Indice dei contenuti per December 2016 in What Car?

‘You’ll often be left with a suspicion that you’ve paid over the odds’ Once you’ve read about all the latest models in this month’s What Car? and settled on the right one for you, you’ll be faced with the painful part of buying a new car: walking into a showroom and actually doing the deal. On average, buyers spend 42 weeks’ wages on their new car, so it’s no surprise that the process causes trepidation. Even if you’re looking for a small hatchback you’re going to end up paying thousands, and because of the need to haggle with sales staff, you’ll often be left with a suspicion that you’ve paid over the odds. That’s where What Car?’s Target Price steps in. For 15 years we’ve been ‘mystery shopping’ so we…

‘The Ka+’s quality ride avoids any semblance of cheapness’ THE FORD KA is no more. Having played a fairly large part in the beginnings of the modern city car class 20 years ago, it disappointed in second-generation form and has now been dropped. Its replacement is the Ford Ka+, a car familiar in name but not in nature. The Ka+ is larger than the Ka, with five doors, plenty of space and a focus on being practical, sensible and well-priced. It’s an important car for Ford, because it will allow the best-selling Fiesta, due for renewal early next year, to move upmarket. Yet for bargain-hunting buyers, the Ka+ represents something even more interesting: a Ford-badged alternative to the emergent sub-£10,000 supermini set, among them the austere Dacia Sandero and roomy…

‘The boot is cavernous with the third row of seats down’ IF YOU’RE IN the market for a family hold-all there’s a good chance you’ll be looking at MPVs such as the Volkswagen Touran or Citroën Grand C4 Picasso. However, unlike its rivals, the new Renault Grand Scénic has some of the styling cues that have made SUVs so popular. The Grand Scénic rides higher than its predecessor on bigger wheels, the bodywork is more muscular and the tail is shorter. Distinctive looks aside, what about practicality? Well, there’s enough oddment storage inside to swallow all the kids’ gadgets, and electrically folding seats in rows two and three that can be controlled either through a button in the boot or via the touchscreen. Safety is also a priority. All models…

‘There’s still more wind and road noise than you’ll find in most rivals’ THE MAZDA 3 hatchback has always struggled against the likes of the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf, with too much wind and road noise and underperforming engines hampering its chances. With an all-new 3 not due until 2018, Mazda has given the current car a series of mechanical upgrades, designed to improve comfort, increase efficiency and bring the car closer in line with the company’s newer cars, such as the CX-3 small SUV. Mazda has also updated the 3’s styling, with a revised grille and rear bumper and new LED headlights. Smooth operator We drove the 2.0-litre petrol version of this upgraded Mazda 3. It’s the engine we currently recommend, and hasn’t been heavily updated for this…

CHANCES ARE THAT if you’re looking for a car to take your family, their luggage and the kitchen sink over long distances or off road, you’ll be looking at an SUV. Sales of such vehicles in the UK show no signs of slowing as buyers clamour for their go-anywhere ability and big load spaces. What if you don’t want an SUV, though? That’s where cars such as the new Mercedes E-Class All Terrain and its chief rivals, the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country, come in. These jacked-up estates offer the load-lugging capacity and chunky styling you’d expect to find in an SUV, with the added benefit of being able to go off-road, but without the potentially higher running costs. Chunky add-ons While the All Terrain looks similar…

Let the What Car? Target Price do the hard work for you by giving you a good indication of the minimum discount you should be getting. If you want to maximise your savings, follow these tips: • Do your research before you set foot in the showroom. Find out which cars that suit your needs are available with special offers, such as low-rate finance or a big deposit contribution. • Draw up a shortlist of potential models rather than shopping for just one. Negotiate on the two or three cars you like best, and play one dealer off against the other. Make it clear that you’d be happy with any of the cars on your shortlist – it’s the best deal that will win your business. • Look up the…

LESS THAN £12,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 1.2 Ambiance List price £6795 Target Price £6734 MPG 48.7 CO2 130g/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 £10,749 Target Price £10,237 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 1.0 EcoTSI 95 SE 5dr List price £14,055 Target Price £11,595 MPG 67.3 CO2 98g/km For Rides and handles well and it has a generous standard kit list…

LESS THAN £25,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE List price £22,555 Target Price £20,796 MPG 68.9 CO2 108g/km For Masses of standard kit, a huge amount of rear leg room and boot space, and good to drive. Against Other executive cars are more fun to drive and have stronger resale values. What Car? says Volkswagen Passat Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Business List price £25,045 Target Price £21,082 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 £25,685 Target Price £23,498 MPG 68.9 CO2 107g/km For…

