Indholdsfortegnelse for Awards 2021 i What Car?

‘We’ve looked at everything from what cars cost to run to how practical they are’ Sometimes you hear that there’s no such thing as a bad car any more. But while it’s true that very few are now dangerous or hopelessly unreliable, the gap between the best and worst models remains huge, making this a must-read issue if you’re currently thinking about changing your car. We’ve spent the past 12 months driving every newcomer back to back with its rivals on UK roads and at our private test track.And we’ve looked at everything from how much they cost to run to how practical they are – all so we can name the best cars in every class. No matter what your priorities and budget might be, we’re confident you’ll find…

IF THE RISE of low-price supermarket chains such as Aldi and Lidl has taught us anything, it’s that we Brits love a bargain. It’s perhaps surprising, then, that eight years after Dacia started selling cars in the UK for much less money than anyone else, the Renault-owned brand still has next to no competition. Indeed, the Ford Fiesta-sized Sandero has held the title of Britain’s cheapest new car ever since it arrived on our shores in 2013. And it’s been a perennial price point winner at our annual Car of the Year Awards for that entire time, principally because, if you had less than £10,000 to spend, you either bought a Sandero, upped your budget considerably or started scouring the classifieds for second-hand cars. But while the old Sandero was…

CHANGE IS NOTHING new for the Tesla Model 3; since its European launch in 2019 it’s had more than 20 over-the-air software updates. But this is different: it’s the first time the car has gone under the knife for physical tweaks. Cosmetic changes include understated ‘satin black’ exterior trim that takes the place of the previous glitzy chrome, while there’s a completely different centre console inside, and an electric bootlid has been added. More significant, though, are the mechanical tweaks, which result in the Model 3 now being able to go even farther on a full charge. There are new tyres that reduce rolling resistance, while a new heat pump means you can warm the Model 3’s interior in a way that’s up to three times more efficient than before,…

RATHER THAN GOING to all the trouble of developing a bespoke electric car, it would appear that BMW took the easy route when developing the iX3. As the name suggests, it’s essentially an X3 with a battery and motor transplant, plus a few styling tweaks. It may not be radical, then, but the iX3 certainly proved itself on first acquaintance in its native Germany. However, we’ve now had chance to spend time with the car in the UK to find out exactly how it stacks up against rivals. The iX3 is offered only with a single motor and rear-wheel drive, and that partly explains why it isn’t as fast as twin-motor, four-wheel-drive electric SUV rivals such as the Audi E-tron. Still, with 282bhp, its 0-62mph time of 6.8sec is quick…

PORSCHE HAS DEVELOPED a successful recipe with its sporty GTS models over the years. Not too hot and not too cold, they typically occupy the sweet spot in the range, offering buyers more straight-line performance than the ‘regular’ models and more driver involvement than you get from the range-topping Turbo variants. In other words, they’re just right. But how well does that recipe translate to the latest Cayenne luxury SUV – and indeed the sleeker Cayenne Coupé we’re testing here? This new GTS has taken quite a step on from the previous iteration, getting a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre petrol V8 in place of its predecessor’s twin-turbo V6. Power jumps by 20bhp, to 454bhp, and torque is up by 15lb ft, to a healthy 457lb ft. With a 0-62mph time of 4.5sec,…

ALL ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLES in the UK are now eligible to wear special number plates that clearly distinguish them from models that are powered by petrol or diesel. The plates, which feature a green flash on the left-hand side in place of a European country marker, are optional rather than mandatory and current owners can fit them if they wish. They’re intended to make it easier to identify zero-emissions electric vehicles (EVs) ahead of future ownership incentives being offered. In research carried out by Nissan and Yougov, 32% of those surveyed said they were more likely to buy an EV because of the new plates and the prospect of benefits to be rolled out for cars that wear them. These benefits could include specific zero-emissions parking zones, exemption from road charges…

PICK OF THE MONTH: EXECUTIVE CAR SAVE £2331 BMW 3 Series WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 330e M Sport List price £42,135 Target Price £39,352 Target PCP £422 This plug-in hybrid version of the 3 Series is perfect for company car drivers, with an electric-only range of around 30 miles in real-world conditions and appealingly low benefit-in-kind tax rates. Don’t think the 330e is just about economic sense, though; it’s fantastic to drive, too. PICK OF THE MONTH: HOT HATCH SAVE £1272 Honda Civic Type R WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 2.0 VTEC Turbo GT List price £36,320 Target Price £35,048 Target PCP £473 The Type R fulfils the hot hatchback brief perfectly: it’s outrageously fast and fun on the right road, its engine sounds fantastic and loves to rev,…

