Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2020 i What Car?

‘I can’t help wondering if the new 4 Series’ front grille might be a grower, so to speak’ Due to the coronavirus pandemic, I’m writing this from home, but there are still plenty of virtual water cooler chats going on among the What Car? team, with BMW design being one of the hot topics of late. Take a look at the new 4 Series (revealed on p12) and you’ll understand why. And yet, as controversial as its enormous front grille is, I can’t help wondering if it might be a grower, so to speak. After all, we’ve been here before. Back in the early 2000s, BMWs started looking radically different, and that new design direction was heavily criticised. However, most of the firm’s cars from the era have actually aged…

TOYOTA MAY BE known as a hybrid specialist these days, but none of the SUVs in its line-up that benefit from this fuel-saving technology have been able to carry more than five people – until now. The Highlander – a large SUV that rivals the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento – is the first Toyota to combine hybrid power with seven seats. Although the Highlander is already on sale elsewhere in the world, it’s a newcomer to British roads.As in some other Toyota and Lexus models, it’s powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine and two electric motors – one on each axle, giving it four-wheel drive when needed. Combined power output is 241bhp, with CO2 emissions of 146g/km and official fuel economy of up to 42.8mpg.…

CITROËN HAS A long history of making cars that are both characterful and comfortable, from the sweeping lines of the very first C4, introduced in 1928, to the C4 Cactus from 2014, with its distinctive outline, novel rubber Airbump body protection panels and airy, practical interior. And now, the 10th-generation C4 has an identity all of its own. Pumped-up wheel arches and a steeply sloping roofline combine to give it a coupé SUV look in profile, while – as with other modern Citroëns – super-slim daytime running lights are set high in its nose. From the rear, a gently angled tailgate, a small rear spoiler and an oversized bumper that juts out behind the car serve to emphasise the SUV impression.And that counts for more than just its looks, too;…

IF YOU’RE AFTER a practical plug-in hybrid, Kia would appear to have your back. The Ceed Sportswagon PHEV combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a big battery pack and electric motor to give 139bhp and an official all-electric range of 29.2 miles, and it does so without skimping on day-to-day versatility. How does it drive? Well, things are pretty leisurely in electric mode, so expect to hear the engine chiming in if you need to get up to motorway speeds promptly. The transition between electric and petrol power is smooth, but the engine does get a little gruff if you wring its neck. The standard six-speed automatic gearbox doesn’t shift quite as smoothly as the Skoda Superb PHEV Estate’s but is a little less hesitant. The ride is firm yet…

BACK IN 2009, Formula 1 introduced an innovation called KERS (that’s kinetic energy recovery system), which captured energy that would otherwise be wasted under braking, sent it to a battery and then redeployed it later through a little motor. Proving the old adage that technology from racing eventually reaches showrooms, the same concept, now dubbed ‘mild hybrid’, is becoming common on the road a decade later, even being offered by small manufacturers such as Suzuki. The latest version of the brand’s 1.4-litre petrol engine, newly available in the Vitara and SX4 S-Cross SUVs and the Swift Sport hot hatch, features a 48-volt mild hybrid system. However, unlike F1 cars, Suzuki uses it to improve efficiency rather than boost performance. In the case of the S-Cross, official economy is up by…

WHAT’S BETTER THAN one fuel tank? That’s right: two. That’s the thinking of Dacia, Renault’s budget sister brand, which is blazing a trail by giving us ‘Bi-Fuel’ versions of its Sandero, Duster and Logan MCV models. These are the only cars currently offered in the UK that are powered by petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) straight from the factory. Before now, buyers who wanted to make use of LPG would have had to pay to retrospectively convert their cars to accept the fuel. Dacia’s LPG models have a regular 50-litre petrol tank, but a press of a button next to the five-speed manual gearbox has the turbocharged engine feeding from the 40-litre LPG tank instead. The changeover is seamless, and you’ll notice no difference in noise or performance. On…

THE CAPITAL’S CONGESTION Charge has been increased by 30% to £15 a day, to help recoup revenue that’s been lost during the coronavirus lockdown due to reduced traffic numbers. The Congestion Charge’s hours of operation have also been extended.As of 22 June, the fee is payable between 7am and 10pm, instead of ending at 6pm, and it now applies at weekends as well as on weekdays.As before, electric cars and some hybrids are exempt from the charge. Transport for London’s revenue losses, including for public transport, are expected to total around £4 billion in this financial year.…

