Indholdsfortegnelse for AWARDS 2018 i What Car?

THE AUDI RS4 Avant sits in a curiously appealing car category, but one without very many entrants. In this executive class, only Mercedes-AMG, with the C63 Estate, offers a really rapid wagon. The latest RS4 is powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine that drives all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Power is 444bhp but, just as importantly, torque is 443bhp from only 1900rpm, further suggesting that the RS4  is a  car of broad ability. It’s priced from just over £60,000 – right on the money of the C63 Estate. And until BMW makes an M3 Touring or Alfa Romeo designs a  Giulia Quadrifoglio estate, those are your choices. Just how the RS4 behaves on the road will depend on the options you pick. Our test car had optional hydraulically…

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI SE A fantastic all-rounder, with a quality interior, strong engines and lots of kit. What Car? says List price £19,575 Offer price £17,418 AUDI A7 3.0 TDI Ultra SE Executive S tronic Beautifully finished inside and well equipped, but not as good to drive as most of its rivals. WHAT CAR? SAYS List price £48,045 Offer price £38,133 MAZDA CX-5 2.0 SE-L Nav The CX-5 is one of our favourite large SUVs. It’s well built inside and offers excellent handling. WHAT CAR? SAYS List price £23,695 Offer price £22,640 BMW 3 SERIES 320d Efficient Dynamics Plus Our favourite version of BMW’s executive saloon is both fast and frugal. It’s posh inside, too. WHAT CAR? SAYS List price £32,400 Offer price £27,678 HONDA CIVIC 1.0 VTEC Turbo…

‘We’d recommend our 2018 Used Large SUV of the Year, the Mazda CX-5’ My daughter and her two young children, who are aged two and four, are returning to live in the UK after several years overseas, during which time she enjoyed driving a seven-seat Honda Pilot large SUV with a big engine and an automatic gearbox. She has asked me to find and purchase a smaller SUV before she and the children arrive in a few weeks’ time, and suggested that I start by looking at the Honda CR-V. However, having browsed online reviews, it would seem the CR-V is outshone by several of its rivals, so I am now unsure about which car to go for – and time is against me. My daughter’s budget is £11,500. She…

THE CONTENDERS Audi A8 50 TDI quattro L List price £73,095 Target Price £64,681 Audi’s high-tech new flagship aims to shake up the luxury class. Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350d L AMG Line List price £75,505 Target Price £65,403 The big-barge benchmark is back with a new engine to defend its five-star rating. LUXURY LIMOS LEAD very different lives from those of humble hatchbacks. These wizards of waft spend their time ferrying the exquisitely dressed to their business meetings and glamorous black-tie balls, bathing in the flashlights of the paparazzi. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a name synonymous with luxury and a car that has led the way in automotive opulence and technology throughout its long life. We’re testing it here fitted with the new – and our favoured – 3.0-litre diesel engine…

Best buy Less than £9500 Suzuki Celerio SZ2 IT WOULD BE easy to dismiss the Celerio and its quirky looks. But never judge a book by its cover; the Celerio makes a superbly well-rounded city car choice. Suzuki’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is a peach. It packs a modest 67bhp but, because the Celerio is light, it’s easily strong enough for town work and doesn’t even feel too out of its depth on the motorway. Drive sensibly and the 57.8mpg we saw in our real-world True MPG testing is achievable. The way the Celerio rides and handles should also be commended. It isn’t quite as supple or agile as a Skoda Citigo or Kia Picanto, but it’s close, and those rivals cost considerably more to buy. Great value for money…

Best buy Less than £60,000 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 272 quattro S line IT’S HARD TO argue that a car costing more than £56,000 is good value, but the Q7 is so much more than your typical luxury SUV. Not only does it ride like a limousine, have the straight-line performance of a hot hatch and accommodate people like an MPV, but it also delivers a level of refinement that far more expensive cars can’t match. Stand next to the Q7 as it ticks over at rest and you might guess that it’s a diesel, but on the move the V6 is so smooth and hushed that you’re barely aware of it. And it’s not just the engine that’s quiet; the Q7 is also better at muting wind and road…

