Table of contents for October 2015 in What Car?

UK car sales have been growing for more than three years now, powered along by manufacturers eager to cut deals and keep shifting stock. However, as the economic situation improves, our Target Price team are becoming increasingly aware that the amount you can haggle off a new car is reducing by the day. UK dealers are less desperate to sell because supply tightens and the sales become easier. That makes our mystery shoppers ever more important, as Target Price identifies the most you should pay for your new car, and guarantees to find you one for that price if your dealer won’t match it. As dealers harden their prices, so this service becomes more relevant. Be sure to use it – and happy haggling. @Jim_Holder ‘Our Target Price team identifies…

First drive The first Mercedes mid-size SUV to go on sale in the UK Verdict Spacious and capable, but looks pricey next to its rivals THE MERCEDES-BENZ GLC is the German firm’s first mid-size SUV to be offered for sale in the UK. Seven years ago, when Mercedes launched this car’s predecessor, the GLK, the UK market for compact premium-brand 4x4s was quite small. A quirk of the GLK’s seven-speed automatic gearbox would have made it costly to re-engineer the car into right-hand drive form, and so Mercedes didn’t bother. Which is why, until now, the firm hasn’t had a rival for the popular BMW X3 and Range Rover Evoque to offer us Brits. The new car will arrive in UK dealerships in the autumn, and will have a choice…

First drive Land Rover has swapped the diesel engine for one that’s smoother, quieter and massively more efficient Verdict The Discovery Sport’s biggest weakness has been eradicated – and how USUALLY, YOU HAVE to let several years pass before a manufacturer starts making improvements to a new model. With the Discovery Sport, though, there have been some pretty major updates after barely six months. They were needed, too, because when Land Rover’s replacement for the Freelander was launched earlier this year the only engine – a 2.2-litre diesel that had its roots in the late 1990s – fell short of the efficiency and refinement standards we expect from a modern SUV. In fact, it was one of the main reasons the Sport lost out in a head-to-head against the BMW…

First drive Ford’s updated seven-seater gains a new petrol engine that’s cheaper to buy than its diesel alternatives Verdict Dynamically superior to its rival MPVs, but this version is likely to be of limited appeal DIESEL VERSIONS OF the Ford S-Max have proved a popular choice for families looking for a practical but fun seven-seater, but the petrol variants have often been overlooked. For the latest S-Max, Ford predicts only 3% of sales will be accounted for by the two petrol engines on offer in the range – this 158bhp 1.5-litre Ecoboost engine and a 238bhp 2.0-litre Ecoboost. Equipped with the new 1.5-litre petrol engine, the S-Max is quicker off the line than the diesel versions, but it still feels underpowered. At least the power is delivered smoothly, although it…

First drive New pick-up boasts improved handling and economy Verdict A great workhorse, but not an ideal alternative to an SUV THE MITSUBISHI L200 has long been a popular choice for those seeking a practical pick-up. It’s proven so popular that, since the launch of the fourth-gen model in 2006, it’s outsold every other pick-up offered in the UK, including the renowned Toyota Hilux. This, the new fifth-generation version, looks set to continue that success thanks to a significant range of upgrades. Improved driving experience As well as a revamped exterior and updated interior, the L200 benefits from myriad technical changes. It gets a more efficient 2.4-litre diesel engine, as well as revised suspension and a stiffer chassis. The result is a pick-up that now drives in a much more…

Citizens’ Advice Bureau  www.citizensadvice.org.uk Service and repair standards  www.motorcodes.co.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 if a vehicle has been recalled  www.gov.uk/check-if-a-vehicle-has-been-recalled Check a car’s crash safety rating  www.euroncap.com Your car loan questions answered  www.whatcar.com/car-news/carloanfaqs…

Run by Andrew Frankel Mileage 13,122 List price £39,355* Target Price £33,628* Price as tested £27,950 My rating OUR NEW E-CLASS Estate (new to us, at any rate) has arrived after one year and 13,000 miles in someone else’s care. Now it’s my turn to see how this family holdall will fit into my life, both as a family man and as a hard-working freelance journalist covering a large annual mileage. My first surprise was to discover that our car was free of any options. However, our now-defunct 2014 AMG Sport trim turns out to offer a pretty impressive list of standard equipment. Our car comes with a DAB radio, as well as part leather seats, sat-nav, self-levelling rear suspension, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and even heated…

