Inhaltsverzeichnis für January 2016 in What Car?

Trust in car makers has been severely undermined in recent weeks by the VW emissions scandal, the clouds of suspicion enveloping the entire industry and denting the confidence of the car-buying public. Yet, as anyone who saw the BBC’s excellent Building Cars Live shows will appreciate, this is an industry that thrives on investing billions of pounds on developing every new car, perfecting the manufacturing process and creating solutions to problems – without cheating. So, while there are inevitable questions, I would urge you to buy with confidence. Added scrutiny will do the industry good, and in the meantime there are some terrific cars available with dealers keener than ever to sell them. Jim.Holder@haymarket.com @Jim_Holder ‘This is an industry that thrives on investing billions on developing new cars’…

‘You get a powered tailgate as standard and an electric load cover that retracts automatically’ First drive The estate version of Audi’s classy new compact executive Verdict Beautiful to sit in and comfortable to drive THE AUDI A4 Avant has always been a popular choice in the compact exec estate market, despite it being one of the oldest cars in the class. This all-new version should capitalise on that popularity, even though it’s up against a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate that was only updated last year, and a BMW 3 Series Tourer that was re-booted just a couple of months ago. The new A4 Avant is longer and wider than the old car, so there’s more interior space. This includes a 505-litre boot, which is bigger than both its chief competitors’.…

‘Restyled bumpers help make the Outlander look lower and sleeker than before’ First drive Facelift brings new styling and revised suspension to the hybrid SUV Verdict There are better SUVs, but none have greater company car appeal IN JUST TWO years, Mitsubishi’s Outlander plug-in hybrid has been a staggering success in the UK, selling even better here than it has in Japan. It’s won the somewhat non-conformist Mitsubishi marque a prominence it hasn’t had in the UK for decades, mainly because it presents private and fleet buyers with an enticing financial solution. What’s the secret? There are several. For one, it’s an SUV, and demand for these is sky-high and still rising. For another, it’s a plug-in hybrid, which means it qualifies for the Government’s £5000 subsidy to buyers of…

‘The doors require only 30cm of space to open fully and allow an adult to stand upright beneath them’ First look All-electric SUV can travel 250 miles on a single charge and seats seven as standard On sale 2016 Price from £65,000 (est) THE DAY THAT Tesla unveiled its first mass-market electric vehicle, the Model S saloon, will go down in history as one that truly rocked the car industry. Other car manufacturers had barely woken up to the idea of a luxurious electric car, and here was Tesla with a truly game-changing machine. Just three years later and Tesla is about to do it all again. The Model X is an all-electric SUV which comes with seven seats as standard, innovative ‘Falcon Wing’ doors and an air-filtering system so…

‘The M2 has a new front bumper, wide front and rear wings, 19in alloys and chrome highlights’ First look The M2 is the most powerful 2 Series Coupé and the smallest M car in the current line-up On sale April 2016 Price from £44,070 THE NEW M2 Coupé is the smallest and cheapest way into BMW’s M car line-up, and when the 365bhp rear-wheel-drive coupé goes on sale next April it’ll be the most powerful 2 Series you can buy. Power comes from a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol engine that’s been heavily reworked by BMW’s M division to provide the sort of performance, response and character expected of an M car. As standard, the M2 comes with a six-speed manual gearbox which features a system that blips the throttle for you…

Mini speedo confusion We bought a Mini Cooper in July 2014 as a replacement for my wife’s much-loved Audi A6 Allroad. However, we were dismayed to find that the speedometer is calibrated in only miles per hour. We have a holiday home in the Republic of Ireland where all speed limits are in km/h. We asked the dealer if it was possible to change the speedometer; apparently there is a conversion available to change the odometer and trip mileage to km, but they weren’t able to advise us whether this also applied to the speed readout. Not satisfied with this, I contacted The Mini International, the brand’s magazine. I was told that there is not enough space within the speedo binnacle to accommodate a km/h readout. What can I do…

