Table of contents for March 2016 in What Car?

‘For the canny car buyer, the time to buy is now’ Record car registrations in the UK mean the market is booming, but don’t believe any salesmen’s patter that times are so good they don’t need to offer a discount. In fact, discounts have rarely been better. One of the reasons is that dealers have more room to manoeuvre on pricing than for many years thanks to the strength of the pound against the euro. Our mystery shoppers continue to unearth all the best deals, and our Target Price is the best guide to the most you should pay; keener hagglers should be able to do even better. Currency fluctuations and growing sales around the world mean the UK boom won’t last forever, but for the canny car buyer the…

‘There are more than three million combinations of roof, body and mirror colours’ FOLLOWING CITROËN’S DECISION in 2014 to spin off DS as a standalone car brand, this new model, available as either a hatchback or a cabriolet, has made a step upmarket as part of a push into the premium car sector to rival the likes of Audi. The previous DS 3 earned a three-star rating in What Car? under its Citroën badge, but since that car’s launch in 2010, premium hatchbacks have progressed a lot. Consequently, although the new DS 3 is based on the same underpinnings as its predecessor, it is a much-changed car, with a glitzy new design both inside and out, enhanced connectivity and revised engine and transmission options. The front of the car wears…

THE IONIQ IS the first dedicated hybrid model from Hyundai, and is the Korean firm’s attempt to muscle in on the turf of the new Toyota Prius. It’s also the first car to come with a choice of three powertrains housed within a single body type. These powertrains will consist of a conventional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, or an all-electric option. The car sits on a new platform developed with sister brand Kia. Three powertrains In conventional hybrid form, the Ioniq is powered by a 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine working in conjunction with a 42bhp electric motor, giving a combined power output of 145bhp. The plug-in hybrid version operates in much the same way, with the major difference being that you can charge up the car overnight and travel on…

First drive The Turbo S has always been devastatingly fast, and now it gets more power and various other tweaks Verdict Mind-altering pace from a supercar you can use every day ‘The sheer pace and traction out of slower bends is utterly jaw-dropping’ THE PORSCHE 911 Turbo and Turbo S models have always been the halo 911s in terms of ultimate speed but rarely the choice of purists. That’s because models such as the GT3 are more dramatic and precise to drive. However, the current Turbo and Turbo S were largely well received, so this facelift is aimed at building on that success. Quick is an understatement The Turbo S has 573bhp, 20bhp more than before, which translates to 0-62mph in 2.9sec and 205mph. Mind boggling. The twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six…

First drive Four-wheel-drive hot Focus delivers outstanding pace and handling at a bargain price Verdict It’s as exciting as £30k performance cars get, and you can use it every day ‘It has a truly adjustable sports car character that really sets it apart’ FAST FORDS WITH RS badges come along rarely and tend to make a bit of a splash when they do. So, even though there are now premium rivals such as the Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG A45, petrolheads will still flock to the new Focus RS. It’s no wonder, because it out-punches any competition available at its sub-£30k price point by a significant margin. It also marks a return to something that no fast Ford has had since the 1990s: four-wheel drive. Brilliant on every road The ride…

LANE DEPARTURE WARNING These systems warn the driver if their car is drifting out of lane without indicating. Some use an audible warning, others use a vibrating steering wheel. One problem with these systems is that some drivers find them irritating and turn them off. Lane keep assist systems go further and gently steer the car back into the correct lane. BLIND SPOT MONITORING Using cameras or radar, blind spot monitoring checks for vehicles to one side and slightly behind, where they cannot be seen by the driver in the interior or exterior mirrors. Typically an amber light in the mirror illuminates if another vehicle is in the blind spot, and starts to flash if the driver indicates a change of lane, which could lead to a collision. POST-COLLISION BRAKING…