Best buy Less than £22,000 Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.4 140 Turbo Design MASSIVELY SPACIOUS AND staggering value for money, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer is a brilliant budget people carrier. Its interior has plenty of handy storage bins throughout and, of course, there’s lots of room for passengers. Taller adults will struggle for comfort in the rearmost seats, but even the Harlem Globetrotters wouldn’t have much to complain about in the middle row or up front. Design is the entry-level trim, but it still gets you a touchscreen infotainment system, Vauxhall’s OnStar personal assistant and 17in alloy wheels. The Zafira Tourer also gets six airbags as standard and scored five stars in its Euro NCAP safety test. The Zafira Tourer is better to drive than rivals such as the Citroën Grand…

Best buy Less than £25,000 Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI 150 SE Technology JUST BECAUSE THIS is our lowest price point doesn’t mean you’ll be left feeling shortchanged. Quite the opposite, in fact: the Superb is a remarkably complete car that just happens to be tremendous value. For starters, it’s massive inside, with few cars this side of a Bentley offering as much rear passenger space. Even most SUVs struggle to match the size of the Superb’s boot. You also get fixtures and fittings that feel a step up from those in a Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport. Meanwhile, our favoured SE Technology trim is designed with company car drivers in mind, containing all the kit they might need, including an infotainment system with sat-nav and online connectivity for…

Best buy Less than £25,000 Mazda MX-5 2.0 SE-L Nav THAT OUR CONVERTIBLE of the Year from 2017 is in the running again should come as no surprise. Beneath its taut styling, the MX-5 has one of the most agile chassis around, with a terrifically responsive front end that darts into corners and lots of grip. Both of the MX-5’s engine options are gems; we prefer the 2.0 for its extra low-down shove, but even the 1.5’s willing nature makes it a joy to drive. And because neither engine is all that powerful, you can have fun in the MX-5 without fear of losing your licence. The MX-5 fits its convertible brief well, too, with a simple manual fabric hood that can be flipped up and down in seconds from…

Best buy Less than £50,000 Porsche 718 Cayman 2.0 IT’S NO SECRET that Porsche’s decision to cut the Cayman’s engine from six cylinders down to four brought about a few anxious faces. But we needn’t have worried: the 718 Cayman stormed to this price point win last year and has now successfully defended that crown. It’s the combination of the 718’s rev-happy 295bhp petrol engine, superb composure across bumpy roads at speed and modest weight that ensured it saw off the new four-cylinder Jaguar F-Type. That engine, along with deliciously communicative steering, adds up to a sports car that cracks 0-62mph in 5.1sec, rockets to 170mph and is simply superb to drive on public roads. Porsche has stepped up its once-stingy standard equipment too. These days, features including 18in alloy…

Best buy Less than £20,000 Renault Zoe Q90 ZE40 Dynamique Nav LAST YEAR’S OVERALL Electric Car of the Year is back to defend its crown. Despite being one of the cheapest pure battery-powered models on the market, the Zoe will actually get you farther between charges than anything this side of a Tesla Model S – as we demonstrated in our group test on page 38. You can opt to buy the Zoe outright, but we reckon you’re better off buying just the car and leasing the battery from Renault. Why? Well, you’ll pay a much smaller amount up front, for starters, and you’ll also benefit from a lifetime battery warranty, which means you won’t need to worry about the potential of a huge bill in the future if the…

‘The third-generation TT is agile, easy to drive and refined, and the whole car feels solid and durable’ In production 2014-present Price from £18,000 Our favourite 2.0 TFSI Sport NO CAR HAS been quite so successful in our Car of the Year Awards as the Audi TT. It’s been consistently ahead of its rivals since before the millennium and remains so today. Indeed, the TT has once again been crowned Coupé of the Year. WHAT’S IT LIKE? This third-generation car builds on the sound foundations established by the first two; it’s agile, easy to drive and refined, and the whole car feels solid and durable. Indeed, it’s the TT’s classy feel that separates it from its nearest rivals. The interior has a high-tech yet user-friendly layout and is made from…

