Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i What Car?

IT MAY BE a few years since we voted Volvo’s most affordable SUV our overall Car of the Year, but it remains a hugely desirable product that’s backed up by real substance. The XC40 blends generous passenger space and a practical boot with a quality interior and the sort of top-notch safety you expect from the brand. Plus, our recommended version has plenty of poke and comes well equipped. Our pick T3 R-Design auto List price £33,565 Target Price £31,470 Target PCP £311 MPG 38.2 CO2 166g/km For Stylish, high-quality interior; big and clever boot; supple ride on most versions; comprehensive safety kit Against Fiddly infotainment system; lacks the rear seat flexibility of some rivals; body sways around a bit WHAT CAR? SAYS Nissan Qashqai Our pick 1.3 DiG-T 140…

THE SORENTO’S HYBRID tech combines good real-world fuel economy with comparatively low CO2 emissions, while the ride is forgiving and the steering pleasingly accurate. Throw in a nicely made interior that can seat seven adults in comfort, a driving position that’s lofty enough to make HGV drivers jealous, and Kia’s unmatched seven-year warranty, and you’ve got an outstanding all-rounder. Our pick 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid 2 List price £38,845 Target Price £37,903 Target PCP £380 MPG 40.9 CO2 158g/km For Vast interior; frugal and strong engine; industry-leading warranty; comfortable ride; well equipped Against Expensive considering you don’t get a premium badge; automatic gearbox can be hesitant WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW X3 Our pick xDrive20d MHT SE List price £43,055 Target Price £40,142 Target PCP £443 MPG 47.9 CO2 154g/km For Smart…

WHENEVER A NEW performance car is launched, you hear a lot of numbers: power, torque, acceleration, top speed, weight… But this new flagship version of Audi’s fully electric E-tron Sportback SUV gives its maker an extra one to brag about: three electric motors. Yes, while two has become common enough, the E-tron S Sportback has one on the front axle and two at the rear, with these all combining to produce 429bhp – up 27bhp on the twin-motor E-tron 55 model. What’s more, there’s an overboost function that adds a further 67bhp for brief periods, helping the S crack 0-62mph in just 4.5sec. True, there are Teslas that are even quicker, despite having to make do with ‘just’ two motors. However, only someone with a Putin-like lust for power is…

ASIDE FROM SOME styling details and the fact the combustion engine has been replaced with an electric motor, the iX3 is, in essence, a BMW X3 – and that’s a good thing. It means you’re getting a practical and classy SUV with a great infotainment system. And it means the iX3 handles better than rivals, while also providing a comfy ride. Zero emissions and a long range are merely very welcome bonuses. Our pick Premier Edition List price £58,850 Target Price £58,850 Target PCP na Range 279 miles CO2 0g/km For Good to drive; class-leading infotainment; longer range than most rivals; comparatively well priced Against Some electric cars accelerate faster; E-tron and EQC are both a little quieter on the motorway WHAT CAR? SAYS Volvo XC90 Our pick Recharge T8…

JAGUAR IS TRANSITIONING to a fully electric car brand and plans to sell only zero-emissions cars from 2025. In addition, sister brand Land Rover will launch a raft of new electric vehicles (EVs), with the first due to arrive in 2024. While it was long understood that Jaguar’s next EV would be the next-generation XJ luxury saloon, plans for that model have now been scrapped. While Jaguar says the name might return in the future, it’s now likely that the first electric model of the brand’s new era will be the so-called J-Pace, an electric SUV larger than today’s I-Pace, with an expected range of around 300 miles. This announcement also means Jaguar’s current portfolio of vehicles, including the XE and XF saloons, the E-Pace and F-Pace SUVs and the…