I REMEMBER MY father walking into our local Ford showroom in the 1980s with a briefcase full of cash and leaving as the proud owner of a new, metallic bronze 3.0-litre Capri. Car buying has changed a lot since then, though. Personal contract purchase (PCP) finance has become the most popular way to buy a new car; 75% of new cars were bought using it last year. With a PCP deal, part of the car’s price is deferred until the end of the deal, and buyers have three choices when payments end: make a large ‘balloon’ payment to own the car outright, use any equity left in the car as a deposit on a new car, or simply hand the car back to the dealer and walk away. Buying on…

Mileage 1302 List price £41,460 Target Price £35,728 Price as tested £40,860 Test economy 104.8mpg AT CHALLENGING TIMES such as these, you really come to realise just how lucky you are – and also how little you’re doing to help. So I’ve been volunteering myself – and my Volkswagen Passat – as a delivery service. When my wife Emma and I heard that brilliant local chef Robbie Kurz had initiated a ‘meals on wheels’ scheme via the kitchens of the nearby Church of the Good Shepherd, that seemed an ideal place to start. And we couldn’t have chosen a better steed in which to do it; for short local runs with lots of stops, the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE is absolutely perfect.We can easily do the whole trip (around 10-15…

Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI 252 quattro S line S tronic List price when new £46,180 Price today £21,400 Available from 2017-present One of the best drop-tops in its class, but how does it stack up as a used buy? BMW 4 Series Convertible 430i M Sport auto List price when new £43,180 Price today £19,700 Available from 2014-present A favourite of ours for ages, it drops under the £20k barrier when bought at this age. Price today is based on a 2017 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing…

£15,000-£16,000 Skoda Fabia Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £15,805 Target Price £14,757 MPG 51.4 CO2 123g/km For Roomy interior, reasonably well equipped and a sprightly engine. Against There are too many hard plastics inside and the ride is firm in town. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Rio Our pick 1.0 T-GDi 2 List price £15,995 Target Price £15,049 MPG 48.7 CO2 132g/km For Turbo engine is a fine performer and there’s lots of kit as standard. Against It’s fidgety in town and the handling and security ratings are average. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.2 Dualjet SHVS SZ-T List price £15,054 Target Price £12,431 MPG 51.4 CO2 136g/km For Nippy engine can keep up on the motorway and interior space is good. Against Some rivals ride…

LESS THAN £25,000 Dacia Duster Our pick TCe 130 4x2 Comfort List price £15,040 Target Price £14,898 MPG 57.6 CO2 149g/km For Roomy inside, reasonably comfortable and incredibly cheap compared with rivals. Against Interior is decidedly low-rent and there isn’t much standard safety kit. WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda Karoq Our pick 1.0 TSI 115 SE List price £22,760 Target Price £21,337 MPG 44.8 CO2 142g/km For Very well equipped; rides and handles well; flexible rear seats boost practicality. Against The engine struggles when the interior is loaded; a Seat Ateca is more fun. WHAT CAR? SAYS Nissan Qashqai Our pick 1.3 DiG-T 140 Visia List price £20,555 Target Price £20,555 MPG 41.5 CO2 154g/km For Comfortable ride with surefooted handling and a smooth, punchy engine. Against Dated interior, stingy standard…

LESS THAN £62,000 Land Rover Discovery Our pick 2.0 Sd4 SE List price £54,660 Target Price £51,229 MPG 33.6 CO2 220g/km For Decent finance deals, cheaper than rivals as a company car and a gutsy engine. Against Rivals handle better and the touchscreen is sluggish to respond. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volvo XC90 Our pick B5 235 Momentum List price £54,810 Target Price £50,183 MPG 44.1 CO2 167g/km For Big, classy interior, with seating for seven and lots of standard equipment. Against The ride isn’t as smooth as you’d expect and the suspension is noisy. WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW X5 Our pick xDrive30d xLine List price £60,090 Target Price £56,074 MPG 37.2 CO2 199g/km For Punchy, smooth engine; super-supple air suspension; excellent infotainment. Against Seven seats costs extra and the boot…

