Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2021 i What Car?

‘The gap between the most and least dependable cars is as big as ever’ It’s been said that the greatest ability is dependability, and if you agree with that sentiment and are in the market for a new or used car, this issue of What Car? is potentially the most important of the year. You see, the results of our 2021 Reliability Survey show that the gap between the best and worst performers is as big – if not bigger – than ever, with a record six models suffering no faults at all in the past year, but others letting down more than half of their owners. This is based on the experiences of thousands of readers with cars aged between one and five years old. Plus, our rankings aren’t…

IF LESS IS more, this new entry-level Fiat 500 should be a winner. With a 24kWh battery, it’s usefully cheaper than its 42kWh stablemates, for one thing. And while that smaller battery brings the official range down to 115 miles from 199, if you seldom leave the city, that shouldn’t be an issue.   The 24kWh car is still a zippy thing, too. The smaller, lighter battery means that – despite a deficit of 23bhp (94bhp in total) to the 42kWh model – it nips from 0-62mph in 9.5sec, against the latter’s 9.0sec. That’s pretty good for a city car, making light work of merging into traffic thanks to a strong, instant shove of acceleration. Around town, the 500’s accurate steering and tight turning circle make weaving through traffic a…

ALMOST ALL OWNERS (90%) of electric or plug-in hybrid cars have no plan to switch back to pure petrol or diesel power for their next car. In a What Car? survey that included more than 500 owners of plug-in and electric cars, 65% of those owners believe that their cars are better for the environment than pure internal combustion-engined equivalents. Among them, 62% said that the technology found in electrified cars, as well as the cars themselves, would only improve in the future, and they saw no reason to switch back. Low running costs were highlighted by 56% of owners, while 50% said they believe such vehicles are better to drive. Also, 36% of respondents cited the upcoming 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars as…

Ford Puma WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 1.0 Ecoboost Hybrid 155 Titanium List price £22,795 Target Price £21,387 Target PCP £261* Welcome to the best small SUV you can buy. The Puma is not only great to drive, but also has the potential to lower your fuel bills with its clever mild-hybrid technology. You’ll have no trouble fitting the family in it, and our favourite Titanium trim comes with 17in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, and rear parking sensors. Peugeot 2008 WHAT CAR? SAYS Model Puretech 130 Allure List price £23,765 Target Price £22,124 Target PCP £244 This version of the classy 2008 small SUV teams the punchy yet frugal 1.2-litre petrol engine with our recommended Allure trim, which gets you luxuries including 17in alloy wheels and privacy glass, plus…

BEST BUY Range Rover Evoque P300e R-Dynamic S List price £45,950 Target Price £43,885 Options we’d add Technology Pack (£2340), 3D Surround Camera (£585), home charging cable (£300), second-row temperature control (£205), eucalyptus textile interior (no extra cost) Cost of options £3430 Having spent a considerable sum on your new Evoque, you don’t want to prang it due to poor parking. While every Evoque comes with front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, we think Land Rover’s 3D Surround Camera, which provides a top-down view of your surroundings, is worth its £585 asking price. The £2340 Technology Pack not only allows the infotainment screen to pivot to give you the ideal viewing angle but also adds a head-up display (which projects crucial information onto the windscreen in your…

So, the Puma doesn’t lose its crown after all. It’s still the best small SUV you can buy, majoring on fun and boot space yet suffering from very few flaws across the board. In fact, reliability is the only area in which it scores below-average marks. The gap between first and second places here is a big one, but the Bayon edges the C3 Aircross. Whether you consider it enough of an ‘SUV’ to justify the premium over a regular small hatchback is a matter of personal judgement; what we can tell you is that it’s decent to drive, roomy in the back and well equipped. It’s just a pity that Hyundai hasn’t made more effort with the interior and that it’s the most expensive choice for most buyers. Recent…

IT’S THE NATURAL way of things; luxuries that were once considered an elite treat eventually trickle down into the mainstream. Just look at how many designer brands are now routinely discounted on any suburban high street. Rather like posh handbags and perfume, the large, premium SUV is no longer an aristocratic preserve. With ever more efficient mild hybrid diesels on offer and tempting monthly deals and cash savings to be had, cars like the recently updated Jaguar F-Pace D200 seem to offer the best of everything; an upmarket image, sporty dynamics, decent practicality and reasonable running costs are all covered. With that in mind, it’s not hard to see why these SUVs are so popular. And few are more so than the Audi Q5, which has long set the benchmark…