AS PURE ELECTRIC vehicles (EVs) become more common on our roads, some breakdown providers are tailoring their services so that they can offer assistance to drivers of these cars. Many EVs and plug-in hybrids can’t be towed with just two wheels lifted like most conventionally powered cars with manual gearboxes. All four wheels need to be off the road, because they can’t be disconnected from the motor. This means the motor could be damaged during towing. The AA is the latest breakdown provider to come up with a solution to this problem. It has developed a freewheeling hub that lets its patrol vans tow cars that would usually need to be lifted onto a flatbed truck. The two wheels of the car that will be in contact with the road…

All hybrids have a conventional engine, an electric motor and a battery, although the size and capacity of these varies.As well as mild hybrids, there are three other types of hybrids, and each works in a different way. Parallel hybrids The Toyota Prius is the most widely known example of this type of hybrid.The car’s wheels can be powered directly by the engine, by the electric motor alone, or by both power sources working together. When pulling away and at speeds of up to 15mph, the Prius uses only the electric motor for power, making it very frugal in city driving.The petrol engine cuts in as speed increases and under hard acceleration. Whenever you decelerate or use the brakes, the regenerative braking system harvests electricity and stores it in the…

Hybrid power has been around for years in cars like the Toyota Prius, providing an economical but often flawed petrol-fuelled alternative to the diesels that many of us once drove. Now, however, with diesels increasingly being consigned to the history books, this once-niche technology has entered the mainstream, with many brands fielding contenders in all sorts of categories in their ongoing battle to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. And it’s getting better all the time. That’s excellent news if, for example, you’re looking for a practical yet parsimonious family SUV in the post-diesel world. The only problem is deciding which type of hybrid best suits your needs. Should you buy a mild hybrid, a ‘self-charging hybrid’ or a plug-in hybrid? To help unmuddy the waters, we’ve lined up the…

This is a tough one to call, because these are two of the best small electric cars on the market.The e-208’s roomier interior and bigger boot will make the decision an easy one for some, plus its longer range between charges and quieter cruising manners are very compelling. It’s just a little too pricey, with bigger and better alternatives, such as the Volkswagen ID.3, available for not much more. That isn’t a problem the new 500 has, being significantly cheaper no matter how you’re buying. Factor in its better driving position, more user-friendly infotainment system and a range that isn’t too far behind its French rival’s and it just edges the win. Fiat 500 For Better driving position; more fun around town; cheaper to buy and run; personalisation options Against…

OKAY, SO I’M very aware that I’m in the minority for not thinking that an SUV is the answer to all modern transport needs, but what about trying an LAV instead? No, really, that’s what Citroën describes the latest Berlingo as: a ‘Leisure Activity Vehicle’. While I’m not so sure that this is an abbreviation that will catch on, the car itself could be the perfect choice for anyone who carries a lot of kit about and uses their car as both a mobile office during the week and family transport at the weekend. In other words, someone like me. I’ve actually got previous with the Berlingo; my job as a What Car? photographer requires me to spend a lot of time behind the wheel, driving to locations, and a…

Mileage 6392 List price new (2019) £39,215 Price new with options £45,085 Value now £28,550 Test economy 34.1mpg After a month with my used V60, I’m getting used to its sheer opulence. It was well equipped off the shelf, but its first owner had the good sense to add a Winter Pack with a heated steering wheel, which is a boon on cold mornings, especially in conjunction with the fast-working heated seats. One of my favourite features, however, is something that was standard on my R-Design Plus car, and it’s so humble that it’s one of the most overlooked: keyless entry. Given that I often seem to have both hands full, it’s useful to be able to do no more than touch the door handle to unlock the car. When…

A FRIEND RECENTLY did his first parachute jump and came back raving about the experience. But while I can understand the appeal, I’m not a fan of heights, so I know such activities aren’t for me. Similarly, I can see the appeal of electric cars – they’re generally quiet, fast and cheap to run – but there’s no way I could fit one into my life right now, because I live in a flat and therefore can’t charge one at home. So, instead, I’ve decided to try a different sort of electrified car: a plug-in hybrid. Specifically, I’ve gone for a BMW 530e M Sport saloon which, following a mid-life refresh of the 5 Series last year, has a battery that’s big enough for an official range of up to…