LESS THAN £12,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 1.2 AmbianceList price £6795 Target Price £6795MPG 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 3drList price £10,599 Target Price £9992MPG 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 5drList price £11,725 Target Price £9837MPG 67.3 CO2 98g/km For Rides and handles well and it has a generous standard kit list and low running costs. Against The…

LESS THAN £16,000 Citroën C3 Picasso Our pick 1.2 Puretech EditionList price £15,805 Target Price £12,074MPG 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 Ford B-Max Our pick 1.4 90 ZetecList price £15,480 Target Price £13,529MPG 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 7 seatsList price £17,180 Target Price £15,410MPG 68.9 CO2 109g/km For Good value for a seven-seat MPV and there are plenty of…

What’s the difference between contract hire and leasing? ‘Leasing’ is a catch-all term that includes finance lease and lease purchase, as well as contract hire, which is a form of leasing. Should I go for contract hire or a PCP arrangement? Although monthly payments are often similar, at the end of the deal a PCP gives you the flexibility to own the car for an extra lump sum, or put a deposit down on another deal. If you have to terminate the deal early, contract hire often carries a penalty of 50% of the outstanding rental; the penalties on a PCP are much smaller. With contract hire, VAT-registered users can reclaim VAT on some of the finance and maintenance costs. Does it make sense to take out a ‘with maintenance’…

‘The E-Class features record-breaking aerodynamics and a cabin packed with new technology’ THE PREVIOUS MODEL Mercedes-Benz E-Class was launched back in 2009, and despite a comprehensive facelift in 2013, it was beginning to look and feel dated. Mercedes has responded with an E-Class that features record-breaking aerodynamics, a cabin packed with new technology and an efficient range of engines. That’s fortunate because the new E-Class enters the executive market at a time when the competition is fiercer and more varied than ever. As well as established rivals, such as the BMW 5 Series, our large executive car of the year, there’s the Audi A6, the new Jaguar XF and the forthcoming Volvo S90, too. The fifth generation E-Class is longer, narrower and lower than the car it replaces, and has…

‘The Drive Select system has been updated to include a new off-road function’ THE MARKET FOR high-riding, pseudo off-road estate cars is well catered for, with the likes of the Seat Leon Xperience, Skoda Octavia Scout and Volkswagen Passat Alltrack proving popular with buyers. Audi has been a player in this market for longer than all of these though, with its own range of Allroad models based on the A4 and A6 Avants. The launch of a new A4, then, brings with it a brand new A4 Allroad quattro, which made its debut at the Detroit motor show in January and will hit UK showrooms in the summer. Chunky styling Audi has given the A4 Allroad quattro a ride height 23mm higher than the standard A4 Avant’s, while ground clearance…

First drive We try Kia’s SUV in 1.7-litre diesel form. Can it worry the Nissan Qashqai? Verdict Practical and classy, but noisy and not very efficient ‘A better car in almost every way. It’s bigger, more practical, plusher and, although it’s pricier, you get more kit’ THE OUTGOING SPORTAGE was a game-changer for Kia. The Korean brand’s line-up had featured worthy cars with lengthy warranties, but there was little to get excited about. Then, out of the blue in 2010 arrived a handsome SUV you could be proud to park on your driveway. Predictably, it flew out of showrooms and helped Kia more than double its sales over the next six years. Which brings us on to its replacement – a car that not only has big shoes to fill,…

First drive BMW chases company buyers with the 330e plug-in hybrid. Is it a better option than the diesel models? Verdict Cheap to run and good to drive, but makes sense only if your motoring life fits its restrictions ‘If you do less than 25 miles a day, or can charge it up at work, the 330e makes sense’ THE BMW 3 Series has long been one of the best compact executive cars on the market, but the battle for lower running costs is never-ending, hence this new 330e plug-in hybrid model. Unlike the ActiveHybrid 3 that preceded it, the 330e can be charged from the mains to provide up to 25 miles of zero-emissions motoring. Considering most of the population have a commute of less than that, many could…

