Table of contents for 1889 in Auto Express

HOW times change. Where once the idea of ultimate luxury in a car typically took the form of a saloon from one of a handful of European brands, elsewhere in the world a very different type of vehicle has come to prominence: the ultra-luxury van. Now Volvo, owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely, has decided to jump on the bandwagon, releasing its gargantuan EM90 to customers in the Far East. This type of car was initially made popular in Japan, where the Toyota Alphard – and its distinguished brother, the Lexus LM – currently dominate the luxury-car class. In fact, Lexus recently brought its LM flagship to the UK, where it has outsold the former LS saloon tenfold since its debut. Yet it’s the Chinese who are pushing the segment…

IN 2025, the Kia Picanto reminded us all at Auto Express exactly why we love small cars so much. Kia’s smallest model received a shot in the arm for this year, gaining a range of improvements that not only made it even more funky to look at, but also saw it benefit from the sort of tech that only a few years ago would have been out of reach on even some family cars. It didn’t take long behind the wheel for us to be certain that there’s far more to appreciate than the funky, fresh robot look brought about by the new LED lights and updated face. This 3.6-metre bundle of enthusiasm shows us all just how nippy and easy city cars can be to drive. Is it the…

SOMETIMES it’s the most obvious answer for a reason. Skoda’s Superb has retained its Estate Car of the Year title, because it’s a quite frankly brilliant estate car. A boot big enough to camp in has an official maximum 690 litres of space with the rear seats up, rising to 1,920 litres with them dropped if you need to do a massive tip run. But rear-seat space isn’t sacrificed, with room for basketball players to sit comfortably one behind the other. The cabin is well laid out, too, with clever controls and nice materials. In something of a rarity for modern cars, you can have your Superb Estate in petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid form, with Skoda still seeing enough demand to make it worth offering a diesel in what…

OUR Large Company Car of the Year category has completely transformed since 2024. With so much new talent joining the class, there’s never been a better time to scoop low Benefit-in-Kind rates aboard a model that can easily shrug off hundreds of motorway miles. Of those newcomers, it’s the Audi A6 e-tron that takes the prize. The brand’s latest EV tech first appeared on the Q6 e-tron, but it’s the SUV’s sleeker range mate – and as the most aerodynamically efficient production car Audi has ever sold, it’s certainly sleek – where the Premium Platform Electric architecture is shown in its best light. When we sampled it in its hottest S6 Avant form, we announced our verdict by saying: “Trust Audi to save its best work for a rapid estate…

THE last-generation Skoda Kodiaq was a quadruple winner of the Large SUV of the Year award, with its domination only punctuated by its SEAT Tarraco sister model. The second-generation Kodiaq already looks like a worthy successor, because it’s backed up last year’s victory with another in 2025. Since the Mk2 Kodiaq’s launch last year we’ve had the hot new vRS model join the line-up, along with a plug-in hybrid, with both versions expanding the Skoda flagship SUV’s desirability even more. It’s the basics the Kodiaq does so well. Being a Skoda, it’s keenly priced, with the entry-level petrol five-seater costing just over £38,000. There is a suite of excellent powertrains to choose from – the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid and 2.0-litre diesels are frugal, and the plug-in hybrid will give you 75 miles…

WE’VE been massively impressed by the BMW iX since this big SUV, and its galactic-sized grille, arrived in 2021. We've previously named it our Large Company Car of the Year, primarily because of the supreme levels of refinement and long range it delivers, plus the minimal Benefit-in-Kind tax bill. All of that is still true. However, following some substantial technological upgrades and a few light design tweaks, BMW’s flagship electric SUV has become even better, allowing it to triumph over competition from Mercedes, Audi, Porsche and Range Rover, and take home silverware in a new category. One highlight of the iX has always been its stunning interior. It wasn't overhauled or remodelled as part of the recent facelift, but it didn’t need to be. The clean, contemporary design is complemented by…