Dacia Sandero WHILE WE 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; in fact, it would be worth considering even if it cost the same as most rivals. Except it doesn’t. The Sandero is an absolute bargain that’s even within reach of those who would normally be considering only used cars. Our pick 1.0 TCe 90 Comfort List price £11,595 Target Price £11,595 MPG 53.3 CO2 120g/km For Amazingly cheap; well equipped in our preferred spec; comfortable ride; lots of space for people and luggage Against Not exactly thrilling to drive; entry-level trim is very basic; there are quieter small cars WHAT CAR? SAYS Honda Jazz…

Skoda Octavia Estate THE iV IS one of the more expensive Octavias, but it’s still one of the cheaper plug-in hybrids, and for many the investment will pay back dividends. Its official 282.5mpg economy shows what’s possible if you charge regularly, plus the car drops into the exceptionally low 6% benefit-in-kind bracket. As a bonus, you get all the usual Octavia Estate benefits, including lots of kit, a very comfy ride and vast space. Our pick 1.4 TSI iV SE Technology List price £34,230 Target Price £34,230 MPG 282.5 CO2 23g/km For Very low company car tax; 41-mile electric range; cosseting ride; vast boot; competitive price; well equipped Against Plenty of rivals are more fun to drive; floaty over undulations; air-con controls are in touchscreen WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW 3…

Volkswagen ID.3 THANKS TO REAR-WHEEL drive, accurate steering and fine body control, the ID.3 is an electric car that’s genuinely fun to drive. What’s more, its practicality is up with the roomiest family hatchbacks, and predicted resale values are superb. As a bonus, the ID.3 performed exceptionally well in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests, because it’s good at protecting occupants in a crash and at avoiding crashes in the first place. Our pick Pro Performance Life List price £32,990 Target Price £32,586 Range 263 miles CO2 0g/km For Long official range; fun to drive; spacious and practical interior; slow predicted depreciation Against Iffy interior quality; infotainment systems puts style before substance; charging network weaker than Tesla’s WHAT CAR? SAYS Fiat 500 Our pick 42kWh Icon List price £27,995 Target…

Skoda Superb Estate SPACE IS THE name of the game when you’re looking at wagons, and the Superb Estate has been our favourite for six years, striking the sweet spot of practicality, comfort, low running costs and value more accurately than any rival. In fact, with masses of load space for flat-pack furniture or suitcases and palatial comfort for passengers, it’s one of the most impressive family holdalls in any class of car. Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Technology List price £28,500 Target Price £27,947 MPG 57.7 CO2 129g/km For Comfortable ride; limo-like rear passenger space; huge boot with lots of practical touches; well priced Against Some rivals are more fun to drive on twisty roads; automatic gearbox can be a tad jerky in traffic WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda…

HALF A DECADE on from the launch of the F-Pace and with more than a quarter of a million models sold globally – making it the fastest-selling car in the brand’s history – Jaguar’s golden goose has been treated to a much-needed facelift. Changes include a larger grille, slimmer headlights (incorporating LED running lights), a reprofiled bonnet and new tail-lights. The area that really needed attention was the interior, and it’s clear the designers have pulled some late nights. All the old hard, scratchy plastics have been banished in favour of leather-wrapped surfaces and genuine metal trim. There are more storage cubbies, too. There’s also a new 11.4in Pivi Pro infotainment system, which is one of the best in the class, with sharp graphics and quick responses. And while the…

THE NEW D300 is the new entry-level engine for the Range Rover luxury SUV, and even though they may not be everyone’s cup of tea these days, it’s a diesel. But this is a mild hybrid diesel. It has a small electric motor that assists the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel as you accelerate and allows the engine to shut down and coast for short intervals while you’re driving along. The upshot is we managed to average 35mpg pretty easily on a motorway jaunt, which is very good for a car that’s as big as a bungalow and similarly aerodynamic. Also, it meets every current emissions requirement, so if you’re worried about the London Ultra Low Emission Zone you needn’t be; it’ll sail into and out of the zone with impunity. Okay,…

