Table of contents for August 2019 in What Car?

‘The trickle of brilliant small SUVs could soon become a torrent’ We all know that competition helps drive up standards. So, with pretty much every car maker offering at least one SUV (and some as many as nine), it’s hardly surprising that a lot of these cars are now brilliant all-rounders. Or, at least, a lot of the mid-sized and luxury models are; the smallest SUVs have long been harder to recommend, being less comfortable, worse to drive and no more practical than the Ford Fiesta-sized hatchbacks on which they’re based. Only recently has that started to change, with first the Seat Arona and then the Volkswagen T-Cross earning our maximum five-star rating. But if this month’s cover stars are anything to go by, the trickle could soon become a…

Nissan Juke Target Price from £14,090 Pick of the range 1.2 DiG-T Tekna Despite being long in the tooth now, the Juke is still a big seller. It’s cramped and the ride is too firm, but a replacement is coming soon. Renault Captur Target Price from £14,876 Pick of the range 0.9 TCe 90 Play The Captur offers impressively refined engines and generous kit for the money. It’s decently practical as well, although its interior quality underwhelms. Seat Arona Target Price from £15,685 Pick of the range 1.0 TSI SE Technology The Arona handles in a tidy manner and retains its value well, plus it has more space for luggage than most rivals. Just avoid the pricey top trim levels. Volkswagen T-Cross Target Price from £16,677 Pick of the range…

Doug Revolta Doug.Revolta@haymarket.com NOT EVERY BAND’S best-selling album is their strongest. But while it might be a stretch too far to call Porsche’s biggest seller – the Macan – the finest car in its line-up, it’s certainly still a car that has been proving doubters wrong since its launch in 2014. It was among the first SUVs that could truly entertain its driver. Among the changes to this facelifted car, you’ll first notice a full-width LED light bar at the rear. The suspension has been revised, too, and – in the absence of a diesel option – the two petrol engines have been tweaked slightly. Inside, there’s an updated infotainment system and a new instrument cluster. We’ve already driven the 2.0-litre four-cylinder entry-level version; it beat the equivalent Jaguar F-Pace…

ELECTRIC CARS SUCH as the new Nissan Leaf e+ won’t solve the problem of global warming on their own, but they certainly help, even if only to clean up the air in our cities. It’s a good job, then, that they’re rapidly becoming more usable as their ranges improve. The Kia e-Niro, our 2019 Car of the Year, is capable of covering more than 250 miles between charges, as is the related Hyundai Kona Electric. That sort of range is plenty for most journeys and makes the 168-mile official range of the standard Leaf – launched only 18 months ago – look feeble. But thanks to a bigger battery (62kWh over 40kWh), the Leaf e+ boosts that to 239 miles. With 214bhp, the e+ is 66bhp more powerful than the…

SOMETIMES, LOOKING AS though you can conquer a mountain is more important than actually doing it. So, for those whose wardrobes are packed with gym kit that’s yet to be worn anywhere near a gym, meet the new Kia Xceed. This is the fourth bodystyle for Kia’s family car, following on from the five-door hatchback, Sportswagon estate and Proceed shooting brake. Described as being a sporty alternative to regular family SUVs, the Xceed features dark body cladding around its lower edges and is both longer and wider than the hatchback. It sits on either 16in or 18in alloy wheels and even gets bespoke LED lights at the rear. In addition, its ride height has been raised by 43mm to give you a more commanding view of the road. Inside, the…

THE AUDI SQ8 isn’t a product of necessity. It’s the sort of car you reward yourself with should you have done rather well in life and want others to know about it. It is also, currently at least, the pinnacle of Audi’s SUV line-up. As the name suggests, the SQ8 is the sporty version of the Q8 luxury SUV, challenging the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Coupé Turbo. It’s powered by a 429bhp 4.0-litre V8 diesel – first seen in the bonkers SQ7 – that’s packed full of performance-enhancing technology. For example, there’s a small electric compressor that pushes air into the twin turbochargers so the engine responds as quickly as possible. On the flipside, the tech can also benefit efficiency, with one of the turbos shutting down at low…

WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN Passat GTE, the German brand is doing the automotive equivalent of the hokey cokey. First this plug-in hybrid was in, impressing us so much that we gave it a five-star rating. Then it was out, pulled from sale due to a bottleneck in getting cars certified for new emissions standards. Now it’s back in again, at the vanguard of a revised Passat range that’s designed to shake up the executive car sector. On the outside, all Passats now feature LED headlights with reshaped bumpers and foglights. However, it’s the technical changes to the GTE (which is available as a saloon or an estate) that are the most significant: its battery now has a third more range and allows you to cover up to 34 miles on electric…

AS IT APPROACHES its 30th birthday, the Clio has a lot to celebrate, having surpassed 15 million sales globally and thus become the best-selling model in Renault’s long history. It will arrive at its big bash in brand new, fifth-generation form. Fresh underpinnings should improve its ride and handling, while it has evolutionary exterior styling – apparently because the way it looks is cited by customers as primary among its attractions. However, the changes are much more pronounced inside. The design is centred around a 9.3in infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument panel (7.0in or 10.0in). Renault also says the new Clio’s materials are the plushest of any small car, although Audi and Mini might raise an eyebrow at that. The engines will be 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo petrols and…

Catalogue of problems for Audi R8 Last May, I bought a 2011 Audi R8 Spyder for £60,000. It had one previous owner and 30,000 miles on the clock. I bought the car from JCT600, a franchised Audi dealer, and it came with a 148-point check and the provision of a year’s warranty to provide me with reassurance that if a fault did occur, it would be covered. However, the car has suffered a catalogue of problems since then, so I’ve had to take it back to my local Audi dealer repeatedly. First, a warning light came on to say that one of the tyres was under-inflated.Walton Audi found that one rear tyre had a nail in it and the other was worn below the legal limit, so both were replaced.…

“The Honda CR-V Hybrid is amazingly quiet and smooth. You don’t have to think about the hybrid – it does it all for you. It feels nicely balanced, with power available when you need it.”Alex Imlach. The innovative new Honda CR-V Hybrid intelligently blends petrol and electric power, helping you to improve your fuel efficiency and lower your emissions without ever needing to change the way you drive. Combining the great design and tech-packed interior of the CR-V with a hybrid system that is smoother, quieter and easier to use, it retains all of the sporty performance, interior comfort and practical luggage space you would expect from one of Britain’s most popular and acclaimed SUVs. But don’t take our word for it. We invited some Autocar and What Car? readers–including…

Mileage 11,876 List price £42,857 Target Price na Price as tested £47,040 Test economy 27.5mpg YOU WOULDN’T NECESSARILY associate a pick-up truck with exhilarating pace and pleasing handling, but that’s exactly what I’ve been experiencing. The Volkswagen Amarok is essentially an elephant with the legs of Usain Bolt, and I love that about it. Okay, maybe I’m getting a bit carried away; this is no sports car, after all. But the numbers are still very impressive. The Amarok weighs 2268kg, which is a lot – almost as much as two Ford Fiestas, in fact. But thanks to its throbbing, torquey V6 diesel engine, it can manage 0-62mph in just 7.4sec. That’s quicker than the Volkswagen Up GTI and most other warm hatchbacks that you’d care to mention. The body control…

Vauxhall Combo Life 1.5 Turbo D 100 Energy XL 7-Seater Mileage 1267 List price £23,765 Target Price £23,765 Price as tested £26,375 Options Multimedia Navi Pro (£450), Parking Pack (£400), head-up display (£355), opening tailgate with tints (£305), Brilliant Paint (£285), Child Pack (£250), electronic climate control (£200), Winter Pack (£200), roof rails (£150), dark-tinted rear windows (£110), spare wheel (£110), wireless phone charging (£105), 230V socket (£50) Test economy 40.0mpg Official economy 50.8mpg (WLTP) Contract hire na Insurance group 8 Typical insurance quote £367 per year…

In production 2013-present Price from £13,000 Our favourite 94Ah GIVEN THAT OWNING an electric car is an exciting and forward-thinking proposition, and that their designers have far more scope for innovation without the need to package a bunch of bulky mechanical parts, it seems rather a shame that most of them to date haven’t been very interesting to look at. The BMW i3 is a notable exception, though. Despite having been around for six years, it still looks like it has driven out of a science fiction film, with an eyecatchingly distinctive shape and rear-hinged back doors. This is backed up by state-of-the-art construction techniques, including the employment of super-light carbonfibre and aluminium to offset the heavy weight of the battery. The original version of the i3, known as the…