IT’S understandable that much of BMW’s range has moved with the times, because high demand for SUVs from buyers plus lower appetite for smaller, sportier models has seen the brand drift away from its previous mantra of “the ultimate driving machine” to instead offer ever more comfortable and refined – yet still engaging – models instead. However, if you’re a BMW fan who yearns for a modern take on its previous icons, then our Coupé of the Year is just the car for you. The 2 Series feels more like an old-school BMW. Its overall footprint is similar to that of an E90 3 Series from 20 years ago and its simple front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout makes even the base four-cylinder models feel engaging to drive. Of course there’s also the…

THE devastatingly charming Renault 5 is one of those rare exceptions in life these days, where something that’s considered to be ‘fashionable’, ‘cool’ and ‘desirable’ is also affordable. It’s not overpriced like a £12 matcha latte; instead, this highly acclaimed, joyful EV is available from less than £23,000. It sounds too good to be true, yet it’s very much real. The new Renault 5 E-Tech taps into the heart-warming nostalgia for the iconic seventies hatch, with nods to the original model peppered throughout. Yet, the car’s design has evolved to attract younger, contemporary customers as well. The same goes for the interior, where seats designed to resemble those from the legendary 5 Turbo are paired with high-definition screens and an intuitive, Google-powered infotainment system that’s among the best in the business.…

WITH electric, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains offered, plus a wide range of trim levels, as well as panel van, Double Cab, MultiCab and even camper options on the table, the the Ford Transit Custom has a variant to suit virtually every use case imaginable, making it our category winner in the van’s 60th-anniversary year. Keep things basic, and and the standard Leader model with 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel power delivers a no-nonsense drive in two body lengths. But if you need to carry passengers, then the six-seat Double Cab In-Van could be for you. This comes in a wider range of trims, including including the rugged adventure-inspired Trail option and racy Sport and MS-RT specs (which are also offered on the standard panel van), and given that the Transit Custom…

CHOSEN not by us but by you, the large and luxurious Mercedes GLE has been rated the best car to own in this year’s Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. It topped half of the 10 main categories and reached the podium places in several others, while it was the elegant interior and exterior design that impressed owners the most. The model is offered with petrol, hybrid and diesel engines, making it one of the very few cars on sale available with the latter fuel type. Our case study, Norman Eaton, loves the smooth and prodigious power delivery from his GLE 450 d’s 3.0-litre diesel. He even returns 40mpg on the motorway, where the GLE thrives given its cushioned ride, slushy nine-speed automatic gearbox and fine sound deadening. On the inside,…

HOT KIT New OSRAM dash cameras Price: From £35 Contact: osram.com BULB maker OSRAM has branched out to offer a range of dash cams. The new products are updates of cameras previously branded as Ring, including one which was named our Best Buy in 2023. The company has had to rename them to avoid confusion with the Ring security camera business, which is owned by Amazon. OSRAM’s new dash cam range kicks off with the ROADsight 1500. Costing £35, this basic device has a two-inch screen and an adjustable suction cup mount. It offers a 110-degree field of view, as well as an impact sensor to detect collisions and save clips automatically. Footage is captured at 1080P resolution and it can be used with a Micro SD card up to 32GB…

SNOW foam has gone from being a niche product for professional valeters to an everyday part of many motorists’ car-cleaning kit. It works in the same way as leaving dirty dishes in a sink to soak, by softening dirt and making it much easier to remove. As snow foam’s popularity has increased, so has the number of products on offer, to the extent that our usual two-year review cycle can’t keep up. So in this mega test we have put 20 through our rigorous process. We’ve chosen the most popular sizes, but if you use a lot of foam we’d advise buying in bulk to cut the cost per wash, especially if you order online. So which foams covered themselves in glory, and which were snow good? How we tested…

“THE SPIDER SHOULD BE KEPT FOR SPECIAL TRIPS WITH THE WIND IN YOUR HAIR AS YOU BASK IN THE SUN” LANCIA AURELIAB24 SPIDER Power/engine size: 118bhp/1.8 litre Engine/gearbox: V6/four-speed manual 0-60/top speed: 11.5 seconds/115mph Price new: £3,173 price now: from £750,000-£1m I'VE had a model of the Lancia Aurelia for many years because it’s quite a pretty thing. But it was only when I looked into the car’s history and engineering that I discovered what an amazing classic it is. It’s the first production car with a V6 engine, which is a fairly important feat in itself. Plus it has a transaxle for better weight distribution and inboard rear brakes to cut unsprung weight, so there was sophistication behind its immaculate lines. There was a convertible, but the most elegant version…