THE RAV4 IS very much a victim of its own success. Launched back in 1994, the first-generation car helped kick off the public’s love affair with mainstream family SUVs, and since then, a plethora of similar vehicles has arrived and diluted the market – in effect turning the Toyota into ‘just another SUV’. Enter stage left, the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid. Designed to widen the RAV4’s appeal, this is the first RAV4 you can plug into the mains and it’s gunning for the new kids, namely the Ford Kuga PHEV and Vauxhall Grandland X PHEV. It pairs an uprated version of Toyota’s 2.5-litre engine (including a more powerful electric motor than the standard hybrid RAV4’s) with a second, 54bhp motor at the rear and an 18.1kWh battery. These give this flagship…

PICK OF THE MONTH: SMALL SUV SAVE £1562 Volkswagen T-Roc WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 1.0 TSI 110 Design List price £24,050 Target Price £22,488 Target PCP £226 The T-Roc is a cracking small SUV with one of the softest rides in this class, and that means it’ll be comfortable whether you’re in town or on the motorway. This version pairs a peppy 1.0-litre petrol engine with Design trim, which gets you a sportier look than regular T-Rocs and a host of useful kit. PICK OF THE MONTH: GREEN CAR SAVE £3926 Renault Zoe WHAT CAR? SAYS Model R110 Iconic List price £31,495 Target Price £27,469 Target PCP £288 The Zoe was one of the first small electric cars aimed at families looking to go electric, and it remains…

The Volkswagen Polo is an excellent small car, being not only comfortable and quiet but also spacious inside.We recommend choosing the 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine and teaming that with entry-level Match trim, which has most of your equipment needs covered, but Volkswagen also offers an extensive list of options. Here’s our guide to choosing the best while not losing track of your budget. 1 Electrically folding door mirrors are easily overlooked, but you’ll be thankful for them if you have to squeeze through a narrow gap or park on the street, because they’re less likely to be damaged. As a bonus, this £160 upgrade also makes your mirrors heated, helping to clear ice and frost more quickly during winter. 2 Long journeys will be so much more pleasant with somewhere…

Given the differences between our contenders, which one you choose might well come down to your priorities, with two of them – the Tucson and Grandland X – performing very well in specific areas. The Grandland X makes a lot of sense as a company car, thanks to its good electric range and low CO2 emissions. But despite the fact that it’s also likely to be the cheapest to run for private buyers, it’s too flawed in other areas to challenge for the win. The Tucson may not be as frugal, but it isn’t far off in terms of ownership costs and stands out for its performance, the roominess of its interior and its large boot. Only its fidgety ride and ordinary handling count against it. The XC40, however, is…

The word ‘Supra’ means ‘transcending’: to go above and beyond. That’s a neat way of introducing this test; after all, it involves a Toyota Supra, and we want to know if it’s above and beyond our favourite sports car, the Porsche 718 Cayman. But before we address that little conundrum, we need to qualify something first. Our favourite Cayman is the GTS model. It comes with a fabulous 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine that plays a tune which, to sports car fans, is like Plácido Domingo belting out Nessun Dorma straight into the soul. We’re not testing that one, though. Nope, what we have here is the entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged flat four model, which, by comparison, some might say sounds like a bunch of inebriated home fans at Wembley chanting “Come on…

Mileage 2524 List price £32,660 (before £3000 gov’t grant) Target Price £32,660 Price as tested £32,710 Test range 95 miles IF YOU’D TOLD 10-year-old me that I’d end up becoming a journalist, I’d have guessed video games were going to be my speciality. It wasn’t that I spent all my time on a PlayStation; I just really loved magazines on the subject, even more so than the games themselves. Which is a bit like enjoying reading What Car? more than driving, I suppose. Anyway, 11 years after first going down the car route, the kid in me has an article he can get his head around, because my Honda E has a rather nifty/gimmicky/brilliant/pointless feature in its ability to run a games console. Plug the console into the car’s three-pin…