LESS THAN £50,000 BMW 5 Series The 5 Series is plush enough inside to compare favourably with just about any other car on sale. It also corners with greater composure than rivals and rides more comfortably, particularly if you specify it with the optional adaptive dampers. And yet you won’t have to add much else because even the entry-level SE spec includes sat-nav, leather upholstery and an automatic gearbox. Our pick 520d SE List price £36,815 Target Price £34,482 MPG 68.8 CO2 108g/km For Spacious, well-appointed interior and great to drive, with a quiet, economical engine. Against You need to add variable dampers for the best ride quality. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-Benz E-Class Our pick E220d SE List price £38,185 Target Price £33,927 MPG 72.4 CO2 102g/km For A strong,…

LESS THAN £60,000 Audi Q7 The Q7 is so much more than your typical luxury SUV. Not only does it ride like a limo, offer the straight-line performance of a hot hatch and accommodate like an MPV, but it also delivers a sublime level of refinement. It also has one of the greatest SUV interiors on the market, thanks to a modern, minimalist dashboard design and Audi’s fantastic MMI infotainment system. Our pick 3.0 TDI 272 quattro S line List price £57,455 Target Price £54,219 MPG 47.1 CO2 158g/km For Very well equipped, with a smooth, powerful engine and a wonderful ride. Against Expensive to buy and run. Some rivals have more third-row leg room. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volvo XC90 Our pick D5 Momentum List price £49,905 Target Price £46,146…

Star ratings Target Price The most you should pay for a car True MPG Our real-world fuel economy figures whatcar.com The place to look, whether you’re buying, leasing or simply running a car KEY INFORMATION Verdict Our road test reviews are the standard by which the car industry judges new cars. Price on the road The price set by car makers, including delivery and the variable rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Contract hire Contract hire rental prices supplied by Wessex Fleet Solutions. These are based on a three-year/36,000-mile contract, excluding maintenance and VED. For quotes, call Wessex Fleet Solutions on 01722 322888. Target Price The Target Price is a fair price for your new car, based on research by What Car?’s team of mystery shoppers. If your dealer won’t…

THE MAZDA 6 saloon faces a tough challenge. It’s got to compete for your affections next to the Ford Mondeo and Skoda Superb – both of which have higher star ratings in our reviews – and also try to entice you away from premium alternatives such as the Volkswagen Passat. In its current form, the 6 is a fairly decent all-rounder, but a firm low-speed ride and underwhelming handling stop it from leading this class. Mazda is ready for another crack at the title, though, with this facelifted 6. First off, there’s a myriad of small changes designed to reduce vibrations in the car, as well as wind and road noise, while the ride is also claimed to be more comfortable. Changes to the exterior are light, focusing on a…

How safe is your car? We explain all the latest safety technology – and the potential hidden costs of it New Mercedes A-Class More luxury and space for Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series-rivalling family hatchback Volkswagen T-Roc vs rivals We pit VW’s baby SUV against the Seat Arona and Hyundai Kona New BMW X2 driven Can BMW’s smallest SUVcoupé match up to the Range Rover Evoque? New Mini 3dr/5dr Stylish family car gets new tech, more personalisation and a boost in efficiency…

I currently drive a Seat Leon 1.4 TSI 125, and I’m interested in the new Seat Arona. How much of a difference in performance is there between my car and the Arona 1.0 TSI 115, given that it has three cylinders and five gears, whereas mine has four cylinders and six gears? We only use our car for leisure, although we do take a lot of stuff with us when we go on holiday. Geoff Bury WHAT CAR? SAYS Our road testers reckon the 1.0 TSI 115 engine will give strong enough performance for your needs. A 1.5-litre petrol engine will be added to the Arona’s range next year, but it will be available only with higher trim levels, so it will be pricier. If you want more performance and…

