100,835

MPG 21.6-31.4

CO2 238-307g/km

For Fearsome to look at and powerful engines mean strong performance.Against It costs a bomb to buy and run, and resale values aren’t great. The ride is appalling and the cabin isn’t big or classy enough.Our pick 3.0d GTWhat Car? says

Honda CR-VPrice £21,505-£31,555

Target Price

£19,949-£29,228

MPG 37.2-62.8

CO2 119-177g/km

For You get loads of cabin and boot space, and it’s comfortable and easy to live with.Against The handling is sloppy and the top models are pricey. The optional automatic gearbox is slow.Our pick 1.6 i-DTEC SEWhat Car? says

Hyundai Santa FePrice £25,850-£33,170

Target Price

£24,746-£31,744

MPG 46.3-47.9

CO2 155-159g/km

For It’s practical, classy and well equipped. The diesel engine is strong and keeps running costs bearable.Against Pricey compared with some rivals and the manual gearbox is notchy.Our pick 2.2 CRDi Style 4WD 7st autoWhat Car? says

Hyundai ix35Price £17,555-£27,970

Target Price

£16,299-£25,866

MPG 41.5-49.6

CO2 139-158g/km

For Cheaper to buy and better equipped than many. It’s practical, and the 1.6 petrol engine is willing. Against The ix35 falls short of its key rivals for ride comfort, refinement and interior quality.Our pick .1.6 GDi StyleWhat Car? says

Chevrolet CaptivaPrice £22,910-£31,365

Target Price

£21,198-£28,020

MPG 44.1-45.5

CO2 164-170g/km

For It’s a practical family SUV that comes with a five-year warranty.Against It’s noisy and inefficient, the cabin feels cheap and the versions you’ll want are expensive.Our pick 2.2 VCDi 184 LT 7st AWDWhat Car? says

Dacia DusterPrice £8995-£14,995

Target Price

£8995-£14,995

MPG 35.3-62.7

CO2 130-185g/km

For It’s a lot of car for the money, with a spacious cabin and a big boot.Against The refinement and handling disappoint, and basic models are sparsely equipped.Our pick 1.5 dCi 110 Ambiance 4WDWhat Car? says

Ford KugaPrice £20,900-£29,055

Target Price

£19,333-£26,882

MPG 36.7-53.3

CO2 139-179g/km

For Offers decent cabin space, good handling and a generous equipment list. The diesel engines are strong and economical.Against Not as practical as rivals, especially in the boot. Too much wind noise.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Chevrolet TraxPrice £15,495-£20,495

Target Price

£15,495-£20,495

MPG 43.4-45.5

CO2 120-153g/km

For The chunky looks will appeal to some, and it has a practical cabin. Most versions are well priced.Against Rivals are far quieter and better to drive. The boot isn’t as big as some competitors’.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says


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SUVs A to Z

Land Rover Freelander Price £23,705-£37,215

Target Price

£22,096-£34,691

MPG 40.4-47.1

CO2 158-185g/km

For It’s comfortable on road and capable off it. Resale values are strong.Against Prices are steep, and rivals provide far more rear legroom and boot space.Our pick 2.2 TD4 150 XS 4WDWhat Car? says

Land Rover DiscoveryPrice £38,850-£52,475

Target Price

£36,992-£49,950


For Brilliant on and off road. There’s space for seven, plus superb versatility. It’s refined and has excellent visibility.Against It’s expensive to run, either privately or as a company car. Japanese rivals are far more reliable.Our pick 3.0 SDV6 XS What Car? says

Land Rover Range Rover SportPrice £51,550-£81,550

Target Price

£51,550-£81,550

MPG 22.1-38.7

CO2 194-298g/km

For Wonderfully refined, luxurious and comfortable. Roomy for five and there’s the option of seven seats. Against Pricey to buy and run. It feels big and heavy compared with rivals. Our pick 3.0 SDV6 HSEWhat Car? says

Land Rover

Range Rover EvoquePrice £29,200-£41,510

Target Price

£28,277-£40,206

MPG 32.5-57.6

CO2 129-199g/km

For Stylish, fun to drive and hugely desirable.Against It’s not as green as some, and the high waist and small windows mean the cabin can feel gloomy.Our pick 2.2 SD4 190 Pure 5drWhat Car? says

Lexus RXPrice £44,495-£55,495

Target Price

£42,255-£52,689


For It’s very tax-efficient and has low running costs. It’s stacked with kit, refined and takes five plus luggage.Against The ride is fidgety, the steering is short of feel and the CVT gearbox takes some getting used to. Some of the controls are fiddly.Our pick 450h SEWhat Car? says

Mazda CX-5Price £21,395-£27,795

Target Price

£20,616-£26,781

MPG 47.1-61.4

CO2 119-139g/km

For You get lots of space and kit for a good price. CO2 emissions and fuel economy are top drawer.Against The ride and refinement could be better. Some of the interior trim is a little drab.Our pick 2.2D 150 SE-L 2WDWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz M-ClassPrice £43,870-£83,655

Target Price

£40,653-£78,849

MPG 23.9-44.8

CO2 158-276g/km

For Superb refinement and high-speed stability. The diesel models have pretty low running costs.Against Cabin quality isn’t that good. The optional extras are very expensive.Our pick ML350 Bluetec SEWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz GLPrice £59,485-£91,715

Target Price

£55,276-£86,572

MPG 23.0-35.3

CO2 209-288g/km

For There’s space and comfort for seven, and the engines are refined and offer strong performance. The cabin is classy.Against High prices and running costs, and it feels cumbersome in town. Our pick GL350 BluetecWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz G-ClassPrice £83,005-£123,175

Target Price

£76,026-£114,230

MPG 20.5-25.2

CO2 295-322g/km

For It has awesome off-road ability and you can personalise the interior to your heart’s content.Against It’s very expensive to buy and run, and isn’t easy to drive or park.Our pick G350 BluetecWhat Car? says

Mitsubishi ASXPrice £16,679-£25,075

Target Price

£15,548-£23,369

MPG 47.1-54.3

CO2 136-139g/km

For It has a spacious, solidly built cabin, a well-controlled ride and a keen list price. The diesel engine is efficient.Against Refinement could be better and the diesels have to be serviced often.Our pick 1.8 DI-D 3 2WDWhat Car? says

Most popular SUVs on whatcar.com

1 Mazda CX-5

2 BMW X3

3 Nissan Qashqai

4 Audi Q3

5 Hyundai ix35

6 Honda CR-VRanking based on most


Mitsubishi OutlanderPrice £23,879-£34,229

Target Price

£22,951-£32,897

MPG 48.7-53.3

CO2 138-153g/km

For It’s practical, with seven versatile seats and a big boot. The ride is generally comfortable.Against The cabin is dull and some rivals are more efficient. High-spec models are expensive.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Mitsubishi ShogunPrice £30,774-£43,474

Target Price

£28,564-£40,331

MPG 34.9-36.2

CO2 207-213g/km

For It’s superb off road and feels robust. It seats seven and gets lots of equipment.Against The ride is too uncultured on road and the Shogun doesn’t handle well. Refinement is so-so.Our pick 3.2 DI-DC 197 EquippeWhat Car? says

Nissan Pathfinder Price £32,945-£36,280

Target Price

£30,970-£34,101


For Capable in the rough and its cabin has seven seats. Every version comes with plenty of equipment.Against It rides and handles like the pick-up it’s based on, and the engine is noisy and inflexible. Resale values are weak.Our pick 2.5 dCi 190 AcentaWhat Car? says