Mileage 2120 List price £74,610 Target Price £74,610 Price as tested £77,200 Test range 199 miles Lockdown being lockdown, I’ve got into the habit of living with 50 miles of charge in the EQC and running it down to less than 10 miles before plugging in.At current levels, that’s nearly two weeks’worth of socially conscious travelling for essentials only. It’s a great example of how living with an electric car transforms your perceptions. In a combustion-engined model, the fuel light comes on with 50 miles’ range left and I sweat increasingly profusely until I fill up.With an electric car,you can take comfort from being so much more precise, as you gain an understanding of what you need and what you think you need. Sure, I’d be irritated if I got…

BMW 1 Series 118d M Sport auto List price when new £31,040 Available from 2019-present Sharp handling is its party trick, but great quality and tech increase its appeal Mercedes-Benz A-Class A200d AMG Line List price when new £30,385 Available from 2018-present A fine all-rounder with a striking interior, but pricier than the 1 Series IT’S EASY TO forget just what a departure the latest generation of the BMW 1 Series was when it arrived back in 2019. The family hatchback’s switch to front-wheel drive from a traditional rear-wheel drive layout had keen drivers up in arms for a while. While rear-wheel drive can be great for a car’s handling and balance, front-wheel drive tends to provide more interior space – an area where the previous 1 Series was shown…

Seat Leon AS A FAMILY car, the latest Leon gets the basics right by offering a big boot and even more space for passengers than the gigantic Skoda Octavia. But it also serves up a very welcome slice of fun and costs less to run than you’d think. Don’t go thinking that the Leon feels even remotely hairshirt, either. It’s every bit as smart inside as the more expensive Volkswagen Golf, while its infotainment system is more user-friendly. Our pick 1.5 TSI Evo 130 FR List price £24,060 Target Price £21,059 MPG 50.4 CO2 127g/km For Great handling; smart, spacious interior; punchy yet frugal petrol engines; generous standard spec Against Ride is on the firm side; more wind and road noise than some rivals; very few optional extras available WHAT…

BMW 5 Series OUR FAVOURITE LUXURY car for the past four years still offers the very best traits of this class. Take the interior, for example: it’s virtually identical to that of the pricier 7 Series and just as well made, despite the 5 Series costing far less. As a bonus, the 530e plug-in hybrid variant can complete many journeys on electric power. And even when its petrol engine does fire up, the car is quiet enough to shame full-on limousines. Our pick 530e M Sport Pro Pack List price £54,820 Target Price £46,872 MPG 188.3 CO2 34g/km For Fast and fun, yet comfortable and refined; low running costs, particularly as a company car; superb interior Against You need to add adaptive suspension (part of the Pro Pack) for the…

Tesla Model 3 PUT SIMPLY, NO large electric car balances range, performance, price and technology as well as the Model 3. It was already hugely compelling, both as a private buy and a company car, but a refresh for 2021 made it even better. Factor in access to Tesla’s unbeatable charging network and the Model 3 is an incredibly desirable yet thoroughly sensible choice. It’s the best argument yet for switching from fossil fuels. Our pick Performance List price £56,490 Target Price £56,490 Range 352 miles CO2 0g/km For Dependable, fast charging network; well priced; stuffed with tech; surprisingly practical; enjoyable to drive Against Firm town ride, pricey finance deals; interior is better than it was, but could still be plusher WHAT CAR? SAYS Porsche Taycan Our pick 4S (Performance…

Fiat 500 Cabrio THE LATEST FIAT 500 Cabrio is all-electric – a sign of the times, no doubt. However, don’t think that it takes the number one spot just because it taps into the zeitgeist. True, the way you can whizz around near-silently gives it a trump card that no other drop-top can match, but just as appealing is its high-quality interior and the fact that it’s every bit as good to drive as the hatchback on which it’s based. Our pick Icon List price £30,645 Target Price £30,645 Official range 188 miles CO2 0g/km For Great interior with lots of kit; refined and good to drive; low running costs; useful range between charges Against Tiny rear seats; ride could be more settled; pricier than some conventionally powered rivals WHAT…