LESS THAN £20,000 Kia Ceed Our pick 1.0 T-GDi 2 List price £18,600 Target Price £17,400 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 £19,050 Target Price £15,594 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 £19,170 Target Price £17,747 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 £25,000 Mini Convertible Our pick Cooper Classic Comfort/Navigation List price £21,885 Target Price £20,458 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 £16,565 Target Price £15,665 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 £21,706 Official range (WLTP) 70.2 CO2 0g/km For Truly agile…

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.…

THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ GLB is a large SUV for buyers who want the chunky off-road looks of the prestigious G-Class but don’t have the requisite £94,000 to buy one. Although its design has been toned down from the concept car we saw earlier this year, the production GLB’s upright front grille and boxy body mark it out from the existing GLA and GLC. Like the GLC, the GLB rivals large SUVs such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Land Rover Discovery Sport. It’s the smallest Mercedes SUV to have seven seats, with the rear pair lying flush with the floor when folded. The second-row seats split 40/20/40, fold down and slide to prioritise either boot space or leg room. The GLB can hold more in its boot in five-seat…

PERHAPS BECAUSE ITS larger siblings are so good, the current 2008 stands out in Peugeot’s SUV line-up like an ugly duckling at a swan-only cocktail party.You see, while the 3008 is a high-tech marvel in the family SUV market and the 5008 remains our favourite large SUV two years after it first went on sale, the 2008 has been somewhat neglected – until now. Based on the same underpinnings as the upcoming new Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa small hatchbacks, as well as the DS 3 Crossback, Peugeot’s rejuvenated small SUV is a significant 14cm longer than the outgoing model, promising more leg room and boot space inside. It’s set to go toe to toe with rivals such as the Seat Arona and Volkswagen T-Cross, as well as Ford’s new…

MINI DECIDED TO tread lightly when launching its first electric car. So lightly, in fact, that this Mini Electric’s first ninja-like steps were taken in 2009, when a small fleet of electric Minis were trialled in cities across the UK on a subscription-only basis.Then, in 2017, the Mini Electic concept car previewed the car’s radical styling.And now, finally, here’s an all-electric Mini that you can put on your driveway. Although it has been toned down significantly from the conceptual version, elements such as its bulbous front grille, sporty front and rear bumpers, bespoke badging and geometric alloy wheels aim to make the Mini Electric stand out from the crowd. It rides 15mm higher than the regular Mini hatchback – a move necessitated by its battery pack, located under the main…

LARGE SUVs MAY be the height of fashion right now, but let’s face it, do you really need a raised ride height and four-wheel drive when you’re heading to a theme park with the kids? Besides, there’s a certain breed of MPV that can literally one-up them by providing space for eight. The Vauxhall Vivaro Life is the latest offering, aiming to provide the perfect upgrade to those who have outgrown their Ford Galaxy with the kind of interior and lofty seating position they would enjoy in a plush SUV. You can have the Vivaro Life in Medium or Long form, with the Long adding more body behind the rear wheels to increase luggage space. Two versions of a 2.0-litre diesel engine are available, with 148bhp or 178bhp, but we’d…

IF THERE’S ONE vehicle on sale today that perfectly encapsulates its home nation, it’s the Ford F-150 Raptor. This enormous, twin-turbocharged V6-powered pick-up truck is made in America for Americans, and it’s therefore larger than many London bedsits. The rest of the world has far more modest tastes by comparison – according to Ford, at least. So it gives us the Ranger Raptor instead. The Ranger is the F-150’s little brother (one that’s still bigger than the Range Rover, mind), and the new Raptor version sits at the top of the range, sporting a number of changes that signal its off-road performance intent. Slightly bulkier than regular models, it comes with a strengthened chassis, a more sophisticated suspension set-up at the rear and a set of enormous off-road tyres from…

THIS ISN’T AN all-new Mitsubishi ASX. Instead, it’s the second makeover for a family SUV that was introduced all the way back in 2010. But don’t think this is just a new grille and lights job. All of the bodywork forward of the windscreen has been replaced, the rear bumper has been reshaped and there are now full LED lights front and rear, fresh 18in alloy wheels, a larger (8.0in) touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration and, of course, a couple of new paint colours. However, the big news comes from under the bonnet. Out goes the old 1.6-litre petrol engine, having been replaced by the 2.0-litre unit found in Mitsubishi’s larger Outlander SUV. Front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual gearbox are standard, but a CVT automatic and four-wheel drive…