Mileage 5300 List price £89,327 Target Price £89,327 Average mpg 38.5 My rating THE PRICE AS tested of our Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is much higher than the car’s actual on the road price. That’s because we sourced our car through Porsche GB itself, and the firm wants us to experience as many of the options as possible. Question is, after a few thousand miles, do we think any of them are worth the money? Office opinion is split on the Panamera’s red metallic paint (an £851 tick box called Ruby Red), which has a lot of pink in it in full sunlight. We’re all a bit bemused, too, that you have to pay £224 for the Universal Audio Interface, which is a USB socket. The two most expensive options…

Mileage 3000 List price £9995 Target Price £9675 Average mpg 41.0 My rating THE VOLKSWAGEN GROUP was really on to something when it fitted a removable infotainment system to the Up, Mii and Citigo. Other manufacturers have followed their lead and the technology has developed further to now just be an app on a smartphone, which is what our Twingo has. Renault has developed a free app, R&Go, which you download to your smartphone and then connect to the car via Bluetooth. I’m running an iPhone with the latest operating system and it works fine. That wasn’t always the case. When the Twingo first arrived on the fleet, I downloaded the app and connected the phone to the car. My first attempts were not very successful, alas. The app continually…

LESS THAN £16,000 Nissan Pulsar Our pick 1.2 DIGT Visia List price £15,995 Target Price £14,902 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 S List price £16,115 Target Price £14,857 MPG 57.6 CO2 114g/km For The engine is refined, running costs are low and S trim has a decent amount of equipment. Against Some of the cabin plastics feel cheap and it could be more refined on the motorway. What Car? says Hyundai i30 Our pick 1.4 100 SE List price £16,495 Target Price £14,995 MPG 47.1 CO2 138g/km For Roomy, well-made cabin. The i30 rides well…

LESS THAN £19,000 Kia Cee’d Sportswagon Our pick 1.4 CRDi 89 1 ISG List price £17,295 Target Price £16,184 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For Lots of space, a high-quality cabin and plenty of equipment for a low price. Against It’s not as good to drive as many rivals and road noise is an issue on coarse surfaces. What Car? says Skoda Octavia Estate Our pick 1.4 TSI 140 SE List price £19,880 Target Price £18,556 MPG 53.3 CO2 121g/km For Offers loads of boot and cabin space and equipment for a competitive price. Against The ride is unsettled and you need to work the engine hard with a full load on board. What Car? says Peugeot 308 SW Our pick 1.2 110 Active List price £18,845 Target Price £17,380 MPG…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150 SEL Nav 2WD List price £24,795 Target Price £23,220 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 List price £24,995 Target Price £23,041 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 £25,570 Target Price £23,623 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 TSI ACT 150 FR List price £19,700 Target Price £18,161 MPG 60.1 CO2 109g/km For It’s quick, agile, economical and excellent value. There’s good space for people and bags. Against A few bits of cabin trim feel low-rent and there’s too much wind noise at speed. What Car? says BMW 2 Series Our pick 218d SE List price £24,415 Target Price £22,679 MPG 62.8 CO2 119g/km For It rides and handles well, and the diesel engine is punchy and economical. Against The rear seats are cramped for adults and the engine is noisy. What Car? says Mini Coupé Our pick 1.6 Cooper S List price £20,025 Target Price £18,889 MPG 48.7 CO2 136g/km For More entertaining to drive than many rivals.…

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…

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…

First drive Full-sized executive car receives a major overhaul Verdict Better to drive, improved practicality and a potential class leader THESE ARE EXCITING times at Jaguar. The XE, the firm’s exciting and hugely likable compact exec, is still wet behind the ears and in a matter of months we’ll have the phenomenally good-looking F-Pace – the first SUV to ever don the Jag badge. If that weren’t quite enough, the firm has found the time to completely overhaul the XF, the car responsible for kickstarting its design revolution almost a decade ago. The XF still squares up to the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, but the positioning of the XE beneath it – and the shared use of its new adaptable aluminium platform – means that the XF now…

First drive Honda’s hatchback gets a makeover, with more space and a new engine Verdict It’s practical and well equipped, but its rivals are better to drive STRICTLY SPEAKING, THE Honda Jazz is a rival for small cars such as the Ford Fiesta, Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo, but its class-leading space makes it feel like a mini-MPV. This year, that size advantage has grown, because the new, third-generation Jazz is 95mm longer than before. Its wheelbase is 30mm longer, giving the rear passengers more leg room, while the boot is bigger by 17 litres, giving it a volume of 354 litres with the rear seats in place. This Jazz is based on a new, lighter chassis, and it has new suspension, quicker steering, improved interior quality and Honda’s latest…