Porsche 718 Cayman IT’D BE EASY to write off the Cayman as a poor man’s 911. It can be bought for as little as half the money, so it must be half the car, right? Well, actually, no; in the ways that matter most, the Cayman is the best sports car on the planet. The only caveat is that you need to go for the GTS version, because this swaps the uncouth engines of lesser versions for a glorious 4.0-litre flat six. Our pick GTS 4.0 List price £66,385 Target Price £66,385 MPG 25.9 CO2 247g/km For Brilliant handling; rich, soulful naturally aspirated six-cylinder GTS engine; classy interior Against Lacks the level of standard kit you’d expect of such a pricey car, both in terms of luxuries and safety WHAT…

FIRST DRIVE Vauxhall Mokka Petrol, diesel and electric Mokka looks to offer the best of all worlds On sale Now Price from £20,735 CAN YOU REMEMBER when you started to refer to your smartphone as just a phone or your digital camera as just a camera? No, nor can we. Which got us thinking. With electric cars (EVs) becoming increasingly commonplace, when will we start to naturally refer to them as just ‘cars’? Well, if Vauxhall has anything to do with it, that moment could come sooner than you think. Because instead of going down the route of designing a bespoke electric SUV, like Volkswagen with its new ID.4, Vauxhall has taken the decision to offer electric power effectively as an option on its all-new Mokka small SUV in an…

AS YOU’LL FIND out in our group test on p62, there are plenty of reasons to stick the latest Hyundai Tucson on your SUV shopping list. However, while going full hybrid might be a tempting choice for many, it does push up the price. That’s where the mild hybrid steps in, lowering emissions and improving fuel economy over the entry-level petrol (especially with an automatic gearbox) at a price that’s below £30,000. Pace is more than adequate, with that mild hybrid tech helping to give a little boost at low revs so you don’t have to thrash the engine. Beware, though: the auto ’box needs a moment of thought before it opts for the right gear. Although this Tucson can’t run on electricity alone, it’s able to shut down its…

WITH AN INCREASING number of buyers flocking from traditional hatchbacks to SUVs, it’s unsurprising that Citroën has adopted an ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ attitude with its all-new C4. Gone is the hatchback styling of the C4 Cactus and previous-generation C4, replaced with a swoopy coupé SUV aesthetic. It isn’t just a styling exercise, says Citroën. A raised body makes getting in and out easier, provides the driver with a better view of the road ahead and gives Citroën the space to fit batteries under the floor to create an all-electric version (the e-C4). Our favourite version uses Citroën’s familiar 128bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, and while the resulting car is no rocket, it’ll get you up to motorway speeds easily enough and feels pleasingly punchy. Citroën expects…

IN OUR TESTS, the Kuga went almost 50% farther on electric power than some rival plug-in hybrid SUVs. It also returned a seriously impressive 52mpg when petrol power took over. The driving position is another strength, giving you a lofty view of the road ahead. And the Kuga’s supple suspension makes it one of the more comfortable large SUVs, both at speed and when trundling around town. Hyundai Kona Electric Our pick 64kWh Premium List price £38,900 Target Price £38,135 Target PCP na Range 279 miles For Fantastic real-world range; fast; even base model is well equipped Against Choppy ride; intrusive road noise; limited rear seat space WHAT CAR? SAYS  Our pick 2.5 Ecoboost PHEV Vignale List price £38,995 Target Price £36,623 Target PCP £351 MPG 201.8 CO2 32g/km For…

AS PART OF the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, we asked 13,000 car owners if they’d needed a breakdown provider in the previous year. Some 12% of respondents told us their cars had broken down, and we asked them to rate the service they’d received. Our data includes information on eight breakdown providers, with the survey focusing on two main areas: how quickly assistance arrived and how well the problem was resolved. The speediest operator was LV Britannia Rescue, whose fleet of around 4000 independent recovery specialists reached 39% of stranded motorists in less than 30 minutes. It also reached 42% of drivers in 30 minutes to an hour, so overall it got to 81% of people in an hour or less. It also left the lowest percentage of…

