Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2017 i What Car?

 Since the UK voted for Brexit, a combination of the weaker pound and efforts by car makers to increase dealer profitability has cost UK car buyers nearly £2 billion in price hikes. But that doesn’t mean great discounts are a thing of the past. ‘You can still save an average of £2408 on a new car’ Those dealers still have aggressive sales targets, and research by our team of mystery shoppers shows that you can currently save an average of £2408 on a new car. From page 93, we reveal the Target Price you should aim for, whichever model you’re interested in. And to save you the trouble of shopping around to secure that deal, we’ve now launched an online car buying marketplace, letting you directly compare prices from local…

FANS OF THE modern SUV have an awful lot to thank Land Rover for. Over the past 70 years, it has been right at the heart of transforming what began as a military workhorse into something achingly desirable. But while Land Rover may have more heritage to shout about than any of its rivals, that’s unlikely to persuade buyers to part with their cash unless the Discovery is as good or better than other luxury SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. Like its predecessor, this all-new Discovery is a whopping great seven-seater that sits above the smaller Discovery Sport and below the similar-sized but much more expensive Range Rover Sport. To that end, it should appeal to families who are more concerned about space, practicality and go-anywhere…

FEW CARS HAVE the power to redefine a market sector, and even fewer have the ability to remain at the top of a competitive class decade after decade. Yet that’s exactly what the Golf has done, with Volkswagen selling 33 million of them since its launch in 1974. However, with the aftermath of the diesel emissions cheating scandal still hanging over VW, more stringent emissions legislation on the horizon and the arrival of strong and innovative new rivals, the Golf’s position has never been under greater threat. The saying ‘the higher you climb, the further you have to fall’ comes to mind. Volkswagen has therefore given its best seller a mild update to keep it competitive until an all-new Golf goes on sale in 2019. At first glance, there’s little…

 WHEN TOYOTA LAUNCHED the original Prius Plug-in in 2012, it was an attempt to prove to the world that it was still at the technological forefront of the hybrid car market that it kicked off in the late 1990s. It wasn’t a very convincing one, though, as the Plug-in could only cover about 11 miles in electric-only mode and was, in other ways, the same old Prius – quirky looking and a bit odd to drive – yet much pricier. ‘Inside, you get less for your £29k than in a regular £24k Prius, which is a problem’ Toyota therefore didn’t sell very many Prius Plug-ins, but it’s back for another crack at the growing plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) market with this second-generation model. Based on the latest regular Prius,…

IT’S BEEN TWO years since Citröen launched DS, its luxury sister brand. However, the DS range currently consists of only rebadged former Citröen models. Now it’s ready to launch the first car of its very own. The all-new 7 Crossback is DS’s debut entry into the vibrant and profitable large SUV market. It will join the DS 3 small hatchback, 4 family hatchback, 5 executive car and 4 Crossback small SUV in the brand’s UK line-up. While we haven’t yet awarded any DS more than three stars, we have praised their exterior looks, stylish interiors and generous standard kit. Gold standard The 7 Crossback isn’t due to go on sale until 2018, but DS is already making clear its aim of taking on premium SUVs such as the Audi Q5,…

Citizens’ Advice Bureau citizensadvice.org.uk Service and repair standards motorcodes.co.uk Check a car has a valid MoT test certificate motinfo.gov.uk Check if a car has outstanding finance whatcar.com/historycheck Trading standards tradingstandards.gov.uk Financial Conduct Authority fca.org.uk Check if a vehicle has been recalled gov.uk/check-if-a-vehicle-has-been-recalled Check a car’s crash safety rating euroncap.com Your car loan questions answered whatcar.com/car-news/ carloanfaqs…

MyCarNeedsA.com Chasing the keenest price for a service can mean a lot of time on the phone. MyCarNeedsA.com makes the service providers do the legwork; you enter the details of your car and the work needed and garages compete for your business. WhoCanFixMyCar.com Again, WhoCanFixMyCar.com saves a lot of ringing around and lets garages pitch for whatever servicing or repair work you need. The garages are reviewed by customers after work is carried out, so you can select a garage and a service as well as a price. mobileserviceexperts.co.uk Staffed by ex-franchised-dealer mechanics, Mobile Service Experts brings the garage to you. Customers are free to watch the mechanics at work and each service ends with a test drive. The company has four bases in the West Midlands. Gas Cubby This…