LESS THAN £18,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.2 TSI 90 SE List price £14,765 Target Price £13,310 MPG 60.1 CO2 107g/km For It’s one of the roomiest small estate cars around and SE trim brings air-con and a touchscreen. Against The ride is unsettled over poorer surfaces and the dashboard looks a little dull. What Car? says Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Our pick 1.0i 105 Turbo Design List price £17,435 Target Price £16,101 MPG 65.7 CO2 100g/km For There’s plenty of room, equipment is generous and the engine is a willing performer. Against The boot isn’t that flexible and some rivals are better to drive. What Car? says Kia Cee’d Sportswagon Our pick 1.4 CRDi 89 1 ISG List price £17,395 Target Price £15,893 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.2d 150 SE-L Nav 2WD List price £24,995 Target Price £23,312 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 Nissan X-Trail Our pick 1.6 dCi Acenta 2WD 7-seat List price £26,545 Target Price £24,360 MPG 57.6 CO2 129g/km For It’s comfortable, has a spacious and classy interior, a large boot and lots of equipment. Against Body control is sloppy and the diesel engine is noisy. What Car? says Honda CR-V Our pick 1.6 i-DTEC 120 SE List price £26,060 Target Price £24,286 MPG 64.2 CO2 115g/km For The engine is economical and powerful, while…

LESS THAN £25,000 Seat Leon SC Our pick 1.4 EcoTSI 150 FR List price £20,225 Target Price £17,221 MPG 57.6 CO2 114g/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 £25,100 Target Price £23,215 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 Volkswagen Scirocco Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 GT List price £25,610 Target Price £23,364 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For Good to drive, with quick steering and…

“At UK New Cars, we believe in the core values of Pricing, Process and Quality throughout every stage of your order” Sam Shah – Managing Director Our service – how it all works Pricing We have fantastic relationships with the dealer panel we work with — and because we place hundreds of orders with them each year, we are able to attain very large corporate levels of discounts which we can then pass on to individual retail customers. There are several different factors which can influence what represents a competitive price, including: dealer margin discount, registration support and finance deposit contributions — it is therefore very difficult to ascertain whether the package offered by a local dealer represents good value or not. Using our expertise, we can ensure that any…

‘The new Discovery is £4010 cheaper than the current car’ LAND ROVER KNOWS how to do SUVs, and how to do them well. The Discovery Sport has risen to become our favourite large SUV in 2016, while the luxurious Range Rover and Range Rover Sport have set benchmarks in their class for comfort and off-road ability. Now attention turns to the Discovery, and this new version which will go on sale in the UK next February. Room for seven adults Gone is the boxy, traditional shape of the current car, to be replaced by a more modern design shape that’s claimed to be vastly more aerodynamic, helping to improve fuel consumption. That’s despite an increase in size inside and out. Too often in large seven-seat SUVs, the rearmost row is…

‘The 3008 is pricier than the equivalent Qashqai, but is expected to have more kit’ COMPETITION IS FIERCE in the world of small SUVs. The previous Peugeot 3008 was crowned What Car? Car of the Year in 2010, but it was soon overtaken by the excellent Nissan Qashqai as our favourite small SUV. Recently the Seat Ateca has knocked the Qashqai off its perch (see page 46), and now Peugeot is back with the new 3008. It comes with a choice of two petrol engines and four diesels but all models are front-wheel drive only. We’re focusing on what’s expected to be the biggest seller: the 118bhp 1.6 BlueHDi diesel, fitted with the optional six-speed automatic gearbox. Punchy performance The 1.6-litre-engined 3008 isn’t that quick, but neither are its rivals;…

A new Honda Civic Type R will be revealed at the Geneva motor show in March next year, before going on sale soon after. The performance model, based on the new Civic hatchback, will get around 350bhp from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Jaguar will produce an estate version of its latest XF, called the XF Sportbrake, which will go on sale in 2017. It will share engines with the XF saloon, and will likely cost slightly more than that car, which is priced from £32,300. The Sportbrake’s main rivals, the Mercedes E-Class Estate and Audi A6 Avant, cost from £33,315 and £35,095 respectively. Peugeot will significantly expand its hybrid and electric range by the end of the decade. The 3008 and 5008 SUVs and 508 estate will all get…