LESS THAN £30,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE Technology List price £25,315 Target Price £24,582 MPG 44.8 CO2 143g/km For Masses of standard kit; lots of rear leg room and boot space; comfortable ride. Against Some other executive cars are more fun to drive. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Passat Our pick 1.5 TSI Evo SE Nav List price £27,080 Target Price £21,182 MPG 45.5 CO2 141g/km For Spacious, plush interior; comfortable and refined at high speeds. Against Less versatile than hatchback rivals despite the big boot. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon Our pick A180d Sport auto List price £28,795 Target Price £25,755 MPG 64.2 CO2 115g/km For Comfortable, attractive interior; supple ride; good infotainment. Against Rivals handle better and have bigger boots; rear head room is…

LESS THAN £35,000 Peugeot e-208 Our pick Allure List price £29,900 Target Price £29,463 Official range 217 miles CO2 0g/km For Cushioning ride; quiet cruising; smart interior; fast charging. Against Sluggish infotainment; small rear doors; restricted visibility. WHAT CAR? SAYS Renault Zoe Our pick R135 GT Line List price £32,695 Target Price £30,095 Official range 238 miles CO2 0g/km For Very low running costs; easy to drive; longer range than many price rivals. Against Unsettled low-speed ride and tight rear head room. WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda Citigo-e iV Our pick SE 36.8kWh List price £20,455 Target Price £20,455 Official range 170 miles CO2 0g/km For Lots of room for passengers; large boot; plenty of standard equipment for the money. Against Rivals are better to drive; not especially comfortable; below-par range.…

STAR RATINGS TARGET PRICE The What Car? Target Price is the maximum you should pay for a new car and is set by our mystery shoppers. It’s updated each month and our approved dealers guarantee to match it. However, in a lot of cases, they can save you even more: just visit whatcar.com/new-car-dealsor call 03302 216207 between 9am and 5pm (standard network fees apply). All Target Prices are correct at the time of going to press. TARGET PCP The Target PCP is a fair monthly fee if you’re taking out a personal contract purchase (PCP) finance deal, also set by our mystery shoppers. Most are over 48 months with a 15% deposit and an 8000-mile annual limit.Those marked with an asterisk are over 36 months and those with an apostrophe…

The What Car? Target Price is the maximum you should pay for your new car and is set by our team of mystery shoppers. Every day they haggle to see what discounts are available across the UK. And all What Car?-approved dealers will at least match Target Price. In a lot of cases, however, you can save even more by using our New Car Buying service. Just head to whatcar.com/new-car-deals and select the car you’re interested in, and dealers will compete for your business. It’s all done through our website, so they won’t see your details until you’re ready.…

‘The 4 Series shares much with the 3 Series saloon – our favourite executive car’ BEAUTY IS ENTIRELY subjective, and there’s no rulebook for creating a masterpiece.That’s why, despite the fact that it’s one of the most famous works of art in the world, some still look at Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and see a slightly dowdy and entirely ordinary painting.And while some will gaze upon the new BMW 4 Series Coupé, focus on its gigantic front grille and wonder what the designers were thinking when they created it, others will be clamouring to put one on their driveway. The new 4 Series is bigger all round than its predecessor and its front and rear axles are farther apart to improve passenger space. However, its boot has shrunk slightly compared…

THERE ARE THREE certainties in life: death, taxes and the shape of the Honda Jazz. We jest, but ever since the first iteration was released back in 2001, each successive generation of the Jazz has retained that car’s unorthodox but distinctive MPV-like ‘monobox’ outline. And this fourth-generation model is no different. However, don’t go thinking that the Jazz can’t learn new tricks, because this all-new model has picked up the ability to juggle. No, not with balls or fire sticks; it juggles petrol and electric power to improve efficiency. Honda’s all-new petrol-electric hybrid system (called e:HEV) consists of a frugal 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors powered by a compact battery. It being a regular hybrid, there’s no need to plug in and charge up, but the flipside is…

