Table of contents for January 2020 in What Car?

‘A plug-in hybrid’s economy depends on the type of driving you do’ One hundred and seventy six miles per gallon. The official fuel economy of the new BMW 330e (tested from p74) is certainly eye-catching, but how achievable is that figure in the real world? Well, as with all plug-in hybrids, it depends on the type of driving you do. If, for example, you spend most of your time slogging up and down motorways, the battery and electric motor will be nothing more than dead weight for long periods, and it’s not the car for you. On the other hand, if your daily commute is no more than about 25 miles long and you can charge at both ends of it, you’ll spend much of your time running on electric…

ANYONE WHO THINKS the words ‘big’ and ‘sporty’ are mutually exclusive obviously hasn’t seen Kyle Sinckler’s try against Australia in the Rugby World Cup. Or, indeed, the new Audi RS Q8. Based on the German brand’s flagship SUV, the Q8, it uses the same 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine as the new RS6 and RS7 performance cars, meaning it develops 592bhp.That’s 212bhp more than you get in a Porsche 911 Carrera and enough to shift this two-tonne beast from 0-62mph in just 3.8sec. True, it still isn’t quite as powerful as the rival BMW X6 M Competition, but it accelerates just as fast, also keeping pace with our reigning champion in this class, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. The RS Q8’s engine is clever, too, shutting down half of its eight…

IN JAPAN, TOYOTA is much more than just a car maker. In fact, it’s so massive that it even has its own city, slightly bigger than Coventry, to house its employees. Having such a huge workforce not only allows it to have a broad range of global models but also gives it the ability to create cars for specific markets – cars like the Toyota C-HR, a family SUV designed to appeal specifically to European tastes. This has clearly paid off, with the C-HR being one of the best sellers in its class. However, popularity isn’t always proof of ability, with the 1.8-litre hybrid version actually being rather disappointing to drive. So, as part of a mid-life refresh, Toyota has introduced a more powerful, 2.0-litre hybrid option, facelifted looks and…

WHAT’S THE FASTEST letter in the alphabet? Don’t worry; this isn’t the start of a cringe-worthy dad joke, but a genuine question with lots of possible answers. Look at the back of various high-performance cars and you’ll find letters such as M, N and, of course, S, highlighting their additional pace. Here, though, it’s the turn of the letter R. Using one of our favourite small SUVs as a starting point, Volkswagen has stuck to a familiar formula also seen in the Audi SQ2 and Cupra Ateca to create the T-Roc R. Up front is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, channelling 296bhp to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Volkswagen claims that a 0-62mph time of 4.8sec is achievable, and we’ve no reason to doubt it. The…

WITH A PETROL engine and in affordable SE trim, the Volkswagen T-Cross is our favourite small SUV, beating rivals such as the Seat Arona and Kia Stonic. But what about when you move up to a more expensive diesel version paired with fancy R-Line trim? Is it as loveable then? This 1.6-litre diesel comes with a five-speed manual gearbox (a seven-speed automatic is optional) and offers a modest 94bhp. Despite what you might expect, it struggles to pull from low revs, and you really have to work it hard to get the most out of it, at which point it sounds quite coarse, although it quietens down at a cruise. Meanwhile, the manual ’box is a little notchy and requires a firm hand to confidently slot it into gear. As…

SOMETIMES, A GOOD haircut is all it takes to reinvent yourself; just a couple of inches off the top can make you feel like a different person. The same could well be true of the Audi Q3 in its transformation into the Q3 Sportback, the latest SUV to have excess material trimmed from its fringe to create a sleeker, coupé-like look – just as Audi did when turning the Q7 into the Q8. The buzzcut means the Q3 Sportback is 49mm lower than the regular Q3 family SUV, with a more curving roofline and a shallower rear window. It’s also slightly longer and narrower, with a more dramatic-looking rear bumper, helping it to stand out from its more mundane sibling. Under the bonnet, there’s a slightly thinned-out engine range, comprising…