THE CONTENDERS BMW X1 xDrive25d M Sport List price £37,780 Target Price £35,480 BMW’s smallest SUV is one of the most practical in the class. This is the most powerful version. Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 190 4Motion R-Line DSG List price £37,100 Target Price £34,019 Like all our contenders, the Tiguan is here in its sportiest trim: range-topping R-Line. Volvo XC40 2.0 D4 AWD R-Design Pro List price £36,555 Target Price £35,304 A brand new model for Volvo, the XC40 cuts a dash, but it has to stack up objectively to win. WHAT’S YOUR PERCEPTION of Volvo? It probably depends on which era you grew up in. The brand’s image may have been, well, a little fuddy-duddy and ’elf-and-safety at times, but if you remember seeing a dapper Roger Moore…

Best buy Less than £12,000 Dacia Sandero 0.9 TCe Ambiance THE DACIA SANDERO has long held the title of cheapest new car in Britain, but you’d be unwise to write it off as a bargain-basement novelty unworthy of consideration. The Sandero is quite the opposite; low-cost small cars simply don’t come better than this, and that’s why it gets the nod from us in this price bracket for the sixth consecutive year. Aside from its list price, the main trump card the Sandero can play on many of its rivals is the practicality it offers. Its tall, boxy dimensions mean there’s loads of room for the driver and front passenger, while space in the back is similarly generous. As for the boot, it’s one of the largest in the class.…

Best buy Less than £20,000 Seat Ateca 1.0 TSI Ecomotive S FAMILIES WITH A budget just shy of £20,000 are getting a staggering amount of car for the money with the Seat Ateca. That begins with its equipment, which is generous even in entry-level S trim; alloy wheels, air-conditioning, Bluetooth and remote central locking are all present and correct. The space on offer is excellent, too, with enough room for a couple of tall adults in the back seats, let alone children or teenagers. And behind them is a boot capable of swallowing pretty much everything a family is likely to need. But the Ateca’s main strength is the way it drives, something that helped it to see off the price point’s other contenders this year, such as cheaper versions…

The start of the year is traditionally a time for celebrating achievements and success – whether it’s the Oscars, TV’s Golden Globes, or the wealth of car and technology awards ceremonies that take place during the winter months. Heading into 2018, the New Nissan LEAF has already been the recipient of several prizes for innovation, giving you even more reasons to consider the latest version of the world’s best-selling zero-emissions electric car. One award recognised Nissan’s involvement in developing electric vehicle infrastructure and driving wider improvements across the electric car industry. This comes as little surprise when you consider that the New LEAF’s high-tech lithium-ion batteries deliver an extended driving range of up to 235 miles (NEDC) on a single charge, and can be recharged to 80% capacity in around…

Best buy Less than £20,000 Skoda Fabia Estate 1.0 TSI 95 SE THE SKODA FABIA hatchback is one of our favourite small cars, so it’s not surprising that the estate version impresses as well. Those looking for something small and practical in this class for less than £18,000 really can do no better. The Fabia Estate is one of the roomiest cars you can get for this money, with plenty of space for passengers and a large boot that, if specified with the optional variable-height boot floor, offers a completely flat load area. However, the car’s trump card is that, like its hatchback sibling, it’s a delight to drive. Our favourite 1.0 TSI 95 three-cylinder petrol engine is smooth, flexible and easily up to motorway or heavy load duties while…

Best buy Less than £50,000 BMW 5 Series 520d SE NO NEW RIVAL to the 5 Series has gone on sale in the past 12 months, so the BMW automatically retains its position as the best luxury car available for less than £50,000. But don’t think the fact that it hasn’t been made to work for the title means it’s anything less than brilliant. For starters, the interior of the 5 Series is plush enough to compare favourably with more expensive machinery. Plus, it features BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which is the most user-friendly set-up around. The 5 Series corners with greater composure than rivals such as the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It rides more comfortably, too, particularly if you add the optional adaptive dampers (£985). But you won’t…

The Kia Picanto, Nissan Leaf and Peugeot 5008 have all set new standards in the past 12 months, as have Seat’s Ibiza and Arona. Any of them would have made a worthy overall winner, but they came up against Volvo’s brilliant XC40. It competes in the fast-growing family SUV segment. And with its mix of comfort, quality, safety and style, the XC40 excels in all the areas that are important to buyers. Our one concern was that the pick of the engines we’ve tried so far is a diesel. But our independent tests proved that this emits less NOx than plenty of petrols while offering the low CO2 output that made diesels so popular in the first place. In short, the XC40 is a stunning achievement.…