Run by Michèle Hall Mileage 4495 List price £10,795 Target Price £10,795 Price as tested £11,840 My rating AFTER 12 MONTHS and almost 5000 miles, it’s time for our Logan MCV to return to Dacia. Its estate car body means it has served its time as a workhorse, mostly shared among the What Car? team for various house moves, weekend camping and trips to DIY stores. In fact the Logan had been with me for barely a week when I put it to use with a huge tip run after a garage clearance session; the sizeable boot barely blinked. With the rear seats in place, there are 573 litres of capacity on offer; fold them down and you open up an incredible 1518 litres. Add the fact that the boot…

Lexus NX 300h Premier All who borrow the sharp-looking NX heap praise on its comfortable driver’s seat and generous kit, but a good SUV also needs to be versatile. A trip to a food festival in Surrey had my family using the rear load bay as an impromptu perch on which to eat our purchases. It’s not as comfortable as the split tailgate affair found on Range Rovers, but it’s useful anyway. Mark.Pearson@haymarket.com Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI 90 SE On the occasions that I allow someone else to take the Fabia, it always strikes me how long it takes to get comfortable again afterwards. This is because of the large amount of adjustment for the steering wheel and seat. Afterwards, I find myself making several minute tweaks to my seating…

Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi Zetec Moulded into each end of the Focus’s rear seat’s plastic base are a couple of trays whose purpose seems to be to catch small toys dropped from the child seat, rendering them inaccessible to adults without stopping the car, getting out and opening a door to return them to the incumbent youth. It’s almost like they’re designed to infuriate. Does anyone else agree? Tim.Dickson@haymarket.com BMW 2 Series AT 220d M Sport I’ve been racking up 1500 miles per week researching picture locations for the 2016 Car of the Year, and I’m pleased to report that the Active Tourer is a great tool for the job. It’s relaxed on motorways, yet is still easy to park. I often suffer a sore right leg after long periods…

LESS THAN £16,000 Nissan Pulsar Our pick 1.2 DIGT Visia List price £15,995 Target Price £14,863 MPG 56.5 CO2 117g/km For There’s plenty of room for occupants and their luggage, and there’s lot of equipment. Against Several rivals have stronger resale values and lower running costs. What Car? says Seat Leon Our pick 1.2 TSI 110 SE List price £16,115 Target Price £14,778 MPG 57.6 CO2 114g/km For The engine is refined, running costs are low and S trim has a decent amount of equipment. Against Some of the cabin plastics feel cheap and it could be more refined on the motorway. What Car? says Hyundai i30 Our pick 1.4 100 SE List price £16,495 Target Price £13,995 MPG 47.1 CO2 138g/km For Roomy, well-made cabin. The i30 rides well…

LESS THAN £19,000 Kia Cee’d Sportswagon Our pick 1.4 CRDi 89 1 ISG List price £17,395 Target Price £16,062 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For Lots of space, a high-quality cabin and plenty of equipment for a low price. Against It’s not as good to drive as many rivals and road noise is an issue on coarse surfaces. What Car? says Skoda Octavia Estate Our pick 1.4 TSI 140 SE List price £19,880 Target Price £18,367 MPG 53.3 CO2 121g/km For Offers loads of boot and cabin space and equipment for a competitive price. Against The ride is unsettled and you need to work the engine hard with a full load on board. What Car? says Peugeot 308 SW Our pick 1.2 110 Active List price £18,845 Target Price £17,247 MPG…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150 SE@L Nav 2WD List price £24,795 Target Price £23,099 MPG 61.4 CO2 119g/km For Lots of space and kit for a good price, while CO2 emissions and economy are impressive. Against Firm low-speed ride, and wind and road noise can intrude at speed. What Car? says BMW X3 Our pick xDrive20d SE automatic List price £34,820 Target Price £33,245 MPG 56.5 CO2 131g/km For It’s spacious and efficient, and good to drive with the optional adaptive suspension fitted. Against Some may find the steering too heavy and the optional extras are expensive. What Car? says Nissan X Trail Our pick 1.6 dCi Acenta 2WD List price £24,995 Target Price £22,736 MPG 57.6 CO2 129g/km For It’s comfortable, has a spacious…