Mileage 2450 List price £39,100 Target Price £37,489 Price as tested £39,505 Test economy 45.0mpg IN THE PAST few weeks, I’ve been better educating myself about hybrid technology, and, in particular, the way it works on my Kia Sorento. And I’ve been using that information to improve fuel efficiency. The basics are that the car uses the electric motor when you pull away and up to around 16mph, as long as you’re not too heavy on the accelerator. That should make it really economical around town. Then, when you’re accelerating at higher speeds, it uses the engine and electric motor together to provide optimum power. It switches to engine power alone for fast cruising, and when you’re decelerating it turns the engine off and uses regenerative braking to replenish the…

Mileage 3514 List price £40,620 Target Price £40,424 Price as tested £40,670 Test economy 31.0mpg IN RESPONSE TO a question about his approach to developing new products, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once said: “You’ve got to start with the customer experience and work backwards to the technology.” In other words, you need to think about the user, the task they want to carry out and the environment in which the task takes place. It’s a thought process that I think is seriously lacking when it comes to modern car infotainment touchscreens. My Cupra Formentor comes with a large, 12.0in screen with no physical buttons. This isn’t a problem in a showroom, because there’s nothing else to distract you. However, on the move, I often find myself taking my eyes off…

Honda Jazz THE JAZZ IS the small car to beat for passenger space, and its unique and incredibly flexible rear seating only adds to its practicality. It’s neither the most fun car in the class (that’s the Ford Fiesta) nor the most comfortable (that’s the Peugeot 208), but with excellent visibility, it’s definitely easy to drive. Hybrid power also makes it really cheap to fuel, and slow depreciation helps make up for high prices. Our pick 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid SR List price £20,645 Target Price £19,060 MPG 62.8 CO2 102g/km For Remarkably spacious, with great seating flexibility; strong performance; lots of standard kit; holds value well Against Pricey by small car standards; not the quietest cruiser; disappointing infotainment system WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Polo Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 Match…

Ford Puma THE PUMA IS a joy to drive, because it’s super-nimble for a small SUV, while the steering gives you a real sense of connection with the front wheels. These are things you’ll appreciate no matter what type of road you’re driving on. True, rear seat space is only so-so, but the Puma is still surprisingly practical, thanks to a huge boot with a height-adjustable floor. It’s also well equipped, strong on safety and very fuel-efficient. Our pick 1.0 Ecoboost Hybrid 155 ST-Line List price £23,745 Target Price £22,277 MPG 50.4 CO2 126g/km For Great fun to drive, yet rides bumps well; remarkable blend of performance and economy; big, clever boot Against Space in the back is adequate rather than outstanding; over-the-shoulder visibility could be better WHAT CAR? SAYS…

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 £45,045 Target Price £42,397 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…

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 Long Range List price £48,490 Target Price £48,490 Range 360 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…

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 £29,265 Target Price £23,751 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 £43,300 Target Price £40,580 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 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 £67,355 Target Price £67,355 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…

YOU KNOW THAT warning you sometimes get on door mirrors about objects being closer than they appear? Well, if it’s a Hyundai Ioniq 5 that’s being reflected back at you, the opposite will actually be true. You see, while the hatchback bodystyle and general proportions of this new electric car might lead you to assume that you’re looking at something that’s about the size of a Volkswagen Golf, in reality it’s longer than a Tiguan SUV and almost as tall. Meanwhile, the distance between the front and rear axles is the same as you’ll find in Audi’s A8 limousine. As a result, the Ioniq 5 is seriously spacious; even with a six-footer driving, someone of the same size can sit behind and really stretch out. What’s more, the floor is…

THE PERFORMANCE LOAD lugger is quite a narrow niche, but Cupra now owns a very greedy slice of it. Squarer-backed and nearly 30cm longer than the Cupra Leon hatchback, the estate combines space and pace for way less than an Audi RS6, for example, and there’s even an e-Hybrid plug-in version that’ll appeal to the pockets of company car drivers. Topping the range, though, is this 2.0 TSI 310 model, which will suit the family that absolutely must get their sizeable picnic to the park before anyone else. With 306bhp, the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine has been tuned to give 10bhp more than it does in the Cupra Leon 300 hot hatch, with stout reserves of mid-rev grunt so you can pass slower-moving traffic in a finger snap. Okay, the…