DRIVERS OF CARS that break the legal limit of 76dB for noise could soon be prosecuted automatically thanks to a new ‘noise camera’ being trialled by the Department for Transport. The new system is designed to catch those whose cars are overly loud, or who excessively rev their cars, and works by measuring the noise of a car relative to its speed, vehicle class and distance from the camera. Drivers could then be prosecuted using automatic numberplate recognition technology. Several locations around the UK will trial the noise cameras over the next seven months. If successful, the system could then be deployed across the country. Transport secretary Chris Grayling says the cameras aren’t there to catch out law-abiding drivers, but to “crack down on nuisance drivers who blight our streets.…

WALK INTO A showroom with a suitcase full of cash 10 years ago and you would have had sales staff fighting each other off to help you spend it on a shiny new car. However, that’s no longer the case; even if you do have the money to buy a new car outright, in many cases you’re now better off entering a finance agreement instead. One reason for this is that dealers no longer make big margins on sales; the actual profit for each new car they shift can be as little as £200. That means they need to make their money elsewhere, and finance is one area in which they can claw back some dividends. Many offer at least £1000 off in the form of a manufacturer’s deposit contribution;…

THIS YEAR HAS been tipped as the year of the electric revolution, with an electric car – the Kia e-Niro – being crowned as What Car?’s overall Car of the Year for the first time and up to 20 new models scheduled to be launched. Sales of all alternatively fuelled vehicles (hybrids, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen cars and electric cars) are steadily increasing, too; so far this year, they’ve accounted for 6% of all new car registrations. And there’s more interest than ever in electric vehicles (EVs) among the public. Our research shows that 8% of buyers intend to go electric with their next new car and 19% are angling for a hybrid. However, the same research also reveals that confusing and conflicting information surrounding today’s EVs has created a knowledge…

A NEW INITIATIVE called Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) has been launched to reward car dealerships that offer the best information and service to prospective buyers of EVs and hybrids. The scheme enables franchised dealer groups to nominate one or more of their showrooms as centres of excellence for EVs that guarantee to have experts on hand to answer questions from customers and assist existing EV owners with servicing. The scheme, Developed by the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), aims to recognise expertise and raise industry standards in order to encourage people to take the plunge into the world of EVs and hybrids. According to the NFDA, buying an EV or plug-in hybrid is more complex than buying a petrol or diesel car, because people need to consider extra factors, such…

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…

Mileage 1810 List price £28,275 Target Price £25,403 Price as tested £28,385 Test economy 34.6mpg THE ATECA’S LOAD-CARRYING ability was put to the test recently when a couple of pieces of new furniture were delivered by truck to Chez Muir, wrapped in what seemed like an excessive amount of packaging. A living room’s worth of flattened cardboard boxes and chunks of polystyrene therefore had to be taken to my local recycling centre, and the Ateca had no trouble swallowing the load with its rear seatbacks folded down. In fact, it has one of the bigger boots in the family SUV class, beating the rival Nissan Qashqai’s with the seats up or down. Although the lip at the entrance is relatively high and there’s a step in the extended boot floor,…

“BUS!” MY DAUGHTER exclaimed, pointing at my new Kodiaq vRS – a reaction Skoda’s designers almost certainly weren’t going for when they were styling the brand’s first sports SUV. But to be fair, my daughter is two and seemed very excited, so she was probably just thinking of the biggest, coolest red thing she’d ever seen. It’s not just toddlers who are impressed by the way the vRS looks, either. In the short time since it arrived, I’ve had a couple of other drivers gesture for me to lower my window while waiting for the lights to go green so they could find out more about it. And the work experience girl who recently spent a week with What Car? mistook it for an Audi. Then again, any similarity in…

Mileage 7482 List price £22,850 Target Price £20,988 Price as tested £25,200 Test economy 52.4mpg THE FIRST MONTH or so with the Focus was relatively uneventful, but that didn’t last. At 5846 miles, a warning appeared in the instrument panel, telling me that the car’s emergency call system had stopped working. Then a few days later, the display informed me that the engine needed an oil change. That didn’t seem right after so few miles. I made a quick call to my local Ford dealer and got the car booked in for a check. While I was there, I was told false warnings are relatively common on early examples of this fourth-generation Focus. Fortunately, it only took a quick software update, done at no cost to me, to stop them…