What to keep in your car At some point every winter, the news carries horror stories about drivers who have been caught out by rapidly deteriorating driving conditions and become stranded in their cars. So it makes sense to prepare for the worst, just in case it does happen. Here’s what we recommend everyone keeps in their car throughout the winter: ■ Warning triangle: If your car breaks down, you'll need to set up a warning triangle to alert other traffic to your vehicle’s presence and to make your car more easily visible to the emergency services. ■ Mobile phone charger: Keep a phone charger in the glovebox, complete with a 12V adapter for the cigarette lighter. Most mobile phones can now be charged via a USB cable, so it…

There’s an old mind trick that we’re sure you’ve heard of. The one where we say: “Don’t think of a pink elephant . You re thinking of a pink elephant now, aren’t you? Now let’s modify it slightly: “Don’t think of a pink Volkswagen”. Ten to one you’re thinking of a pink Beetle or Golf? Those are, let’s face it, much more prolific than elephants, pink or otherwise, and by far the most widely known ‘vee dubs’. But the bigwigs at Volkswagen will be tickled pink if you come to think of the ID.3 among that hallowed group. It’s a Golf-sized hatchback that’s yours for around £30,000 (after the Government’s £3000 grant is applied) in Pro Performance Life spec; that’s entry-level trim and a battery with a usable capacity of…

Class summary Hot hatches should make even the most mundane of drives feel magical. So, to be considered great, a hot hatch must offer its driver a compelling blend of entertaining handling and easily accessible performance. Its ability to entertain, however, shouldn’t come at the expense of running costs, and because a hot hatch is often a family’s sole car, it also needs to be well equipped and reasonably practical. If it can do all this without the penalty of a jarring ride or ear-splitting road noise, so much the better. BEST FOR VALUE Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Ecoboost 200 ST-2 Performance Pack 3dr As hot hatches get faster and more technologically advanced, the Ford Fiesta ST is a refreshing reminder that less is often more when it comes to…

Class summary A spacious interior is obviously a prerequisite for a car to compete in this class, but we also expect an upmarket feel, easy access and a sizeable, well-shaped boot. Large SUVs are mostly private buys, so pricing, finance rates and running costs all need to be competitive. And while comfort and refinement are more important than handling, a car mustn’t be so sloppy that it’s difficult to drive or makes the kids carsick. BEST FOR VALUE Citroën C5 Aircross Puretech 130 Sense In many ways, the C5 Aircross is the archetypical Citroën, with distinctive looks and a super-soft ride. It’s particularly good on A-roads and motorways; there’s none of the annoying fidget that blights models at the sportier end of the large SUV spectrum. And while there is…

Class summary We all want the world to be a cleaner, greener place, but for company car drivers, what’s good for the planet is also good for the finances. The best plug-in hybrid cars offer a long all-electric range, reducing fuel consumption to an absolute minimum and slashing emissions and benefit-in-kind tax ratings alike. Yet for all their efficiency, they must drive just as well as traditional petrol and diesel models and not compromise on practicality. BEST TO DRIVE BMW 3 Series 330e M Sport Some cars just seem to do everything right; the 3 Series has already won our executive car category this year, and not for the first time. But the plug-in hybrid 330e M Sport’s specific magic is in being all things to all drivers. It’s great…

How our tests are done What Car?’s True MPG fuel economy figures show the sort of efficiency you can actually expect from a car. The figures you’ll see quoted in manufacturer sales brochures can be misleading, but while both the official tests and our True MPG tests are conducted under laboratory conditions, to ensure repeatability, our tests are based on a real-world route that takes in town, rural and motorway driving. The results reflect what’s achievable if you’re driving gently and sticking to speed limits but aren’t resorting to any unrealistic driving techniques. We test not only traditional petrol and diesel cars but also hybrids and plug-in hybrids, with the latter’s batteries flat. WINNER WINNER Toyota Yaris 1.5 VVT-i Hybrid While other brands have only recently begun to introduce hybrid…

Safety testing: what’s new? In 2020, the biggest change to crash testing in 23 years occurred, with the introduction of a new mobile progressive deformable barrier (MPDB) to replace the static barrier in the offset head-on collision test. The crash test car and barrier both travel towards each other at 50km/h (31mph) and testers examine the impact on both. This is because cars are now judged not only on how well they protect their occupants and pedestrians but also on how well they protect the occupants of other cars. Automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems are becoming more sophisticated, so they are now tested to see how well they work at detecting and avoiding people and vehicles behind a car when it’s reversing, and how well they avoid a person who’s…