As if the Fiat 500 wasn’t fashionable enough. Now you can have one that runs on electricity for some eco credibility, too. Think baby Tesla with its heart in 1950s Italy and you get the idea. And if you’re assuming that Fiat has just shoehorned a battery and electric motor into the same 500 that’s been around since 2007, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. That old model remains on sale and looks very similar, but it’s been rebranded as the ‘500 Hybrid’ and runs on petrol. This ‘New 500’ is completely, well, new and has been designed from the outset to run on the same stuff as your toaster. The 500 isn’t the first small car to go electric, though. These days you can buy an electric version of the equally…

It may not be the best Cayman you can buy, but boy is this entry-level model an excellent sports car if your budget is around £50,000. It’s seriously fast in a straight line and delivers quick lap times on a track day just as well as it does excitement on the road. If sports cars are primarily about fun, it has to be the winner. And the Supra? Well, it can be entertaining at lower speeds,but its twitchiness when driven hard makes it a much less capable sports car than the Cayman. It’s far more at home when treated as a fast GT car, in which vein its great infotainment system, bundles of kit, good economy and more relaxing cruising manners suit its character well. Porsche 718 Cayman For Awesome…

Mileage 2945 List price £19,235 Target Price £16,225 Price as tested £19,980 Test economy 48.4mpg AS ANYONE WHO enjoys music festivals knows, it’s always the headline acts that you’ll see emblazoned across the tops of the T-shirts on the merchandise stands. The thing is, though, there’s far more to the festival experience than the bands that take top billing; it’s often the unsigned artists on the minor stages that make the real memories. And, for me, it’s the same with cars. I chose the Seat Ibiza FR for the fuel economy it promised (and has so far delivered) and the driver appeal it’s renowned for – its two headline acts, if you will. Supporting those, though, I’ve found a whole programme of benefits I wasn’t expecting. For starters, I had…

THE DELIVERY OF my CX-30 was made particularly special by it happening in the middle of Mazda’s centenary year, and it’s testament to the company’s spirit and determination that it would become one of the great success stories to emerge from the destruction of Hiroshima. It’s all the more remarkable because although the Toyo Kogyo Co was founded in 1920 as a cork manufacturer and later a machine tool producer, it didn’t build its first vehicle – a three-wheeled delivery bike – until 1931, when the Mazda name first appeared. And its first proper car wouldn’t arrive until a decade and a half after the Enola Gay dropped its terrible cargo on 6 August 1945. The CX-30, then, is a graphic demonstration of how far Mazda has come in a…

Mileage 1980 List price £24,810 Target Price £23,090 Price as tested £28,770 Test economy 40.2mpg FORD HAS RAISED its game with the interior of the Puma. Somehow it feels classier and higher in quality than what we’ve come to expect from the brand in the past, to the point where I’m no less happy sitting in the Puma than I’d be in a premium rival such as the Audi Q2. I really like the plush, leather-like panels that cover the tops of the doors and run down to the armrests; they look luxurious, and wherever you choose to rest your elbow, it’s got something smooth and squidgy beneath it.And while I normally dislike carbonfibre of any description being used inside cars, the Puma’s matt-finished, carbonfibre-effect trim with red highlights across…

It’s close, but the 1 Series takes the victory in this battle. There’s no doubt it’s better to drive; it’s a fraction less nippy, but its handling is livelier and more fun. Sure, in M Sport trim its ride is firmer, but it’s still relatively comfy most of the time, plus it’s quieter over bumps and less jerky to drive in traffic. Bought at a year old, it’s also cheaper and has a better reliability record. That said, where the A-Class falls behind, it’s never by much, and it has clear strengths of its own, including overall costs, comfort and practicality. It finishes a very creditable second. BMW 1 Series For More fun to drive; cheaper to buy; smart interior; excellent infotainment Against Smaller boot; lower Euro NCAP safety scores;…

