Indholdsfortegnelse for January 2017 i What Car?

‘Today, the best SUVs are practical, comfortable, and stylish’ For car makers, building an SUV is the closest thing to guaranteed success. Across Europe, we buy more of them than any other type of car. In fact, the UK’s SUV sales increased by nearly a quarter last year. It’s easy to see why. SUVs were once undeserving of popularity, being crude to drive and expensive to run, but today the best models combine a reasonable price tag with style and are as practical as they are comfortable. In addition, with so many car manufacturers recognising the potential that SUVs represent for attracting new customers, there is an ever-increasing number of models to choose from. This month alone we’ve got six brand-new SUVs for you to read about, and from page…

‘The C3 has light controls, which let you drive smoothly in traffic’ WHETHER YOU THINK it looks funky or frumpy, you have to admit Citroën has tried to spice the small car market up with its its latest C3. This new small hatchback borrows a heap of style from its bigger brother, the C4 Cactus, so from whichever angle you look it bristles with difference. Why? To woo you away from such gems as the Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia. The new C3’s underpinnings are carried over from the previous car, but elsewhere it comes at things afresh. The plastic Airbumps on the doors, which are standard on the top Flair trim, mean minor dings won’t damage the car’s bodywork as much. Also standard on that trim is an inbuilt…

AFTER YEARS OF building some frankly rather ordinary cars, Vauxhall suddenly seems to be on a bit of a roll. The latest Astra is one of our favourite small family cars and the recently revised Zafira Tourer is a thoroughly recommendable MPV. So, hopes are high for the second-generation Insignia executive car, which is in the final stages of development ahead of its launch next summer. The new car is 55mm longer than its predecessor, with 92mm of extra space between the front and rear wheels, creating more room for passengers. Despite its increased dimensions, Vauxhall claims that the Insignia is around 10% lighter. This is due to it having more lightweight materials, and means the Insignia should use less fuel and pump out less CO2 . The cheapest engine…

FOUR YEARS IS a long time in the highly competitive world of the hot hatch, so BMW has treated its pocket rocket to a variety of mechanical upgrades to help it compete with newer rivals, such as the Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic Type R and Seat Leon Cupra 290. The compact hatchback’s name has been changed from M135i to M140i, and it’s been treated to a more powerful, all-new six-cylinder engine. Other changes include tweaked suspension and a re-worked eight-speed gearbox. Producing the same 369lb ft as the BMW M2, the M140i promises to be quick in a straight line, but you can’t help but wonder if the minor updates elsewhere are enough to keep it up with rivals. Fast and flexible The M140i is capable of a remarkable…

For the first time since it launched the i3 in 2014, BMW has revised its electric hatchback. It’s improved the city car’s performance and treated it to a new, more powerful battery, which has increased its range. Here we’re driving the Range Extender version of the i3, which has a 0.6-litre two-cylinder petrol engine working as a generator to provide back-up charging for the battery. Together, the engine and battery provide an official 276 miles of range, or around 231 miles in real-world driving. Punchy performance The slightly heavier Range Extender version takes a little longer than the pure-electric i3 to complete the 0-62mph sprint, but it still feels supremely able darting away from traffic lights and accelerating into gaps with its instantly available power. It feels most urgent in…

‘Basic roadside assistance may not cover a car that won’t start outside your home’ VIRTUALLY ALL NEW cars come with at least a year’s breakdown cover, and many second-hand ones are sold with 12 months’ cover, too, but once that time is up you’re on your own. To ensure you don’t get stranded at the roadside or landed with a hefty recovery fee if your car breaks down, it’s worth investing in breakdown cover. Although the recovery services do offer emergency assistance to non-members, it’s cheaper – and less stressful – to buy cover up front. With a wide range of policies on offer, finding the best cover for you can be a time-consuming task. To make it easier, we’ve rounded up the different offerings and explain the costs and…