KIA has hit a hot streak with its electric cars. The flagship EV9 won our Large Company Car title in 2024 and its striking design has now shrunk down to VW Golf-size to create the EV3. The result is another winner, thanks to its mix of long-range electric efficiency, thoughtful practicality and good running costs. The base 58kWh model (£33,005) can do 270 miles, but spend £3k more for the 81kWh battery and you’ll add 100 miles. It also gets 127.5kW DC charging for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in 30 minutes. We’ve averaged 3.3mi/kWh in winter and 4.6 mi/kWh in warm weather. Kia’s EV is easy to drive, with great visibility, nicely weighted steering and snappy throttle responses. It also has a broad spread of braking modes, to…

IS there a more exciting brand than Renault right now? If there is, we’re wracking our brains to think of a mainstream manufacturer whose current line-up blends desirability, tech and value so well. For its smaller EVs, Renault has tapped into its rich back catalogue and revived some of its most distinctive past masters. It got off to an absolute flier with the Renault 5, and as this victory in our Small SUV class shows, it’s been at it again with the R4. Much like its original namesake, the 4 is less overtly about style – although that unmistakable illuminated fascia and distinctive profile still make the 4 stand out like little else in the class – but practicality is at its heart. Despite being larger than the 5 on…

PREMIUM in name, but not in price. The Volvo EX30 comes with the prestige connotations of the cool, stylish Swedish brand, but does so at a price that undercuts many of its mainstream rivals. And just because its cheaper doesn’t means that it’s lacking in specs, either – quite the opposite, in fact. The range kicks off with a Single Motor model that’s capable of 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds, while the most potent Twin Motor Performance achieves the benchmark sprint in a scarcely believable 3.6 seconds. Our favourite is the line-up’s mid-spec model, though; the Extended Range is only a little bit quicker than the base model, but thanks to its 64kWh (usable) battery, it will cover 296 miles (WLTP) between charges – or still comfortably more than 220…

“Even with the hybrid moniker and its 30-odd miles of electric range, the V8 is more charismatic than the W12 ever was” THE Bentley Flying Spur is our luxury-car champ, because it has a desirable combination of a brutish design and an eloquent interior, now joined by a fabulous brand-new engine. While it’s never difficult to love a Bentley that looks like the Flying Spur, a recent combination of small but very impactful changes has created a package that has pipped the still-excellent BMW 7 Series to the top spot. Bentley’s plug-in hybrid powertrain pairs a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine with an electric motor mounted inside the existing eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This replaces the W12 engine, but has no obvious downsides, even if you have a penchant for big…

A ONE-tonne roadster with rear-wheel drive and a rev-happy, naturally aspirated engine with zero electrical assistance sounds like the stuff of yesteryear. And for many manufacturers that’s sadly the case – but not for Mazda. The MX-5 has truly earned its legendary status in the automotive industry over the decades, and the current iteration might just be the best of the lot. The ‘ND’-generation MX-5 is 10 years old now, but its formula is as refreshing as ever, with some notable upgrades in late 2024 only helping its case. The 181bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder with the six-speed manual got a new limited-slip differential, strut brace and revised dampers, while all models received a recalibrated steering rack to improve feel. These changes really added some polish to what was already our favourite…

OUR best Premium SUV of 2025 also happens to be an electric vehicle, which is why it takes our Premium Electric car gong, too. The BMW iX has consistently been among our favourite cars in this category due to its staggeringly refined powertrain and chassis, its ability to both ride and handle better than its closest rivals, and the way it can enclose its occupants within a cabin that feels more concept car than posh SUV. Not one to rest on its laurels, BMW treated the iX to a series of changes and updates this year, which combined to address what was previously one of the very few criticisms we could level at the brand’s imposing flagship SUV: its range. There are two key ways to improve the distance an…