LESS THAN £25,000 Seat Leon SC Our pick 1.4 TSI ACT 150 FR List price £19,700 Target Price £18,065 MPG 60.1 CO2 109g/km For It’s quick, agile, economical and excellent value. There’s good space for people and bags. Against A few bits of cabin trim feel low-rent and there’s too much wind noise at speed. What Car? says BMW 2 Series Our pick 218d SE List price £24,415 Target Price £22,621 MPG 62.8 CO2 119g/km For It rides and handles well, and the diesel engine is punchy and economical. Against The rear seats are cramped for adults and the engine is noisy. What Car? says Mini Coupé Our pick 1.6 Cooper S List price £20,025 Target Price £18,936 MPG 48.7 CO2 136g/km For More entertaining to drive than many rivals.…

A BROKER CAN SUPPLY ME WITH A NEW BMW X5 SOONER THAN MY LOCAL DEALER CAN. Is this possible? The broker might have pre-ordered one on the basis he’d be able to find a buyer, or he may have a cancelled order. Ask to see proof, though, and get the delivery date in writing, too. A BROKER IS CHARGING ME A FINDER’S FEE OF £1000. Is this right? Shop elsewhere. There is nothing to stop brokers charging finder’s fees, but, as a general rule, most reputable brokers earn their commission from the dealer, not the customer. IS IT SAFE TO PAY THE BROKER BEFORE I’VE TAKEN DELIVERY? The safest options are to pay the dealer directly, or into an ‘escrow’ holding account until the car is ready for delivery. Always…

‘Low CO2 emissions and high mpg will appeal to private buyers and company car drivers’ First drive Infiniti tries to tempt people out of their Audi and BMW hatches Verdict Looks good but trails main rivals in a few key areas IT’S FAIR TO say Infiniti has so far struggled to make an impact in the UK. The Q30 premium hatch is its bid to turn that around, by offering a car in a class more popular with buyers. Infiniti’s pricing puts the Q30 up against a range of rivals, including the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and more expensive versions of the VW Golf. The Q30 will eventually be available with either 1.5 or 2.2-litre diesels, or 1.6 and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrols, in five main trims. At…

‘The warranty covers the 30kWh Leaf’s battery for eight years or 100,000 miles’ First drive Nissan gives its best-selling EV a bigger battery for a longer range Verdict A worthwhile update that should help to alleviate range anxiety for potential buyers IN CASE YOU’VE missed it, the electric revolution is under way. We’ve already got electric super saloons such as the Tesla Model S and its SUV sister, the Model X (see page 31), and even a hybrid-electric supercar in the form of the BMW i8. At the other end of the scale sits the Nissan Leaf, which costs £20,790 after the £5000 government plug-in grant has been deducted. It has a claimed range of 124 miles, which in the real world is nearer 70 to 80 miles. In a…

‘The rear windows still don’t wind down, which many passengers won’t like’ First drive Facelifted DS4 gets more kit and new options, including a 208bhp 1.6 petrol engine Verdict Better than before, but still impractical and difficult to justify THE DS4 IS the latest model in Citroën’s standalone range to be facelifted, gaining distinctive front-end styling that distinguishes it further from the C4 on which it is based. Other upgrades include a 7.0in touchscreen sat-nav and a system that supports Apple CarPlay. Unremarkable road manners The DS4 was never particularly good to drive because of its crashy ride and vague steering. This updated version features revised suspension which has improved the ride and handling a little. The car feels more composed, but it still thuds and bangs over sharp bumps,…

‘Tackle broken roads at low speeds and there’s a fidget to the ride quality that’s difficult to ignore’ First drive We try BMW’s all-new and ultra-clever 7 Series on UK roads for the first time Verdict Still one of the best luxury cars to drive but it prefers smoother surfaces The all-new 7 Series, BMW’s luxury flagship saloon, is now in its sixth generation. Larger, lighter (thanks to its new carbonfibre construction), more efficient and loaded with the latest high-end tech, the new model is intended to bridge the considerable gap to the class-leading Mercedes S-Class. Available with four-wheel drive, and in hybrid format for the first time, the car comes in two sizes – the long-wheelbase version driven here being expressly limo-like. It’s available with a choice of six-cylinder…