LESS THAN £12,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 0.9 TCe Ambiance List price £7795 Target Price £7724 MPG 57.7 CO2 109g/km For Lots of space for the money, decent to drive and a good amount of standard kit. Against The engine is unrefined at most speeds and the interior is comparatively basic. What Car? says Hyundai i20 Our pick 1.2 S Air List price £12,045 Target Price £11,332 MPG 55.4 CO2 119g/km For Class-leading space for all occupants and luggage, and the engine is refined. Against It’s a bit gutless on the motorway and you don’t get much standard equipment. What Car? says Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.2 SZ2 5dr List price £9749 Target Price £9241 MPG 56.5 CO2 116g/km For Good equipment as standard and smart inside. It’s also fun…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZ4 List price £14,749 Target Price £14,002 MPG 53.3 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 diesel engine can be noisy. What Car? says Kia Soul Our pick 1.6 GDi 1 List price £13,995 Target Price £13,238 MPG 43.5 CO2 152g/km For The interior is spacious, ‘1’ trim gives you air-con and DAB, and it’s decent to drive. Against CO2 emissions are comparatively high and the steering feels lifeless. What Car? says Renault Captur Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Expression+ List price £14,945 Target Price £13,268 MPG 56.5 CO2 115g/km For It’s refined, reasonably well equipped and roomy for four; sliding…

What’s the difference between contract hire and leasing? ‘Leasing’ is a catch-all term that includes finance lease and lease purchase, as well as contract hire, which is a form of leasing. Should I go for contract hire or a PCP arrangement? Although monthly payments are often similar, at the end of the deal a PCP gives you the flexibility to own the car for an extra lump sum, or put a deposit down on another deal. If you have to terminate the deal early, contract hire often carries a penalty of 50% of the outstanding rental; the penalties on a PCP are much smaller. With contract hire, VAT-registered users can reclaim VAT on some of the finance and maintenance costs. Does it make sense to take out a ‘with maintenance’…

 WHEN LAND ROVER was developing the original Range Rover in the late 1960s, it gave the prototypes the name Velar (Italian for ‘veil’ or ‘cover’) in an effort to confuse anyone who saw them. But now it’s reviving this badge for an all-new model and is hoping to capture rather than deflect attention. ‘The Velar sits squarely between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport’ The new Range Rover Velar will be priced from £44,830, which places it squarely between the Range Rover Evoque (starting price £31,000) and Range Rover Sport (£59,700), and in direct competition with the Porsche Macan (£43,553). It’s clearly a member of the Range Rover family, featuring the trademark blacked-out window pillars, U-shaped front grille and wraparound headlights. Yet at a stroke it makes the Evoque…

ARE YOU AN ‘active weekends’ type? Hiking, perhaps, or kayaking? If so, you’ll want a comfortable, spacious car with a big boot. A regular two-wheel-drive estate won’t work, because you’ll need to drive down a muddy track every now and again, and an SUV is really more than you need. Here’s where a rugged, off-road-orientated estate such as this new Volvo V90 Cross Country could be ideal. Harder yet softer The Cross Country is similar to the regular V90. The main changes are a raised ride height, wheels that are wider apart, standard four-wheel drive with a bespoke off-road mode and softer suspension. It also has extended wheel arches and tough cladding on its lower body. It’s even more relaxing to drive than its sibling, and with the suspension in…

 THE SALOON VERSION of the new BMW 5 Series was crowned as our 2017 Car of the Year, and we expect its big-booted sibling – traditionally the best-selling of the two versions here in the UK – to be just as good. ‘A slight increase in the car’s size has created 10 litres of extra space in the boot’ Like the saloon, the new 5 Series Touring has updated exterior styling and a markedly plusher interior than its predecessor. It also gets the latest version of BMW’s slick iDrive infotainment system and plenty of other tech borrowed from the pricier BMW 7 Series, plus a host of advanced new safety kit. Boot to boot Practicality is paramount for an estate, though, and a slight increase in the size of the…