THE RS3 IS the smallest model in Audi’s sport-focused RS line-up, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. Offered as a hatchback and a saloon, it combines rip-snorting performance with a great deal of practicality. Power comes from Audi’s highly regarded turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine, tuned for 395bhp. That’s enough for 0-62mph in just 3.8sec – two-tenths of a second quicker than the previous RS3 and one-tenth swifter than the rival Mercedes-AMG A45. Although the top speed of the standard RS3 is limited to 155mph, the Launch and Vorsprung editions will reach 174mph, and an optional RS Dynamic Pack can enable them to hit 180mph if you can find a road where it’s safe and legal to do so. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is standard, and with…

HESTON BLUMENTHAL USES advanced cookery methods in the pursuit of improving your culinary experience, and it seems Mazda is also employing this approach with the updates to the engine range of the CX-30 family SUV. Despite having one of the most efficient petrol engines already, the e-Skyactiv X model has received a raft of tweaks, all to gain more power, increase low-rev muscle and reduce emissions and fuel consumption. That all sounds great, but we doubt anyone will notice that power is up from 177bhp to 183bhp, or that the 0-62mph time is down fractionally from 8.5sec to 8.3sec. Improvements have also been made to in-gear acceleration, but the normally aspirated e-Skyactiv X is still weaker at low revs than the turbocharged engines in rivals such as the Seat Ateca…

HYUNDAI DIDN’T really do ‘fast’ and ‘exciting’ until a few years ago. And that was just fine, because the world needed practical, well-equipped and dependable cars. It still does, for the record. But not everyone wants ‘sensible’. Hyundai decided there was room for a little hedonism in its range and, in 2016, created Hyundai N, a subdivision tasked with adding motorsport-style zing to some of its models. First was the acclaimed i30 N hot hatchback that took on potent, family-sized rivals, such as the Ford Focus ST and Honda Civic Type R. Now the i30 N has a smaller sibling, the Ford Fiesta ST-rivalling i20 N, which slips into the cheaper end of the hot hatch market. So, what better car to test it against than the ST itself? After…

WHEN I WAS growing up, my parents always had the same type of cars: a practical German estate for my dad and a hot hatch for my mum. Indeed, from my childhood until the present day, they have never owned an SUV. But times change and so do tastes, so while an estate may have been the car of choice for a jobbing photographer when my parents were my age, today I think you’d be mad not to also consider a large SUV – especially when that SUV is as capable and as comfortable as my Ford Kuga. Over the past few months, I’ve covered a lot of motorway miles in it and been impressed by just how much quieter it is than the Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck that I…

Mileage 2991 List price £74,610 Target Price £73,503 Price as tested £77,200 Test range 176 miles FIVE YEARS AGO, my family’s arrangement was to have a large petrol or diesel car and an electric vehicle (EV) for shorter trips. However, today, ranges have improved to the extent that the fully electric Mercedes EQC serves as our main vehicle. With a second new EV beyond our budget and us reluctant to buy a used one due to concerns about battery capacities falling over time (so far largely unfounded, it must be said), it’s our second car that now has a combustion engine; it allowed us to get so much more for our money. Still, give it another five years and I suspect the equation will have changed again in favour of…

IF YOU’RE KEEN to join the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, you’ll need an awful lot of money to buy even the smallest new model. If you buy used, though, someone else absorbs the initial sting of depreciation, so even the most popular and desirable modern motors can be had for rather less than you’ll pay for a new one. Take the two tots we’re testing here. The retro-styled Honda E has been wowing punters since the covers came off it last year. It’s available from new with a choice of two power outputs: 134bhp for the standard version and 152bhp in higher-spec Advance form. It’s the latter we have here, and it cost the first owner close to £30,000, after the £3000 (now £2500) government grant for EVs had been…

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 £24,065 Target Price £21,124 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…

Volvo XC40 IT MAY HAVE been 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 £34,430 Target Price £32,032 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 Range Rover Evoque Our pick P300e R-Dynamic…

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 £31,775 Target Price £31,775 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…

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 £49,316 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…

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 L List price £31,835 Target Price £29,359 MPG 56.0 CO2 132g/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…