ALTHOUGH YOU MIGHT have already read about a thirsty new BMW SUV (the X6) elsewhere in this issue, the German brand is, in fact, endeavouring to include more cars in its line-up that don’t drink like a bunch of students on fresher’s week. Indeed, it has pledged to launch 10 new or revised electrified vehicles by the end of 2020 – one of which is this plug-in hybrid X5 xDrive45e, which succeeds the previous-generation xDrive40e. Until this year, plug-in hybrid SUVs were in relatively short supply. Now, though, Audi and Volvo both have at least two apiece in their line-ups, with the latter brand’s seven-seat XC90 T8 being our reigning Plug-in Hybrid of the Year, while Mercedes-Benz is rolling out plug-in versions of the GLC and GLE and Land Rover…

THE DESIGNERS AT Nissan’s London studio admit they were surprised when the Japanese company’s top brass chose their proposal for a small SUV over their colleagues’, because it seemed so bold as to be risky. But chosen it was, and the Juke became a roaring success. This eye-catching car was objectively flawed in a number of ways, though, primarily its cramped, low-rent interior and its firm, fidgety ride. Understandably, then, these are the main areas that Nissan focused on for improvement for the second generation. Based on new underpinnings that allow for more room inside and a much better driving experience, while offering a range of appealing interior design themes and coming as standard with a new 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system, the new Juke looks to be a strong contender…

Overall, the AA provides the best breakdown assistance, according to owners, getting to them quickly and permanently fixing a good proportion of cars. Second-placed Green Flag is a good value-for-money choice, with its single-vehicle cover costing less than half what the AA and RAC charge. However, its patrols aren’t quite as good at fixing cars at the roadside. If speed of response is your priority, it’s also worth considering one of the lesser-known providers. Our data shows that Autoaid is as good as the big players at getting to stranded motorists quickly, and its nationwide cover is good value. It only fixed just over half of cars at the roadside, though, so you’re less likely to be able to carry on with your journey after a breakdown. Meanwhile, Allianz was…

1 Middle-lane hogging and tailgating With gantry signs across the UK now showing the message “Stay left unless overtaking”, it’s difficult to see why so many drivers forget to do this on a daily basis. If you’re caught unnecessarily sitting in the middle lane, you could be handed an on-the-spot fine and three penalty points for careless driving, the same punishment you’d receive if you were caught tailgating or eating or drinking behind the wheel. Rule 264 of the Highway Code states: “You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slow-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.” 2 Driving too slowly With 2.2 million tickets issued…

RANGE IS A crucial consideration for most drivers of electric vehicles (EVs). It stands to reason that the farther you can go between charges and the less time you have to spend waiting for batteries to be replenished, the easier it becomes to live with such a car. So, given that Audi’s first dedicated EV can’t match its main rivals on that front (as we know from both official tests and our own experience), do I regret choosing to run an E-tron, rather than another electric luxury SUV, such as a Jaguar I-Pace or Tesla Model X? Not in the slightest. In four months and nearly 5000 miles (unusually heavy use for me), the E-tron not only easily got me everywhere I wanted to go, serving as my only car,…

Mileage 4018 List price £51,110 Target Price £46,026 Price as tested £59,980 Test economy 35.1mpg IF YOU READ last month’s issue, you’ll know we tested an Audi A4 Avant and a BMW 3 Series Touring against Volvo’s V60 Cross Country. While the latter was in, I conducted a comparison of my own, to see if the smaller car feels like a bargain compared with my V90 Cross Country, or if mine is clearly worth the extra. These two Volvo estates certainly look pretty similar on the outside. And it’s much the same story inside; each feels incredibly classy and has a well-shaped boot. However, although I’ve previously said ‘size isn’t everything’, in this case the longer load area really does offer an advantage. So much so, in fact, that if…

LESS THAN £15,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Essential List price £8995 Target Price £8913 MPG 45.6 CO2 123g/km For Lots of space for the money, decent to drive and a fair amount of standard kit. Against The engine is unrefined at most speeds and the interior is comparatively basic. WHAT CAR? SAYS Ford Ka+ Our pick 1.2 Ti-VCT 70 Studio List price £11,300 Target Price £11,300 MPG 48.7 CO2 117g/km For Comfortable ride and room for four adults; even Studio trim has a DAB radio and Bluetooth. Against Engine is gutless, the interior looks cheap and the boot is rather small. WHAT CAR? SAYS MG 3 Our pick 1.5 Excite List price £11,395 Target Price £11,122 MPG 42.3 CO2 140g/km For Cheap to buy and insure, with…