DESPITE BEING CLOSELY related to our favourite city car, the Hyundai i10, Kia’s Picanto has never reached the same heights. Although well equipped, decent inside and relatively cheap to buy, it has proved to be a little disappointing to drive in its first two generations, with an unsettled ride and springy, inconsistent steering. The Renault Twingo, Suzuki Celerio and Volkswagen Up all handle better. Thus far, nothing has managed to top the i10, but Kia is aiming to change that with a new Picanto. Space and aesthetics This new, third-generation Picanto promises more space inside than the outgoing car, with improved leg room and a bigger boot. In fact, boot capacity beats that of the i10, easily swallowing a pair of suitcases with the rear seats folded down. What’s more,…

WE WERE IMPRESSED on our first outing in the new Vauxhall Insignia. We’ve driven a late-stage prototype of the new Grand Sport hatchback, and that car showed the hallmarks of a fine executive choice. Things are looking positive, then, for the estate version, dubbed the Sports Tourer. The current Insignia estate gets a meagre two-star rating on our road test, primarily because while it has a stylish interior and exterior and is relaxed over long distances, rivals such as the Ford Mondeo Estate and Skoda Superb Estate are far more practical for growing families. On top of that, this Insignia is the less popular choice; just 20% of buyers opt for it over the hatchback. However, Vauxhall hopes this all-new Sports Tourer will entice families back into the estate. Size…

 WHERE DO CAR dealers make their money? It might surprise you to learn that selling new cars isn’t the biggest source of profit. In fact, narrow margins and cut-throat competition mean that franchised dealers make very little from new cars; there’s far more profit in servicing cars than selling them. ‘Dealers make very little from new cars; there’s far more profit in servicing cars than selling them’ Most car buyers have their car serviced at a main dealer for the first few years of its life. Many of us assume that we are tied to the franchised dealer network if we want to preserve the car’s warranty. That’s not the case, although you’ll need to make sure the car maker’s service requirements are met in full if you do take…

FRANCHISED DEALER Pros Expertise and knowledge of any service bulletins and recalls No worries over maintaining the warranty Will use approved parts that come with their own warranty Cons Usually the most expensive option Best for Cars that are still within warranty INDEPENDENT GARAGE Pros Usually more affordable than franchised dealer servicing Should be able to service to the manufacturer’s requirements Rely on their reputation, so the best are very good indeed Cons Be very sure manufacturer-approved parts are used – if that’s what you want Unless you go to a one-make specialist, they may not be familiar with your car Best for Affordable servicing to the manufacturer’s schedule FAST-FIT Pros Rock-bottom pricing Can carry out other work – such as replacing tyres – very cheaply, too Cons You’ll need…

Heads down Sweeping roofline looks good but reduces rear head room Sold from 2008-2017 Running costs The most economical 2.0-litre diesel version does 74mpg Best trim level Tech Line comes with satellite navigation, climate control and auto lights Budget from £3500 VAUXHALL’S BRAND NEW Insignia is moving somewhat upmarket, taking on a new name in the process – ‘Grand Sport’ – and gaining a plusher interior and slick styling in an attempt to pull away from the slightly humdrum image of its predecessor. In some ways, that reputation is unfair. The outgoing Insignia isn’t a bad car. It has a classy, well-built interior, there’s an abundance of room in the front and the hatchback bodystyle makes for a large boot – albeit one with an oddly shaped floor. Head room…

LESS THAN £18,000 Vauxhall Astra Our pick 1.6 CDTi 110 Design List price £17,615 Target Price £16,603 MPG 78.5 CO2 95g/km For Low emissions make it an ideal company car, it’s good to drive and has a practical interior. Against Entry-level trim is a little sparse and some rivals are even better to drive. What Car? says Nissan Pulsar Our pick 1.2 DIG-T Acenta Tech Pack List price £16,745 Target Price £15,660 MPG 56.5 CO2 117g/km For There’s plenty of room for occupants and their luggage, and there’s decent equipment. Against Several rivals have stronger resale values and lower running costs. What Car? says Volkswagen Golf Our pick 1.2 TSI 85 S 3dr List price £17,625 Target Price £13,951 MPG 57.6 CO2 113g/km For The engine is refined, running costs…