ALTHOUGH THE MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class saloon makes a fine luxury car, it doesn’t exactly scream “exciting weekend on the Amalfi Coast”, does it? No, if you want to mix grand-touring luxury with the kind of stylish looks that will get you noticed on the Riviera, you’ll want this updated E-Class Coupé or its convertible sibling instead. Along with a facelift that brings a new-look front end with flatter, all-LED headlights, the engine line-up has been revised, with all options now being mild hybrids, including our recommended E220d diesel. With a 48-volt electrical system and a small electric motor, this EQ Boost system can allow for periods of ‘coasting’ with the engine off under light loads to save fuel, or it can boost power under acceleration by recovering otherwise lost energy. Inside…

THE BMW 5 Series is one of those rare things: a car that’s always at or very near the top of its class. Indeed, in its various forms it has won more What Car? awards than any other model, and it’s the only car that has ever received a lifetime achievement award from us. Part of the reason for this sustained success is BMW’s habit of updating the 5 Series before it really needs to.Therefore, it comes as no surprise to see that, despite still being our favourite luxury car, the 5 Series has been given refreshed looks and additional technology, in both saloon and Touring estate guises. Perhaps the most obvious change is at the front, where the grille has been enlarged in an effort to make the car…

THE TROUBLE WITH concept cars that preview production models is that they usually lead to potential buyers being disappointed; they’re basically what the designer wanted to create but wasn’t able to, due to all those pesky regulations that real cars have to meet. But every now and then, the original vision does survive the transition from motor show stand to road, and the new Vauxhall Mokka SUV is one such example. It was back in mid-2018 that Vauxhall first showed its GT X Experimental concept, which we were told previewed the distinctive new face of the brand.And while we were sceptical at the time, given the aforementioned curse and Vauxhall’s recent record of smart but forgettable designs, what we saw then is essentially what we’ve got. Dubbed ‘Vizor’ and said…

5 Volkswagen Passat WHAT CAR? SAYS  Model 1.5 TSI Evo SE List price £25,980 Target Price £20,162 Target PCP £233 If you’re less bothered about having a premium badge on your bonnet, the Passat offers much the same as the cars that do, but for a lot less. This SE version comes with 17in alloy wheels, parking aids and adaptive cruise control. 6 Mercedes-Benz C-Class WHAT CAR? SAYS  Model C180 S List price £29,360 Target Price £22,888 Target PCP £268 The C-Class executive saloon looks swish inside and out and offers plenty of standard kit. Although long-distance drivers will prefer diesel power, the entry-level C180 petrol is still worth considering, especially at our Target Price. 7 Citroën C4 Cactus WHAT CAR? SAYS  Model 1.5 BlueHDi 120 Flair…

Innovative solutions are being found for the 43% of UK motorists who have to park their vehicles on the street. Many are funded by government grants via the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS), which has provided EV charger funding to 61 local authorities so far. One idea that has taken off in London and is starting to spread to other cities is installing chargers in lamp-posts and other street furniture. Lamp-post chargers are cheaper to install than conventional ones – typically around £1000 each – because the electricity supply comes from the lamp-post feed, so the street doesn’t have to be dug up. Users are required to buy a smart charging lead that monitors the amount of electricity consumed. Fees for use vary, because they are often set by local…

Which hybrid is best for an older driver? I would appreciate some advice on which new car to buy. I will be buying with cash and don’t want to pay much more than £30,000. My current car is a 2011 Kia Sportage 2.0 petrol AWD with an automatic gearbox, chosen because we live in the countryside in the Scottish Borders and can experience severe winter weather, and my wife can only drive an automatic. I also suffer with a bad back, and, being 6ft 4in tall, I require a car that’s easy to step in and out of. I chose a petrol model because I have an ingrained dislike of diesel. I shall soon be 74 years old and feel that my next car purchase will probably be my last,…

Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost Hybrid 125 Titanium X Edition List price £25,190 Target Price £23,694 The hatchback to beat for handling, and now with updated trims and engines. Seat Leon 1.5 TSI 150 Evo FR List price £24,805 Target Price £22,941 The first of our all-new contenders comes with the most powerful engine here and in a sporty trim. Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI 130 Style List price £25,495 Target Price £24,382 An all-new Golf is always big news and, like the Leon, this one arrives carrying lots of new technology.…