BMW X6 THE COUPÉ SUV class wouldn’t exist without the BMW X6. However, the latest version isn’t the benchmark due to its history, but because it moves the game on again. It’s one of the more entertaining cars in the class to drive, and offers stunning performance, no matter which engine you choose. Meanwhile, the interior is as easy to use as it is beautifully built, and you even get generous rear space. Our pick xDrive30d MHT M Sport List price £66,235 Target Price £61,724 MPG 42.2 CO2 176g/km For High-quality interior; powerful yet frugal diesel engine; practical by the standards of the class; great to drive Against Ride is on the firm side; some options you’ll want are pricey; looks won’t appeal to all WHAT CAR? SAYS Range Rover…

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 £87,541 Target Price £87,541 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 £78,163 Target Price £70,199…

IT’S GOOD TO be bad in certain situations, and whether you’re talking about rock stars or cars, sometimes an uncouth, contrary image is exactly what’s needed to sell. Take the new BMW 2 Series Coupé for example: its square-jawed looks fly in the face of typical sleek coupé fare, and it’s stubbornly sticking with rear-wheel drive – a layout that traditionally promotes keen handling – when front-wheel drive might offer more benefits, including better fuel economy, less weight and more interior space. Three versions of the new 2 Series Coupé will be available at launch. The entry-level 220i is powered by a 181bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that promises average fuel economy of 44.8mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 144g/km, yet it can still reach 62mph from a standstill…

IF THE STUNNING Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid performance car made the world take notice, the dual-motor Polestar 2 electric executive car confirmed that Volvo’s performance division was here to stay as a maker of world-class electrified cars in its own right. It’s with this new entry-level model, though, that the brand gets really serious. The Polestar 2 is now available in single-motor guise with front-wheel drive and a choice of battery sizes and starts at just under £40,000. With that keener price, down from £45,900 for the four-wheel-drive, dual-motor variant, it handily undercuts the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus and other premium electric cars such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQA. So, what do you get for your money? Well, the Standard Range version gets a 64kWh…

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER the scene from Pulp Fiction where it’s revealed that the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder is named something completely different in France: the Royale with Cheese. It’s not just fast food outlets that rename products for different regions, however, because car makers are at it as well. While the Volkswagen Taigo is new to the UK market, it has been on sale in South America and Mexico for a year or so, badged as the Nivus. As a stylish small coupé SUV, the Taigo is intended to act as a rival to the likes of the Nissan Juke and the slightly larger Citroën C4. It carries more aggressive styling than the T-Cross small SUV on which it’s based and features standard LED headlights and a thin light bar that…

A REVISED VERSION of the Highway Code that will be published next year will give pedestrians and cyclists priority over motorists. The updated code, which forms part of a £338m funding effort to improve conditions for so-called ‘active travellers’, includes new rules that drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the road and to cyclists at junctions when they’re travelling straight ahead. The Government will also update its guidance on safe passing distances and speeds, and will introduce a hierarchy of road users so that those “who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others”. Other measures that are being taken to improve road safety include the construction of hundreds of miles of dedicated cycle lanes, plus new schemes that are…

SMALL AND FAMILY SUVs Alfa Romeo Tonale Autumn Sporty little brother to the Stelvio. Honda HR-V December Adopts coupé-like looks and hybrid power. Kia Sportage Autumn Curved digital displays and styling inspired by the electric Kia EV6 lend high-tech appeal. Renault Kadjar December Should be better to drive and swankier inside than before, with several hybrid options. Volkswagen Taigo Winter Coupé-style sister to the T-Cross and T-Roc. COUPÉ SUV KIA EV6 If you thought the Kia Soul small electric SUV was distinctive, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Sister car to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the boldly styled EV6 offers power options that range from 222 to 577bhp. And it won’t leave you hanging around for a charge; supporting rates of up to 220kW, the EV6’s 77.4kWh battery can take a…

IT’S FUNNY HOW minor things have a big impact on desirability. Let’s face it: small SUVs are really just small hatchbacks with jacked-up suspension and a few trinkets loosely inspired by what you’d find on a proper 4x4. And yet somehow they’re in a completely different fashion league than their more conventional-looking compatriots. The Ford Puma – our 2020 Car of the Year – is a case in point. It has sold like hot cakes since its launch, even throughout a certain worldwide pandemic; Ford can’t build enough of them. But could the Puma’s reign at the top of the class be in jeopardy?   Like the Puma, the new Hyundai Bayon has mild hybrid engine technology to help it sip petrol. Based on the i20 hatchback, it’s slightly longer…