LESS THAN £10,000 Skoda Citigo Our pick 1.0 60 SE 5dr List price £9535 Target Price £8885 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/km For It’s economical, reasonably practical, solidly built and feels grown-up to drive. Against It’s not as classy as the Volkswagen Up and the 59bhp engine can struggle at speed. What Car? says Seat Mii Our pick 1.0 SE 5dr List price £9825 Target Price £7878 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/km For The Mii feels remarkably grown-up to drive, and is cheaper than the near-identical VW Up. Against It’s not as well finished inside as the Up and this version can feel slow on faster roads. What Car? says Suzuki Celerio Our pick 1.0 Dualjet SZ3 List price £8499 Target Price £8060 MPG 78.4 CO2 84g/km For It has a spacious, practical interior, real-world economy impresses and standard kit…

LESS THAN £18,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.2 TSI 90 SE List price £14,765 Target Price £13,310 MPG 60.1 CO2 107g/km For It’s one of the roomiest small estate cars around and SE trim brings air-con and a touchscreen. Against The ride is unsettled over poorer surfaces and the dashboard looks a little dull. What Car? says Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Our pick 1.0i 105 Turbo Design List price £17,435 Target Price £16,184 MPG 65.7 CO2 100g/km For There’s plenty of room, equipment is generous and the engine is a willing performer. Against The boot isn’t that flexible and some rivals are better to drive. What Car? says Kia Cee’d Sportswagon Our pick 1.4 CRDi 89 1 ISG List price £17,595 Target Price £16,214 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.2d 150 SE-L Nav 2WD List price £24,995 Target Price £23,312 MPG 61.4 CO2 119g/km For Lots of space and kit for a good price, while CO2 emissions and economy are impressive. Against Firm low-speed ride, and wind and road noise can intrude at speed. What Car? says Nissan X-Trail Our pick 1.6 dCi Acenta 2WD 7-seat List price £26,945 Target Price £24,925 MPG 57.6 CO2 129g/km For It’s comfortable, has a spacious and classy interior, a large boot and lots of equipment. Against Body control is sloppy and the diesel engine is noisy. What Car? says Honda CR-V Our pick 1.6 i-DTEC 120 SE List price £26,060 Target Price £24,286 MPG 64.2 CO2 115g/km For The engine is economical and powerful, while…

LESS THAN £25,000 Seat Leon SC Our pick 1.4 EcoTSI 150 FR List price £20,225 Target Price £17,725 MPG 57.6 CO2 114g/km For It’s quick, agile, economical and excellent value. There’s good space for people and bags. Against A few bits of cabin trim feel low-rent and there’s too much wind noise at speed. What Car? says BMW 2 Series Our pick 218d SE List price £25,100 Target Price £23,398 MPG 62.8 CO2 119g/km For It rides and handles well, and the diesel engine is punchy and economical. Against The rear seats are cramped for adults and the engine is noisy. What Car? says Volkswagen Scirocco Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 GT List price £25,610 Target Price £23,364 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For Good to drive, with quick steering and…

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RUNNING A CAR ON CONTRACT HIRE AND LEASING? Contract hire is actually a form of leasing – effectively it is an operating lease. ‘Leasing’ is a general, catch-all term that includes finance lease and lease purchase, as well as contract hire. I’M SELF-EMPLOYED AND WANT A CAR FOR MOSTLY BUSINESS USE. Should I go for contract hire or investigate a PCP? Personal contract hire isn’t proving as popular as personal contract purchase (PCP) among private individuals and the self-employed. Monthly payments are often broadly similar, but at the end of the deal a PCP gives you the flexibility to own the car for an extra lump sum or, potentially, a bit of cash to put towards a deposit on another PCP deal. If you find you…

‘The Q5 has a smooth and forgiving ride with air suspension and adaptive dampers fitted’ THE 2017 AUDI Q5 might not look very new at first glance, but its familiar looks belie a car that shares hardly a screw with its predecessor. However, it’s easy to see why the designers were reluctant to make sweeping changes. The outgoing Q5 is not only Audi’s best-selling SUV, but its best-selling model full stop. The new car is lighter and therefore more fuel efficient than the eight-year-old model it replaces. It has a more spacious, high-tech five-seat interior, more efficient engines and, so Audi claims, one of the class’s best driving experiences. The new Q5 comes at a time when competition in its class has never been stronger, with the recent arrivals of…

