Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2017 i What Car?

Cycling has become more extreme these days. Cyclists can go pretty much anywhere: all they have to do is choose the right machine. Versatility via good design means that one bike can do it all. It’s the same with mobile phones. A phone used to be something you shouted into. With luck, somebody might answer. Now, talking to someone is the least of a smartphone’s talents. Versatility through good design again. Nobody’s come up with a ‘smart vehicle’ class yet, but based on this concept of designed-in versatility, Mitsubishi’s Outlander Diesel will go straight into the top echelon when they do. The Outlander Diesel is an SUV that can seat up to seven people – but that’s just the start. In the latest version, every Outlander virtue has been magnified…

‘Engine rumble is well suppressed and wind noise is minimal at all speeds’ A FEW YEARS ago, if you wanted a family-friendly SUV with engaging handling, reasonable running costs and sharp looks, the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Kuga would have been your main choices. But fast-forward to today and the landscape has changed somewhat. Now, there’s the brilliant new Skoda Kodiaq, along with a host of slightly smaller but still suitably practical choices, such as the Seat Ateca, Peugeot 5008 and Volkswagen Tiguan. To counter this onslaught, Mazda has treated its large SUV to a comprehensive refresh. The second-generation CX-5 is, in effect, an evolution of a successful formula; the basic underpinnings of the car have been retained, allowing Mazda to focus on improving the ride quality, handling and refinement.…

‘Fast steering makes the Stelvio feel rather agile, helped by suspension that resists lean very well’ DESPITE THE FACT that ‘SUV’ stands for sport utility vehicle, not many manufacturers actually put the ‘sport’ into these cars. However, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio looks to buck that trend by promising to be every bit as fun to drive as the engaging Giulia saloon on which it’s based. The Stelvio’s specification certainly sounds good, with light weight, good balance and strong engines on its side. There’s also the promise of plenty of room for passengers and a boot capacity that’s in line with rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Audi Q5. All Stelvios get an eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive as standard, apart from an entry-level diesel model that will be…

IN A QUEST to remain at the pointy end of the hot hatch horsepower pyramid, Audi and Mercedes-Benz have been locked in a battle of numbers for more than half a decade. The Audi RS3 packed 335bhp when it first appeared back in 2011, before being edged out by the even more powerful 355bhp Mercedes A45 AMG just two years later. This battle has continued, with further power hikes for both cars in recent years. But despite their monumental straight-line performance, neither has delivered the grin-inducing driving experience of the very best hot hatches. While less pricey cars such as the BMW M140i and Ford Focus RS offer a real sense of playfulness, the RS3 and A45 have always felt heavier footed and less fluid. With this new RS3 Sportback…

MITSUBISHI MAY HAVE had some success in the UK in recent years with the plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander large SUV, but it has struggled to make an impact in the small SUV class. Its existing contender, the ASX, is no match for the class-leading Seat Ateca or Nissan Qashqai, despite having a practical interior and a comfy ride. Mitsubishi’s answer is to field a slightly larger and far more distinctive-looking small SUV alongside the ASX, in the shape of the new Eclipse Cross. Keeping on trend The Eclipse Cross has many of the hallmark design features of popular modern SUVs, such as a large front grille, lower body cladding and a muscular look with a sloping roofline. All of this, Mitsubishi says, is designed to make the car…

THE NEW HYUNDAI i30 Tourer retains the classy looks of its hatchback sibling but adds a generous helping of boot space. In fact, at 602 litres, the i30 Tourer’s boot is almost as big as those of the Skoda Octavia Estate and Volkswagen Golf Estate. Another strong point of the i30 Tourer is its comprehensive suite of standard safety equipment. This includes automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, a driver attention monitoring system and lane-keeping assistance. New petrol engines The i30 Tourer can be had with a choice of two new turbocharged petrol engines: a four-cylinder 1.4 and a three-cylinder 1.0. There’s also a 1.6 diesel with a choice of three power outputs. It’s the petrol models that are likely to be most popular, because they’ll offer improved performance and…

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 Find out new cars’ real-world fuel efficiency whatcar.com/truempg 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 Car finance explained whatcar.com/advice/buying/ car-finance-explained…

It’s easier than ever to keep abreast of traffic incidents, even if you don’t have sat-nav. These are just some of the handy free apps you can download and use on your mobile phone. While they are a great source of up-to-the-minute traffic information, it’s important to note that unless they can be used offline, they are likely to use up some of your phone’s data allowance. Apple Maps The latest version of Apple Maps predicts the places you’re most likely to go based on past journeys and tells you the fastest way to get there, taking into account the traffic. Add upcoming meeting locations to your calendar and it’ll also suggest routes for these. While you’re enroute, you can also get directions to the closest restaurant, café or coffee…