Nissan JukePrice £12,995-£22,600

Target Price

£12,995-£21,292

MPG 38.2-67.3

CO2 109-169g/km

For Strikingly styled small SUV that’s well equipped and attractively priced.Against The rear seats are cramped and the boot is small. It’s noisy, not great to drive and cabin quality isn’t a strong point.Our pick 1.6 92 Visia What Car? says


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Subaru XVPrice £18,995-£27,695

Target Price

£18,995-£27,695

MPG 40.9-50.4

CO2 146-160g/km

For It handles well and the diesel engine offers strong performance. There’s lots of legroom in the back.Against Most rivals are cheaper to buy and own. Ride and refinement are poor at all speeds. Our pick 2.0D SEWhat Car? says

Subaru OutbackPrice £28,870-£32,375

Target Price

£26,879-£30,157

MPG 33.6-47.8

CO2 167-194g/km

For Comes with four-wheel drive and plenty of kit. The cabin is roomy and the diesel engine is flexible.Against The Outback costs more to buy and run than some, and it’s nothing special to sit in or drive.Our pick 2.0D SEWhat Car? says

Subaru ForesterPrice £24,995-£30,995

Target Price

£24,284-£30,118

MPG 33.2-49.6

CO2 150-197g/km

For Impressive off-road ability and cabin space. It also handles well and has plenty of equipment.Against It’s expensive, running costs are higher than most rivals’ and the cabin is plain.Our pick 2.0D XWhat Car? says

Skoda YetiPrice £15,140-£26,410

Target Price

£13,833-£24,095

MPG 35.3-61.4

CO2 119-189g/km

For Sharp steering and fine body control. The cabin is massive and the seating set-up is versatile.Against Too much wind and road noise, and the ride is jittery. Removable rear seats are heavy to lift.Our pick 1.2 TSI S 2WDWhat Car? says

Ssangyong KorandoPrice £14,995-£21,445

Target Price

£14,200-£20,308

MPG 44.1-47.1

CO2 157-169g/km

For Attractively styled and spacious enough for five adults. The diesel engine makes for swift progress.Against The diesel is also rattly and has high emissions, while the car’s handling disappoints. Our pick 2.0D SX 4WDWhat Car? says

Nissan X-TrailPrice £26,215-£31,700

Target Price

£24,188-£29,258

MPG 39.8-44.1

CO2 168-188g/km

For The X-Trail has a decent ride and composed handling. It’s better off road than many rivals.Against Rear-seat space isn’t as good as in some rival 4x4s, and access is restricted. Our pick 2.0 dCi 173 AcentaWhat Car? says

Peugeot 3008Price £17,400-£24,400

Target Price £14,745-£21,829

MPG 40.9-83.1

CO2 88-159g/km

For Excellent refinement, a classy interior, versatility and excellent engines. It’s a great family all-rounder.Against Rear kneeroom is tight and the ride and handling aren’t impressive unless you get a car with Dynamic Roll Control.Our pick 1.6 THP 156 Active What Car? says

Porsche CayennePrice £42,990-£86,896

Target Price

£42,990-£86,896

MPG 24.6-39.2

CO2 189-270g/km

For Handles brilliantly, it’s refined and performance is sensational. The cabin looks and feels classy, and there’s good space for five.Against The low-speed ride is unsettled and it’s costly to buy and run. Our pick 4.2 V8 Diesel SWhat Car? says

Peugeot 508 RXHPrice £33,895



For Low CO2 emissions make it tax-efficient. It switches smoothly from diesel to electric power.Against The semi-auto gearbox is slow and clunky, and the ride is unsettled. It’s expensive to buy and the batteries eat into the boot space.Our pick 2.0 HDi Hybrid4What Car? says

Peugeot 2008Price £12,995-£19,195

Target Price

£12,664-£18,697

MPG 47.9-74.3

CO2 98-135g/km

For It has a classy and practical interior, plus most versions are well equipped and cheap to run.Against It’s ordinary to drive and not everyone will be able to get comfortable behind the wheel.Our pick 1.2 VTi 82 ActiveWhat Car? says

Renault CapturPrice £12,495-£18,695

Target Price £12,379-£18,518

MPG 52.3-76.4

CO2 95-125g/km

For It looks quirky and handles better than many small SUVs. It’s good value and the boot is big.Against The ride is unsettled, the engines can struggle at speed and some cabin trim is hard.Our pick 1.5 dCi Dynamique Media NavWhat Car? says

Suzuki SX4Price £12,595-£17,699

Target Price £10,648-£14,917

MPG 45.6-53.3

CO2 139-149g/km

For The Suzuki SX4 is good to drive, decently equipped and attractively priced. It has the looks of a 4x4, but without the running costs.Against It doesn’t look as funky as other crossovers, the 1.6-litre petrol engine is noisy and the boot is small.Our pick 1.6 SZ3 2WDWhat Car? says

Suzuki Jimny Price £11,995-£13,295

Target Price £11,247-£12,461


For It’s capable off road thanks to its low-ratio gearbox. It’s cheap and the warranty is good.Against There are too many shortcomings in the way it drives on the road; it’s very slow, the ride is too firm and it’s short of grip. Rear cabin space is tight.Our pick 1.3 SZ3What Car? says

Suzuki Grand VitaraPrice £15,995-£23,875

Target Price

£14,967-£22,296

MPG 31.3-41.5

CO2 179-208g/km

For It’s cheaper than many rivals and has genuine off-road ability.Against The ride is firm, the engines are noisy and there’s too much wind noise. It’s also costly to run and not very practical.Our pick 1.6 SZ3What Car? says

Nissan Qashqai/Qashqai +2Price £16,895-£28,850

Target Price

£15,505-£26,481

MPG 35.8-62.8

CO2 119-183g/km

For Funky styling, good prices and strong resale values. Refinement and comfort are impressive.Against Such a cushy ride means plenty of body lean. The 1.5-litre diesel is noisy.Our pick 1.6 dCi Ac’nta 2WD What Car? says

Toyota Land CruiserPrice £32,765-£52,915

Target Price

£30,385-£49,006

MPG 34.9 CO2 213-214g/km

For It’s practical, built to last and will take you wherever you want it to.Against It’s huge, so can be difficult to manoeuvre. It’s also not as agile as many rivals on road, and the four-cylinder diesel engine is rather weedy. Our pick 3.0 D-4D LC3What Car? says

Volkswagen

Passat AlltrackPrice £28,985-£31,760

Target Price

£26,427-£31,760

MPG 47.9-49.6

CO2 149-155g/km

For It’s practical, spacious, refined and comfortable, and is four-wheel drive.Against Prices are high, some of the cabin looks cheap and folding the rear seats flat is fiddly.Our pick 2.0 TDI 140What Car? says

Volvo XC90Price £36,865-£45,465

Target Price

£33,211-£37,776


For A practical, seven-seat cabin that’s solid enough to deal with family life. The ride is smooth.Against It’s not as sharp to drive as some and the boomy diesel engine feels tardy at low revs. The rear two seats are for kids only.Our pick 2.4 D5 200 ESWhat Car? says

Toyota Land Cruiser V8Price £65,220



For Huge seven-seat cabin and a strong engine. It’s great off road, well built and has plenty of kit.Against Its sheer size can make it difficult to manoeuvre, and rivals are better on road. The cabin doesn’t feel special enough, either.Our pick 4.5 D-4DWhat Car? says