First drive The ever-popular baby Fiat receives a minor facelift, and upgrades to its interior Verdict Still has plenty of kerb appeal, but many rivals do it all so much better IT’S UNUSUAL INDEED for a car to last eight years without a facelift, but one look at the Fiat 500 tells you why it hasn’t needed one. There are minor cosmetic changes, including a new grille, headlights and bumpers. Inside, there are upgraded materials, more kit and a new infotainment system. Engine-wise there’s a choice between a four-cylinder 68bhp 1.2-litre petrol, or two versions of a 0.9 two-cylinder unit, with either 84bhp or 104bhp. An ‘Eco’ 1.2 should appear soon with CO2 emissions of 99g/km, as well as a 1.3 diesel emitting 89g/km. Bigger engine is at its best…

First drive The new Audi R8 has received wholesale changes beneath, including Lamborghini tech Verdict Performance and handling easily help it justify the £130,000-plus price THE FIRST-GENERATION Audi R8 was a revelation when it was launched in 2007. Audi had made sporty cars before, but never a sports car like the two-seater R8 supercar, which had an outstanding engine and brilliant handling. The original 4.2-litre V8 engine was supplemented by a 5.2-litre V10, and that more expensive, even faster model is what most buyers eventually opted for. So when Audi came to replace the car it decided to offer just the V10 engine, albeit in two states of tune. You can have the R8 V10 with 533bhp or, as tested here, as the V10 Plus, with a whopping 601bhp. Supercar-baiting…

Run by Melanie Falconer Mileage 6320 List price £19,135 Target Price £18,345 Price as tested £22,070 My rating WHEN I FIRST saw this third incarnation of the new Mini hatchback, I was slightly disappointed. Sure, it was more rounded at the front with larger lights both front and rear, but at first glance it could have easily been mistaken for the second-generation model. However, after spending a full year living with the latest version, there’s so much more to this car than meets the eye. Performance-wise, I couldn’t fault it. The new three-cylinder, 134bhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine was a peach; refined, smooth, and respectably fast, especially in go-kart-like Sport mode. Handling was similarly impressive, with the suspension providing a predictably firm but more than comfortable ride, even on the…

Mileage 1802 List price £13,450 Target Price £12,535 Average mpg 37.5 My rating WHEN I FIRST wrote about life with my Fabia, my experiences with the small Skoda had at that stage been rather limited. Living and working in London meant that I had rarely got to go above 30mph. That the Fabia is now fast approaching 2000 miles is thanks to a couple of weddings, which required return trips to Devon and Wales on two recent weekends. As a result, it has now spent several hundred miles on some of the busiest motorways in southern England, as well as on winding country roads. Perhaps the biggest compliment that I could pay the Fabia is that both journeys were, by and large, unremarkable. The seating position and ride remained comfortable,…

Mileage 5300 List price £19,495 Target Price £17,189 Average mpg 54.8 My rating ONE FEATURE OF our Zetec-spec Focus’s £850 Convenience Pack is Ford’s Active Park Assist function. In other words, this car parks itself. Well, sort of. You have to do some of the work, braking and gently accelerating, shifting from first to reverse, but the steering itself is done by the car. Self-parking functions are now increasingly common, even on cars like our Focus, but the truth is I’ve never tried one before. Until now. The Focus can do both parallel and perpendicular parking, so I gave the latter a go. Once the car had found a space, watching the steering wheel twirl hither and thither while I followed the prompts to swap gears and control the pedals…

LESS THAN £10,000 Skoda Citigo Our pick 1.0 60 SE 5dr List price £9485 Target Price £9114 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/km For It’s economical, solidly built and feelsgrown-up to drive. It’s cheaper than the VW Up. Against It’s not as classy as the Up and the 59bhpengine can struggle at speed. What Car? says Seat Mii Our pick 1.0 Ecomotive 3dr List price £9530 Target Price £9252 MPG 68.9 CO2 95g/km For The Mii feels remarkably grown-up to drive, and is cheaper than the near-identical VW Up. Against It’s not as well finished inside as the Up and this version can feel slow on faster roads. What Car? says Fiat Panda Our pick 1.2 Easy List price £10,175 Target Price £9081 MPG 54.3 CO2 120g/km For It’s practical, with five…

Volkswagen Passat Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE List price £24,585 Target Price £22,473 MPG 67.3 CO2 106g/km For Drives very well, with a good ride and refined diesel engine. The interior is top notch. Against Some rivals are more practical, while the dashboard design is a bit dull. What Car? says Audi A3 Saloon Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 Sport List price £24,785 Target Price £23,038 MPG 68.9 CO2 107g/km For It handles well, the engine is strong and the cabin is beautifully built. Against It costs more than the A3 Sportback, despite having a less practical boot. What Car? says Volvo S60 Our pick 2.0 D4 Business Edition List price £23,195 Target Price £23,195 MPG 74.3 CO2 99g/km For It’s tax-efficient, comfortable, classy inside, and has lots of…