LESS THAN £22,000 Dacia Duster Our pick 1.5 Blue dCi 115 4x2 Essential List price £13,700 Target Price £13,572 MPG 57.6 CO2 115g/km For Roomy inside, reasonably comfortable and incredibly cheap compared with rivals. Against Interior is decidedly low-rent and there isn’t much standard safety kit. WHAT CAR? SAYS Ssangyong Tivoli XLV Our pick Ultimate petrol List price £19,745 Target Price £19,652 MPG 37.2 CO2 169g/km For You get leather-trimmed seats and sat-nav; there’s loads of room in the back and boot. Against The engine is noisy, the steering is vague and emissions are relatively high. WHAT CAR? SAYS Nissan Qashqai Our pick 1.3 DiG-T 140 Visia List price £20,195 Target Price £20,195 MPG 41.5 CO2 121g/km For Comfortable ride with surefooted handling and a smooth, punchy engine. Against Stingy…

LESS THAN £30,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 1.6 TDI 120 SE Tech auto List price £26,620 Target Price £25,846 MPG 67.3 CO2 110g/km For Masses of standard kit; lots of rear leg room and boot space; comfortable ride. Against Some other executive cars are more fun to drive, while the engine is a little gruff. WHAT CAR? SAYS Audi A3 Saloon Our pick 35 TFSI Sport List price £26,595 Target Price £25,052 MPG 42.8 CO2 123g/km For Handles well, the engine is strong and the interior is beautifully built. Against Costs more than the A3 Sportback, despite having a less practical boot. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mazda 6 Our pick Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L Nav+ List price £26,795 Target Price £26,198 MPG 55.4 CO2 117g/km For Smart interior; smooth and flexible engine;…

LESS THAN £30,000 Renault Zoe Our pick R110 ZE40 Dynamique Nav List price £21,920 Target Price £21,177 Official range (WLTP) 186 miles CO2 0g/km For Very low running costs; quiet and easy to drive; longer range than most electric cars. Against So-so performance; brakes are inconsistent in feel; interior isn’t exactly plush. WHAT CAR? SAYS MG ZS EV Our pick Excite List price £28,495 Target Price £28,495 Official range (WLTP) 163 miles CO2 0g/km For Lots of room for passengers; large boot; plenty of standard equipment for the money. Against Rivals are better to drive; not especially comfortable; poor predicted resale values. WHAT CAR? SAYS Smart Fortwo Our pick EQ Prime Premium List price £21,195 Target Price £19,449 Official range (WLTP) 71 miles CO2 0g/km For Dinky dimensions are a…

LESS THAN £50,000 Kia Stinger Our pick 3.3 T-GDi GT S List price £40,575 Target Price £40,575 MPG 27.7 CO2 221g/km For Nicely balanced handling, with strong pace from purposeful-sounding V6 engine. Against Tight in the back for tall adults; not quite as classy inside as its German rivals. WHAT CAR? SAYS Alfa Romeo Giulia Our pick 2.0 Turbo 280 Veloce Ti List price £45,995 Target Price £43,655 MPG 33.6 CO2 160g/km For Amazing steering; Quadrifoglio styling; great suspension setup; well-calibrated gearbox. Against The four-cylinder engine isn’t the most refined and interior quality is disappointing. WHAT CAR? SAYS Audi S3 Saloon Our pick TFSI 300 quattro S tronic List price £39,015 Target Price £36,749 MPG 34.4 CO2 158g/km For Fast, whatever the weather, and you’ll be cocooned in a top-notch…