Class summary MPVs are undeniably underdogs nowadays in comparison with more popular SUVs, but for those who value space and versatility above style, they’re still the best cars for the job. Thankfully, the latest MPVs aren’t the beige, utilitarian boxes on wheels that they used to be, either. All of which means we’re looking for a family car that’s pleasant to drive and spend time in, as well as good value and ruthlessly practical in every detail from outright space to seating flexibility. BEST FOR VALUE Citroën Berlingo Puretech 110 Feel The real joy of the latest Berlingo is that it retains the out-and-out practicality and value for which this van-based MPV has a well-earned reputation, yet it adds a sheen of sophistication. With Citroën’s vans and passenger cars now…

Class summary A good coupé isn’t just about style. The trick if it’s to be among the class leaders – be it a luxury grand tourer or a family car with added kerbside appeal – is that it must feel on point whether you’re enjoying a great road or enduring a terrible commute. That’s a tricky balance to get right, given that many coupés will be high-mileage daily drivers, but this is a rich and varied class, so whatever your budget and lifestyle, there’s a model to suit. BEST FOR VALUE Audi TT 40 TFSI Sport Edition The Audi TT has been a perennial winner in this category at the What Car? Awards, and rightly so. When it comes to a coupé that’s easy and affordable to live with, yet…

Class summary Like conventional coupés, coupé SUVs obviously need to have sleek looks, but that style shouldn’t come at the expense of too much practicality. A well-equipped, user-friendly interior that offers an elevated driving position and is built to a high standard is also important. As is a driving experience that strikes a good balance between comfort and agility. Pricing shouldn’t be exorbitant next to that of conventional SUVs, and it’s no good if running costs are so high that you’re forced to take out a second mortgage. BEST FOR VALUE Citroën C4 Puretech 130 Shine While there are a lot of coupé SUVs these days, most of them wear premium badges that bring premium price tags. However, the Citroën C4 makes the same blend of swoopy looks and elevated…

The BMW 4 Series Coupé, Kia Sorento and Seat Leon have all set new standards in the past 12 months, as have the Skoda Octavia iV and Volkswagen ID.3. In a different year, any one of them would have made a deserving overall winner, but in 2021 they’ve had the misfortune of coming up against the new Dacia Sandero. While we repeatedly praised the old Sandero for being a great budget buy, you could see where Dacia had cut corners to make it so affordable. That’s not the case with the new one, though; it’s comfortable, good to drive, well equipped and very spacious, so it would be worth considering even if it cost the same as most of its rivals. Except it doesn’t, of course. Even an entry-level Ford…

IN 2019, WHAT CAR? readers voted the Honda E as the upcoming car they were most excited about, and I completely agreed with their verdict; that’s why I’ve just taken delivery of one. But what’s so special about this fully electric hatchback? Well, at less than 3.9 metres long, the E is similar in size to a Mini 3dr. However, it sits much higher due to the location of its batteries beneath the floor, with the resulting shape managing to be both futuristic and retro. In short, it looks fantastic – and it’s clearly not just me who thinks so. I’m also a big fan of the interior, with its wood-effect trim, cloth inserts and simple two-spoke steering wheel, but it’s not all good news here, because the left-hand touchscreen…

Mileage 1436 List price £74,610 Target Price £74,610 Price as tested £77,200 Test range 206 miles I’ve noticed that you become much more aware of what affects a car’s efficiency when you always have an eye on range. Pre-lockdown, my family and I decided to have one last walk on the beach, setting off from London to Seaford on an 85-mile each-way trip. Fully charged, the EQC showed 225 miles on the range indicator, yet by the time we reached our destination – after a very steady drive – it was down to 111 miles. I can’t say I enjoyed my fish and chips as much as I’d hoped, as I pondered where we might make a pitstop. However, we actually got home with 30 miles’ range to spare. How?…

‘ “MAYBE I shouldn’t say this,” the rental assistant said, “but since we only rent Mazdas, we don’t have a single car that stands out.” ’ That’s a quote from Kakfa on the Shore. And if you consider the Mazda range when the novel was first published in 2002, there was indeed nothing besides the MX-5 to get excited about. Fast-forward to today and that’s all changed, but for me it’s the firm’s little sports car that remains its most enticing model. The big question is, does it have a future? Given the planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel models from 2030, you do have to wonder, so I thought I’d have a chat with someone who has experience of every generation of MX-5 and is…