DID YOU KNOW that Citroën has been dabbling with electric vehicles (EVs) for nearly 30 years? I was aware that the French company has been selling electric vans and MPVs for a while now, but it turns out that battery-powered AX and Saxo hatchbacks existed as far back as the early 1990s, although they sold in tiny numbers (and not in the UK). Along with Peugeot, it also collaborated with Mitsubishi to rebadge the i-MiEV city car back in 2010. Worthy though those earlier efforts at zero-emissions mobility undoubtedly were, you probably wouldn’t have wanted to own any of them, due to their high prices and short ranges. But that’s all changed now, with the arrival of the Citroën e-C4, the brand’s first ‘proper’ EV for the modern era. Although…

Mileage 3943 List price £43,095 Target Price £40,364 Price as tested £48,865 Test economy 42.3mpg EVERY TWO YEARS, the theatre company that I’m involved with decamps from west London to the southern tip of Cornwall to put on a show at the achingly beautiful Minack Theatre. This year, perhaps unsurprisingly, circumstances prevented us from performing, but a good number of us decided to make the journey anyway and have a holiday. And what better way to get down there than in my flamboyant and thoroughly theatrical BMW 4 Series coupé? The car very much felt at home as we hit the motorway and followed it all the way down past Stonehenge and Exeter, and finally into Cornish country. In previous years, I’ve done the same journey in an Audi Q5…

IF YOU’RE THINKING of buying a Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake, I should warn you that you’ll have to get used to a conversation which has played out almost on a daily basis since I took delivery of my car. It goes like this… “Cor, that’s a lovely car, mate” is usually the opening gambit, invariably followed by a bit of a pause, and then: “But what is it?” Because an Arteon – any Arteon – is a rare beast here in the UK. A good friend of mine had one for a while a couple of years back and still regularly tells me it’s the best-kept secret on the car market today. That lack of awareness of the model means some impressive deals are available: buy through our free online…

Mileage 1400 List price £80,675 Target Price £75,678 Price as tested £84,795 Test range 230 miles IMAGINE IF YOU stopped to fill up with petrol and couldn’t pay with cash or a credit card. Instead, you had to download a glitchy phone app, or to have pre-ordered a special pump access card and linked it to an online payment account. Oh, and imagine if you needed to have different apps or cards to use the petrol stations of different fuel brands. I’m guessing you’d think it was ridiculous, yet I’m finding this is all too often the reality of electric vehicle (EV) charging in the UK, despite government advice that all rapid chargers built from spring 2020 onwards should allow contactless credit card payments. The fact that the chargers of…

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 £33,520 Target Price £33,520 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 Volkswagen Golf R Our pick 2.0 TSI 320…

Kia Sorento 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 HEV 2 List price £39,350 Target Price £37,728 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 Hyundai Santa Fe Our pick 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid 4WD Premium List price £42,535 Target Price £40,001 MPG 40.4 CO2 159g/km For A great…

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 £32,240 Target Price £31,530 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 £28,495 Target…

BMW X5 WHEN CHOOSING A plug-in hybrid, it goes without saying that you want economy and cost-effectiveness, but if you don’t want to compromise on the finer things in life, the X5 xDrive45e is right up your street. It offers the same fantastic interior as any other X5, and is even more refined. Yet it’s cheaper to run than rivals, not least because it can travel a whopping 54 miles on electric power. Our pick xDrive45e M Sport List price £69,915 Target Price £64,447 MPG 217.3 CO2 29g/km For Superb ride and handling balance; excellent infotainment; big pure electric range; low company car tax Against Only seats seven if you go for our preferred engine; the boot isn’t as big as you’d expect WHAT CAR? SAYS Audi Q7 Our pick…

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 £31,145 Target Price £31,145 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…

Ford Puma ST UNTIL RECENTLY, BUYING a sports SUV required a sizeable outlay, but the Ford Puma ST changes that. And don’t think the fact that it costs far less than the competition means it’s far less fun. Even the mighty Porsche Cayenne has to bow to the Puma’s incredible agility, while its greater driver engagement and less extreme acceleration mean there’s far more chance to enjoy yourself on public roads. Our pick 1.5 Ecoboost 200 Perf Pack List price £29,460 Target Price £27,875 MPG 41.5 CO2 155g/km For Hugely entertaining handling; tuneful and punchy engine; relatively cheap to buy and run Against Occasionally bouncy ride; infotainment system could be slicker; Volkswagen T-Roc is bigger in the back WHAT CAR? SAYS Porsche Cayenne Coupé Our pick GTS List price £92,600…