‘Once the turbo gets going, power delivery is smooth and progressive’ JUST A FEW years ago, if you were after a practical and economical car, a diesel was your best bet. However, with increasingly stringent emissions regulations, the rise of smaller, turbocharged petrol engines has been relentless. They’re now used in everything from compact runarounds to mid-engined performance cars but what about SUVs? Well, Seat has taken the plunge and is offering a turbocharged 1.0-litre engine in this new entry-level Ateca. This motor matches the more expensive 1.6-litre diesel in the range for power and is quicker from 0-62mph. Satisfying power This Ateca is surprisingly civilised to drive. It has a six-speed manual gearbox – there’s no auto option – and the gears are spaced well to get the best…

‘The 1.6-litre is a flexible engine that feels more potent than the numbers suggest’ UNLIKE STYLE-LED FIAT models, such as the 500 and 124 Spider, the Tipo puts being sensible first. It costs from just less than £13,000, which gets you a spacious five-door hatchback with a decent amount of standard equipment. Even a top-specification estate version with a diesel engine and automatic gearbox costs less than £20,000. With the likes of the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra coming in at a way higher price, the Tipo looks like a bit of a bargain. Not for fun seekers With 118bhp and a 0-62mph time of 9.8sec, the 1.6-litre Multijet diesel-engined Tipo isn’t what you’d call fast. Still, this is a flexible engine that feels more potent than the numbers suggest.…

ELECTRIC CITY CARS are a niche market, but one that makes a lot of sense. While larger electric vehicles (EVs) such as the Renault Zoe, Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 cater to the family market, there are very few cars aimed directly at people who drive a limited amount of miles daily and want a very small car. Until now, options have been limited to the Volkswagen e-Up, Mitsubishi i-Miev, Peugeot iOn or the Citroën C-Zero. Mercedes-Benz-owned Smart is now also wading in, with Electric Drive versions of its Fortwo and Forfour models. We’ve not been overly impressed with the latest Fortwo and Forfour in their conventional forms. Both cars offer quirky styling, a tight turning circle and clever packaging, but neither is as good to drive as rivals such…

Check if a vehicle has been recalled www.gov.uk/check-if-a-vehicle-has-been-recalled New car, service, repair and warranty issues www.motorcodes.co.uk Citizens’ Advice Bureau www.citizensadvice.org.uk Check a car has a valid MoT test certificate www.motinfo.gov.uk Check if a car has outstanding finance www.whatcar.com/historycheck Trading Standards www.tradingstandards.gov.uk Financial Conduct Authority www.fca.org.uk Check car crash safety ratings www.euroncap.com Your car loan questions answered www.whatcar.com/car-news/carloanfaqs…

Target Price is the most you should pay for your next new car. It’s published in our data pages and online at whatcar.com, and is regularly updated with the results of a huge on-going mystery shop exercise, reaching more than 400 dealers all over the country every month. The mystery shop prices are carefully checked with industry experts to ensure they are achievable and fair to both the car buyer and the dealer. We don’t pretend that some car buyers won’t beat the Target Price if they try – the idea is that the Target Price leaves the dealer with a reasonable profit, but takes the hassle out of haggling for consumers. If your dealer isn’t willing to match the Target Price, we’ll find one who will. Call the Target…

Sold from 2004 to 2011 Engine range Focus has a choice of eight engines; we recommend the 1.6 TDCi diesel for its frugality Running costs Road tax costs £30 for the least powerful 1.6 diesel; it rises to £185 for the 1.6 petrol Best trim level Zetec brings sports seats and alloy wheels, but not air-con on pre-2007 cars Budget from £1200 FROM THE MOMENT the original Focus went on sale in 1998, it was a huge success. The replacement for the dated Escort was reasonably priced, practical, and great to drive, making for a stellar all-round car. The Focus is now in its third generation, and neither the current model nor the previous one have lost the qualities that made the original great. In fact, for desirability, driving ability…

LESS THAN £20,000 Citroën C3 Picasso Our pick 1.2 Puretech Edition List price £16,575 Target Price £12,297 MPG 56.5 CO2 115g/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 Renault Grand Scénic Our pick 1.2 TCe 130 Dynamique Nav List price £22,695 Target Price £16,271 MPG 43.5 CO2 145g/km For It’s good to drive, well equipped, there’s room for seven and dealer discounts are huge. Against Interior quality is so-so, the middle row of seats is heavy and it’s about to be replaced. What Car? says Ford B-Max Our pick 1.4 90 Zetec List price £15,345 Target Price £13,210 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For 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…