LESS THAN £17,000 Citroën C3 Picasso Our pick 1.4 VTi 95 VTR+ List price £15,145 Target Price £11,931 MPG 44.8 CO2 145g/km For The interior is spacious and the boot is big. Ride comfort and refinement impress. Against Some rivals are cheaper and the engine feels a bit weedy on faster roads. What Car? says Ford B-Max Our pick 1.4 90 Zetec List price £14,895 Target Price £13,245 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For The engine is eager, Zetec trim brings plenty of kit and rear-seat access is easy. Against There are only five forward gears, so motorway driving can be tiresome. What Car? says Peugeot Partner Tepee Our pick 1.6 BlueHDi 100 Active 7st List price £17,180 Target Price £16,742 MPG 68.9 CO2 109g/km For Good value for a seven-seat…

LESS THAN £20,000 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Our pick 1.2 TSI 105 List price £19,230 Target Price £16,593 MPG 50.4 CO2 129g/km For It looks like nothing else and will hold its value well. The engine is smooth. Against There’s not much space in the rear seats and the ride is unsettled. What Car? says Citroën DS3 Cabriolet Our pick 1.2 Puretech 110 DStyle List price £17,995 Target Price £16,896 MPG 60.1 CO2 107g/km For The interior is chic, classy and well equipped and the engine is strong and flexible. Against The roof pillars stay in place, so it’s not a full open-top. Rear visibility is awful. What Car? says Fiat 500C Our pick 1.2 Lounge S/S List price £15,090 Target Price £14,522 MPG 58.9 CO2 113g/km For It’s cheap to…

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 have the confidence to purchase knowing that they have been offered a very strong deal which maximises savings in all areas. Process All cars are sourced directly from…

First drive Audi’s all-new executive saloon lifts cabin quality to new levels Verdict Impressive emissions, stunning interior but not the best to drive THIS YEAR IS fast becoming the year of the executive saloon. First came the sharp-driving Jaguar XE, before BMW hit back with a thoroughly revised version of its hugely popular 3 Series. Now Audi has waded in with an all-new A4, and we have tried out an early pre-production version of the car. From the outset, the new A4 will be available with a range of new or upgraded petrol and diesel engines, ranging from a 148bhp 1.4-litre turbo petrol to a 268bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel. Here we’re testing the 188bhp 2.0 diesel (badged 2.0 TDI 190) in front-wheel-drive form; it’s predicted to be the second-biggest seller…

First drive Second-generation SUV gets more space and greater refinement Verdict Vastly improved but also pricier than before WITH SUCH FIERCE competition in the SUV market, BMW couldn’t afford to launch another car as cramped, noisy and disappointing to drive as the last X1. Luckily, this second-generation model uses the brand’s latest front-wheel drive platform, which now offers the practicality, refinement and handling polish that its predecessor badly needed. At launch the X1 will be available with 20i petrol and 20d diesel engines, likely to be the biggest sellers, as well as more powerful 25i and 25d derivatives. The X1 will also be available with a choice of three-cylinder petrol or diesel engines in Germany, but it’s unlikely that these versions will make it to the UK. A smooth and…

First drive Rugged styling, raised suspension and optional four-wheel drive for Volvo’s family estate Verdict Front-wheel drive versions make the most sense, but they’re still comparatively pricey THE VOLVO V60 Cross Country is aimed at those looking for increased versatility and the extra reassurance that all-wheel drive brings, and is based on the V60 estate that’s been on sale since 2010. The most noticeable modification is a 65mm raised ride height over the standard estate, boosting ground clearance, while cosmetic tweaks include wheel arch extensions, front and rear skid plates and gloss trim around the doors and mirrors. There are four trim levels and three diesel engines to choose from, although only the range-topping 2.4 D4 gets four-wheel drive, as well as an eight-speed auto gearbox. The 2.0-litre diesels get…

First drive Plug-in hybrid is aimed squarely at company car drivers Verdict Well engineered, but makes most sense for short commutes THE LATEST CAR to join the ever-expanding hybrid class is this, the Volkswagen Passat GTE. It’s a plug-in hybrid that can be driven up to 30 miles on electric power alone, and, when longer journeys beckon, the 1.4-litre petrol engine drives the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Brisk and quiet performance In normal circumstances, the GTE moves off in battery mode using the electric motor, then the petrol engine takes over. There are three other transmission modes: E-Mode allows the car to run purely on electric power, while Battery Charge mode recharges the battery while the car is driving on petrol power. GTE mode uses the…