LESS THAN £10,000 Suzuki Celerio Our pick 1.0 SZ2 List price £9004 Target Price £9004 MPG 58.8 CO2 99g/km For It has a practical interior with a DAB radio and the engine gives adequate performance. Against The interior feels cheap, resale values are weak and infotainment options are limited. WHAT CAR? SAYS Hyundai i10 Our pick 1.0 S List price £9900 Target Price £9200 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.…

LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £16,325 Target Price £15,394 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 £19,600 Target Price £18,332 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 £11,300 Target Price £11,195 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 £20,452 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 Volkswagen Up GTI Our pick 1.0 115 3dr List price £14,320 Target Price £14,320 MPG 50.6 CO2 110g/km For Pretty nippy and handles well; relatively practical; cheaper to buy than its rivals. Against Could be more exciting; intrusive traction control; contrived engine noise. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Swift Sport Our pick 1.4 Boosterjet List price £18,504 Target Price £17,504 MPG 47.1 CO2 125g/km For You get plenty of equipment as standard, plus it’s relatively quick and cheap…

LESS THAN £30,000 Mazda MX-5 Our pick 2.0 Sport Nav+ List price £25,095 Target Price £23,747 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 £27,325 Target Price £25,557 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…

WILL A FORD Puma in any other form smell as sweet? If you’ll forgive us for torturing the bard’s words, that’s a question Ford is about to answer. ‘With a 456-litre boot, the Puma outclasses the Arona and T-Cross’ You see, the original Puma was launched in 1997 as a three-door coupé based on the best-selling Fiesta hatchback.And with its funky looks and fun driving style, it was very good indeed. In fact, it won our Coupé of the Year Award back in 1998. It lasted only until 2002, however, when it was quietly retired and the Puma badge was stored away in the archives. Now, though, the Puma is back – but not as you knew it. Instead, this new Puma is an SUV. It has roughly the same…

SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION a barely believable 29 years ago, we’ve got used to the Renault Clio going through more looks than an ageing pop star. Whether it’s just a nose job or a complete transformation, you can be confident that the Britney of small cars will be almost unrecognisable every time it rolls back into the limelight. So, imagine our surprise when we first saw pictures of this new, fifth-generation Clio. Yes, we are using them; it’s just that for once, Renault’s designers have opted for evolution rather than revolution. It’s only really when you see the new car alongside its predecessor that you notice the larger front grille and new C-shaped daytime running lights, while if you whip out a tape measure, you’ll find the new car is a…

SO, YOU’RE IN the market for a big, luxury SUV. You’ve seen all the diesel scare stories and have decided petrol power is the way forward; what should you buy? Well, a tempting choice could be the new Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TFSI 340. Sitting at the top of the Touareg line-up, this 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol model will cost you around £900 more than the most powerful diesel but has even stronger performance. And it’s still relatively good value, being significantly cheaper than similarly punchy petrol rivals such as the BMW X5 xDrive40i and Volvo XC90 T6. So, if your budget sits nearer to £50k rather than well north of it, is this petrol Touareg any good? Well, the X5 is quicker, but with 335bhp to chivvy you along, the…

WHEN THE CURRENT Renault Zoe was launched in 2012, it addressed two of the most common complaints about electric cars: their paltry ranges and relatively high prices. But with competition now a lot stiffer, this new version has to push the former up again while keeping the latter down. Sure enough, while the battery is no larger to ensure it doesn’t eat into interior space, its energy capacity is up from 41kWh to 52kWh. That results in a 21% improvement in official range, from 186 miles to 236. Putting that into perspective, the long-range, e+ version of Nissan’s Leaf can travel just three miles farther, despite costing almost £40,000. And the upcoming Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa-e both manage only 211 miles. A full charge of the new Zoe from…

‘The plug-in hybrid 330e will be able to cover up to 39 miles on electric power alone’ WE’RE BIG FANS of the latest BMW 3 Series at What Car?, so much so that it’s our reigning Executive Car of the Year. But how do you make the best even better? Well, more space is a good place to start, and that’s exactly what the new 3 Series Touring brings to the table. With its rear seatbacks up, the 3 Series Touring has a boot capacity of 500 litres – five more than its predecessor and 20 more than the current saloon – so it should comfortably be able to handle your holiday luggage or a couple of sets of golf clubs. In that configuration, it soundly trumps the rival Mercedes-Benz…