A THIRD straight win for the current Ranger (and a seventh overall) comes at a time of change for the pick-up truck class, but Ford’s big-seller still has the strengths to keep it at the top of the pile. The Ranger’s familiar qualities remain, with a wide range of variants that offer everything from everyday usability to off-road adventuring and premium luxury, while the petrol-powered Raptor continues to offer a different take on the performance machine. Even base models have an air of quality that boosts their appeal over rivals, while the infotainment touchscreen and connectivity options are easy to use. There’s good space inside the double-cab variants, too, while Ford still offers single-cab and chassis-cab versions that are ready for work, too. Whichever model you choose, the on-road manners…

IT’S not often that a large van is redesigned from the ground up, but that’s exactly what Renault has done with the latest Master. It all starts with a bold new front end, with lighting that’s inspired by the firm’s new wave of passenger cars – including distinctive C-shaped running lights. The upright nose does more than create an imposing look, because it’s been carefully designed to boost aerodynamic efficiency and move the cab forwards to maximise cargo space. Panel-van options include two roof heights and two lengths in three bodystyles, while wide-opening sliding doors and optional 270-degree-opening rear doors and access steps boost the versatility of this large van. Cargo volumes ranging from 10.8 to 14.8 cubic metres are offered, while the chassis cab, platform cab, Luton, dropside and…

IT’S always tough to choose an overall winner for our Car of the Year prize, but 2025 caused longer debates among the Auto Express judging team than most. There were several stars we could have chosen this year; a pair of deeply desirable Renaults in the form of the retro 4 and 5, plus the cheerful and keenly priced Fiat Grande Panda, were all strongly in the running during our deliberations. In the end, however, we chose the car which, try as we might, we struggled to find any obvious faults with – and that all-round strength sealed its position: the Auto Express New Car of the Year winner for 2025 is the Skoda Elroq. Skoda has regularly bagged various category wins at our annual awards, but this is the first…

Price: £119.90 Contact: optimate.co.uk IF you have a modern car with a large engine and a stop-start system, your basic, old-fashioned battery charger might not be up to the job of topping up your cells. The 12V batteries in modern cars will often be unusually large and have a more sophisticated composition to allow them to cope with the strain of repeated starts, in addition to maintaining electronics while the car is stationary and the engine off. OptiMate’s new 6-6A charger and maintainer claims to deliver the extra power needed to keep modern batteries performing properly. With an enhanced six-amp output, the OptiMate 6-6A can cope with 12V lead-acid batteries up to 144Ah, covering the AGM and GEL types fitted to many prestige cars, SUVs, and vehicles with stop-start systems. It’s…

WHAT makes a great family car? Value, space, efficiency and choice – and the Skoda Octavia absolutely nails that brief. Available with petrol and diesel power, or as the sporty 261bhp vRS, the generously sized hatchback and estate offers something for everyone. Few rivals can match the Octavia’s sheer space and usability. The hatch’s 600-litre boot – expandable to 1,555 litres – outclasses competitors’, while the roomy rear seats match even mid-sized SUVs for legroom. Skoda’s signature ‘Simply Clever’ features, such as integrated umbrellas, rear-seat USB-C ports (five in total!) and hidden storage solutions ensure family life on the move is organised and effortless. To drive, the Octavia’s standout quality is its supple suspension, which delivers plenty of comfort. The updated engine range ditches plug-in hybrid power, but includes a…

IF stats matter above all else – and if you’re choosing a company car, they’re likely to play a big part in your decision – then the Tesla Model 3 is a car to choose with your head. Taking all emotion out of the equation sees the Model 3 take the Mid-size Company Car category for the second year running, still leaving its closest rivals reeling from the series of mid-life changes that saw it take control of this category in 2024. Pick almost any metric – whether it be performance, range or charging speeds – and the Model 3 comes out at the top of its class, or at least incredibly close to it. Tesla even sought to move some of these specs further away from its rivals; a…