The What Car? Target Price is the maximum you should pay for your new car and is set by our team of mystery shoppers. Every day they haggle to see what discounts are available across the UK. And all What Car?-approved dealers will at least match Target Price. In a lot of cases, however, you can save even more by using our New Car Buying service. Just head to whatcar.com/new-car-deals and select the car you’re interested in, and dealers will compete for your business. It’s all done through our website, so they won’t see your details until you’re ready.…

‘Unlike with most other hybrids, the engine drives the car directly at high speeds only’ LIKE BRUCE WAYNE, Peter Parker and Clark Kent, the Jazz has a superpower up its sleeve.That superpower is practicality: no other small car can match the versatility and space of this Honda hatchback. If you have a lot of luggage to move or regularly need to fill all five seats, it’s your best bet in this class. Yet, like Superman’s Kryptonite, the Jazz also has weaknesses, and those are that it’s not as good to drive or as refined as rivals such as the best-selling Ford Fiesta and class-leading Volkswagen Polo. So, those are aspects Honda has looked to improve with this all-new model. The new Jazz shares a design philosophy with the upcoming E…

FINDING A CAR that’s truly different from everything else is rare, but for quite some time the BMW X6 was just that. When it was launched in 2008, we hadn’t previously seen a car that combined chunky luxury SUV proportions with the kind of sleek, sloping roof you’d usually expect on a sporty coupé. Born was the SUV-coupé. While cynical petrolheads proved hard to win over with the concept of a restyled X5 that was less practical, more divisively designed and more expensive, BMW certainly had no problem selling the first generation of the X6. Two generations later, this latest model is charged with continuing the success story. That will be no easy feat because, while BMW was initially unchallenged in this market, rival brands have since responded, and now…

“BECAUSE IT’S THERE” was George Mallory’s response when asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest back in the 1920s. And perhaps the same seize-the-moment thinking was behind the creation of the Audi A1 Citycarver. To give the A1 Sportback a mini-SUV look, it’s treated to plastic wheel arch cladding, ruggedly restyled bumpers, a stainless steel skidplate and a front grille that’s the same hexagonal shape as those of Audi’s SUVs. There’s also a 50mm increase in ride height for climbing kerbs, but sadly no quattro four-wheel drive. The Citycarver isn’t the first to combine the city-friendly proportions of a small hatch with the rugged looks of an SUV, mind; some of you might remember the ‘ahead of its time’ Rover Streetwise, while current alternatives include the Ford Fiesta Active…

‘LESS IS MORE’ is a philosophy that Alpine understands better than most. Its A110 is a sports car that eschews the huge grip, power and potentially faster lap times of its rivals in exchange for on-road purity and pleasure. We love it, and not just more than the similar-priced BMW M2 Competition and Porsche 718 Cayman; it’s our favourite sports car, full stop. Why then, do we need a pricier version with grippier tyres, stiffer suspension and more power? It’s all about greater choice, apparently. According to Alpine, the A110 is the best road-going sports car for less than £60k, while this A110 S is the ultimate sports car in that bracket. As you’d expect, the latter grips harder and leans less, so it can carry more speed through turns…

THE SMALL CAR class is one with an unusually high number of stalwarts. The Seat Ibiza, Nissan Micra and Vauxhall Corsa are all within sight of their 40th birthdays, while the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo are old enough to have once been offered in brown with orange velour seats. As for the Renault Clio, well, it has just hit 30. Wisely, it didn’t go wild and change its style, instead spending its gift money on sensible renovation and interior redecoration. Evidence of the latter appears as soon as you meet the new Clio, because sitting inside is a much comfier experience than previously. The cheapest variant may feature lots of scratchy plastics, but all the others show a great uplift in perceived quality. There’s an abundance of soft-touch surfaces…

days at least 13 different companies offer car breakdown policies. As well as the big three – the AA, Green Flag and the RAC – many insurers and banks have started to provide this form of insurance. Cover is often either included in a car insurance policy or offered as an add-on. Meanwhile, some banks, such as Nationwide, provide cover with ‘packaged’ current accounts that give the holder a range of benefits for a set monthly fee that’s usually less than you’d pay to buy each item separately. Exactly who comes to your aid depends on ALTHOUGH CAR BREAKDOWN cover is something motorists hope they won’t have to use, it’s something most of us want, just in case the worst happens. After all, cover costs as little as £19 a…