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHER RALPH Waldo Emerson once said: “A great man is always willing to be little.” What a lovely advocacy of modesty. And when it comes to greatness with modesty, the Skoda Octavia is mighty, but it’s certainly never been little. That’s its thing: it’s actually rather big. But there are many reasons, not just size, that make the Octavia a fantastic family car, and it’s just added another string to its bow: plug-in hybrid power. This new iV offers the opportunity to pay less company car tax and save on fuel bills, and, when you think about it, that’s a win for most of us. It shares its 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and supporting electric motor and battery with the latest Seat Leon e-Hybrid and Volkswagen Golf GTE. The…

IS THIS ANOTHER see-saw moment in the tussle between the Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10? The two city cars have traded blows over the years for class honours, the title currently belonging to the latest i10, which was launched this year. But now the Picanto has had a light refresh to strengthen its case for victory. As part of this, the engines have been tweaked in order to boost their efficiency. The line-up is similar to before; a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated unit with 66bhp opens the range and a more powerful 99bhp 1.0-litre turbocharged engine closes it. In 66bhp guise, the Picanto isn’t quick, but nor, really, does it need to be. Around town – where this car will no doubt accumulate most of its miles – it zips away…

RENAULT HAS BEEN going full tilt down the electrification route in the past few months. We’ve already seen regular hybrid Clio and plug-in hybrid Mégane E-Tech hatchbacks, and the latter shares its 1.6-litre petrol engine, pair of electric motors and battery with this new Captur E-Tech small SUV. This combination is good for official fuel economy of 188.3mpg (a figure you’ll see only if you plug in regularly and do mostly short trips) and a zero-emissions range of up to 30 miles. In electric mode, the E-Tech feels reasonably punchy around town and can get up to motorway speeds without waking the petrol engine. When it kicks in, the Captur picks up speed with adequate urgency, although it’s nowhere near as quick as the rival Mini Countryman PHEV and the…

THE AUDI A3 and Seat Leon family cars, plus the Kia Sorento and Land Rover Defender SUVs, all earned maximum five-star ratings in the latest round of Euro NCAP safety tests, but the Honda E and Hyundai i10 city cars could manage only four and three stars respectively. The Honda E missed out on a fifth star by lacking some of the advanced safety features found in its larger Jazz sibling. Its performance in the side barrier test was sub-optimal, too. The i10’s disappointing result comes from its automatic emergency braking system being less sophisticated than some rivals’, and the fact that the driver’s pelvis slipped under the lap belt in one of the frontal impact tests. Euro NCAP toughens up its tests every two years to encourage car makers…

If you’re a new driver, aged 25 or under, you could save money by opting for a telematics or black box insurance policy.This involves either having a small electronic device fitted to your car that monitors your driving, or in some cases using a smartphone app to feed information back to your insurer. Black box policies use GPS positioning and a motion sensor to record various metrics that determine if the car is being driven safely. Sticking to the speed limit, steady acceleration, smooth and progressive braking and gentle cornering are rated as good driving traits, while stamping on the accelerator or brake pedal and hurtling around corners like a racing driver are marked as bad. Other factors the insurer might keep an eye on include mileage, the type of…

Choosing a petrol SUV to replace a diesel I live in London and own a five-year-old diesel-powered Nissan X-Trail, which I need to replace before the new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) rules come into force next October. I fear the war on diesel is only going to get worse, so I’m thinking of buying a slightly smaller, petrol-engined SUV instead, but they seem pretty thin on the ground. Can you tell me which are the best models to consider? The only other factor that will affect my choice is that I have a rather narrow garage. The X-Trail only just fits into it. Neil Collins WHAT CAR? SAYS… Your X-Trail is a large SUV, and if you’re after something a bit smaller, we’d suggest a family SUV. The narrowness…

The ID.3 has room for improvement in a few areas, most notably its frustrating infotainment system and the quality of its interior. It’s also a shame that it’s so expensive to add any options. But, in the form tested here, it’s the cheapest car to own, the quickest and most fun to drive and, rather importantly for an everyday electric car, it monsters the others on range.That’s why it wins. Next up is the e-Niro.This smaller-battery model isn’t as good to drive as the 64kWh version, but it scores highly for having the best infotainment system and being the most practical of the bunch.The problem is it’s so expensive to buy on finance and it doesn’t have a great range. The e-C4 isn’t embarrassed at all. Behind those coupé SUV…