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Mileage 5600 List price £84,456 Target Price £84,456 Average mpg 42.1 My rating THIS MAY SEEM an odd complaint from the custodian of a 5m-long behemoth of a luxury saloon, but I’ve found one area of the Porsche Panamera that leaves me less than satisfied: practicality. I should point out that it is unashamedly a plush four-seater, with an individual bucket seat for each occupant – and very comfortable they are, too. There are enough oddment storage areas, including an armrest bin between the rear seats. I’ve also yet to find anyone who’s not been blown away by the solidity and quality of the materials, either – the Panamera’s cabin is a beautiful place. Still, a couple of elements have caught me out. The first glitch is the depth of…

Mileage 9280 List price £24,545 Target Price £22,329 Average mpg 42.1 My rating MISHAP HAS BEFALLEN our extremely undeserving Ford Mondeo – and, I guess by extension, its driver at the time: yours truly. A Slovakian-registered, 40-tonne HGV was the culprit. While stationary at traffic lights waiting to filter on to the M6, I was aware of the large white lorry in question, but not that it posed any threat to the Mondeo’s bodywork – until it was too late. As the lights went green, the lorry’s driver simply drove the offside corner of his cab directly into the Mondeo’s nearside rear door, and then dragged it forwards along the body for a couple of feet before realising his mistake. After staring at each other, we quickly pulled over, and…

LESS THAN £10,000 Skoda Citigo Our pick 1.0 60 SE 5dr List price £9485 Target Price £9070 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/km For It’s economical, solidly built and feels grown-up to drive. It’s cheaper than the VW Up. Against It’s not as classy as the Up and the 59bhp engine can struggle at speed. What Car? says Seat Mii Our pick 1.0 Ecomotive SE 3dr List price £9530 Target Price £9136 MPG 68.9 CO2 95g/km For The Mii feels remarkably grown-up to drive, and is cheaper than the near-identical VW Up. Against It’s not as well finished inside as the Up and this version can feel slow on faster roads. What Car? says Suzuki Celerio Our pick 1.0 Dualjet SZ3 List price £8499 Target Price £8279 MPG 78.4 CO2 84g/km For…

LESS THAN £25,000 Volkswagen Passat Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE List price £24,585 Target Price £22,298 MPG 67.3 CO2 106g/km For Drives very well, with a good ride and refined diesel engine. The interior is top notch. Against Some rivals are more practical, while the dashboard design is a bit dull. What Car? says Audi A3 Saloon Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 Sport List price £24,785 Target Price £23,038 MPG 68.9 CO2 107g/km For It handles well, the engine is strong and the cabin is beautifully built. Against It costs more than the A3 Sportback, despite having a less practical boot. What Car? says Volvo S60 Our pick 2.0 D4 Business Edition List price £23,195 Target Price £23,195 MPG 74.3 CO2 99g/km For It’s tax-efficient, comfortable, classy inside, and…

LESS THAN £17,000 Citroën C3 Picasso Our pick 1.4 VTi 95 VTR+ List price £15,145 Target Price £11,757 MPG 44.8 CO2 145g/km For The interior is spacious and the boot is big. Ride comfort and refinement impress. Against Some rivals are cheaper and the engine feels a bit weedy on faster roads. What Car? says Ford B Max Our pick 1.4 90 Zetec List price £14,895 Target Price £13,281 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For The engine is eager, Zetec trim brings plenty of kit and rear-seat access is easy. Against There are only five forward gears, so motorway driving can be tiresome. What Car? says Peugeot Partner Tepee Our pick 1.6 BlueHDi 100 Active 7st List price £17,180 Target Price £16,148 MPG 68.9 CO2 109g/km For Good value for a…

LESS THAN £20,000 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Our pick 1.2 TSI 105 List price £19,230 Target Price £16,907 MPG 50.4 CO2 129g/km For It looks like nothing else and will hold its value well. The engine is smooth. Against There’s not much space in the rear seats and the ride is unsettled. What Car? says DS 3 Cabriolet Our pick 1.2 Puretech 110 DStyle List price £17,995 Target Price £16,769 MPG 60.1 CO2 107g/km For The interior is chic, classy and well equipped and the engine is strong and flexible. Against The roof pillars stay in place, so it’s not a full open-top. Rear visibility is awful. What Car? says Fiat 500C Our pick 1.2 Lounge S/S List price £15,090 Target Price £14,451 MPG 58.9 CO2 113g/km For It’s cheap to…