SKODA has become a byword for dependable family transport over the years, and while the Enyaq moved things emphatically into the electric era, the follow-up, the Elroq, is even better. It sits below the Enyaq in the brand’s family SUV range – a perfect fit for our Mid-size SUV category – but diving into just how and why it sits below the Enyaq made us realise what a fantastic prospect the Elroq would turn out to be. In short, the Elroq gets all the perks of its big brother in terms of cabin quality, interior space and road manners, but sacrifices 115 litres of boot space, down to a still reasonable 470 litres. And what’s the price of that compromise? Well, like for like, the Elroq is almost £6,000 cheaper than…

THE fourth-generation BMW X3 had an awful lot to live up to at its launch. Its predecessor was a car that consistently performed strongly from the bottom to the top of its range, and it had the talent to see off pretty much any premium SUV challenger that crossed its path. But as you’ll have guessed by the top spot it’s just received in this year’s New Car Awards, the current X3 has not only matched its predecessor, but has also moved the game on in a few key areas. It’s under the bonnet where BMW now clearly leads the class, pretty much across the board. Petrol models have been boosted by an excellent new mild-hybrid set-up, whose 17bhp motor seamlessly shifts this striking SUV away from a standstill –…

YOU’D be forgiven for thinking we’d made a simple decision in giving the Civic Type R this award two years in a row. But the reality is quite different, because it’s had to overcome two hard-charging rivals that could have very easily taken the top spot. Yet it’s a testament to the world-class engineering that Honda has instilled into the Civic Type R that it’s retained its crown – and it will be for the last time, because Honda has chosen to take it off sale in the next few months. So what’s this magic that’s soon to be taken away? Essentially, the Honda Civic Type R is engineered with all the precision and detail that Porsche would give to a 911 GT3. The difference is that instead of a…

“Whether it’s the cabin design, the way it drives at low speeds, or how it feels when you’re exploiting its limits, the Artura is one of the most usable supercar sever created” OUR Performance Car of the Year award goes to the stunning McLaren Artura. It may be the baby of the Woking brand’s supercar line-up, but it’s still hugely clever and very, very talented. A key element to the Artura’s make-up that sets it apart from the rest of the McLaren range is the plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is paired with an electric motor to deliver 690bhp, yet the car will also drive on electric power alone, which is perfect for silently threading through sleepy villages without disturbing the locals. But while that powertrain is undoubtedly…

MG blew us away last year when it entered the dwindling supermini market with a car that was not only compelling in isolation, but really stood out when it came to performance, efficiency and value for money. Now, 12 months later, the MG3 is our Affordable Hybrid winner for the second year on the trot. While most hybrid small cars pair a breathless petrol engine with an equally weedy electric motor, the MG3 combines its power sources to produce a healthy 192bhp. The result is an impressive 0-62mph time of just eight seconds, making this a hatchback that feels peppy both in town and on the open road. Throw in an accomplished chassis and plenty of grip, and you’ve got a car that will comfortably show a Renault Clio or Toyota…

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“A perfect balance of luxury and practicality. The interior feels premium, the infotainment is intuitive, and the car handles well.” “I like my A3 e-tron for its blend of sporty performance, a smooth ride and great economy on longer trips.” HAVING been launched in 2020, the A3 had a nip and tuck last year, gaining a new look, extra equipment and improved infotainment. We like the Audi’s practicality, high-quality cabin and efficient engines, but owners aren’t so impressed. A ranking of 36th is disappointing for such an important small car – and one with a premium badge – but five years after its launch, we perhaps shouldn’t be surprised. Of the 35 attributes we measure, the A3 gets into the top half of our table in just three. The best…

IT’S hard to get excited by a Nissan Micra, but reclothe this rather mundane supermini as a retro urban runabout and you can create a level of hysteria usually reserved for cars powered by something rather more exciting than a turbocharged 1.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Indeed, the Figaro was so popular when it was revealed that Nissan had to run a lottery to choose who would be able to buy the car. The initial plan was to produce 8,000 examples, but by the time production was wound up, no fewer than 20,056 had been built – with more than five times this many people having entered the ballot to buy one. The car was created exclusively for the Japanese market, but it wasn’t long before examples of the Figaro were…