Volkswagen TiguanPrice £21,250-£29,215

Target Price

£19,546-£27,873

MPG 33.2-53.3

CO2 139-199g/km

For Fun to drive, thanks to responsive engines and a balanced chassis. It’s got a spacious and flexible cabin.Against It’s not cheap as some rivals and rear visibility isn’t great. Our pick 2.0 TDI 140 Bluemotion Technology SEWhat Car? says

Vauxhall AntaraPrice £19,785-£27,325

Target Price

£17,306-£23,786

MPG 32.1-46.3

CO2 160-206g/km

For Good passenger space and it is well equipped.Against It’s not as cheap or as good to drive as key rivals. The gearshift is clumsy and the diesel engine is flat at low revs. The boot is pretty small.Our pick 2.2 CDTi 163 Excl’vWhat Car? says

Vauxhall MokkaPrice £15,999-£23,699

Target Price

£15,704-£22,463

MPG 43.5-62.8

CO2 120-153g/km

For It looks good, has a fairly practical cabin and boot, and the cheaper versions are decent value.Against Rivals are more comfortable and more refined, and the diesel engine is noisy.Our pick 1.6 Tech LineWhat Car? says

Volvo XC70Price £32,795-£43,160

Target Price

£26,453-£36,535

MPG 26.7-53.3

CO2 139-248g/km

For It’s practical, well built and the four-wheel-drive models are decent off road.Against The ride is choppy around town and the steering is vague. The engines are noisy and the boot is rather shallow.Our pick 2.0 D4 SEWhat Car? says

Volvo XC60Price £30,735-£43,550

Target Price

£26,793-£38,986

MPG 26.4-53.3

CO2 139-249g/km

For It’s a smooth, quiet cruiser with plenty of power. There’s good space for five and a huge boot.Against The five-cylinder diesel engines could be quieter and the dashboard has some fiddly buttons.Our pick 2.0 D4 SE What Car? says

Toyota RAV4Price £22,595-£28,200

Target Price

£20,993-£26,197

MPG 39.2-57.6

CO2 127-167g/km

For There’s plenty of room for people and luggage, and most versions are well equipped.Against The diesel engines are noisy and the ride can be unsettled. The cabin is unappealing.Our pick 2.0 D-4D IconWhat Car? says

Volkswagen TouaregPrice £41,535-£60,625

Target Price

£36,753-£55,989

MPG 31.0-40.4

CO2 184-239g/km

For It’s cheaper to buy than most rivals and comes with lots of equipment. Against There’s no seven-seat model and it doesn’t feel special enough inside. Resale values don’t match the best in class.Our pick 3.0 V6 TDI SEWhat Car? says


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Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi Acenta ’08/58, £8505

Blends the practicality

and low running costs of

a small family car with

the high-rise visibility

of an SUV. It’s also

comfortable and refined.

Or try a…

Hyundai Santa Fe

2.2 CRTD CDX 7st,

’08/58, £9140

Spacious, practical,

reliable and a bargain.

UsedBestBuy

A to ZCoupésp

BestBuys

1 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport

2 Volkswagen Scirocco

1.4 TSI 1603 BMW 640d

M Sport

Aston Martin DB9Price £131,995



For Gorgeous looks and searing performance. The V12 engine has huge pull from low revs. The cabin is attractive and comfortable.Against The ride is firm and the steering is heavy at low speeds. The cramped rear seats are good only as extra luggage space.Our pick 5.9 V12What Car? says

Audi A5Price £28,845-£59,350

Target Price

£26,165-£59,350

MPG 26.9-64.2

CO2 115-246g/km

For Classy, solidly built and desirable. Performance is strong from all and the handling is composed.Against Rear leg- and headroom are tight. The ride is poor on S line models.Our pick 2.0 TDI 177 SEWhat Car? says


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COUPES A to Z

Mercedes-Benz

E-Class CoupéPrice £35,095-£46,265

Target Price

£35,095-£46,265

MPG 37.2-60.1

CO2 123-177g/km

For It’s stylish, well built and has lots of kit. Running costs are competitive.Against Most models come with overly firm sports suspension as standard. The boot is oddly shaped.Our pick E220 CDI SEWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz CLPrice £95,525-£164,815

Target Price

£77,763-£145,025

MPG 19.5-29.4

CO2 227-334g/km

For An awesomely comfortable luxury coupé, with loads of style and deep reserves of power.Against It costs an awful lot to buy, and the big bills don’t stop there. Our pick CL500 CGI Blue EfficiencyWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz

C-Class CoupéPrice £30,450-£98,765

Target Price

£27,023-£98,765

MPG 23.5-68.9

CO2 109-280g/km

For A smart compact coupé with lots of luxury and safety equipment.Against Refinement, comfort and interior quality are disappointing.Our pick C350 CGI AMG SportWhat Car? says

Mini CoupéPrice £16,640-£26,350

Target Price

£16,048-£25,408

MPG 42.8-65.7

CO2 114-153g/km

For Has bags of style and is fun to drive. It’s more affordable than its rivals.Against There are just two seats, rear visibility is hopeless, and the diesel engine could be punchier and more refined.Our pick 1.6T Cooper SWhat Car? says

Maserati GranturismoPrice £82,140-£109,995

Target Price

£82,140-£109,995

MPG 19.6-19.8

CO2 330-337g/km

For It’s refined and fun to drive, with well-weighted steering and plenty of grip. There’s space for four, too.Against It’s costly to own, the ride is unsettled and rear visibility is poor. The 4.2 is short of low-rev pull.Our pick 4.7 V8 SportWhat Car? says

Infiniti G37 CoupéPrice £36,760-£41,840

Target Price

£34,866-£39,672


For Quick, responsive, attractive and rare coupé. Rear seats are good for kids.Against Running costs, fuel consumption and emissions are high, while resale values could be low. The entry-level trim misses out on leather upholstery.Our pick 3.7 V6 G37 SWhat Car? says

Hyundai VelosterPrice £18,005-£22,120

Target Price

£16,697-£20,502

MPG 40.9-47.9

CO2 137-157g/km

For Cheaper than its rivals and has a handy extra door on the passenger side to make rear access easier.Against Numb steering and a fidgety ride. Refinement is poor and rear space is limited.Our pick 1.6 GDiWhat Car? says

Jaguar XKPrice £65,465-£97,465

Target Price

£57,652-£97,465

MPG 23.0-25.2

CO2 264-292g/km

For GT refinement and sports-car sharpness. It’s roomy in the front and the engines sound fabulous.Against It’s expensive to buy and run, and the rear seats are best used as just extra luggage space.Our pick 5.0 V8 XKWhat Car? says

Honda CR-ZPrice £20,750-£24,720

Target Price

£19,867-£23,232

MPG 54.3-56.5

CO2 116-122g/km

For It looks stunning, it’s fun to drive and is well equipped. The smooth petrol-electric hybrid system keeps costs low.Against Too much road noise, the ride is firm and the rear seats are useless.Our pick 1.5 i-VTEC SportWhat Car? says

Ferrari FFPrice £227,077



For Room for four and all their luggage. Sensational performance, brilliant four-wheel-drive traction and a supple ride.Against You won’t get much touring done between fuel stops. The brakes could do with being stronger, too.Our pick 6.3 V12What Car? says

BMW 1 Series CoupéPrice £22,600-£32,995

Target Price

£20,566-£28,779

MPG 33.2-62.8

CO2 118-198g/km

For Fun to drive, with good steering feedback. The diesels are frugal and the driving position is spot-on.Against The lower-powered petrol engines need to be worked hard. M Sport models ride firmly.Our pick 120d SEWhat Car? says