THE SKODA KAMIQ is big by small SUV standards, so it’s a logical choice for someone like me who’s looking to downsize without abandoning the practicality of a larger vehicle. Although it’s based on the same underpinnings as the Seat Arona and Volkswagen T-Cross, the Kamiq’s front and rear wheels are farther apart, so there’s more room inside the car. Of the engines available, I chose the more powerful of the two 1.0-litre turbo petrols, with 113bhp, because I do a lot of motorway miles and live at the top of a hill. I’m glad I did, because it comes with a six-speed manual gearbox instead of a five-speeder, and that means the revs stay low at motorway speeds, making long trips relatively quiet and relaxing. In fact, the little…

In production 2014-present Price from £6000 Our favourite 1.3 DiG-T 140 Acenta Premium THE ORIGINAL NISSAN QASHQAI was so successful that it achieved semi-iconic status and spawned a whole generation of immensely popular family SUVs, making this second-generation car’s task even harder. But when we first drove the Mk2 version, it was clear that Nissan had improved it beyond measure; it was more spacious, more efficient, nicer to be in and much better to drive. It took our overall Car of the Year award in 2014 and has consistently been one of the best-selling cars in the UK ever since. During that time, however, a number of new rivals have come along to challenge and dethrone the old king. To stay competitive, the Qashqai has had two major updates –…

LESS THAN £28,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.0 Skyactiv-G SE-L List price £27,020 Target Price £26,161 MPG 38.2 CO2 168g/km For Classy interior; well equipped even in this entry-level trim; class-leading handling. Against The petrol engine feels weedy at lower revs and the ride is rm WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda Kodiaq Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE 7 seat List price £27,785 Target Price £25,724 MPG 38.7 CO2 166g/km For Well priced, with a classy and spacious interior and good driving manners. Against Ride is unsettled in town, and the 2.0-litre diesel copes better with heavy loads. WHAT CAR? SAYS Citroën C5 Aircross Our pick Puretech 130 Feel List price £25,020 Target Price £23,579 MPG 44.4 CO2 144g/km For Punchy engine pulls well from low revs; versatile rear seats; well…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mini Convertible Our pick Cooper Classic Comf/Nav List price £22,425 Target Price £21,019 MPG 45.6 CO2 141g/km For Fun to drive, good resale values and a quality interior. Against Ride is a bit choppy, rear seats are cramped and option packs make it pricey. WHAT CAR? SAYS Fiat 500C Our pick 1.0 Mild Hybrid Lounge List price £17,145 Target Price £14,495 MPG 49.6 CO2 114g/km For Engine is perfect for town driving, and there’s minimal buffeting with the roof down. Against Lots of wind noise; not as classy as the Mini little inside so-so rear visibility. WHAT CAR? SAYS Smart Fortwo Cabrio Our pick EQ Pulse Premium (22kW charger) List price £23,920 Target Price £21,435 Official range 73.9 miles CO2 0g/km For Truly agile around town; very…

LESS THAN £35,000 Audi TT Roadster Our pick 40 TFSI Sport S tronic List price £34,235 Target Price £31,431 MPG 39.8 CO2 160g/km For Brilliant to drive, plus it has a sumptuous interior and a fast-acting hood. Against Small boot; rearward visibility is poor with roof up; some essential kit is optional. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mazda MX-5 Our pick 1.5 Skyactiv-G 132 SE-L List price £23,795 Target Price £23,442 MPG 44.8 CO2 142g/km For Great to drive, with a wonderful chassis, a slick gearbox and just enough power. Against It doesn’t have the classiest interior, nor much space for people or luggage. WHAT CAR? SAYS Toyota GT86 Our pick GT86 List price £27,830 Target Price £26,155 MPG 33.2 CO2 191g/km For Light weight and classic sports car layout make the…

SKODA HAS CARVED itself out a nice little niche over the past couple of decades. Its bargain-basement days are long behind it and the Czech firm now has an enviable reputation for sensible, comfortable cars that are generally far more capacious than their direct competitors. That brings us neatly to the Octavia, a mainstay of the Skoda line-up and the one that did the most to lift the company’s image in the 1990s. But it isn’t just a familiar face; it’s also Skoda’s biggest seller, so the arrival of a new generation is something of a big deal. The Octavia Mk4 – which comes in hatchback and estate guises, as before – sticks to the now-familiar formula of taking the underpinnings of the Volkswagen Golf and stretching the distance between…