First drive Less powerful, but lighter and more frugal four-cylinder version of the Lexus RC Verdict Looks great, but trails key rivals in virtually every other area ‘On country roads the RC remains stable, and the steering allows some decent driver involvement’ LEXUS IS MAKING a conscious effort to add a sporting edge to its cars, so has introduced F Sport trim across the range. On the mid-sized RC 200t coupé you see here, that means more aggressive styling inside and out, 19-inch alloy wheels and tweaks to make it more rewarding to drive. Too heavy, too slow The RC 200t has a 241bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Unfortunately, the RC 200t weighs a hefty 1675kg – that’s more…

‘Should an option take your car’s price over £40k, you’ll have to pay the higher rate of road tax’ VED rates may catch buyers out I understand that the rates of vehicle excise duty are changing in 2017 and cars that cost £40,000 and up will be liable to higher annual charges. My question is: does that £40,000 refer to the list price or is it to the actual price paid by the buyer? Derek Rogers What Car? says Cars that cost more than £40,000 and are registered on or after April 1, 2017 will be subject to higher rates of VED in years two to six. The increased cost will be £310 a year, so the standard rate of VED for cars costing more than £40,000 will be £450…

Knowing the fuel economy of a car is important, because it relates directly to how much it costs to run – but MPG figures given by car manufactuers are impossible to achieve in real life. They’re set in labs under controlled conditions, so they have little relevance in the real world. To help ensure you know the real cost of motoring, What Car? and Tesco Petrol Filling Station, What Car?’s official fuel partner, launched True MPG. They test cars in real-world conditions, giving fuel economy figures you can achieve on the road. To provide an illustration we’ve highlighted four cars from four different classes that scored noteworthy True MPG results. UNDER£10,000 Dacia Sandero 1.5 dCi The no-frills Sandero range starts at £5995. This diesel is £2600 extra, and while it…

LESS THAN £16,000 Vauxhall Astra Our pick 1.0T 105 DesignList price £15,995 Target Price £14,928MPG 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 VisiaList price £15,995 Target Price £14,760MPG 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 SEList price £17,240 Target Price £15,822MPG 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…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZ4List price £13,999 Target Price £13,224MPG 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 NavList price £15,395 Target Price £14,190MPG 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 ConnectList price £16,600 Target Price £14,723MPG 58.8 CO2 128g/km For The interior is spacious, Connect trim brings plenty of kit and it’s…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.6 Sport 3drList price £13,859 Target Price £13,067MPG 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 150List price £16,245 Target Price £13,995MPG 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-JetList price £14,610 Target Price £14,610MPG 43.5 CO2 155g/km For Small hot hatches don’t get any more stylish and the Abarth is certainly rapid. Against The…

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…

‘VW is pushing the Tiguan upmarket, so has increased the style and quality of the cabin’ THE ORIGINAL TIGUAN capitalised on the burgeoning small SUV market. Volkswagen has made this second-generation model larger all round and given it bolder exterior styling and a more upmarket cabin. This equips it to tackle rivals such as the class-leading Nissan Qashqai. Bigger, both outside and in The new car is built on the same platform that underpins the Golf and Passat. It is 63mm longer, 29mm wider and 22mm lower than the current Tiguan, which translates into greater interior space: rear leg room is up by 20mm, and boot capacity has grown to 615 litres with the rear seats in place, a hike of 145 litres. The increased dimensions have also helped to…

JAGUAR ALREADY HAS all-wheel-drive versions of its F-Type, XJ and XE, so it’s little surprise to see the British car maker adding the same option to the XF. The XF AWD comes exclusively with the 178bhp version of Jaguar’s four-cylinder diesel engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The car weighs about 105kg more than its two-wheel-drive equivalent, but it’s still one of the lighter all-wheel-drive diesels in its class. The company attributes this to its lightweight aluminium platform. Thirstier, but more secure The four-wheel-drive XF takes 7.9sec to sprint from 0-60mph, two-tenths slower than the corresponding rear-wheel-drive model. Top speed, however, remains identical at 136mph. Factor in the additional mechanical drag of the car’s four-wheel-drive system as well as that weight penalty, and it was inevitable that the AWD…