BMW 3 Series CoupéPrice £27,235-£54,980

Target Price

£24,704-£51,598

MPG 22.8-60.1

CO2 125-290g/km

For It’s good to drive and has impressive engines. There’s space for four and a reasonable boot. The cabin is classy and well made.Against Its looks are conservative and it rides too firmly. Our pick 335i SEWhat Car? says


Target Price

£53,154-£88,878

MPG 28.5-52.3

CO2 144-232g/km

For Can cover large distances with ease, helped by the punchy, refined engines. Cabin is stylish.Against Not thrilling to drive; the 6 Series is best as a high-speed cruiser. The rear seats are just for kids.Our pick 640d M SportWhat Car? says

Bentley Continental GTPrice £123,850-£151,100

Target Price

£123,850-£151,100

MPG 19.5-26.9

CO2 246-385g/km

For Effortless pace, and provides all the comfort and class you’d want. The V8 feels genuinely agile.Against This big Bentley doesn’t come cheap, to buy or to run. The refinement is a little disappointing.Our pick 4.0 V8What Car? says

Audi TTPrice £24,075-£48,945

Target Price

£22,079-£48,945

MPG 31.4-53.3

CO2 139-209g/km

For As good to drive as it is to look at and it’s well built. The cheaper models are affordable to own.Against It’s popular, so you won’t be alone in having one. Models higher up the range aren’t great value. Our pick 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport What Car? says

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COUPES & SPORTS CARS A to Z


Vauxhall Astra GTCPrice £19,045-£27,010

Target Price

£16,777-£23,792

MPG 34.9-68.9

CO2 109-189g/km

For Affordable coupé that’s practical, good to drive and has plenty of safety kit.Against Resale values aren’t particularly strong. The 1.4-litre petrol engine is boomy and the diesels are clattery. Our pick 1.6T 180 SportWhat Car? says

Volkswagen SciroccoPrice £20,275-£33,135

Target Price

£18,602-£31,879

MPG 34.9-62.8

CO2 118-189g/km

For Has sharp styling and drives sweetly, with grippy handling, precise steering and fine engines. Against Its few drawbacks are limited to the cramped headroom in the rear and the dinky boot. Our pick 1.4 TSI 160 What Car? says

UsedBestBuy

A to ZSports carsp

BestBuys

1 Porsche Boxster

2.72 Porsche 911 Carrera PDK3 McLaren 12C Spider

Aston Martin Vantage Coupé/RoadsterPrice £84,995-£150,000

Target Price

£84,995-£150,000

MPG 17.3-21.9

CO2 299-388g/km

For Looks great and handles well, while the engines sound fabulous.Against Heavy controls can make it a struggle to drive and it’s hard to see out of at angled junctions.Our pick V8 Vantage CoupéWhat Car? says

Rolls-Royce

Phantom CoupéPrice £313,200



For Refined, hugely comfortable and very fast, featuring a hand-finished interior that’s built to the highest standards.Against Rear visibility is cut by a swooping roofline, a slot of a rear window and tiny rear-view mirrors.Our pick 6.75 V12What Car? says

Aston Martin

VanquishPrice £189,995



For It’s hugely fast, yet also cultured and civilised. The steering is accurate, and the interior looks and feels very classy.Against Many rivals are more exciting to drive and the ride can get turbulent on poor surfaces.Our pick 5.9 V12What Car? says

Renault Mégane CoupéPrice £17,050-£26,455

Target Price

£14,402-£22,289

MPG 37.7-80.7

CO2 90-174g/km

For It’s keenly priced, handles well and comes with lots of kit. The smaller engines are economical.Against There’s not much room in the rear. Its resale values aren’t strong.Our pick Renaultsport 2.0T 265 CupWhat Car? says

Mini PacemanPrice £18,975-£29,545

Target Price

£18,526-£29,545

MPG 38.2-64.2

CO2 115-172g/km

For Resists body roll well and is pretty comfortable. It gives you a slightly raised driving position.Against Neither as good to drive nor as classy as rivals. There’s too much wind and road noise.Our pick 1.6T Cooper SWhat Car? says

Peugeot RCZPrice £21,600-£26,385

Target Price

£20,381-£24,887

MPG 42.1-53.2

CO2 139-155g/km

For The RCZ looks the part, with its double-bubble roof and distorted rear window. It has a classy cabin, too.Against It’s disappointing to drive, the tiny rear seats are next to useless and resale values aren’t great.Our pick 1.6 THP 156 GTWhat Car? says

Audi R8/R8 SpyderPrice £92,710-£125,810

Target Price

£92,710-£125,810

MPG 19.0-19.9

CO2 332-349g/km

For Mixes staggering performance and brilliant handling with everyday useability and decent refinement.Against The switchgear and infotainment system are starting to look dated.Our pick 5.2 V10What Car? says

Ferrari 458 Italia/458 SpiderPrice £178,461-£198,906

Target Price

£178,461-£198,906

MPG 21.2-23.9

CO2 275-307g/km

For Awesome pace and chassis makes any driver feel special. The Spider convertible is intoxicating. Against The steering wheel buttons may confuse. View at angled junctions is poor.Our pick 4.5 V8 Italia What Car? says

Ferrari F12 BerlinettaPrice £250,000



For Towering performance and beautifully balanced handling. Reasonable ride comfort and decent high-speed refinement make it a fine tourer.Against It’s incredibly expensive and the quick steering can make the F12 feel nervous.Our pick 6.3 V12What Car? says

Jaguar F-typePrice £58,250-£79,985

Target Price £58,250-£79,985

MPG 25.5-31.4

CO2 209-259g/km

For It looks stunning, plus most versions are seriously rapid, great to listen to and involving to drive.Against The entry-level model looks overpriced and is nowhere near as fun as the pricier versions. The boot is small.Our pick 3.0 V6 SWhat Car? says

Audi TT 2.0 TFSI’08/08, £12,105

The TT looks great inside

and out, it’s fantastic to

drive and the turbo petrol

engine is punchy. To top

it all, it’s also reasonably

cheap to run.

Or try a…

Jaguar XK 4.2

’08/08, £20,945

The XK is a superb blend

of sports coupé and

grand tourer, and a

bargain at this price.

Lamborghini

AventadorPrice £242,280



For Scintillating performance and handling. Nothing else looks, feels or sounds like it. Against It’s not easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. Ferrari and McLaren are cheaper and demand fewer compromises.Our pick 6.5 LP700-4What Car? says


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SPORTS CARS A to Z

Toyota GT86Price £24,995-£31,495

Target Price

£23,534-£30,588


For Sharp handling and positive controls make it fun to drive. You get lots of equipment for the money.Against Performance is flat unless you thrash the engine. The cabin plastics look cheap and the rear seats are tiny.Our pick 2.0What Car? says

Subaru BRZPrice £24,995-£26,495

Target Price

£24,407-£25,871


For It’s fun to drive, with sharp handling and crisp responses. It’s also well equipped and affordable.Against You need to thrash the engine and the interior looks pretty cheap. It’s not as practical as other four-seat rivals.Our pick 2.0 SEWhat Car? says

Porsche BoxsterPrice £37,589-£45,384

Target Price

£37,589-£45,384

MPG 32.1-34.4

CO2 192-206g/km

For Huge grip, agile responses and great pace. It’s practical, quiet with the roof up and economical.Against You’ll pay extra for items such as a wind deflector, and the ride is firm on 20-inch wheels.Our pick 2.7What Car? says