‘The C-HR might look like the love child of a Honda Civic and a Nissan Juke, but it’s bigger than it appears’ UNTIL NOW, TOYOTA hasn’t had a proper rival to the unfeasibly popular Qashqai, or trendy new arrivals, such as the Seat Ateca and Audi Q2. That’s about to change, though. Although the new C-HR looks a bit like the love child of a Honda Civic and a Nissan Juke, it’s bigger than it appears. In fact, it’s almost the same size as the Qashqai, aside from having a lower, more coupé-esque roofline. Prices start at a whisker less than £21,000 for the 1.2 petrol. That’s about £3000 more than you’ll pay for an equivalent Ateca, although the C-HR comes with more goodies as standard. However, Toyota expects three-quarters…

‘The A5 Sportback has the sleek looks of the A5 Coupé and the practicality of four doors’ WITH TWO EXTRA doors and a more practical boot than the A5 Coupé, the current A5 Sportback has been a real hit with buyers. So it’s no surprise that the second-generation model is an evolution of the original with a few key improvements. Chief among them are new mechanical underpinnings that make the Sportback longer, wider and lower, and increase rear head and leg room and boot space. It needs to be sportier, too. The previous Sportback wasn’t much fun to drive, and Audi has tried to rectify this with new, stiffer suspension, sharper steering and an 85kg weight reduction. Speedy gains The 2.0-litre TDI 190 diesel is likely to be the most…

‘Boot space should be bigger than in the already spacious original XF Sportbrake’ THE JAGUAR XF is already a niche choice in the premium saloon market. However, if superb handling is your top priority then it trumps rivals such as the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. The original XF Sportbrake, launched in 2012, was a niche within a niche. It sold in small numbers, with 25% of XF buyers choosing it over the saloon. That said, it was also well received, offering a more driver-oriented alternative to the A6 Avant, 5 Series Touring and E-Class Estate. Space to boot When the second-generation XF saloon was revealed in 2015, Jaguar was initially cold on the idea of a new estate version, but at the recent Paris motor show…

‘Vauxhall’s prices have increased the most, by an average of 2.5%’ The cost of buying a new car in the UK is rising because some of the country’s car makers have raised prices after the EU referendum result. Ford, Vauxhall, Nissan, Suzuki and the PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroën and DS) have all significantly raised their prices in the last few months, and each has said it’s at least partly down to the Brexit vote and the subsequent drop in the value of pound sterling. PSA raised its prices by an average of 2% in August, with Ford following suit in September with an average rise of 1.5%. Nissan and Suzuki raised the prices of some of their models by 1.5% and 2% respectively in October. Vauxhall’s prices have increased the…

Check if a vehicle has been recalled www.gov.uk/check-if-a-vehicle-has-been-recalled New car, service, repair and warranty issues www.themotorombudsman.org Citizens’ Advice Bureau www.citizensadvice.org.uk Check a car has a valid MoT test certificate www.motinfo.gov.uk Check if a car has outstanding finance www.whatcar.com/historycheck Trading Standards www.tradingstandards.gov.uk Financial Conduct Authority www.fca.org.uk Check car crash safety ratings www.euroncap.com Your car loan questions answered www.whatcar.com/car-news/carloanfaqs…

LESS THAN £12,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 1.2 Ambiance List price £6795 Target Price £6734 MPG 48.7 CO2 130g/km For Lots of space for the money, plus a proven four-cylinder petrol engine from Renault. Against The interior and equipment list are basic, while the low-speed ride is lumpy. What Car? says Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.2 SZ2 5dr List price £9499 Target Price £9049 MPG 56.5 CO2 116g/km For Good equipment as standard and a smart cabin. It’s also fun to drive. Against The engine is noisy and a little gutless at motorway speeds. What Car? says Seat Ibiza Our pick 1.0 EcoTSI 95 SE 5dr List price £14,055 Target Price £11,595 MPG 67.3 CO2 98g/km For Rides and handles well and it has a generous standard kit list and low running costs. Against The cabin is cramped…

LESS THAN £16,000 Skoda Octavia Our pick 1.0 TSI 115 S List price £16,660 Target Price £15,131 MPG 62.8 CO2 104g/km For There’s plenty of room for occupants and their luggage, and the interior is classy. Against Standard equipment is a bit stingy and the suspension can be noisy over rougher surfaces. What Car? says Vauxhall Astra Our pick 1.0T 105 Design List price £16,145 Target Price £14,991 MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km For Good to drive and well equipped, with a comfortable, roomy cabin. Against The steering assistance is too light and lumbar adjustment costs extra. What Car? says Seat Leon Our pick 1.2 TSI 110 SE List price £17,700 Target Price £15,200 MPG 57.6 CO2 114g/km For The engine is refined, running costs are low and S trim has a decent amount of equipment. Against Some of…