THE CONTENDERS Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi 3 2WD List price when new £23,100 Price today £13,000 Available from 2010-2016 The Sportage’s long warranty and smart looks make it an appealing used buy. Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L 2WD List price when new £23,295 Price today £13,500 Available from 2012-2017 It’s larger, but the Mazda CX-5 is impressively efficient and close on price. Price today is based on a 2014 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing EVERYONE LOVES AN SUV these days – but no one loves the running costs that can sometimes accompany these tall, boxy vehicles. That’s especially true on the used marke BEST where the extra complexity and fuel HANDLING u ption brought by four-wheel drive becomes a liability as…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mazda MX-5 Beneath its taut, compact styling, the MX-5 has one of the most agile chassis around, with a terrifically responsive front end that darts into corners. Softly sprung suspension ensures the ride is comfortable, while the combination of a lightweight body and super-efficient engines means that the MX-5 costs peanuts to run. Best of all, the simple manual soft-top hood can be flipped up and down in seconds. Our pick 2.0 SE-L Nav List price £21,795 Target Price £20,627 MPG 40.9 CO2 161g/km For Terrific handling and steering, with a comfortable ride and a slick gearshift. Against Rivals have bigger boots, while the interior is pretty snug. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mini Convertible Our pick 1.5 Cooper Chili/Media Pack List price £24,065 Target Price £22,665 MPG 57.6…

LESS THAN £30,000 Audi TT The entry-level TT is a gem, thanks to a willing engine that can get you to 62mph in a very respectable time and yet is beautifully refined at a cruise. Lightweight construction helps its handling no end; it turns in to corners eagerly, there’s little body roll and the ride is well judged for UK roads. The TT also has one of the finest interiors around, with smart materials and a standard digital instrument display. Our pick 1.8 TFSI Sport List price £28,850 Target Price £26,473 MPG 47.1 CO2 138g/km For Smooth, eager engine, darty handling and beautifully built dashboard. Against The rear seats are seriously cramped and you’ll want to add a few optional extras. WHAT CAR? SAYS Seat Leon SC Our pick 1.4…

CONNECTED CARS COULD detect and report potholes in the future so repairs can be scheduled, according to Highways England. Use of drones to survey traffic hot spots and report incidents has also been tabled. Both suggestions come from a new Highways England report on the future of UK roads and how they will work with connected and driverless cars. It flagged the importance of 5G, the next generation of mobile networks, as crucial to the success of connected and driverless cars. The report also outlines plans for electric charging, which aims to ensure there are “sufficient rapid charging points” within 20 miles of 95% of motorways and significant A-roads. This is set to happen before the end of 2019, with funds already allocated for this purpose. As part of its broader plans for the UK’s…

ALSO COMING SOON SMALL SUVs Ford Ecosport March Revised suspension and interior, new engine. Volkswagen T-Cross December Polo’s platform and engines with funky styling. FAMILY SUVs Audi Q3 July Second-generation Q3 is bigger and roomier. Citroën C5 Aircross July Promises to be one of the roomiest in the class. Dacia Duster August Updated mechanicals and new styling. EXECUTIVE CAR Audi A7 Audi has radically restyled its five-door luxury coupé for its second generation. The A7 shares its underpinnings with the upcoming fifth-gen A6, while the interior is clean-cut and luxurious, with new tech from the A8. Engines are petrol and diesel V6s and a range of four-cylinder units. All are mild hybrids, boosting fuel economy. Price from £56,000 (est) Honda CR-V August Larger and now available as a hybrid. LARGE…