Porsche 911/911 Cabriolet Price £71,449-£96,619

Target Price

£71,449-£96,619

MPG 28.2-31.4

CO2 212-236g/km

For It’s seriously rapid and grippy, yet also refined and comfortable. The cabin is well finished. Against Steering doesn’t offer enough feedback and standard kit isn’t generous.Our pick 3.4 Carrera PDK What Car? says

Porsche CaymanPrice £39,694-£48,783

Target Price

£39,694-£48,783

MPG 32.1-34.4

CO2 192-206g/km

For Combines sublime, involving handling with a classy cabin and decent practicality. It’ll hold its value well, too.Against The standard kit list is stingy and there’s too much road noise.Our pick 2.7What Car? says

Nissan GT-R Price £76,610-£86,615

Target Price

£76,610-£86,615


For All the power and acceleration you can handle, plus first-class grip, lightning-quick handling and edgy styling.Against The rear seats are very tight for space. The cost of tax, insurance, fuel and tyres will be high.Our pick 3.8T V6What Car? says

Nissan 370Z/370Z RoadsterPrice £30,000-£35,415

Target Price

£28,219-£33,316

MPG 25.2-26.6

CO2 248-262g/km

For Sharp looks, muscular performance and lots of kit at a competitive price.Against It’s noisy, costly to run and neither as good or drive nor as practical as most rivals.Our pick 3.7 V6What Car? says

McLaren 12C/12C SpiderPrice £176,000-£195,500

Target Price

£176,000-£195,500


For Jaw-dropping speed, incredible composure and grip, and a superb ride. It’s efficient for a supercar.Against You don’t engage with it as you do a Ferrari 458. It’s a bit blustery in the Spider with the roof down.Our pick 12C SpiderWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz

SLS/SLS Roadster Price £168,485-£176,985

Target Price

£168,485-£176,985


For It has vast performance and awesome grip. The engine makes a glorious noise, and the Roadster lets you hear it that bit better.Against The interior isn’t special and those gullwing doors are impractical.Our pick 6.2 V8 AMGWhat Car? says

Mazda MX-5/MX-5 Roadster-Coupé

Price £18,495-£23,095

Target Price £16,717-£21,539

MPG 36.2-39.8

CO2 167-181g/km

For All the fun and style you’d want from a roadster. It’s also well made and cheap to buy.Against The engines are short of low-rev pull and can be boomy. Rivals are cheaper to run.Our pick 1.8 SE What Car? says

Lotus ExigePrice £54,610



For It’s exhilarating to drive, with phenomenal grip, handling and performance. It looks every inch the compact supercar.Against It’s expensive, cramped and the cabin is dated. You need to be as supple as a wet rag to get in and out.Our pick 3.5 V6 SWhat Car? says

Lotus EvoraPrice £53,080-£64,190

Target Price

£53,080-£64,190

MPG 28.7-30.3

CO2 217-229g/km

For A heady mix of stunning performance, control and comfort. It’s also fairly cheap to run.Against The rear seats in the 2+2 are too cramped, and the instruments are hard to read.Our pick 3.5 V6 What Car? says

Lamborghini Gallardo/Gallardo SpyderPrice £157,668-£188,388

Target Price

£157,668-£188,388

MPG 18.8-20.9

CO2 319-351g/km

For A howling V10 engine and superb body control. For even more drama, there’s the soft-top Spyder.Against Harsh ride and the semi-auto gearbox is jerky. Terrible driving position.Our pick 5.2 V10 LP560-4What Car? says

Lotus ElisePrice £28,580-£37,205

Target Price

£28,580-£37,205

MPG 37.5-45.0

CO2 149-175g/km

For Sensational handling, sublime steering and stunning grip.Against Could be faster. The refinement and hood design let the side down. It’s short of security and safety equipment. Our pick 1.6What Car? says

Most popular sports cars on whatcar.com

1 Porsche Cayman

2 Porsche 911

3 Audi R8

4 Nissan GT-R

5 Toyota GT86

6 Subaru BRZRanking based on most


Mazda 3 MPSPrice £23,995



For Stunningly quick and stuffed with kit, and it’s practical enough for the hooligan with a family.Against The steering wheel writhes when you accelerate hard, the throttle response is sloppy and the cabin is dull. It’s also very expensive to run.Our pick 2.3 MPSWhat Car? says

Ford Fiesta STPrice £16,995-£17,995

Target Price

£15,844-£16,776


For It’s sensational to drive when you want some fun, yet civilised when you want to take things more sedately. It’s also a bargain.Against Rear legroom is tight and getting into the back is tricky because the front seats are bulky.Our pick 1.6T STWhat Car? says

Ford Focus STPrice £21,995-£25,495

Target Price

£20,512-£23,773


For Delivers serious punch and has masses of grip and superb body control. It’s also comfortable and impressive value.Against The turning circle is wide and the power can make the steering wheel squirm in your hands.Our pick 2.0T STWhat Car? says


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A to ZHot hatches

BestBuys

1 Ford Focus ST2 Renault

Mégane Renaultsport

265 Cup3 Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport

Alfa Romeo Mito Quadrifoglio VerdePrice £18,765



For The engine is punchy and smooth, and economy and CO2 emissions are impressively low.Against It’s nowhere near as good to drive as rivals. There’s too much wind and road noise, and the rear seats are cramped.Our pick 1.4 170 Qu’ VerdeWhat Car? says

Alfa Romeo Giulietta CloverleafPrice £25,530



For It’s fast enough to keep you entertained and is one of the most stylish hot hatches around.Against Compared with similarly priced rivals, it’s average to drive. It’s also tricky to get comfortable behind the wheel.Our pick 1750 TBi Cloverl’fWhat Car? says

Audi S3Price £30,640-£31,260

Target Price

£30,640-£31,260


For It’s seriously rapid and confidence inspiring, yet refined and comfortable with it. It’s also classy, practical and reasonably cheap to run.Against It could be more involving to drive and the seats more supportive.Our pick 2.0T S3What Car? says

Citroën DS3 1.6 THP 155Price £17,475-£21,345

Target Price

£16,261-£19,932


For It’s quick and has lots of equipment. It also looks distinctive and you can personalise it to your heart’s content.Against A Mini is more fun to drive, the steering is short of feel and there’s not much rear-seat space.Our pick 1.6 THP 155 DSportWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz

A250/A45 AMGPrice £27,105-£37,845

Target Price

£26,397-£37,845

MPG 40.9-45.6

CO2 145-161g/km

For The A45 is seriously rapid and both versions handle well.Against They’re expensive, the ride is firm and the automatic gearbox isn’t the slickest.Our pick A45 AMGWhat Car? says

Mazda MX-5 2.0’08/08, £6830

The MX-5 is one of the

best cars to drive,

regardless of budget or

badge. It’s also reliable

and cheap to run.

Or try a…

Porsche Boxster 2.7

’05/05, £10,195

Fast when you want it to

be, yet comfortable and

refined when you need it

to be, the Boxster is an

everyday sports car.