LAND ROVER HAS lifted the lid on its first ever drop-top model, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible. Described by its maker as a “convertible for all seasons”, the new model breaks new ground because it is a style-led luxury SUV with a folding roof and has no direct rivals. Designed and engineered in the UK, the Evoque Convertible will be built alongside the five-door and Coupé derivatives at the Halewood plant near Liverpool, and goes on sale almost four years after the original Evoque. Although a drop-top Evoque has been mooted for some time, its development took three years because Land Rover wanted to ensure that the loss of the roof didn’t compromise the exacting levels of off-road capability it demands from all of its new cars. It needs to…

‘The new JCW has a compliant ride, even on larger alloy wheels, although there’s a fair amount of road noise’ First drive Manual version is slower and thirstier, but cheaper to buy, than the automatic JCW Verdict More fun than the auto, but rivals are considerably cheaper WE’VE ALREADY DRIVEN the Mini John Cooper Works with an automatic gearbox, but now we’ve got behind the wheel of the bigger-selling six-speed manual. Like its predecessor, the front-wheel-drive JCW is based around the three-door Cooper S, albeit with a revised version of the standard car’s turbocharged, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and more aggressive-looking front bodywork. The engine produces 228bhp, which is a 39bhp increase over the unit in the latest Cooper S. There’s an electronic differential lock to help transfer the power…

‘It’s a genuinely relaxing car to drive, both around town and on the motorway’ First drive We try the production-ready hydrogen car in the UK for the first time Verdict Impressive technology, but it’ll be a very rare sight on our roads THE TOYOTA MIRAI is the first hydrogen-fuelled electric car to go on sale to the public in a ‘normal’ manner, as opposed to a short-term lease scheme where customers are obliged to hand back the car. When limited UK deliveries begin later in November, the distinctively styled saloon will be priced at £66,000, making it a hefty £32,605 more than Toyota’s £33,395 Prius Plug-In Hybrid. With production limited to just 700 cars this year, Toyota says just 12 will make it to the UK, followed by a further…

‘The gearbox has a tendency to hunt through its ratios, rather than picking one early and hunkering down’ First drive Lexus’s answer to the BMW M5, Jaguar XFR-S and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Verdict Well priced, but gearbox foibles dampen its appeal THE LEXUS GS F has a tough task ahead of it. It isn’t quite as fast or as powerful as key rivals such as the BMW M5, Mercedes-AMG E63 and Audi RS7. Instead, the GS F is all about quality over quantity: a crisp, free-revving, naturally aspirated V8 engine where you might otherwise be ‘stuck’ with a turbo. The difference that makes on paper is between the Lexus’s 471bhp and the peak outputs of said rivals, which in some cases now exceed 600bhp – and the deficit is greater…

Run by Darren Moss Mileage 8997 List price £14,640 Target Price £13,552 Average mpg 42.1 My rating COMPETITION IN THE small car sector has never been hotter, as manufacturers try to usurp the Ford Fiesta from its position at the top of the sales charts. The latest challenge has come from Vauxhall’s fourth-generation Corsa, which arrived on our test fleet in March. This revitalised, refreshed Corsa had six months in our hands to prove it could surpass the Fiesta on everyday practicality, driving fun and running costs. Straight away, I found there was one area where the Vauxhall outshone its opponents: its engine. The 113bhp 1.0-litre engine might be small, but it is definitely mighty. Most impressive is that all of its 122lb ft of pulling power is available from…