First drive For the first time, Toyota is offering its RAV4 in petrol-electric hybrid form. We drive it on UK roads Verdict Not great to drive nor cheap enough to run ‘The RAV4 is better on the motorway, where it cruises quietly and steadily’ THE RAV4 IS now in its fourth generation, yet this is the first time it’s been available with a hybrid powertrain. It’s been introduced alongside a facelift that updates the styling, refreshes the interior and gives the trim levels a shake-up. A new diesel engine and a revised petrol engine have been launched, too, and the new Hybrid is available with front- or four-wheel drive. Silent at low speeds There’s a full-electric mode you can engage when doing less than 30mph, which is theoretically perfect for…

First drive Heavier and costlier than before, but offers even more options for personalisation Verdict There are cheaper alternatives that are better to drive THESE DAYS, FEW cars can claim to be truly without direct rivals, but the Smart Fortwo Cabrio is one of them. Its two-seat, convertible city car bodystyle is unlike anything else on the road. The convertible Fiat 500C and Peugeot 108 Top are similar, but both offer rear seats and neither can match the Fortwo Cabrio’s tiny sub 2.7-metre length. Importantly, the Cabrio retains the tiny footprint of its Fortwo Coupé sister car, too. The Cabrio also gets the same engines as the Coupé: a 70bhp 1.0-litre or an 89bhp 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol, and it’s the latter that we drive here. At launch, only a…

Over the past 40 years, Subaru has built 14 million Symmetrical AWD vehicles. That’s more than any other manufacturer. In the process, it’s also built a global reputation for quality, strength, performance, and get-you-there ability. Discerning UK drivers have been happy to stump up for the supreme level of ability delivered by an AWD Subaru. After all, when it comes to looking after your family, ‘saving money’ should not be one of the tickboxes. The reassurance that flows from Subaru’s experience and talent never came cheap. Except that, these days, it does. The entry price for an AWD Subaru is now just £17,495. Have a look around to see what else you can get for that price. You might be disagreeably surprised. Whatever it is that you manage to come…

LESS THAN £10,000 Skoda Citigo Our pick 1.0 60 SE 5drList price £9485 Target Price £9015MPG 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 3drList price £10,110 Target Price £9683MPG 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 SZ3List price £8499 Target Price £8239MPG 78.4 CO2 84g/km For It has a spacious, practical interior, real-world economy impresses…

LESS THAN £25,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE BusinessList price £22,090 Target Price £20,368MPG 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 SEList price £24,435 Target Price £22,352MPG 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 SportList price £25,035 Target Price £22,965MPG 68.9 CO2 107g/km For It handles well, the engine is…

LESS THAN £18,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.2 TSI 90 SEList price £14,535 Target Price £13,382MPG 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 Kia Cee’d Sportswagon Our pick 1.4 CRDi 89 1 ISGList price £17,395 Target Price £16,225MPG 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 Peugeot 308 SW Our pick 1.2 110 ActiveList price £18,545 Target Price £17,074MPG 60.1 CO2 109g/km For A smooth,…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.2d 150 SE-L Nav 2WDList price £24,995 Target Price £23,249MPG 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 2WDList price £24,795 Target Price £22,568MPG 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 SEList price £25,570 Target Price £23,395MPG 64.2 CO2 115g/km For The engine is economical and powerful, while there’s plenty of space in the cabin…

LESS THAN £25,000 Seat Leon SC Our pick 1.4 EcoTSI 150 FRList price £20,225 Target Price £18,561MPG 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 SEList price £25,100 Target Price £23,276MPG 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 GTList price £25,025 Target Price £22,951MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For Good to drive, with quick steering and fine handling and strong resale values.…

“ 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 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 confusion is eliminated and customers…