UsedBestBuy

Fiat 500 AbarthPrice £14,205



For Mini hot hatches don’t come more stylish than the this. It’s fun to drive and you get lots of luxury kit.Against It’s pricier than some rivals, and while it’s fun to drive, it’s not exactly polished. The ride is too firm and the driving position feels awkward.Our pick 1.4 T-Jet AbarthWhat Car? says

Mini Cooper S/JCWPrice £18,185-£28,795

Target Price

£17,369-£27,488

MPG 42.8-48.7

CO2 136-153g/km

For Bags of performance from any revs and it’s an absolute hoot in corners. It’s also stylish and affordable to run.Against You won’t get much kit as standard or much luggage in the boot.Our pick 1.6T Cooper SWhat Car? says

BMW 125i/135iPrice £25,755-£31,100

Target Price

£23,776-£28,723

MPG 35.3-42.8

CO2 154-188g/km

For Strong performance from any revs and the ride is smooth for something so fast. Considering the power, the 135i is a bargain.Against Pedals are offset to the right and it looks too similar to a normal 1 Series.Our pick 135i 5drWhat Car? says

Kia Procee’d GTPrice £19,995-£23,995

Target Price

£19,995-£23,995


For It’s brisk, comfortable and well equipped. There’s lots of space in the classy cabin, plus a big boot.Against It doesn’t feel especially agile or focused, and the steering is vague. Rivals have far better economy and CO2 figures.Our pick 1.6 T-GDi What Car? says

Nissan Juke NismoPrice £20,395-£22,600

Target Price £19,210-£21,292

MPG 38.2-40.9

CO2 159-169g/km

For Fast once the turbo kicks in, the seats are supportive and comfortable, and the standard kit list is long.Against Poor steering, body control and ride. It’s expensive and parts of the cabin look and feel cheap.Our pick 1.6T NismoWhat Car? says

UsedBestBuy


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HOT HATCHES & OPEN-TOP CARS A to Z

Aston Martin

DB9 VolantePrice £141,995



For Sensational looks beaten only by the sound of the growling V12 engine.Against Bumps send shudders through the Volante’s structure and the ride could be smoother. Rear visibility is woeful with the roof up.Our pick 5.9 V12What Car? says

A to ZOpen-top cars

BestBuys

1 Mini Roadster 1.6T Cooper S

2 Audi TT Roadster

2.0 TFSI 211 Sport3 BMW 6 Series

Convertible 640d SE

Vauxhall Corsa VXRPrice £18,995-£22,390

Target Price

£17,501-£20,617

MPG 37.2-38.7

CO2 172-178g/km

For Seriously quick, thanks to its 1.6-litre turbo engine. The handling is sharp and it’s refined at speed. The cabin is classy.Against It can’t match a Renault Clio Cup for fun. Resale values are weak-ish.Our pick 1.6T VXRWhat Car? says

Volkswagen Golf2.0 GTI 5dr’07/57, £8615

Combines agile handling

and strong performance

with a supple ride and

impressive refinement.

It’s also practical.

Or try a…

Ford Focus 2.5 ST2 5dr

’08/08, £8570

In-your-face styling,

222bhp and a raucous

exhaust note. At this

price, it’s superb value.

Volkswagen Polo GTIPrice £19,570-£20,190

Target Price

£18,371-£18,951


For Offers fast and flexible performance, a slick automatic gearbox and composed handling. The cabin is spacious.Against It could be more fun to drive, it’s expensive to buy and the boot is a little shallow. Our pick 1.4 TSI 180 GTI 3drWhat Car? says

Suzuki Swift SportPrice £13,749-£14,249

Target Price £11,610-£14,249


For Loves to be thrashed, helped by a rev-hungry engine and snappy gearchange. It’s keenly priced and loaded with kit.Against The cabin looks plain, so there’s none of the ‘wow’ factor that hot hatch buyers crave. It’s not the fastest hot hatch, either.Our pick 1.6 SportWhat Car? says

Vauxhall Astra VXRPrice £27,010



For It’s a fast, comfortable and refined hot hatch with a surprisingly spacious interior.Against It has vague steering and unruly handling. It’s expensive to buy, rear visibility is poor and the dashboard is cluttered with buttons.Our pick 2.0T VXRWhat Car? says

Skoda Octavia vRSPrice £22,990-£24,060

Target Price

£22,990-£24,060

MPG 45.6-61.4

CO2 119-142g/km

For It’s effortlessly quick and has a huge cabin and boot. It’s also well kitted.Against The ride is crashy and there’s a lot of road noise. It doesn’t handle as well as rivals, either.Our pick 2.0 TDI 184 vRS EstateWhat Car? says

Renault Mégane RenaultsportPrice £25,255-£26,455

Target Price

£21,285-£22,289


For Offers a scintillating mix of power, poise and precision, and bristles with feel. It’s pretty refined, too.Against The ride is firm, rear headroom is limited and over-the-shoulder visibility is poor.Our pick 2.0T 265 Cup What Car? says

Renault Twingo RenaultsportPrice £13,770



For The 1.6-litre engine loves to be thrashed, and the suspension is tuned to hold the body flat through corners, but has enough give to soak up the bumps.Against It’s noisy, has a plain cabin and the driving position won’t suit all.Our pick 1.6 Ren’ltsport 133 What Car? says

Seat Ibiza CupraPrice £18,575



For It’s quick and effortless to drive, thanks to the punchy 1.4-litre engine and standard automatic gearbox. It’s refined, too.Against The Cupra isn’t much fun to drive and it’s expensive to buy. The steering doesn’t inspire much confidence, either.Our pick 1.4 TSI 180 CupraWhat Car? says

Renault Clio RenaultsportPrice £18,995-£19,995

Target Price

£18,282-£19,995


For It’s fast and grippy, and the engine sounds great. It’s also comfortable and refined for a hot hatch.Against Some of the auto gearbox’s gears are widely spaced and the seats aren’t supportive enough.Our pick 1.6T 200 What Car? says

Volkswagen Golf GTIPrice £25,845-£26,500

Target Price

£24,861-£25,491


For It’s fast and fun when you want it to be, yet comfortable and easy to live with when you don’t. Running costs aren’t too high, and it’s also practical and classy inside.Against It’s pricey to buy compared with rivals.Our pick 2.0 TSI 220 GTI 3drWhat Car? says

Peugeot 208 GTiPrice £18,895



For It’s seriously quick if you keep the revs up, and the ride is comfortable for a hot hatch. The plush cabin looks suitably sporty.Against The driving position won’t suit everyone, the handling is sloppy and the steering is inconsistently weighted.Our pick 1.6T GTi What Car? says

Skoda Fabia vRSPrice £17,150-£18,000

Target Price £15,057-£15,798


For Strong performance and a slick automatic gearbox. It’s spacious and well priced, too.Against Most rivals are more fun and there’s a lot of wind noise. It’s easy to mistake it for more humdrum Fabias and the interior is desperately dull.Our pick 1.4 TSI 180 vRSWhat Car? says


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BMW 3 Series ConvertiblePrice £33,935-£59,075

Target Price

£31,240-£55,433

MPG 22.2-55.4

CO2 135-297g/km

For It’s as good to drive as it is to look at. It’s superbly built, there’s a choice of excellent engines and resale values are strong.Against The folding roof impinges on space. Our pick 325i SE What Car? says


Target Price

£59,104-£93,798

MPG 27.4-50.4

CO2 148-239g/km

For The engines are powerful and sound great. Impressive refinement and a good ride at speed.Against It’s pricey, the low-speed ride is firm and rear-seat space is tight.Our pick 640d SEWhat Car? says


Target Price

£23,233-£33,048

MPG 32.8-57.6

CO2 127-200g/km

For It’s enjoyable to drive, the diesels are frugal and the larger engines have plenty of power. Against The lower-powered petrol engines need to be worked hard.Our pick 120d SEWhat Car? says

Fiat 500CPrice £12,960-£19,060

Target Price £12,472-£18,333

MPG 43.5-72.4

CO2 95-155g/km

For The 500C is desirable, cheap to run and full of character. The rear seats offer adult-sized space.Against It’s slow, especially with the 1.2 petrol engine, and it’s not really a full convertible, because the roof pillars remain in place.Our pick 1.2 Pop S/SWhat Car? says