Polos suffer from software issues In January 2015, I bought a new Volkswagen Polo GT. On the first day of ownership, an array of warning lights appeared on the dashboard. These indicated a low tyre pressure error and a stabilisation error. On top of that, the parking pilot system had become deactivated, and the car’s alarm went off. I took my new car back to the dealership straightaway. They had the Polo for a few days, updated its software and then returned it to me. Three weeks later, the same problem occurred. This time, the dealer replaced the steering column before returning the car. A few more weeks passed before the problems resurfaced for a third time. The dealer updated the software again. When we experienced the same issues a…

Run by Will Williams Mileage 16198 List price £21,250 Target Price £18,952 Price as tested £21,740 My rating THE KIA SOUL had an arduous job on its hands when it arrived at What Car?’s headquarters six months ago. Any test car that gets assigned to a photographer has probably the toughest job on the fleet; a snapper’s workhorse clocks up a mileage that would easily eclipse most company cars over the same period. Our car came in ‘Mixx’ specification, sitting just below the flagship ‘Maxx’ in the five-strong trim range. Priced at £21,250, its standard equipment list was impressive. It included an 8.0in colour touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio and sat-nav, reversing camera, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, climate control, mood lights on the front door…

Mileage 7805 List price £14,640 Target Price £13,586 Average mpg 43.2 My rating IT’S FUNNY HOW the seemingly inconsequential details often leave a more lasting impression – good or bad – than the major things. For instance, I’ve often thought how good the turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine in our Corsa is. Smooth, free-revving, decent pace; it’s just what you want in a vaguely sporting small car. Yet, that was pushed right to the back of my mind after the third or fourth time that I shut the door, having thought from the hollow, double-thwack noise it makes that it hadn’t shut properly. Many times I’ve had to re-open it, slam a bit harder, only to find that it had actually been closed in the first place. It just never sounds…

Mileage 3350 List price £42,995 Target Price £41,755 Average mpg 32.6 My rating A RECENT HALF-TERM holiday in France showed the NX in a new light. On UK roads, its ride doesn’t always settle down, and it can occasionally thump into potholes too, but over the Channel all was calm. There was also noticeably less road noise, so we set the driving mode to Eco, the cruise control to the legal limit, and sat back to enjoy a quick and peaceful journey. Alas, such bliss wasn’t to last. Our destination was Annecy, 540 miles from Calais, but long before we got anywhere near there it became apparent that the NX had developed a bit of a thirst. Filling up the tank revealed its fuel consumption to be a disappointing 28mpg,…

LESS THAN £12,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 1.2 Ambiance List price £6795 Target Price £6795 MPG 48.7 CO2 135g/km For Lots of space for the money, plus a proven four-cylinder petrol engine from Renault. Against The interior and equipment list are basic, while the low-speed ride is lumpy. What Car? says Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.2 SZ3 3dr List price £10,599 Target Price £10,105 MPG 56.5 CO2 116g/km For Lots of equipment as standard and a smart cabin. It’s also fun to drive. Against The engine is noisy and a little gutless at motorway speeds. What Car? says Seat Ibiza Our pick 1.4 85 SE 5dr List price £13,095 Target Price £11,957 MPG 47.9 CO2 139g/km For Rides and handles well, and comes with a generous standard kit list. Against…

LESS THAN £16,000 Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZT 2WD List price £15,499 Target Price £14,913 MPG 53.3 CO2 123g/km For The Vitara is good to drive, has a practical interior and comes with lots of equipment. Against CO2 emissions are comparatively high and the steering weight is too light. What Car? says Renault Captur Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Dynamique Media Nav List price £15,395 Target Price £14,128 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 Citroën C4 Cactus Our pick 1.2 110 Feel S/S List price £15,890 Target Price £15,111 MPG 60.1 CO2 107g/km For It’s remarkably cheap to run,…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Swift Sport Our pick 3dr List price £13,999 Target Price £13,542 MPG 44.1 CO2 147g/km For Loves to be thrashed, thanks to a rev-hungry engine and snappy gearchange. Against The cabin is plain, so there’s none of the ‘wow’ factor that hot hatch buyers crave. What Car? says Seat Ibiza SC FR Our pick 1.4 TSI 140 List price £15,495 Target Price £14,134 MPG 60.1 CO2 109g/km For Gutsy engine, low running costs, plenty of equipment and a spacious interior. Against Some rivals are more fun to drive and the cabin plastics feel cheap. What Car? says Fiat 500 Abarth Our pick 1.4 T Jet List price £14,255 Target Price £14,255 MPG 43.5 CO2 155g/km For Small hot hatches don’t get any more stylish and the…