LESS THAN £20,000 Citroën C3 Picasso Our pick 1.2 Puretech Edition List price £16,575 Target Price £12,297 MPG 56.5 CO2 115g/km For The interior is spacious and the boot is big. Ride comfort and refinement impress. Against Some rivals are cheaper and the engine feels a bit weedy on faster roads. What Car? says Volkswagen Golf SV Our pick 1.4 TSI SE List price £22,190 Target Price £18,632 MPG 51.4 CO2 127g/km For It’s good to drive, well equipped, the engine is smooth and there are quality materials inside. Against The rear seats aren’t as clever as those in rivals and it’s comparatively pricey to buy. What Car? says Ford B-Max Our pick 1.4 90 Zetec List price £15,345 Target Price £13,323 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For The engine is…

A BROKER CAN SUPPLY ME WITH A NEW BMW X5 SOONER THAN MY LOCAL DEALER CAN. Is this possible? The broker might have pre-ordered one on the basis he’d be able to find a buyer, or he may have a cancelled order. Ask to see proof, though, and get the delivery date in writing, too. A BROKER IS CHARGING ME A FINDER’S FEE OF £1000. Is this right? Shop elsewhere. There is nothing to stop brokers charging finder’s fees, but, as a general rule, most reputable brokers earn their commission from the dealer, not the customer. IS IT SAFE TO PAY THE BROKER BEFORE I’VE TAKEN DELIVERY? The safest options are to pay the dealer directly, or into an ‘escrow’ holding account until the car is ready for delivery. Always…

‘Mini claims the new Countryman is roomier and of higher quality inside’ WHEN THE MINI Countryman was launched in 2010, it challenged the assumption that a Mini was, by definition, small. While this made it a controversial addition to the range, it didn’t hinder sales; more than half a million have been shifted in the past six years. Therefore, unlike the short-lived Mini Roadster and Mini Coupé, the Countryman was always going to be replaced, and the second-generation version will arrive in UK dealerships in February 2017. This all-new SUV is even bigger than the original, making it a direct rival for the Nissan Qashqai, as well as prestige-badge models such as the new Audi Q2. Yet despite the Countryman’s increase in size and sharper creases on its bodywork, the…

‘The Golf will be available with Active Info Display, which swaps dials for a configurable screen’ FOR YEARS IT seemed Volkswagen had perfected the family hatchback recipe, as the Golf saw off rival after rival. The current model has been squeezed by the more practical Skoda Octavia and the classier Audi A3, though, so this update is timely. Exterior visual changes are limited to restyled bumpers, new LED head and tail-lights, and Audi-style ‘animated’ indicators which flow in the direction you’re turning. However, there are bigger changes inside, where there’s now the option of a 9.2in infotainment touchscreen that dominates the dashboard; on the outgoing car the biggest option was a 6.5in screen. The new range-topping system lets you use hand gestures to control the stereo and accept or decline…

‘The Kuga ST-Line sits lower to the ground, with tweaked suspension to sharpen handling’ WITH MORE AND more people shifting from hatchbacks to SUVs, it’s a good time for Ford to give its four-year-old Kuga a facelift. The only major mechanical change is the addition of a new 1.5-litre diesel engine to replace the old entry-level 138bhp 2.0-litre unit. Available with front-wheel drive only, the new diesel should be the most frugal in the updated range. The easiest changes to spot on the exterior are new headlights and tail-lights and a new trapezoidal front grille similar in style to that of the new Ford Edge seven-seater SUV. The Kuga’s interior has been updated and there’s a new infotainment system. Two additional trims – Vignale and ST-Line – are available. We’re…

FORD IS FACING a conundrum. Its Fiesta hatchback is consistently the UK’s best-selling car, but having been on sale since 2008, it’s beginning to show its age. Plus, in the intervening years we’ve had new versions of almost all of its main rivals, including the Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo and our 2016 Small Car of the Year, the Skoda Fabia. Ford needs to update its top car for it to stay competitive, then, but how will it do so? A modern supermini needs to offer a combination of an efficient engine, clever technology and plenty of interior space. The current Fiesta covers most of those bases – although its infotainment system is tricky to use – while also being fun to drive, giving Ford a rare selling point in this…