Mileage 28,139 List price £21,390 (Match trim) Target Price £19,458 Average mpg 53.2 My rating I’VE ALWAYS HAD fairly extreme automotive tendencies. One night I’ll fancy a blast in the ferocious Renault Mégane 275 Trophy Coupé, the next I’ll want the tranquillity of the pure-electric Kia Soul EV. However, I’ve just spent a week with our Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI SE, a car I’ve tended to ignore, mainly because it has firmly occupied the motoring middle ground. It’s always seemed a bit bland for my tastes, with neither the Mégane’s focus nor the Soul EV’s serenity. However, I’ve now discovered that its breadth of ability is so wide that it (just) caters to both of my more disparate motoring needs. For example, one of my trips was a blast up…

Mileage 7679 List price £13,325 Target Price £12,548 Average mpg 39.7 My rating THERE ARE MOMENTS you always remember, and at the turn of 2015 I distinctly recall the arguments raging in the office as to whether the new Skoda Fabia or Hyundai i20 should win a group test. It was a significant decision, because whichever prevailed was likely to be named our Car of the Year. In the end the Skoda emerged victorious. It eclipsed the Hyundai, just. It was close, however: the i20 is more practical, more refined and very well equipped, as well as cheaply priced. I certainly wouldn’t argue if you chose the i20. I was reminded of all this recently as I breezed around the suburbs at the wheel of the i20. It really makes…

LESS THAN £12,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 1.2 Ambiance List price £6795 Target Price £6795 MPG 48.7 CO2 135g/km For Lots of space for the money, plus a proven four-cylinder petrol engine from Renault. Against The interior and equipment list are basic, while the low-speed ride is lumpy. What Car? says Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.2 SZ3 3dr List price £10,599 Target Price £9932 MPG 56.5 CO2 116g/km For Lots of equipment as standard and a smart cabin. It’s also fun to drive. Against The engine is noisy and a little gutless at motorway speeds. What Car? says Seat Ibiza Our pick 1.4 85 Toca 3dr List price £12,870 Target Price £11,845 MPG 47.9 CO2 139g/km For Rides and handles well, and comes with a generous standard kit list. Against…

LESS THAN £16,000 Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZT 2WD List price £15,499 Target Price £14,729 MPG 53.3 CO2 123g/km For The Vitara is good to drive, has a practical interior and comes with lots of equipment. Against CO2 emissions are comparatively high and the steering weight is too light. What Car? says Renault Captur Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Dynamique Media Nav List price £15,395 Target Price £14,020 MPG 56.5 CO2 115g/km For It’s refined, well equipped and roomy for four adults. The sliding rear bench is practical. Against The interior plastics feel hard and cheap, while the engine is underpowered. What Car? says Kia Soul Our pick 1.6 CRDi 134 Connect List price £16,600 Target Price £14,825 MPG 58.8 CO2 128g/km For The interior is spacious, Connect trim…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Swift Sport Our pick 3dr List price £13,999 Target Price £13,117 MPG 44.1 CO2 147g/km For Loves to be thrashed, thanks to a rev-hungry engine and snappy gearchange. Against The cabin is plain, so there’s none of the ‘wow’ factor that hot hatch buyers crave. What Car? says Seat Ibiza SC FR Our pick 1.4 TSI 140 List price £15,495 Target Price £14,248 MPG 60.1 CO2 109g/km For Gutsy engine, low running costs, plenty of equipment and a spacious interior. Against Some rivals are more fun to drive and the cabin plastics feel cheap. What Car? says Fiat 500 Abarth Our pick 1.4 T Jet List price £14,255 Target Price £14,255 MPG 43.5 CO2 155g/km For Small hot hatches don’t get any more stylish and the…

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RUNNING A CAR ON CONTRACT HIRE AND LEASING? Contract hire is actually a form of leasing – effectively it is an operating lease. ‘Leasing’ is a general, catch-all term that includes finance lease and lease purchase, as well as contract hire. I’M SELF-EMPLOYED AND WANT A CAR FOR MOSTLY BUSINESS USE. SHOULD I GO FOR CONTRACT HIRE OR INVESTIGATE A PCP? Personal contract hire isn’t proving as popular as personal contract purchase (PCP) among private individuals and the self-employed. Monthly payments are often broadly similar, but at the end of the deal a PCP gives you the flexibility to own the car for an extra lump sum or, potentially, a bit of cash to put towards a deposit on another PCP deal. If you find you…