Dispute over rejection of leaky Hyundai ix20 I bought a brand new Hyundai ix20 last April, and three months and just 1100 miles later I discovered it had a leak that was draining into the driver’s footwell, leaving the carpet sodden. I informed the supplying dealer straight away and opened a case with Hyundai UK’s customer services department.The dealer (Murley of Stratford-upon-Avon) took the car in for repair and replaced the driver’s door seal. I got the impression this was a shot in the dark. It rained heavily the night I got the car back and the driver’s footwell was saturated again in the morning. I decided to reject the car and returned it to the dealer with both sets of keys and the logbook. I sent an email to…

The Stonic’s system has the smallest screen with the lowest resolution. But it comes with lots of features and is easy to use, with quick responses to commands, pretty clear menus and, on the whole, decent-sized icons.The physical shortcut buttons and knobs alongside the screen also make it easier to swap between menus while you’re driving than the touch-sensitive buttons of its rivals. There’s no option to upgrade the stereo, but the standard system sounds decent. The Kamiq has the biggest screen, which, like the T-Roc’s, is glass-fronted and sharp. It’s colourful, the menus are easy to follow and there are lots of features, including gesture control to let you swap music tracks with a flick of the wrist and wi-fi to connect Apple CarPlay (Android users still need to…

Mileage 3128 List price new (2019) £16,999 Price new with options £18,496 Value on arrival £13,409 Test economy 50.6mpg THE MILES HAVE been racking up in a fairly, well, swift fashion on my used Suzuki, with quite a lot of them on the motorway. This isn’t the natural habitat of a little hatchback, but this particular Swift has some technology that’s designed to ease the burden of such journeys. The first is lane departure warning, something that’s now commonplace on high-end models but still something of a rarity in the small car class. It assists the driver by flashing up a warning light on the small screen between the two instrument dials when the car is about to drift out of its lane. If you don’t respond, the lane-keeping assistance…

THE FIRST THING that most people notice about my new Lexus ES executive saloon is its huge, cheese-cutter front grille. Let’s be honest: it’s difficult to miss unless you sneak up on the car from behind. And it’s quite a Marmite feature; some people love it and some hate it, but no one remains indifferent. Personally, though, I think that’s a good thing, because it ensures the ES doesn’t simply look like an identikit copy of other luxury saloons. In this sector of the market, branding is hugely important; BMW and Mercedes-Benz’s logos are instantly recognisable, so I see having a front end that makes passers-by stop and stare as an advantage. Okay, now that’s out of the way, what about the rest of the car? Well, although the ES…

Mileage 2484 List price £31,995 Target Price £30,321 Price as tested £35,435 Test economy 26.8mpg PERHAPS THE BIGGEST test of a car is not how good it is at the things it’s meant to be good at, but how well it copes when it’s out of its comfort zone.And my Mégane RS faced just such a test when I needed to get from London to Pembrokeshire for a friend’s 50th birthday celebrations – a round trip of 472 miles that involved many hours on the M4. At a 70mph cruise in sixth gear, the engine is pulling 2500rpm, so you can always hear it beavering away, even if you switch it to its quieter Neutral setting. However, while my car has the more track-focused Cup suspension setup, meaning you’re bounced…

LESS THAN £20,000 Kia Ceed Our pick 1.0 T-GDi 2 List price £18,600 Target Price £17,311 MPG 50.4 CO2 122g/km For Decent performance; seven-year warranty; good build quality; large boot. Against Not the most comfortable ride or driving position; engine can sound coarse. WHAT CAR? SAYS Seat Leon Our pick 1.0 TSI SE Dynamic List price £19,355 Target Price £15,291 MPG 47.9 CO2 112g/km For Strong yet economical petrol engine with low running costs; good to drive. Against Some of the plastics feel cheap and some rivals are more practical. WHAT CAR? SAYS Hyundai i30 Our pick 1.0 T-GDi Blue Drive SE List price £19,395 Target Price £17,815 MPG 45.6 CO2 126g/km For Supple ride; good driving position; lots of room in the front; logical dash layout. Against Conservative looks;…