THERE ARE TIMES when being a passenger is preferable to doing the driving: when you’re sprawled out in the back of a luxury limousine, for example. But while the first taste of a new Volkswagen Golf GTI most definitely isn’t on that list, a chance to be driven around VW’s Ehra-Lessien development track in a late prototype was an opportunity not to be missed, so we could see and feel how this reincarnated hot hatch is shaping up. Power comes from an updated version of the outgoing car’s turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, now producing 241bhp in standard form. That’s 13bhp more than its direct predecessor and the same as the old GTI Performance model, so 0-62mph should be possible in a little over six seconds. The engine is pleasingly raspy…

IF YOU IDENTIFY as something of a tech addict, you might be interested in the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class: the plug-in hybrid A250e. It combines a 157bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine with an electric motor that boosts overall power to a healthy 215bhp. That means it’s swift, with a 0-62mph time of just 6.6sec. But, more importantly, it has an official electric-only range of up to 44 miles and promises fuel economy of up to 256.8mpg. Of course, you’ll have to plug it in after every trip and do mainly short trips to see that sort of economy, but the range figure is entirely believable; we managed more than 40 miles on battery power alone, and that included a good portion of charge-sapping motorway running. To help you manage…

‘The eHybrid has a combined power output of 215bhp and an electric-only range of 34 miles’ AMONG PEOPLE, BEAUTY is often equated with success, and if the same holds true for cars, the Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake should go far.With a long, low-slung and gently curved body accented by chrome highlights, its looks are undeniably head-turning. Even the name hints at its designers’ intentions, stemming from ‘artem’, the Latin word for ‘art’. The launch of the Shooting Brake coincides with a facelift of the Arteon four-door coupé, which has been on sale since 2017.As well as the new bodystyle, the update brings the latest advanced driving assistance systems and plug-in hybrid technology to the Arteon range. At the front of both versions, there are new LED daytime running lights.These underline…

IF THE IDEA of a small electric SUV appeals and you’re used to the finer things in life, the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is aimed right up your boulevard. It uses the same battery and electric motor as our favourite small electric car, the Peugeot e-208, but clothes them with a taller, plusher and very distinctive body. It’s no slouch, either; the figures say that 0-62mph takes a brisk 8.7sec, but it feels quicker than that off the line. And although this acceleration tails off as you reach motorway speeds, you’re never left wanting. It doesn’t take long to realise that this isn’t a remotely sporty SUV, though. Its soft suspension causes it to lean heavily in corners, and although there’s plenty of grip, its rather ponderous feel means you…

Use your phone to scan the code by the car you like, or search for it on whatcar.com and click the ‘Get best price’ button. We’ll alert dealers in your area so they can compete for your business, but they can’t see your details until you’re ready to buy. You can request quotes on as many cars as you like, and your ‘My offers’ page lets you view them all in one place. While our Target PCP price allows direct finance comparisons, you can also request personalised finance quotes.…

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Jim Holder Jim.Holder@haymarket.com Mileage 2672 List price £39,935 Target Price £37,223 Price as tested £45,535 Test economy 26.9mpg GETTING UP AT 6am on a Saturday to take a child swimming isn’t much fun at the best of times, but my bleary-eyed hopes of zoning out by the pool went right out the window on one such trip when my S60 started making a noise like an electric cutter being ground against metal.This was before lockdown, so it wasn’t as if the car had been sitting unused.And at that time in the day, there was no one else on the road to blame. I leapt out and looked underneath the S60, heart pounding; had I unwittingly run over a piece of metal that was now scraping down the road? Seemingly not,…

LESS THAN £11,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick TCe 90 Essential List price £8740 Target Price £8661 MPG 46.3 CO2 134g/km For Lots of space for the money, decent to drive and a fair amount of standard kit. Against The engine is unrefined and the interior is comparatively basic. WHAT CAR? SAYS Dacia Sandero Stepway Our pick TCe 90 Essential List price £9940 Target Price £9849 MPG 45.6 CO2 141g/km For Reasonably well equipped, rides better than its sibling and it’s pretty good to drive. Against The interior uses cheap-feeling materials and the engine is too noisy. WHAT CAR? SAYS Citroën C1 Our pick VTi 72 Touch 3dr List price £10,805 Target Price £10,805 MPG 52.2 CO2 109g/km For Competitively priced, cheap to run and there are personalisation options. Against Interior…