Class summary Despite the fashion for SUVs, the traditional small car remains the most popular type on the road, with the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa, among others, being among the top sellers overall. The best are brilliant all-rounders and easy to drive, with modern safety kit fitted as standard, but value for money heads the priority list. BEST FOR THE CITY Hyundai i10 1.2 MPi 84 SE Connect What makes a great city car? Compact dimensions certainly help, so while the i10 isn’t as minuscule as a Smart Fortwo, it’ll squeeze into spaces a Ford Fiesta could only dream of. Then there’s the great visibility when you’re looking straight ahead or to the sides, with a rear-view camera fitted as standard to our chosen SE Connect trim to help…

Class summary A small SUV faces a very tough brief. Its compact size mustn’t come at the expense of practicality and should be reflected by impressively low running costs. It should ride as comfortably as a much bigger car, too, while maintaining a sure sense of fun. And, with a keen eye on family life, safety should be high on its agenda. BEST FOR VALUE Suzuki Ignis 1.2 Dualjet Hybrid SZ3 (Safety Pack) Whether you’re judging the Ignis as a city car with attitude or a miniature SUV, the dinky Suzuki is utilitarian, characterful and – of course – great value for money. That goes for running costs as well as finance or purchase prices; impressively, the Ignis remains one of the most fuel-efficient cars we’ve ever tested, with a…

Class summary This class covers so much ground. It embraces nimble city cars and handy small cars and continues onwards to encompass everything up to and including family-sized SUVs no more than 4.5 metres long. Some of these cars will be used primarily as urban runabouts, so agile handling, manoeuvrability and a comfy ride are important, but a decent range and a good turn of speed are still necessary for when you want to venture farther afield. Affordability and low running costs are other factors to consider. BEST FOR VALUE Renault Zoe R110 Iconic Search our Target Prices and you’ll discover that the Renault Zoe is one of the cheapest EVs to buy – outright or on PCP finance. But this small hatchback demonstrates its value in other ways too,…

Class summary A luxury car seems a simple thing to define: loads of sumptuous materials, ride comfort worthy of a magic carpet, and an engine so smooth and quiet that you begin to question if it’s even there. But there are numerous ways to achieve all this in reality, and nowadays there are seriously lavish cars on offer to suit many different lifestyles, from hybrids to full-on extravagant limos. It’s also important to remember that plenty of luxury cars are run as company cars, with models targeting this market also needing to offer low CO2 emissions in order to keep tax bills competitive. BEST FOR PERFORMANCE Audi S8 TFSI quattro There’s something incongruous and defiantly naughty about a four-door car that is 5.2 metres long yet will do 0-62mph in 3.8sec.…

Class summary Estates perhaps lack the fashionable status of SUVs these days, although they’re still the more practical option because they often have a lower load lip and longer boot floor. But an estate also needs to be a pleasure to spend time in, and easy to live with beyond the simple virtue of space. Versatility and comfort, from flat-folding seats and hidden storage to top-spec infotainment and interior finish; it’s all this and more that we expect from the finest estates on offer. BEST FOR VALUE Skoda Fabia Estate 1.0 TSI 95 SE The phrase ‘it’s all the car you’ll ever need’ is used flippantly and far too often, but here it is absolutely the case. For a start, the Fabia Estate’s boot can hold up to 530 litres…

Class summary More than anything, sports cars need to thrill you; almost by definition, your senses should get a proper workout each and every time you slip behind the wheel. Acceleration is important, but while some cars in this class can rocket you to 60mph in less than three seconds, it’s finesse and feel through corners that matter most. Sports cars are twoseaters or have small rear seats that are only for occasional use, and can either have a hard top or a folding roof. The latter type is commonly referred to as a roadster. BEST FOR VALUE Mazda MX-5 1.5 SkyActiv-G SE L Some ideas don’t stand the test of time, but others seem to stay relevant no matter how drastically the world around them changes. The MX-5 is…

Class summary If you’d really like to be driving a sports car or a performance car but can’t compromise on practicality, a sports SUV is just the ticket. These high-performance versions of regular SUVs offer plenty of space inside for people and luggage, along with an elevated driving position, but more importantly, the best are fun to drive, with scintillating pace and agile, entertaining handling at any speed. In a lot of cases, sports SUVs are based on pricey, luxurious models and pack hugely powerful engines, but smaller, cheaper models are also coming along to bring this blend of driver appeal and everyday practicality to a wider audience. BEST FOR FAMILIES BMW X3 M40i If you’re putting family and not outright performance or handling first, we’d recommend taking a long,…