Bentley

Continental GTCPrice £136,250-£167,900

Target Price

£136,250-£167,900

MPG 19.0-25.9

CO2 254-347g/km

For Serious visual drama, mighty performance and capable handling. Refined and hugely luxurious.Against Costs big money to buy and run. The ride could be better at low speeds.Our pick 4.0 V8What Car? says

Ferrari CaliforniaPrice £152,086



For It’s the most usable Ferrari on sale, thanks to its folding metal roof. The ride is supple.Against It doesn’t work as a two-plus-two – just accept it as a practical two-seater. Avoid the optional HS package, which makes the car too skittish.Our pick 4.3 V8What Car? says

BMW Z4

Price £29,715-£45,815

Target Price

£27,666-£39,369

MPG 30.1-41.5

CO2 159-219g/km

For The Z4 is good to drive, with strong engines, capable handling and a supple ride.Against The steering doesn’t have enough feel. Boot space is limited with the roof down.Our pick sDrive20i What Car? says

Citroën DS3 Cabrio

Price £15,205-£19,840

Target Price £14,101-£18,504

MPG 47.9-57.6

CO2 112-137g/km

For The cabin is chic, classy and decently practical. The DS3 Cabrio is good to drive and there are lots of ways to personalise it.Against The roof pillars stay in place, so it’s not a full open-top. Rear vision is awful with the roof down.Our pick tbcWhat Car? says

Jaguar XK ConvertiblePrice £71,465-£103,465

Target Price

£62,918-£103,465

MPG 23.0-25.2

CO2 264-292g/km

For The V8 engines’ power and sound will thrill you. The Convertible handles almost as well as the coupé.Against It isn’t as stiff as the coupé, so doesn’t ride as smoothly. High running costs match the price.Our pick 5.0 V8 XKWhat Car? says

Maserati GrancabrioPrice £98,200-£102,615

Target Price

£98,200-£102,615

MPG 18.5-19.5

CO2 337-354g/km

For Few cars do four-seat open-top luxury on a grander scale. The V8 engine sounds fantastic.Against The boot is minuscule and there’s too much body shake across poor roads. Our pick 4.7 V8 SportWhat Car? says

Infiniti G37 Coupé CabrioletPrice £45,705



For It is well made and packed with equipment. It’s an interesting, good-looking alternative.Against It’s better to look at than it is to drive – there’s too much body shake and performance disappoints.Our pick 3.7 V6 G37 GT PremiumWhat Car? says

Audi TT RoadsterPrice £26,370-£51,205

Target Price

£24,306-£51,205

MPG 31.0-51.4

CO2 144-212g/km

For The TT is fast and great fun to drive. It’s solidly built, and neatly designed. Its resale values are good.Against Over-the-shoulder vision is compromised when the roof is up, and the boot is shallow.Our pick 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport What Car? says

Audi A5 CabrioletPrice £31,965-£68,985

Target Price

£29,065-£68,985

MPG 26.4-58.9

CO2 126-249g/km

For It’s as classy and desirable as you’d expect an Audi to be, yet also surprisingly practical.Against An unsettled ride, body shake and rubbery steering. Roof down, there’s too much buffeting.Our pick 1.8 TFSI 170 SEWhat Car? says

Mercedes-Benz

E-Class CabrioletPrice £38,465-£49,635

Target Price

£38,465-£49,635

MPG 35.8-57.7

CO2 127-185g/km

For It’s relaxing to drive and classy, and bluster-free with the roof down.Against Most versions don’t ride well enough. The boot is an awkward shape.Our pick E350 Bluetec AMG SportWhat Car? says

Most popular open-tops on whatcar.com

Ranking based on most


1 BMW Z4

2 Mercedes E-Class

3 BMW 3 Series

4 Mercedes SLK

5 VW Eos


Mercedes-Benz SLPrice £72,530-£168,285

Target Price

£66,129-£158,162

MPG 24.4-37.7

CO2 176-270g/km

For Combines stunning performance, a supple ride, balanced handling and superb refinement. Plenty of space and equipment.Against It’s costly to run and some of the controls are fiddly.Our pick SL350What Car? says

OPEN-TOP CARS A to ZO

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Mercedes-Benz SLKPrice £30,345-£55,335

Target Price

£27,123-£51,213

MPG 33.6-56.5

CO2 132-195g/km

For Sharp-looking, all-seasons roadster with lots of luxury and safety equipment as standard. Against The four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are coarse and noisy, and the handling is sloppy. Our pick 200 CGIWhat Car? says

Mini ConvertiblePrice £16,075-£27,765

Target Price

£15,282-£26,506

MPG 38.7-70.6

CO2 105-169g/km

For All the open-top driving thrills you’d want and resale values are high.Against The ride is firm and the Convertible isn’t as sharp to drive as the hatchback. Rear visibility is poor with the roof down.Our pick 1.6 CooperWhat Car? says

Mini RoadsterPrice £18,055-£24,790

Target Price

£17,714-£24,318

MPG 41.5-62.8

CO2 118-157g/km

For It’s stylish and has agile handling and low running costs. It’s also more affordable than its rivals.Against There’s wind noise with the roof up and buffeting with it down. Rear visibility is poor.Our pick 1.6T Cooper SWhat Car? says

Renault Mégane Coupé-CabrioletPrice £24,655-£25,095

Target Price

£20,783-£21,105

MPG 38.7-64.2

CO2 115-169g/km

For Stylish and well-kitted, it features a full-length glass folding roof. Against It feels heavy on twisty roads, and it’s cramped in the back.Our pick 1.4 TCe 130 Dynamique TomTomWhat Car? says

Peugeot 308 CCPrice £22,650-£27,350

Target Price

£19,627-£23,887

MPG 39.2-57.5

CO2 128-167g/km

For The 308 CC is well built. It has some good engines and is well equipped.Against The CC’s weight affects its performance. It feels shaky with the roof down and it’s not a four- seater, as Peugeot claims.Our pick 1.6 THP 156 ActiveWhat Car? says

Peugeot 207 CCPrice £16,800-£20,295

Target Price

£14,897-£18,232

MPG 38.2-58.9

CO2 124-170g/km

For Well equipped, and blends hard-top coupé and convertible. Good ride and handling on smooth roads.Against It’s heavy, which dents performance. There’s too much wind noise with the roof up.Our pick 1.6 VTi ActiveWhat Car? says

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead CoupéPrice £332,400



For Rolls-Royce’s most exclusive model. It has beautiful wood decking on the rear and the thick fabric roof keeps things suitably quiet in the cabin.Against Things get very blustery with the top down and rear visibility is poor.Our pick 6.75 V12What Car? says

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Price £21,325-£33,170

Target Price

£19,560-£33,170

MPG 34.4-64.2

CO2 117-190g/km

For Enjoyable to drive and most versions are cheap to run. There’s space for four in the cabin.Against The body flexes over bumps, and there’s too much wind noise. Our pick 1.4 TSI 122 SEWhat Car? says

Volvo C70 Price £32,560-£39,545

Target Price

£29,603-£35,979

MPG 30.1-47.9

CO2 154-219g/km

For The luxurious and spacious cabin has room for four, and the boot is big. Against Doesn’t cope well with bumps or handle sharply, and the more powerful cars struggle to put down their power. Our pick 2.0 D3 SEWhat Car? says