LESS THAN £21,000 Skoda Kamiq Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £19,725 Target Price £18,544 MPG 49.6 CO2 129g/km For Spacious inside, with a big boot, comfortable ride and low running costs. Against Driving position isn’t very SUV-like; height-adjustable boot floor costs extra. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen T-Cross Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £20,210 Target Price £19,433 MPG 48.7 CO2 135g/km For Good balance between ride and handling, plus a spacious, flexible interior. Against Pricier than many rivals, and you’ll want to add a few options. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Ignis Our pick 1.2 Dualjet SHVS 2WD SZ5 List price £15,749 Target Price £15,749 MPG 54.1 CO2 117g/km For Real-world economy is excellent; spacious and practical; lots of standard kit. Against Unsettled ride; noisy on…

LESS THAN £45,000 Volkswagen T-Roc R Our pick 2.0 TSI 300 4Motion DSG List price £40,710 Target Price £38,095 MPG 32.1 CO2 197g/km For Bombastic performance; stunning agility; decent practicality; well equipped. Against Hard dash plastics; Cupra Ateca has more rear leg room and a bigger boot. WHAT CAR? SAYS Cupra Ateca Our pick 300 List price £38,115 Target Price £36,879 MPG 32.5 CO2 197g/km For Huge performance and impressive practicality for a very reasonable price. Against Doesn’t sound very exciting and isn’t as sharp to drive as the T-Roc R. WHAT CAR? SAYS Audi SQ2 Our pick TFSI quattro S tronic List price £37,370 Target Price £35,248 MPG 33.2 CO2 192g/km For Exceedingly rapid in a straight line, grippy handling, classy interior. Against The T-Roc costs only a bit…

LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £16,970 Target Price £15,841 MPG 52.3 CO2 122g/km For It’s one of the roomiest small estates; SE trim adds air-con and a touchscreen. Against So-so handling and could do with more supportive seats. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Ceed Sportswagon Our pick 1.0 T-GDi 2 List price £19,850 Target Price £18,613 MPG 49.6 CO2 130g/km For Gutsy enough performance for most buyers; lots of kit; boot is big and practical. Against Ride is restless and there’s quite a bit of tyre noise on the motorway. WHAT CAR? SAYS Dacia Logan MCV Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Comfort List price £11,240 Target Price £11,136 MPG 45.6 CO2 134g/km For Lots of space; low running costs; plenty of equipment…

LESS THAN £23,000 Ford Fiesta ST Our pick ST-2 Performance Pack 3dr List price £22,715 Target Price £21,278 MPG 40.4 CO2 158g/km For Strong, characterful engine, engaging handling, fun at all speeds. Against It’s easily upset by bumps and the interior feels a bit low-rent. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Up GTI Our pick 1.0 TSI 115 5dr List price £16,535 Target Price £15,947 MPG 53.3 CO2 121g/km For Gutsy little engine; grippy and surefooted; super value. Against Rivals are more involving to drive; weak infotainment; poor safety rating. WHAT CAR? SAYS Abarth 595 Our pick 1.4 T-Jet 145 List price £17,010 Target Price £17,010 MPG 39.2 CO2 162g/km For Exquisite design details; straight-line performance; nimble on twisty roads. Against Rivals are more involving to drive; odd driving position; expensive to…

LESS THAN £60,000 Mercedes-AMG A-Class Saloon Our pick A35 4Matic Executive List price £38,940 Target Price £37,076 MPG 36.7 CO2 173g/km For Incredible performance, plush interior, and sublime handling. Against Shame the engine doesn’t sound more tuneful; ride could be more compliant. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-AMG C-Class Coupé Our pick C43 4Matic List price £53,455 Target Price £50,886 MPG 29.4 CO2 218g/km For Smooth, powerful V6 engine, responsive nine-speed gearbox and masses of grip. Against Road and wind noise at speed; not the most entertaining handling. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Stinger Our pick 3.3 T-GDi GT S List price £41,110 Target Price £41,110 MPG 27.7 CO2 233g/km For Nicely balanced handling, with strong pace from purposeful-sounding V6 engine. Against Tight in the back for tall adults; not quite as classy…