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Mileage 5755 List price £29,130 Target Price £28,264 Price as tested £29,930 Test economy 31.6mpg There’s nothing the marketing folk at car companies like more than glossy imagery that depicts their SUVs in ‘lifestyle’ situations. You know the sort of thing: canoeing in the Wye Valley, camping in the Highlands… alas, with things as they are at the moment, I had to settle for a weekend of camping in Surrey. We had to drop the rear seats for our tent to fit in the CX-30’s boot.That’s fairly easy despite the lack of boot-mounted release levers, although removing the seatbelts from their retaining loops is a touch fiddly. The false boot floor creates a flat load bay when the seatbacks are folded down – ideal for sliding in heavy items. However,…

WIthout a doubt, anyone buying an Audi Q7 at this age gets an awful lot of car for their money. On top of its superb build quality, impressive refinement and opulent, spacious interior, there’s far more equipment and safety kit in this Vorsprung version than the BMW X7 offers. But if we had to choose, we’d take the X7, because it’s better at the things the matter most in a luxury SUV. It’s supremely refined, immensely comfortable and has a truly capacious interior. Granted, it’s more expensive to buy and run, but for that extra outlay, you get an even more complete luxury SUV. BMW X7 For Huge space in second and third rows; more comfortale; brilliantly refined Against Ponderous to drive; more expensive to buy and run Audi Q7…

IF WE WERE to play a little word association game and say ‘Mustang’, how would you respond? Perhaps the words ‘muscle car’ would spring to mind, or even ‘Motown’. But we doubt you’d come back with ‘electric’. And why would you? For more than half a century, the Mustang formula has remained virtually unchanged; its muscular styling, simple, rear-wheel drive layout and the availability of a lumbering V8 engine have proved to be an extremely popular combination with enthusiasts the world over. The car you see here, however, is a very different type of Mustang. Called the Mustang Mach-E, it represents Ford’s first step into the dedicated electric car market and comes in the shape of a large SUV. How very on trend. While some might throw up their hands…

ST ALBANS-BASED couple Amanda and Brian Palmer have won a nationwide competition run by What Car?, TV personality Edd China and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to find Britain’s biggest van heroes. The Palmers stood out by taking the opportunity to help others when the coronavirus pandemic forced them to close their mobile car repair business.They teamed up with a local charity and used their pair of work vans to help deliver cooked meals, drinks and treats to local NHS staff across London and Hertfordshire. “We aren’t ones for sitting at home doing nothing, so when we discovered the wonderful ‘You Donate, We Deliver’ charity, we leapt at the chance to help,” said Amanda.“It was our opportunity to give something back to the real heroes.” Brian added:“Winning this award is incredibly humbling,…

AFTER YEARS OF continuous increases, car insurance premiums actually decreased in 2020. The average price paid for a policy in the second and third quarters of the year was £460, according to the Association of British Insurers’ (ABI) Motor Insurance Tracker. That’s the lowest level for four years, and is £8 lower than for the same period in 2019. The downward trend is partly explained by coronavirus restrictions slashing the number of journeys made and accident rates dropping significantly as a result. Another factor that is likely to push premiums down further in the coming year is the introduction of new legislation – the Civil Liability Bill – aimed at reducing the amount paid out for personal injury claims, such as whiplash sustained in car crashes. This should have come…

1 If you’re going to make the most of the Octavia’s cavernous boot, you’ll want the convenient access provided by an electric tailgate (£640). It can be activated via a key fob button, and you can set the height to which it opens – a boon if you’re short or you regularly park somewhere with limited clearance. 2 SE L versions of the Octavia come with two USB-C ports for charging your phone on the move, but for the ultimate in convenience, we’d pay £325 for wireless charging.This uses induction to charge any compatible phone with no need for a cable; just place it on the handy tray and the car will do the rest. 3 If you’ve ever had to explain just how that dent appeared in the rear…

You wouldn’t throw a featherweight boxer into the ring with a heavyweight, so why are we putting a diminutive Toyota Yaris up against a physically larger, much more powerful Honda Civic Type R? It’s a good question, and one with a rather simple answer. You see, this is no normal Yaris; it’s a GR Yaris, and those two letters make all the difference. Built from the ground up by Toyota’s racing division, Gazoo Racing, the GR Yaris was designed to satisfy World Rally Championship (WRC) regulations that stipulate that any competition car must share a certain number of components with its road-going counterpart. Therefore, it shares just four exterior body parts with the standard Yaris, is available only as a three-door (whereas the regular car is a five-door), and features…