LESS THAN £12,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 0.9 TCe Ambiance List price £7795 Target Price £7688 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 List price £11,295 Target Price £9995 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 to…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZ4 List price £14,999 Target Price £14,239 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 £13,173 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 Suzuki Ignis Our pick 1.2 SHVS 4x4 SZ5 List price £13,999 Target Price £13,561 MPG 60.1 CO2 106g/km For Very good value for money, it’s fun to drive and…

CARS ARE LIKE canines. While a car won’t make a mess on your carpet, a year in automotive terms is like a dog year. Viewed in that context, the outgoing nine-year-old Audi A5 Cabriolet is something of a geriatric hound. Thankfully, Old Yeller has been swapped for a newborn puppy. This second-generation A5 Cabriolet is based on our 2016 Car of the Year, the A4, but because it’s billed as sportier, you can’t have the A4’s lower-powered engines, just petrols and diesels with 187bhp or more. The new A5 Cabriolet has much better fuel economy and CO2 emissions than its predecessor, thanks to some new technology and a bit of weight loss, which is impressive when you consider that the car is longer than before. Put your sensible cap on…

A CAR’S LOOKS are a subjective matter, but few would argue that Mercedes-Benz’s saloons aren’t sleek and interesting to behold. Its coupé versions are often even better, and we’d suggest that its latest E-Class Coupé is one of the firm’s best designs yet. Three engine options are initially available: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel 220 d, a turbocharged 2.0 four-cylinder petrol 300 and a turbocharged 3.0 V6 petrol 400 4Matic, the latter getting all-wheel drive as standard. The biggest-selling engine is likely to be the 2.0-litre diesel, which feels nicely suited to the coupé. It isn’t the most powerful engine, but it never feels out of breath and only becomes noticeably grumbly when pushed hard; kept at a cruise, its diesel noise fades into the background. It’s paired with a nine-speed…

‘The Qashqai can now steer, accelerate and brake by itself in a single lane on the motorway’ BEFORE THE SEAT Ateca came along, the Nissan Qashqai was the king of small SUVs. It was the car that kick-started the trend for raised-up hatchbacks that aped the look and feel of more expensive 4x4s. With its combination of a great driving position, practical interior and big boot, it helped to create what is now the fastest-growing market segment in Europe. The Qashqai’s reign at the top of the class ended earlier this year, though, when it was beaten both by the Ateca and the new Peugeot 3008 in a group test. Now Nissan is fighting back by updating the Qashqai with new looks and the latest technology. Driving itself This latest…

FORD’S PINT-SIZED FIESTA ST hot hatchback has long been a favourite of ours. In fact, it’s been our overall top hot hatch for five years in a row. So this third-generation model is in a prime position to carry on that winning streak. However, Ford has ditched the ST’s peppy 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and replaced it with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit. That may seem like a backward step, but the new engine promises improvements in performance and fuel economy compared with its predecessor. Like other third-generation Fiesta models, the ST is slightly larger than the car it replaces. It will be available in a choice of three-door and five-door forms, making it a more practical proposition than rivals such as the Vauxhall Corsa VXR and Seat Ibiza SC Cupra, both…

Fun-packed Countryman’s handling will put a smile on your face Sold from 2010-2017 Running costs The 1.6-litre diesel models can get 67mpg, according to official figures Best trim level The Cooper got alloy wheels, front foglights and climate control Budget from £6500 IN LAST MONTH’S issue of What Car?, the all-new Mini Countryman didn’t fare too well in a triple test against the Seat Ateca and Audi Q2. But the version it replaces is still a popular car with buyers – so perhaps a used example of the original Countryman is a better bet? Mini attempted to endow the old Countryman with the same feel as its smaller hatchback stablemate, with sharp steering, quick turn-in and impressive body control. But, to keep that tall body in shape, Mini had to…

LESS THAN £18,000 Vauxhall Astra Our pick 1.6 CDTi 110 Design List price £17,615 Target Price £16,941 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 £16,790 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 £14,375 Target Price £14,375 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 £17,219 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 £9855 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 £25,550 Target Price £24,658 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 £22,404 MPG 64.2 CO2 115g/km For The engine…

LESS THAN £16,000 Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.6 Sport 3dr List price £14,649 Target Price £14,229 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 £15,285 Target Price £12,518 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…

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’…

‘The idea is to make the car feel as though it wraps around its driver’ THANKS TO CONTINUAL updates, the Volvo XC60 has remained competitive throughout its longer-than-average nine-year life, and even today it continues to set sales records and earn a highly credible four-star rating from What Car?. The ingredients of the XC60’s success have remained constant throughout this time: it provides practical, classy transport while being good to drive and scoring highly for safety. In particular, its cabin has always stood out for being spacious, versatile and smart. So it’s little wonder that this all-new XC60 – a ground-up redesign based on all-new mechanical underpinnings – has stuck to a very similar recipe. Volvo design boss Thomas Ingenlath says: “When your customers are happy, you don’t need a…