LESS THAN £18,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.2 TSI 90 SE List price £15,170 Target Price £13,899 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 Turbo 105 Design List price £17,905 Target Price £16,876 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 Dacia Logan Our pick 0.9 TCe Laureate List price £9995 Target Price £9902 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For Lots of space,…

LESS THAN £26,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.2d 150 SE-L Nav 2WD List price £25,195 Target Price £24,001 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 Visia 2WD 7st List price £25,145 Target Price £24,267 MPG 57.6 CO2 129g/km For It’s comfortable, with a spacious and classy interior, a large boot and lots of equipment. Against Body control is sloppy, the diesel engine is noisy and equipment is a bit basic. What Car? says Honda CR-V Our pick 1.6 i-DTEC 120 S List price £24,355 Target Price £22,523 MPG 64.2 CO2 115g/km For The engine…

LESS THAN £16,000 Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.6 Sport 3dr List price £14,399 Target Price £13,987 MPG 44.1 CO2 147g/km For Loves to be thrashed, thanks to a rev-hungry engine and a slick, snappy gearchange. Against The interior is plain, so there’s none of the ‘wow’ factor that hot hatch buyers crave. What Car? says Seat Ibiza SC Our pick 1.2 TSI 110 FR List price £14,985 Target Price £12,224 MPG 54.3 CO2 119g/km For Low running costs, smooth engine and there’s a decent amount of standard kit. Against Some rivals are more fun to drive and the interior plastics feel cheap. What Car? says Fiat 500 Abarth Our pick 595 List price £15,090 Target Price £15,090 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For Small hot hatches don’t get any more stylish…

A BROKER CLAIMS HE CAN SUPPLY ME WITH A NEW BMW X5 SOONER THAN MY LOCAL DEALER CAN. Is this possible? It could be that the broker pre-ordered a new X5 on the basis that he’d be able to find a buyer for it, or he may have a cancelled order. In either case, it is possible that you could beat the dealer waiting list, but quiz him about the basis for his claim. If it’s one of the two cases above, ask to see the proof, make sure the car has the same engine and trim that you want, and remember that you won’t be able to choose the spec if the car has been ordered. Get the delivery date in writing, too. I’VE SEEN A BROKER WHO IS…

Our service – how it all works “ 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 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…

 EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION? When it comes to car design, there are benefits to both, but in terms of styling it’s difficult to argue that the Honda Civic has been anything other than the latter over the years. ‘The new Civic’s 127bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is worthy of praise’ This all-new, 10th-generation Civic is proof of that, and as well as its striking new design, it has also had a comprehensive reworking. It’s lighter, longer and lower than before and gets more advanced suspension, a combination that Honda hopes will help the new Civic to outgun rivals such as the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf. Prices start at just over £18,000, with seven trim levels available for now. Plus, there’s a choice of two petrol engines: a three-cylinder 1.0-litre and a…

 SMALL CARS ARE big business in the UK, and challenging the success of models such as the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo is always going to be difficult. Seat has so far given things a good go, though, with its Ibiza. ‘The new Ibiza’s larger dimensions create useful extra head and leg room in the rear’ The Ibiza has been on sale in this country since 1985, over four model generations, and in its current form since 2008. However, although it offers a strong range of engines, reasonable running costs and decent standard equipment, the current car is beginning to show its age. Next to high-tech rivals, including our current Small Car of the Year, the Skoda Fabia – what’s supposed to be Seat’s youthful and peppy upstart…

 IN THE PRESS briefing on the 2017 Skoda Octavia, the company’s top brass told us proudly that the modifications amounted to a root-and-branch change, and that this was the most intensive facelift of any model in the company’s history. We’re not so sure. ‘The 148bhp 1.4-litre turbo engine is a belter if you’re a private buyer’ It looks different, but whether that’s a positive or not depends on your view of its new, jaunty-angled quad headlights. The new LED tail-lights and restyled bumpers are less dramatic additions. The oily bits underneath are nigh on the same, but the infotainment systems have been updated. There are also enhanced safety aids: the automatic emergency city braking system can now ‘see’ pedestrians as well as cars, just in case you haven’t, in which…