Class summary There are plenty of types of car that make good family transport, but here we’re looking at traditional hatchbacks: large enough to fit the family inside, yet compact enough to be easy and enjoyable to drive. To have a chance of winning this class, a car must also offer a comfortable ride and plenty of equipment. And while it should feel like a quality offering, it mustn’t be too expensive to buy or run. In short, we want the lot. BEST FOR VALUE Skoda Scala 1.0 TSI 110 SE The Scala’s looks might not grab your attention, but its low price tag certainly will. Compare it with a similarly equipped Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, for example, and the Scala will set you back thousands of pounds less.…

Class summary Family SUVs must be the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army knife: providing sufficient space to carry your family and all of your luggage without making anyone feel cramped, while also offering a level of comfort that will ensure no one has to reach for a sick bag mid-journey. The best also have tidy handling and a smooth engine that blends performance with wallet-friendly running costs. An interior that’s classy but also sturdy enough to stand up to the rigours of family life is a bonus. BEST FOR VALUE Dacia Duster 1.3 TCe 130 4x2 Comfort It’s hard to believe that Dacia can sell the Duster for so little. Even if you splash out on our recommended Comfort trim, which brings welcome niceties such as 16in alloy wheels,…

Class summary A top-notch executive car must do it all – frugally and in style. Buyers want effortless long-haul capability, which means a smooth ride and low noise levels are important. A comfortable, spacious interior with cosseting seats will help to while away the miles, and these mobile offices need lots of standard kit and a comprehensive, easy-to-use infotainment system. A low CO2 output is also crucial, given that this dictates benefit-in-kind tax rates and therefore plays a big part in keeping running costs down for company car drivers. BEST FOR VALUE Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI 150 SE Technology Well equipped, comfy and oh so roomy in the front, back and boot, the Superb sets the standard among cars at its price point and challenges many cars that cost an…

Class summary Following the success of the luxurious Tesla Model S, the large electric car class has been where many other brands have focused their initial efforts as they play catchup with the pioneering American outfit. Many of these cars take the form of luxury SUVs, but Tesla has continued to dominate in the past couple of years with the smaller Model 3 executive saloon. Whatever their flavour, the best large electric cars have the range, comfort and performance to cover long distances without a murmur, plus the space and practicality to act as sole transport for families. BEST FOR COMFORT Audi E-tron 50 Technik If much of the appeal of an electric car is the ability to waft around in near-silence, the Audi E-tron should be right at the…

Class summary This is not a class for shrinking violets. Most luxury SUVs deal in big, brash, ostentatious design, both inside and out, with looks that are often as divisive as an LBC chat show debate. The best of these SUVs back up a wow factor interior with unbeatable build quality and the finest of materials. They will also propel you forwards at a pace that is as forceful as it is quiet, and they will seat you and all of your passengers in supreme comfort. BEST FOR COMFORT Audi Q7 50 TDI S Line ‘Best car in the world’ is quite a tag, but the Audi Q7 has put in a strong claim to the title for a while. Rapid acceleration, spacious seating for seven, a class-leading interior… it…

Class summary In recent years, the pickup has become far more than ‘just’ a utility vehicle. Today, buyers expect style and luxury – a vehicle that you enjoy driving and being seen in, rather than simply something that does the job. We’ve looked for all of this in our pick of the pick-ups, but, of course, these are still workhorses first and foremost, so all of them offer fantastic durability, payload and towing capacity. BEST FOR VALUE Mitsubishi L200 4Life Double Cab Few vehicles have become as synonymous with their category as the Mitsubishi L200. It is to pick-ups what the Volkswagen Golf is to hatchbacks, and it fully deserves this status. Brilliantly utilitarian, it has a switchable four-wheel drive system and low-range gearbox for smug unstoppability, as well as…

Class summary A good convertible should obviously offer wind-in-the-hair thrills; after all, what’s the point in buying one otherwise? But the very best do a lot more besides. The roof, for example, needs to be quick and easy to lower – and more importantly, just as quick to raise again the minute it starts to rain. And whether the roof is up or down, we’re looking for a car that delivers an enjoyable driving experience and an interior that seats four and makes you feel special. BEST FOR VALUE Mini Convertible Cooper Classic Comfort/Nav For all their qualities, modern Minis aren’t generally associated with value – but in reality, the latest Convertible is one of the most affordable drop-tops you can buy. What’s more, running costs are sensible, and you…