In the UK, there’s no law forcing drivers to fit winter tyres. However, there are legal requirements in some European countries, and it’s important to know these if you are heading to a ski resort this winter. In Germany, winter or all-season tyres are compulsory in wintry conditions. Snow chains should also be carried and used when signs state they are needed. In Austria, all vehicles must have winter or all-season tyres on snow-covered roads from 1 November to 15 April, or outside of these dates if there is snow, ice or slush on the ground. As in Germany, snow chains should be carried, too. Winter tyres are recommended but not compulsory in Italy from 15 October to 15 April, but individual provinces may have their own laws. In France,…

Sold from 2010 to 2016 Fantastic ride Suspension gives a really comfortable ride, absorbing large bumps with ease Running costs A post-2013 E 220 with the 2.1-litre diesel engine will cost £130 for a year’s road tax Best trim level SE brings all the tech and quality you’d expect, plus extra safety kit in later models Budget from £8000 THESE DAYS, IT seems like everyone who wants a spacious car, either to transport a family or for load-lugging, buys an SUV. Whatever happened to the humble estate? Well, the best models still have a lot to offer, and few are better than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate. The previous model has a spacious, comfortable and well-equipped interior, a practical boot with a low load lip and flat floor, and some powerful…

LESS THAN £25,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE List price £22,555 Target Price £20,796 MPG 68.9 CO2 108g/km For Masses of standard kit, a huge amount of rear leg room and boot space, and good to drive. Against Other executive cars are more fun to drive and have stronger resale values. What Car? says Volkswagen Passat Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Business List price £25,045 Target Price £21,082 MPG 67.3 CO2 106g/km For Drives very well, with a good ride and refined diesel engine. The interior is top notch. Against Some rivals are more practical, while the dashboard design is a bit dull. What Car? says Audi A3 Saloon Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 Sport List price £25,685 Target Price £23,623 MPG 68.9 CO2 107g/km For It handles well, the engine is strong and…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZ4 List price £14,499 Target Price £13,696 MPG 49.4 CO2 123g/km For The Vitara is good to drive, has a practical interior and SZ4 trim brings lots of equipment. Against CO2 emissions are comparatively high and the steering weight is too light. What Car? says Renault Captur Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Dynamique Media Nav List price £15,985 Target Price £14,679 MPG 56.5 CO2 115g/km For It’s refined, well equipped and roomy for four adults. The sliding rear bench is practical. Against The interior plastics feel hard and cheap, while the engine is underpowered. What Car? says Kia Soul Our pick 1.6 CRDi 134 Connect List price £16,600 Target Price £13,941 MPG 58.8 CO2 128g/km For The interior is spacious, Connect trim…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.6 Sport 3dr List price £14,149 Target Price £13,744 MPG 44.1 CO2 147g/km For Loves to be thrashed, thanks to a rev-hungry engine and snappy gearchange. Against The cabin is plain, so there’s none of the ‘wow’ factor that hot hatch buyers crave. What Car? says Seat Ibiza SC FR Our pick 1.4 TSI 150 List price £16,245 Target Price £13,752 MPG 60.1 CO2 109g/km For Gutsy engine, low running costs, plenty of equipment and a spacious interior. Against Some rivals are more fun to drive and the cabin plastics feel cheap. What Car? says Fiat 500 Abarth Our pick 595 List price £14,610 Target Price £14,610 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For Small hot hatches don’t get any more stylish and the Abarth…

“ At UK New Cars, we believe in the core values of Pricing, Process and Quality throughout every stage of your order ” Sam Shah – Managing Director Our service – how it all works Pricing We have fantastic relationships with the dealer panel we work with — and because we place hundreds of orders with them each year, we are able to attain very large corporate levels of discounts which we can then pass on to individual retail customers. There are several different factors which can influence what represents a competitive price, including: dealer margin discount, registration support and finance deposit contributions — it is therefore very difficult to ascertain whether the package offered by a local dealer represents good value or not. Using our expertise, we can ensure…