LESS THAN £28,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick Skyactiv-G SE-L Nav+ List price £25,600 Target Price £24,017 MPG 38.2 CO2 146g/km For Classy interior; well equipped even in this entry-level trim; class-leading handling. Against The petrol engine feels weedy at lower revs and the ride is firm. WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda Kodiaq Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE 7 seat List price £26,755 Target Price £25,138 MPG 37.2 CO2 147g/km For Value for money, with a classy and spacious interior and good driving manners. Against Ride is unsettled at low speeds, and the 2.0-litre diesel copes better with heavy loads. WHAT CAR? SAYS Citroën C5 Aircross Our pick Puretech 130 Flair List price £25,930 Target Price £23,242 MPG 44.4 CO2 119g/km For Punchy engine pulls well from low revs; versatile rear…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mini Convertible Our pick Cooper Classic Comfort/Navigation List price £21,885 Target Price £20,617 MPG 45.6 CO2 127g/km For Fun to drive, good resale values and reasonably refined. Against The pedals are offset, rear seats are cramped and it isn’t as cheap as we’d like. WHAT CAR? SAYS Fiat 500C Our pick 1.2 Lounge List price £16,545 Target Price £15,880 MPG 44.8 CO2 118g/km For Engine is perfect for town driving, and you’re well protected from the wind with the roof down. Against Lots of wind noise; not as classy as the Mini; little space inside; rear visibility isn’t great. WHAT CAR? SAYS Smart Fortwo Cabrio Our pick EQ Prime Premium (22kW charger) List price £23,335 Target Price £21,356 Official range (WLTP) 70.2 CO2 0g/km For Truly agile…

LESS THAN £30,000 Mazda MX-5 Our pick 2.0 Sport Nav+ List price £25,095 Target Price £23,624 MPG 40.9 CO2 156g/km For Great to drive, with a wonderful chassis, a slick gearbox and just the right amount of power. Against It doesn’t have the classiest interior, nor much space inside for people or luggage. WHAT CAR? SAYS Toyota GT86 Our pick GT86 List price £27,830 Target Price £26,026 MPG 33.2 CO2 196g/km For Light weight and classic sports car layout give the GT86 real agility. It gets decent kit, too. Against The engine needs to be worked hard and is noisy, while the interior design is dated. WHAT CAR? SAYS Subaru BRZ Our pick SE Lux List price £27,065 Target Price £26,185 MPG 33.3 CO2 196g/km For Quick, despite its modest…

STAR RATINGS Outstanding Above average Average Below average Poor TARGET PRICE The What Car? Target Price is the maximum you should pay for your new car and is set by our team of mystery shoppers. It’s updated each month and all What Car?- approved dealers guarantee to match it. However, in a lot of cases they can save you even more. Just go to whatcar.com/new-car-deals, or call 03302 216207 between 9am and 5pm (standard network fees apply). All Target Prices are correct at the time of going to press. TARGET PCP The Target PCP is a fair monthly fee should you take out a personal contract purchase (PCP) finance agreement, over 36 months with a 15% deposit and a 10,000-mile annual mileage limit. Like Target Price, it’s set by our…

‘You’ll feel potholes and ridges more than you would in a Volkswagen T-Cross’ THE ARRIVAL OF the first-generation Renault Captur was timed to a level of perfection that would put a Swiss railway to shame. Although it wasn’t the first small SUV to hit the market, it was early enough to ride the crest of what has become a tsunami of high-riding compact cars. A big part of the original Captur’s success can be attributed to its distinctive looks, with plenty of customisation options available for those who wanted to make their car stand out even more. With that in mind, Renault decided to take an evolutionary approach to the look of the second-generation Captur, while still allowing buyers to add personal touches. Inside, the changes are rather more pronounced.…