Volkswagen Eos Price £26,615-£30,335

Target Price

£24,465-£27,861

MPG 39.8-58.9

CO2 125-165g/km

For It’s good to drive, has plenty of rear-seat space and superb build quality. It transforms from a coupé to a cabriolet in a jiffy.Against It’s pricey, while dropping the roof almost halves the boot space.Our pick 1.4 TSI 160 SportWhat Car? says

Smart Fortwo CabrioletPrice £11,075-£16,875

Target Price

£10,260-£15,890

MPG 54.3-85.6

CO2 86-119g/km

For Great for life in urban areas. Running costs and emissions are very low.Against It’s uncomfortable, noisy and struggles to perform at higher speeds. It costs much more than the coupé.Our pick 1.0 70 PassionWhat Car? says

Vauxhall CascadaPrice £23,995-£29,085

Target Price £22,355-£27,083

MPG 39.2-54.3

CO2 138-168g/km

For There’s space for four adults in the roomy cabin. You get lots of equipment and refinement is good.Against It’s heavy, so the lower-powered engines have to be worked hard. It’s expensive compared with similarly spacious rivals.Our pick 2.0 CDTi 165 SEWhat Car? says

Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI’08/08, £13,000

Fast and thrilling, yet also

effortless to drive, the TT

is a fantastic open-top. It’s

classy, too, and won’t cost

a huge amount to run.

Or try a…

Nissan 350Z Roadster

’07/57, £9690

With rear-wheel drive

and a brawny V6 engine,

the 350Z makes every

journey fun.

UsedBestBuy

Volkswagen Beetle CabrioletPrice £18,405-£26,845

Target Price

£17,022-£26,845

MPG 37.7-62.8

CO2 118-174g/km

For It looks like nothing else. Good space up front and a decent-sized boot.Against Rear visibility is poor and there’s not much space in the rear seats. The low-speed ride is firm.Our pick 1.2 TSI 105 DesignWhat Car? says

All the facts and figures on every new car

Buyer’sguide

Price indexEvery new car on sale today, listed in price order

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Verdict and prices

Running costs

Performance and data

Equipment

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HOW TO USE THE BUYER’S GUIDE

Your guide to new carsGet the most from our exclusive car-buying facts and stats

VERDICT Our road test reviews are the standard

by which the car industry judges new cars.

Our ratings are:

�Outstanding

�Good

�Average

�Below par

�Poor

PRICE ON THE ROAD The price set by car makers,

including delivery and the variable rate of Vehicle

Excise Duty (VED). All prices include VAT at 20%.

THREE-YEAR COST @ 36,000 MILES The overall

cost of running the car over three years/36,000

miles. Includes Target Price, retained value,

insurance, road tax, servicing and fuel.

CONTRACT HIRE We include indicative

monthly contract hire rental prices supplied by

Wessex Fleet Solutions. These are based on

a three-year/36,000-mile contract, excluding

maintenance and VED. Rentals can vary to reflect

temporary discounts on the purchase price or

maintenance. For quotes, call Wessex Fleet

Solutions on 01722 322888.

PERFORMANCE FIGURES

Our figures show acceleration

(0-60mph) and top speed,

as well as power output and

torque (pulling power). Most of

the performance figures are set

by the vehicle manufacturers.

Please note that some manufacturers’ acceleration

figures represent 0-62mph (0-100kph). Figures in

bold type represent What Car? road test results.

If you are choosing an automatic gearbox as

a cost option, please consult your dealer for

performance data.WHAT CAR? TARGET PRICE

Most main dealers will be

prepared to offer you a discount;

Target Price tells you how low

they should be able to go. If your

dealer won’t match it, we’ll tell you

one who will: call 0845 527 6394.

All Target Prices are correct at the

time of going to press.

WHAT CAR? TRUE MPG

This is our own average

fuel economy figure; it’s

calculated over 50 miles

of real UK roads (rather

than in a lab), so you can

expect to achieve it

yourself. To get your

personalised data based

on your regular routes

and driving style, visit

whatcar.com/truempg.

CO2 G/KM / TAX LIABILITY Company car tax is

charged on a sliding scale based on carbon dioxide

(CO2) emissions. Our tax liability figures show the

percentage of the list price (including options) on

which you will be taxed. The scale alters each April.

MONTHLY COMPANY CAR TAX BILL What you

can expect to pay in company car tax each month,

whether you’re a 20% or 40% taxpayer.

VED RATING Also known as road tax, Vehicle

Excise Duty is calculated on a sliding scale

according to the vehicle’s CO2 emissions.

Alternative-fuelled cars (eg hybrids) attract

a £10 discount on all VED rates.

COST PER MILE Calculated over three

years/36,000 miles. Includes depreciation,

VED, maintenance and fuel, but not insurance.

Data supplied by Lex Autolease (0800 085 4128).

SERVICING COSTS Regular maintenance costs,

including parts and labour, tyres, batteries

and exhausts. Service cost data supplied by

Lex Autolease (0800 085 4128).

EURO NCAP CRASH TEST RATINGS

Cars tested before 2009 are awarded stars in

three areas: adult and child occupant protection

(both out of five), and pedestrian protection

(out of four). Cars tested from 2009 get an overall

star rating out of five, which is made up of four

criteria: adult, child, pedestrian and safety assist

(covering driver aids such as stability control).

These criteria are expressed as percentages.


AVERAGE MPG Based on official EU tests, this

figure is a weighted average of two tests: Urban

(cold start, average 12mph) and Extra Urban

(warm start, average 39mph). Note: the official fuel

consumption figures are published as a guide only.

RANGE This is the maximum distance you’re able

to travel between refills in a petrol or diesel car,

or recharges in an electric car. Note: the tank range

is based on official average fuel consumption

figures and is published as a guide only.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

Shows which safety kit, technology and gadgets

are standard, and their cost if they’re not.

When ordering a new car, always check the full

specification with your supplier. Manufacturers

often amend trim or data on new models.

Safety ratings

INSURANCE GROUP Set by the Association

of British Insurers (ABI), and advisory only.

The typical quotes are based on a 35-year-old male

accountant who lives in Swindon, commutes in his

1 £273

2 £285

3 £291

4 £301

5 £319

6 £338

7 £349

8 £367

9 £385

10 £399

11 £417

12 £435

13 £457

14 £479

15 £501

16 £522

17 £545

18 £562

19 £580

20 £595

21 £618

22 £640

23 £661

24 £685

25 £700

26 £719

27 £741

28 £765

29 £790

30 £816

31 £835

32 £849

33 £865

34 £886

35 £903

36 £924

37 £947

38 £969

39 £983

40 £1002

41 £1015

42 £1033

43 £1054

44 £1078

45 £1099

46 £1117

47 £1136

48 £1154

49 £1178

50 £1195

TYPICAL INSURANCE QUOTES BY GROUP

CO2 emissions (g/km) First year 2nd year on

A Up to 100 £0 £0

B 101-110 £0 £20

C 111-120 £0 £30

D 121-130 £0 £105

E 131-140 £125 £125

F 141-150 £140 £140

G 151-165 £175 £175

H 166-175 £285 £200

I 176-185 £335 £220

J 186-200 £475 £260

K 201-225 £620 £280

L 226-255 £840 £475

M More than 255 £1065 £490

VED RATES 2013-2014

car and parks off-street. He has a clean licence

and full no-claims bonus. Call LV= on 0800 066

5161 for your personal quote.

RETAINED VALUE An estimate of what you

are likely to be offered if you trade in the

car after three years/36,000 miles for

the same model.

£Target Price

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What Car Oct 2013