 THE MPV SEGMENT has been undergoing something of a crisis lately. Gone are the days when affordability and practicality were the only considerations when buying a seven-seater; luxury, refinement and stylish looks are now just as important to most buyers. That’s why sales of SUVs have increased significantly, while those of MPVs have crashed. ‘Head and leg room are up with the best in the large SUV class’ Peugeot has embraced the trend; the original 5008 was a traditional, boxy MPV, but this new, second-generation model is quite firmly in the SUV camp, with rivals ranging from the Skoda Kodiaq, which costs from £21,495, up to cheaper versions of the Land Rover Discovery Sport, which is priced from £31,095. The new 5008 looks far tougher than its predecessor, a fact…

Hi, I’m thinking about getting a BMW 330e as a company car. It will be used for a mix of motorway and town driving. Do you think it would be a good choice? Jamie Lord The BMW 3 Series is one of the best compact executive cars on the market, and the 330e plug-in hybrid is just as good to drive as other models in the line-up. More importantly, its CO2 emissions of 50g/km put it in the 5% company car tax bracket, making it a lot cheaper than a conventional diesel or petrol-engined 3 Series. While we’d take the official claimed fuel economy of 149mpg with a pinch of salt, the 330e will do around 25 miles between charges, so it should save you a lot of money on…

 Servicing packages are available for new and used cars and bundle together the cost of two or three services. Sometimes they include other costs, such as roadside assistance. For example, Ford would charge £550 for a ‘Premium plan’ for a new Fiesta ST, covering the cost of three services, two additional years of roadside assistance, a body and paint inspection and a brake fluid change at two years and an air conditioning check at three years. That’s good value when our research found that two services on their own would cost £318. ‘Carrying out two services worked out to be £91.60 cheaper at an independent garage than at a main dealer’ Many service packs spread the cost by charging monthly. However, this can work out more expensive. Take Hyundai’s Sense…

LESS THAN £8000 Suzuki Celerio Our pick 1.0 SZ2 List price £6999 Target Price £6821 MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km For It has a spacious, practical interior, you get a DAB radio and the engine is a willing performer. Against The engine is noisy, the dashboard is old-school and the ride quality is a touch firm. What Car? says Hyundai i10 Our pick 1.0 S List price £8995 Target Price £7995 MPG 60.1 CO2 108g/km For The three-cylinder engine is willing and refined and the interior is surprisingly roomy. Against This entry-level trim doesn’t give you much kit and the engine feels out of its depth out of town. What Car? says Seat Mii Our pick 1.0 SE 3dr List price £9470 Target Price £7729 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/km For The…

LESS THAN £25,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Technology List price £23,280 Target Price £21,526 MPG 68.9 CO2 108g/km For Masses of standard kit, a huge amount of rear leg room and boot space, and a comfortable ride. Against Some other executive cars are more fun to drive and have stronger resale values. What Car? says Volkswagen Passat Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 S List price £24,030 Target Price £20,056 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 Ford Mondeo Our pick 2.0 TDCi Zetec (Nav) List price £23,495 Target Price £21,680 MPG 65.7 CO2 112g/km For…

LESS THAN £20,000 Citroën C3 Picasso Our pick 1.2 Puretech Edition List price £16,975 Target Price £12,102 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 1.2 TSI S List price £19,745 Target Price £16,208 MPG 56.5 CO2 116g/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 ‘S’ trim is a bit basic. What Car? says Ford B-Max Our pick 1.4 90 Zetec List price £15,345 Target Price £14,361 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For The engine…

LESS THAN £50,000 Porsche Macan Our pick Diesel S List price £46,182 Target Price £46,182 MPG 46.3 CO2 164g/km For Very good to drive, with precise steering, an excellent auto ’box and a strong engine. Against Not much space for rear passengers and not very well equipped as standard. What Car? says Volvo XC90 Our pick D5 Momentum List price £47,350 Target Price £44,904 MPG 49.6 CO2 149g/km For It has a big, classy interior, a refined diesel engine and lots of standard equipment. Against The ride isn’t as smooth as you’d expect and there’s plenty of suspension noise. What Car? says Mercedes-Benz GLC Our pick GLC 250 d AMG Line List price £40,675 Target Price £38,775 MPG 56.5 CO2 129g/km For Classy, well-built interior, punchy engine, well equipped and…