What this award is about Our Technology Award celebrates innovation in all its forms, and this year we put a particular focus on technology which makes driving easier and safer. Manufacturers were invited to pitch innovations from the past year to our panel of expert judges who then chose the finalists that they believe will have the biggest impact. To win here, a technology must be able to benefit a large group of drivers rather than a small minority, while adding features that are either new to the market or will improve the driving experience dramatically. WINNER Tesla Over-the-air updates If your phone or laptop can download updates wirelessly, why can’t your car? Well, if it’s a Tesla, it can. Tesla has been offering over-the-air updates since 2017, allowing new…

Class summary First and foremost, a great performance car is entertaining and involving to drive, with gobs of power from a charismatic engine and eye-widening acceleration, along with agile handling. But unlike pure sports cars, performance cars also have to be practical and comfortable enough to use every day; that means they need at least four seats, a decent boot, a compliant ride and a plush, user-friendly interior. They don’t tend to come cheap, but the rewards they offer can often be unmatched anywhere else. BEST FOR VALUE BMW 4 Series M440i xDrive No doubt some of you are eagerly awaiting the new 503bhp BMW M4 super-coupé that’s due in the spring, but for most buyers the M440i will make more sense, providing similar (controversial) looks and a fair chunk…

To see our winners in action and hear more about why they won, head over to the What Car? YouTube channel. This year’s awards video was shot at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire, a unique 44-acre heritage site that was formerly a Royal Air Force base, opened in 1926. Many of the original red brick buildings have survived in pristine form, and the site has become a haven for all who love, own, display, buy, sell or mend classic cars. The site is rapidly being developed into an automotive resort, complete with 344-room hotel, that will offer automotive leisure, culture and tourism experiences all in one place. Plans include an exhibition centre, an off-road driving centre, a brand experience centre for product launches, and a new-build technology hub for emerging high-tech businesses,…

‘YOU DON’T KNOW what you’ve got ’til it’s gone’ isn’t just a catchy lyric in Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi; it also describes perfectly how I feel now that the Volvo XC40 has departed from my driveway. In fact, I feel that in many ways it’s my ideal car. It’s a fairly tall family SUV, so it affords a great view over the road ahead. It’s spacious enough to cope with friends, family, my weekly shop and the neighbour’s dog – sometimes all at the same time. And, being a plug-in hybrid, it offers a variety of power options. If these were normal times, I’d now spend a paragraph telling you how the XC40 carried me into London’s West End, handily avoiding the Congestion Charge along the way. However, while…

Mileage 2340 List price £40,735 Target Price £38,604 Price as tested £46,709 Test economy 29.2mpg LIKE A POGGENPOHL kitchen, Volkswagen interiors are renowned for being classy yet functional. However, the truth is the T-Roc R’s doesn’t live up to the first part of this positive stereotype; hard, unyielding plastics that are more worthy of a £15k hatchback than a £40k sports SUV are the order of the day throughout. Even now, after a few months with the car, I feel a flash of disappointment every time I climb behind the wheel.And the fact that the Cupra Ateca and Skoda Kodiaq vRS are quite a bit plusher, despite costing similar money and being from Volkswagen-owned brands, makes the standard of finish in the T-Roc all the harder to understand. I’m clearly…

THERE’S A DISTINCTION between making an entrance and making an impression, but no one seems to have told BMW when it was designing its premium seven-seat luxury SUV, the X7, launched in 2019. Obviously eager for it to stand out from the crowd, it gave the gargantuan car a grille so large you could almost see it from space. Happily, there’s more to the X7 than just the way it looks; it’s refined, spacious and incredibly comfortable. The only trouble is its price tag, but the good news is you can now pick up a one-year-old example and save almost enough for a new Mini with the difference. Here, we’re pitching it against an Audi Q7, our reigning Used Luxury SUV of the Year. Can the X7 cut it against…

SMALL SUV Audi Q2 WE FOUND 2016 1.4 TFSI Sport, 30,824 miles Price £15,490 Considering that it’s the most upmarket car in the small SUV class, the Q2 is remarkably good value as a used buy. The smooth 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine offers plenty of performance and surprising fuel economy, while Sport trim includes niceties such as sat-nav, cruise control and automatic lights and wipers. CONVERTIBLE Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet WE FOUND 2018 E220d AMG Line, 18,280 miles Price £23,990 Classy cabriolets are a Mercedes specialty, so it’s no surprise that the current E-Class drop-top is one of our favourite used convertibles. Inside, you get a well-made interior along with four seats and a decent boot (even with the roof down). The entry-level diesel has all the performance you’ll need and…