 THE PUBLISHER WITH the rights to Enid Blyton’s books recently announced it’s abandoning its attempts to modernise them… but there will still be a new famous Five next year. ‘Weight has been cut by an average of 100kg. That’s about the same as a large adult’ The BMW 5 Series has been around in one form or another since 1972 and is the German manufacturer’s most profitable model. However, while the current version is What Car?’s reigning Large Executive Car of the Year, its time is up. First to arrive among its replacements will be the new 5 Series saloon, which will go on sale in February with a choice of four engines: 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre turbocharged petrols (confusingly badged 530i and 540i) and 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre diesels (with the…

‘The new Q5 should have improved performance and fuel economy’ AT FIRST GLANCE, the new Audi Q5 couldn’t be any more conservative if it was painted magnolia and had a blue rosette in the glovebox. Indeed, it looks so similar to the car that’s been on sale since 2008 that you could be forgiven for thinking Audi has merely given that model a minor refresh. Not so. The new Q5 actually has little in common beneath the skin with its predecessor, and instead uses the same underpinnings as the latest A4 saloon. That’s encouraging; while the current Q5 now feels a little dated compared with rival SUVs such as the BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace and Land Rover Discovery Sport, the A4 is so good it’s our current Car of the…

‘The Micra has an array of electronic safety tech usually found in pricier cars’ NISSAN IS LAUNCHING an all-out bid to challenge some of Europe’s best small hatchbacks – including the Ford Fiesta, Suzuki Swift, and our current Small Car of the Year, the Skoda Fabia – with a completely new Micra, which will arrive in UK showrooms next March. The new Micra is longer and wider than the car it replaces, which should result in more head and leg room, and a slightly larger boot. Challenging the best The new Micra has a shorter bonnet, a more raked windscreen and a lower roof than the old car, all intended to give it a sportier look. Equipment includes standard 16in alloy wheels – larger 17in alloys are optional – and…

ACCORDING TO SUZUKI, one reason for the original S-Cross’s lacklustre sales was its styling. So, to ensure the latest model is seen as a serious Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca rival, the design team has dedicated most of its time to giving the car a more distinctive front end. A clamshell bonnet, steep nose, aggressive air intake and newly designed headlights give the Suzuki a somewhat predictable small SUV look, and added ground clearance (by 15mm) gives an air of off-road capability. Suzuki, has also ditched its naturally aspirated 1.6 petrol engine for two smaller capacity Boosterjet engines – namely the turbocharged 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre units used in the Baleno and Vitara S. Surprising performance Let’s start with the 1.0 engine, which, for a 109bhp three-cylinder unit, feels more powerful…

LESS THAN £10,000 Skoda Citigo Our pick 1.0 60 SE 5dr List price £9535 Target Price £8885 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/km For It’s economical, reasonably practical, solidly built and feels grown-up to drive. Against It’s not as classy as the Volkswagen Up and the 59bhp engine can struggle at speed. What Car? says Seat Mii Our pick 1.0 SE Technology 3dr List price £10,210 Target Price £8182 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/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 £8060 MPG 78.4 CO2 84g/km For It has a…

LESS THAN £16,000 Vauxhall Astra Our pick 1.0T 105 Design List price £16,145 Target Price £15,376 MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km For Good to drive and well equipped, with a comfortable, roomy cabin. Against The steering assistance is too light and lumbar adjustment costs extra. What Car? says Nissan Pulsar Our pick 1.2 DIG-T Visia List price £13,995 Target Price £13,995 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 £17,700 Target Price £14,759 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…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZ4 List price £14,499 Target Price £13,696 MPG 49.4 CO2 123g/km For The Vitara is good to drive, has a practical interior and SZ4 trim brings 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 £15,675 Target Price £14,375 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 £14,962 MPG 58.8 CO2 128g/km For The interior is spacious, Connect trim…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.6 Sport 3dr List price £14,149 Target Price £13,744 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 150 List price £16,245 Target Price £13,752 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 595 List price £14,610 Target Price £14,610 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For Small hot hatches don’t get any more stylish and the Abarth…

A BROKER CLAIMS HE CAN SUPPLY ME WITH A NEW BMW X5 SOONER THAN MY LOCAL DEALER CAN. Is this possible? It could be that the broker pre-ordered a new X5 on the basis that he’d be able to find a buyer for it, or he may have a cancelled order. In either case, it is possible that you could beat the dealer waiting list, but quiz him about the basis for his claim. If it’s one of the two cases above, ask to see the proof, make sure the car has the same engine and trim that you want, and remember that you won’t be able to choose the spec if the car has been ordered. Get the delivery date in writing, too. I’VE SEEN A BROKER WHO IS…