BMW 3 Series THE HYBRID BMW 330e slickly integrates the latest tech with the long-held wants and needs of executive car drivers. It’s easy to live with, has a high-quality interior and is great to drive, yet it’s also cheap to run. When charged, it can officially cover 37 miles on electricity, and it remains fairly frugal when running on petrol power. The resulting low emissions yield huge tax savings for company car drivers. Our pick 330e M Sport Pro Pack List price £44,635 Target Price £41,683 MPG 188.3 CO2 34g/km For Great to drive; low emissions and good electric range; high-quality interior; class-leading infotainment Against Smaller boot and petrol tank than regular 3 Series; sporty suspension setup won’t be to all tastes WHAT CAR? SAYS Tesla Model 3 Our…

Toyota GR Yaris THE GR YARIS is a truly special machine that feels tailor-made for tackling a British B-road. With its small proportions, clever four-wheel drive system and firecracker of an engine, its performance is incredibly accessible, yet it’s also fast enough to frighten thoroughbred sports cars. For pure driving thrills, hot hatches don’t get any better. And yet it’s well priced and should be fairly cheap to run. Our pick 1.6 Circuit Pack List price £33,495 Target Price £33,495 MPG 34.4 CO2 186g/km For An absolute riot in the bends; incredible traction and acceleration off the line; tempting finance deals Against Limited rear seat and boot space; interior too similar to a regular Yaris’s; small range of options WHAT CAR? SAYS Honda Civic Type R Our pick 2.0 VTEC…

Volkswagen Touran THE TOURAN MATCHES the flexibility of huge MPVs such as the Ford Galaxy, with its independently sliding middle-row seats. And despite being a far more compact car, adults fit in all three rows. What’s more, the Touran feels much like a normal hatchback from behind the wheel, thanks to tidy handling and a supple ride. So yes, it exists to offer an abundance of functionality, but that doesn’t define the way it drives at all. Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE List price £28,580 Target Price £23,043 MPG 42.8 CO2 150g/km For Compact outside yet spacious inside; seats seven adults; Isofix on all rear seats; tidy to drive; tempting PCPs Against There are cheaper cash buys; Ford Galaxy has more third row space; automatic gearbox can be hesitant…

BMW 4 Series ITS LOOKS MIGHT be divisive, but whether or not you’re a fan of this 4 Series’ aggressive styling, you’ll love what’s underneath. This is one of the most rewarding driver’s cars in the class and, if you opt for the Pro Pack’s adaptive suspension, it’s also a very comfortable everyday car. In addition, the 4 Series benefits from a wonderful interior with supportive seats and class-leading infotainment. Our pick 420i M Sport Pro Pack List price £43,285 Target Price £40,670 MPG 42.2 CO2 151g/km For Rewarding handling; no longer so derivative of 3 Series; high-quality interior; composed ride Against Looks won’t be for everyone; some rivals have larger boots; you hear wind and tyre noise at speed WHAT CAR? SAYS Audi TT Our Pick 45 TFSI Sport…

Porsche Taycan SOME MIGHT VIEW it as heresy to declare an electric car the number one performance car, but the Taycan is proof that such models can be just as rewarding and usable as the best petrol rivals, and then some. Even the entry-level 4S version can sprint from 0-62mph in just 4.0sec. Plus, the Taycan has exceptionally precise, tactile steering and incredible poise in corners. Its brakes are monstrous, too. Our pick 4S (Performance Battery Plus) List price £88,248 Target Price £88,248 Official range 288 miles CO2 0g/km For Massive and instantaneous performance; remarkably agile; gorgeous interior; seats four adults Against Charging network isn’t as good as Tesla’s; similar-priced Model S is more spacious WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-AMG C63 Our pick S Estate List price £78,103 Target Price £73,953…