THE CONTENDERS Nissan Leaf 110kW N-Connecta List price £30,490 Target Price £25,990* New British-built Leaf is packed with technology and promises a great range. Renault Zoe Q90 ZE40 i Dynamique Nav List price £29,020 Target Price £18,719* Cheaper than the Leaf and aims to get you almost as far between charges. Volkswagen e-Golf 136PS BEV List price £32,190 Target Price £27,690* Revised electric Golf has already seen off the BMW i3. Has it finally met its match here? * Includes £4500 government grant IF YOU THINK electric cars are a new invention, prepare for a shock: they actually date back to Victorian times. Yep, there were battery-powered horseless carriages whining around the streets of London and Paris well before the turn of the last century, and electric cars even dominated…

Best buy Less than £18,000 Seat Leon 1.2 TSI SE Dynamic Technology SEAT HAS BEEN on a bit of a roll of late, largely thanks to its excellent Ateca and Arona SUVs. But it was the current Leon that kicked off the brand’s revival, and it’s easy to see why. For starters, the interior is beautifully put together, with solid switches and a minimalist dashboard design that gives the interior a more upmarket feel than you get in the equivalent Vauxhall Astra or Hyundai i30. Meanwhile, the 8.0in infotainment touchscreen – new for 2017 – that’s standard on this trim and up is one of the sharpest and most responsive systems in the class. The Leon is more focused in the way it drives than its German counterpart, the Volkswagen…

Best buy Less than £27,000 Peugeot 5008 1.2 Puretech 130 Allure LAUNCHED LAST YEAR, the 5008 builds on the successful formula of the smaller 3008. So it has a stylish ‘i-Cockpit’ interior layout that seems to have drawn inspiration from the Starship Enterprise, but it’s not style over function; finding buttons on the dash and seeing the touchscreen while driving are easy. And the 5008 fulfils our space brief admirably. It has seven seats as standard, and there’s loads of room for five adults in the first two rows, while the third-row seats are perfect for kids. And when those seats are folded down, the 5008’s boot is huge. This 1.2-litre petrol engine might seem small to be hauling along such a sizeable car, but it’s gutsy enough when you…

Winner Jaguar I-Pace THE 2016 LOS ANGELES motor show was all about SUVs. Mazda was showcasing its new CX-5, Alfa Romeo had just taken the covers off of its Stelvio, and a large crowd was forming at the Jaguar stand, where something big was clearly happening. That something was the I-Pace, an electric SUV which, even in concept form, showed huge potential. Not much more than a year later, the production version of the I-Pace will make its global debut at the Geneva motor show in March before going on sale in the summer. It will be priced from around £50,000, meaning it will be considerably cheaper than the Tesla Model X, which is currently the only electric SUV on sale and, for now, the I-Pace’s chief rival. Jaguar’s headline…

Finalist Suzuki Ignis 1.2 SHVS 2WD SZ5 WHY THE IGNIS is a finalist is simple: nothing has surpassed its stellar average True MPG figure of 59.6mpg. Given the wide selection of hybrids, downsized turbocharged petrol engines and diesels we’ve tested this year, that’s quite some achievement. Not only does the Ignis sip less fuel than anything else, but it doesn’t chuck out much NOx, either. Considering NOx contributes to the formation of smog and acid rain, that’s worth celebrating. So, what magic does the Ignis use to achieve this? Well, look under the bonnet and you’ll find a fairly normal, non-turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine. Examine more closely, though, and the mechanically minded among you might notice a belt-driven motor/generator. This can generate electricity when you’re slowing down. That’s fed to…

Best buy Less than £30,000 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Sport AUDI’S TT HAS been a familiar sight at the What Car? Awards since it first went on sale in 1998. And that’s no fluke. This latest model builds on past successes and is the best iteration yet. Our favourite version is the entry-level 178bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol TT, which retains this title for a second year. It has a sweet, peppy engine that offers lively acceleration and represents brilliant value. It manages 0-62mph in a respectable 6.9sec and generally delivers a smooth, enjoyable driving experience. The TT will hold onto its value better than key rivals in this price bracket, such as the Toyota GT86, while an average fuel economy figure of 40.4mpg means the Audi will have much more…