‘You can hardly hear the engine at all when the car is cruising, but road roar is surprisingly noticeable’ DRIVE DOWN ANY motorway for five minutes and we guarantee that you’ll see at least one Vauxhall Insignia; a combination of keen pricing, low running costs and plenty of kit makes it a firm favourite with company car drivers. However, times change, and after nine years the original Insignia was definitely ready for replacement. That’s where this new Insignia Grand Sport comes in. It takes the familiar Insignia formula and adds more interior space and more kit while being cheaper to buy than before, with the most basic of the six trim levels costing just £17,115. But the big question is this: does it have more to offer than acres of…

‘Not only is this engine flexible and powerful enough to get up to 70mph without fuss, but it’s also smooth’ IF YOU’RE AFTER a little hatchback, you’re spoilt for choice. Want something that’s fun to drive? There’s the Ford Fiesta. Fancy a classy interior? That’ll be the Mini. Or, if you need a true all-rounder, the Skoda Fabia is our top choice. The outgoing Suzuki Swift, meanwhile, looks fairly funky, but it’s cramped inside and has a low-rent interior and engines that are some way behind the best turbocharged units out there. So, it’s time for a reboot, and here it is: the new Swift, a car that takes inspiration from its predecessor but improves on it in almost every area. Easy to drive Underneath the Swift’s cutesy body is…

LIKE MOST LUXURY cars, the Porsche Panamera saloon is as much about making a statement as it is about practical motoring. It’s a declaration of wealth, and for those who can afford its high asking price, it offers a classy interior, punchy engines and decent interior space. In 2012, Porsche revealed the Panamera Sport Turismo estate concept, and there were high hopes of it making production. Now, with the second-generation Panamera, it has finally happened. Practical Porsche The Sport Turismo is aimed at buyers who want the classy image of the Panamera, but who also need space for their families and luggage. That’s why it has three rear seats instead of the saloon’s two, a powered tailgate and a bigger boot. With its rear seats all in place, the Sport…

THE LAUNCH OF a new Civic Type R hot hatchback is always an eagerly anticipated event, and when Honda showed a concept of the latest version towards the end of last year, excitement from fans hit fever pitch. In fact, it won our Reader Award for the car you’re looking forward to most in 2017. We suspected that evil-looking concept Type R was only a whisper away from how the production car would be, and that’s indeed the case. The Type R faces some tough rivals in the well-rounded Volkswagen Golf GTI and the rewarding Ford Focus RS, which we award a full five-star rating. Still extreme, but less so The Type R stands out with aggressive and garish styling, including a huge rear spoiler and big air blades on…

‘Mercedes will offer GLC owners more comfortable all-season tyres free of charge’ I recently bought a Mercedes-Benz GLC and am hugely disappointed with both the car and the service provided by Mercedes-Benz UK. The car suffers from juddering, or ‘crabbing’, when it’s being driven at low speed with steering lock applied. My wife and I are embarrassed to take friends and family out in our new £44,000 car because at low speed it drives like a tractor; passengers have said they think it has a puncture or even that a wheel is falling off. Driving our car is truly depressing, yet Mercedes-Benz UK simply tells us this is an expected characteristic that only impacts on the “comfort” of the car and that fitting winter tyres might lessen the problem. It’s…

If your car develops a fault or suffers a puncture while you’re driving on a smart motorway, try to drive to the next emergency refuge area, which will have a blue sign with an orange SOS phone symbol next to it. Alternatively, leave at the next motorway service area or at the next junction. If you stop in an ERA, switch on your hazard warning lights and the sidelights if it’s dark or foggy, then get out of your car on the passenger side and use the SOS phone to contact the regional control centre. Stay out of your car behind the safety barrier while you wait for assistance to arrive. Do not use an ERA for nonemergency situations, such as taking a break from driving or attending to children.…

LESS THAN £9000 Suzuki Celerio Our pick 1.0 SZ2 List price £6999 Target Price £6707 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 Skoda Citigo Our pick 1.0 60 S 3dr List price £8495 Target Price £8338 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/km For…

LESS THAN £25,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Technology List price £23,280 Target Price £21,243 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 £24,295 Target Price £20,040 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 £23,995 Target Price £22,022 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 £16,213 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 £45,020 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 £40,865 Target Price £38,353 MPG 56.5 CO2 129g/km For Classy, well-built interior, punchy engine, well equipped and…

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…