THE IDEA OF a ‘Leaf SUV’ has been discussed excitedly since the conspicuous IMx concept was revealed two years ago. Nissan claimed back then that this model would represent a breakthrough for electric cars, not simply because SUVs now take a third of all car sales in Europe but also because a taller body fits better with a chassis that’s home to a battery. The new Ariya concept is the bridge from the IMx to the electric SUV you’ll actually be able to buy. It’s slightly shorter, wider and lower than the Nissan X-Trail seven-seater of today, but it’s noticeably roomier inside, thanks to the absence of the usual mechanicals. The Ariya isn’t literally a Leaf SUV, because it’s actually based on new underpinnings that will be used by Nissan…

CAR MAKERS ARE a cautious bunch; they want to be absolutely sure that something will sell before committing the money and resources needed to make it.That’s why, when it comes to electrification, most will introduce hybrid and plug-in hybrid models before going fully electric. Mazda, however, isn’t most manufacturers, and it has eschewed this toe-dipping approach in favour of jumping straight into the plunge pool.The MX-30, then, is a fully electric SUV. Based on the same underpinnings as the new 3 family hatchback and CX-30 family SUV, the MX-30 has similar general proportions to the latter but is taller in order to accommodate its battery. Its structure is also significantly stiffer than those of its siblings, potentially making it agile to drive. One of its most obvious styling flourishes is…

DID YOU KNOW that the scientists behind the lithium ion battery have been awarded a Nobel prize? Every smartphone and laptop currently on sale uses this technology, and even cars like the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) can benefit from it by forgoing fossil fuels and travelling on electric power alone. Well, for short distances, at least. The Niro has been around for three years now, so both the regular hybrid and this plug-in hybrid have been treated to a subtle facelift. There are new bumpers front and rear, revised LED lights at the back and an upgraded interior with more soft-touch plastics and the option of a bigger (10.2in) infotainment screen on 3 trim and above. Mechanically, everything continues as before. Therefore you still get an 8.9kWh battery for…

ALTHOUGH THE NISSAN Qashqai wasn’t the first family SUV, it was the first to popularise the idea that an SUV doesn’t need to be a heavy, four-wheel-drive off-roader that’s expensive to run.That puts it into the same league as the Apple iPhone and Sky TV in terms of innovation, then; they weren’t the first products in their respective markets, but they changed the game for the better.And now Nissan is gearing up to move things on yet again with the launch of an all-new Qashqai next year. Facing everything from the Seat Ateca and Skoda Karoq to the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40, the new Qashqai will have an aggressive look, inspired by the IMq concept car, plus a high-tech interior and the option of hybrid power. The IMq features…

HOW DO YOU remain relevant as a car maker in this day and age? Simple: you either offer an SUV or an electric car. It could be a stroke of genius, then, that the new 3 Crossback E-Tense from French brand DS is both of those things. The E-Tense finds itself in some very capable company. It’s priced similarly to not only the four-star Hyundai Kona Electric but also our current Car of the Year, the excellent Kia e-Niro. It’s fair to say, then, that DS is aiming high. If you look at it solely from a performance point of view, the E-Tense isn’t up there with those rivals. It makes 134bhp, compared with the Koreans’ 201bhp, so its acceleration, unsurprisingly, is more restrained, albeit still usefully nippy about town.…

Check if a vehicle has been recalled gov.uk/ check-vehicle-recall New car, service, repair and warranty issues themotorombudsman.org Citizens Advice Bureau citizensadvice.org.uk Check a car has a valid MOT test certificate gov.uk/check-mot-status What Car? New Car Buying whatcar.com/ new-car-deals Trading Standards nationaltrading standards.co.uk Financial Conduct Authority fca.org.uk Check car crash safety ratings euroncap.com Motability motability.co.uk What Car? advice whatcar.com/advice…

STRICT RULES OF Golf? The Volkswagen Golf will always be solid and capable, for one, and conservatively styled for a second; after all, every new generation has only ever been a gentle evolution of the previous one. Other family hatchbacks may come in with a fanfare, flexing their muscles and pouting prettily at the camera, but the Golf has always been the clever kid in glasses who revises for tests and gets on quietly with the homework. Don’t think, though, that every Golf has been good; over the years, some have been downright disappointing. The boxy Mk1 was a lightweight honey that turned around Volkswagen’s fortunes, but later generations lost that youthful sparkle, and we had to wait until the Mk5 of 2005 before a reinvigorated Golf could once again…