Best buy Less than £25,000 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Premium TOYOTA MAY HAVE had the market for relatively affordable hybrids pretty much sewn up with the Prius since the start of the millennium, but now there’s a top-notch alternative in the shape of Hyundai’s Ioniq. Not only is the Ioniq Hybrid quicker than the Prius, but it’s also a bit cheaper to buy, better equipped and more practical. It may not be quite as efficient, but its lower sticker price offsets some of the extra tax that company car drivers would pay. Although you can get plug-in hybrid and electric versions, our favourite Ioniq is this regular hybrid, which combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a small battery pack. It’s not only the cheapest of the trio…

LESS THAN £9500 Suzuki Celerio Our pick 1.0 SZ2 List price £7999 Target Price £7594 MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km For It has a practical interior with a DAB radio and the engine gives adequate performance. Against The interior feels cheap, resale values are weak and infotainment options are limited. WHAT CAR? SAYS Hyundai i10 Our pick 1.0 S List price £9540 Target Price £8995 MPG 60.1 CO2 108g/km For The three-cylinder engine is refined and the interior is surprisingly roomy. Against This entry-level trim doesn’t give you much kit and the engine struggles out of town. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Up Our pick 1.0 60 Take Up 3dr List price £9320 Target Price £9320 MPG 64.2 CO2 101g/km For Fun to drive, with a comfortable ride and an upmarket interior.…

LESS THAN £26,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Technology List price £24,165 Target Price £22,530 MPG 65.7 CO2 112g/km For Masses of standard kit, huge rear leg room and boot space, and a comfortable ride. Against Some other executive cars are more fun to drive and the engine is a little gruff. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Passat Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 S List price £25,105 Target Price £18,958 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For Drives well, with a good ride and refined diesel engine; the interior is smart. Against Some rivals are more practical, while the dashboard design is a bit dull. WHAT CAR? SAYS Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport Our pick 1.6 Turbo D Ecotec 136 SRi Nav List price £22,190 Target Price £22,190 MPG 65.7 CO2…

LESS THAN £27,000 Peugeot 5008 The 5008 builds on the successful formula of the smaller 3008. It has seven seats as standard, and in the first two rows there’s loads of room for five adults, while the third-row seats are perfect for kids. The boot is also huge when the seats are folded. This 1.2-litre petrol engine may seem small to be hauling along such a sizeable car, but it’s gutsy enough and returns good fuel economy. Our pick 1.2 Puretech 130 Allure List price £26,295 Target Price £25,088 MPG 55.4 CO2 117g/km For Quiet cruiser with a comfortable ride, a practical, funky-looking interior and a big boot. Against Optional panoramic roof harms rear head room and the infotainment system is fiddly. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.0…

LESS THAN £20,000 Ford Fiesta Our pick 1.0T Ecoboost 140 ST-Line 3dr List price £17,395 Target Price £15,978 MPG 62.8 CO2 102g/km For Even more fun than the Mini, with a good driving position and an intuitive dashboard. Against Comparatively expensive running costs and there isn’t much space in the rear or boot. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mini Cooper Our pick 1.5 3dr List price £16,200 Target Price £15,193 MPG 62.8 CO2 107g/km For Fun to drive, with good performance, low running costs and strong resale values. Against Equipment is fairly basic without the option packs and space is on the tight side. WHAT CAR? SAYS Abarth 595 Our pick 1.4 T-Jet List price £15,510 Target Price £15,510 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For Small hot hatches don’t get any more stylish,…

LESS THAN £50,000 Porsche 718 Cayman Our pick 2.0T List price £43,452 Target Price £43,452 MPG 38.2 CO2 168g/km For Balletic handling, sublime steering and gearshift, as well as strong pace. Against Stingy levels of standard equipment; engine doesn’t sound special enough. WHAT CAR? SAYS Porsche 718 Boxster Our pick 2.0T List price £45,313 Target Price £45,313 MPG 38.2 CO2 168g/km For Hugely flexible engine, superb handling and it’s quiet inside with the roof up. Against You don’t get much kit and the engine isn’t as characterful as the old six-cylinder unit. WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW M2 Our pick 3.0T List price £46,695 Target Price £44,430 MPG 33.2 CO2 199g/km For Quicker and sounds better than the Porsche Cayman S, gets more kit and is more practical. Against Not as…