In production 2017-present Price from £25,000 Our favourite D4 AWD Momentum Geartronic VOLVO HAS CHANGED beyond recognition, not only because it has raced upmarket but also because SUVs, rather than estates, are now its bread and butter. And with prices of used ones like this XC60 starting at around the cost of a new mid-range Volkswagen Golf, suddenly this slab of Scandinavian stylishness looks like a lot of car for the money. The XC60 offers a good selection of engines, all 2.0-litre four-cylinder units. The diesel range consists of the 188bhp D4 and the 232bhp D5, while on the petrol side is the 251bhp T5 and the 385bhp T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid. You can choose front or four-wheel drive on some models; an eight-speed automatic gearbox is standard on…

LESS THAN £10,000 Hyundai i10 Our pick 1.0 S List price £10,025 Target Price £9233 MPG 50.4 CO2 117g/km For The three-cylinder engine is refined and the interior is surprisingly roomy. Against This entry-level trim doesn’t give you much kit and the engine struggles out of town. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Up Our pick 1.0 60 Take Up 3dr List price £10,080 Target Price £9663 MPG 55.4 CO2 101g/km For Fun to drive, with a comfortable ride and an upmarket interior. Against Feels slow on faster roads and this entry-level trim is a bit basic. WHAT CAR? SAYS Toyota Aygo Our pick 1.0 VVT-i X 3dr List price £9825 Target Price £9272 MPG 57.7 CO2 93g/km For Cheap to run, comes with a five-year warranty and has a great driving…

LESS THAN £17,000 Suzuki Ignis Our pick 1.2 Dualjet SHVS 2WD SZ5 List price £15,509 Target Price £14,360 MPG 54.1 CO2 98g/km For Real-world economy is excellent; surprisingly spacious and practical; lots of kit as standard. Against Ride is unsettled, it’s noisy on the motorway and there are only four seats. WHAT CAR? SAYS Citroën C3 Aircross Our pick Puretech 110 Feel List price £18,515 Target Price £15,653 MPG 51.5 CO2 110g/km For The boot is massive and the rear seats recline; plenty of equipment as standard. Against Engine has to be worked hard; ride and handling are sub-par. WHAT CAR? SAYS MG ZS Our pick 1.5 Excite List price £14,045 Target Price £13,705 MPG 41.5 CO2 140g/km For An 8.0in infotainment touchscreen is standard; more interior space than most…

LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £16,600 Target Price £15,574 MPG 51.4 CO2 105g/km For It’s one of the roomiest small estates; SE trim adds air-con and a touchscreen. Against So-so handling and could do with more supportive seats. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Ceed Sportswagon Our pick 1.0 T-GDi 2 List price £19,850 Target Price £18,470 MPG 47.1 CO2 120g/km For Gutsy enough performance for most buyers; lots of equipment; boot is big and practical. Against Ride is restless and there’s quite a bit of tyre noise on the motorway. WHAT CAR? SAYS Dacia Logan MCV Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Comfort List price £11,495 Target Price £11,388 MPG 45.6 CO2 121g/km For Lots of space; low running costs; plenty of equipment…

LESS THAN £22,000 Ford Fiesta ST Our pick ST-2 Performance Pack 3dr List price £21,625 Target Price £20,398 MPG 40.4 CO2 136g/km For Strong, characterful engine combined with engaging handling makes the ST fun at all speeds. Against It’s easily upset by bumps and the interior feels a bit low-rent. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Swift Sport Our pick 1.4 Boosterjet List price £18,999 Target Price £16,999 MPG 47.1 CO2 125g/km For You get plenty of equipment as standard, plus it’s relatively quick and cheap to run. Against It’s not the bargain that the previous one was and not as much fun to drive as we’d hoped. WHAT CAR? SAYS Abarth 595 Our pick 1.4 Turismo 70th Anniversary List price £19,885 Target Price £19,885 MPG 38.2 CO2 155g/km For Exquisite design…