IN TODAY’S WORLD, ‘budget’ is seen as much less of a derogatory term. The rise of Lidl over Waitrose, Primark over Topshop and Uber over London’s black cabs shows that you can get high-quality products at wallet-friendly prices. And that can only be a good thing. The Dacia Duster is a prime example of this: although it’s priced from just £9995, it’s here to give its family SUV rivals a run for their money. To give you an example, the cheapest Seat Ateca costs more than twice that. The Duster even offers four-wheel drive for more adventurous outings, this coming with a 1.6-litre petrol engine or the 1.5-litre diesel we’re testing here, both serving up 113bhp. In the front-wheel-drive model, the diesel is peppy, although a little hungrier for revs…

JUST BECAUSE YOU have a DIY addiction or a dog, why should you have to put up with a dowdy estate car? That seems to be the thinking behind the SW version of Peugeot’s new 508. Like the saloon, this estate sacrifices a little practicality to the gods of style. That means it’s actually shorter and lower than the old 508 SW and has coupé-like frameless doors. Engines and trim levels mirror those of the saloon, so you can have anything from 129bhp to 221bhp and fairly basic to pretty luxurious. After a day spent driving all the variants, it’s the 179bhp 1.6-litre Puretech 180 turbo petrol we’d choose. It isn’t as flexible at low revs as the pricier 2.0-litre diesels, but it’s a lot stronger than the 1.5-litre diesel.…

SMALL AND FAMILY SUVs Audi Q3 Sportback Late 2019 Sporty, coupé-styled version of excellent SUV. Mazda CX-30 Late 2019 New Seat Ateca rival shares its underpinnings, frugal engines and styling with the all-new 3. Mercedes-Benz GLB Late 2019 A-Class hardware underneath off-roader looks. Nissan Juke Late 2019 New engines, new interior and standout looks. Renault Captur Late 2019 Evolved design and new turbo petrol engines. LARGE AND LUXURY SUVs BMW X6 Autumn Brilliant new X5 transformed into an SUV-coupé. Ford Kuga Early 2020 Has new-look styling and three hybrid variants. Land Rover Defender Early 2020 All-new 4x4 will be available in many forms, from 3dr to 5dr, farm workhorse to luxury model. Land Rover Discovery Sport Summer 2019 All-new mechanicals and upgraded interior. SMALL CARS Peugeot 208 November 2019 Radically…

CITY CARS The Kia Picanto has been our favourite city car for the past two years, and if you get a 1.0-litre petrol model in 2 trim on a PCP finance deal, you’ll pay £1000 less than if you buy it with cash.That’s a saving of nearly 16% from the list price. Kia Picanto 1.0 2 List price £11,250 Cash Target Price £10,729 Finance Target Price £9729 Finance saving £1000 Hyundai i10 1.0 S List price £9900 Cash Target Price £9200 Finance Target Price £8700 Finance saving £500 Peugeot 108 1.0 72 Allure 5dr auto List price £14,740 Cash Target Price £13,740 Finance Target Price £13,240 Finance saving £500 SMALL CARS Based on list prices, the Mazda 2 looks expensive next to rivals such as the Hyundai i20 and Skoda…

It’s a close call, this – and there are valid and objective reasons for choosing either one of these electric SUVs. If you value comfort and peaceful cruising manners over agile handling, need lots of space and won’t find yourself restricted by a sub-200-mile real-world range, the E-tron will suit you very well indeed. Handy features, such as charging ports on both sides of the car, should also help make it extra-easy to live with. But the thing is, even in the areas in which the E-tron comes out on top, it doesn’t do so by a particularly big margin. In contrast, the I-Pace absolutely wipes the floor with the E-tron in its particular areas of excellence – namely real-word range, performance and handling.That being the case, the I-Pace just…

THE ARRIVAL OF a new BMW 3 Series is, in the motoring world, the equivalent of the Apollo moon landings or the death of Elvis. It’s an event that resets the parameters in the executive saloon class because, more often than not, when a new 3 Series comes along, it becomes the car to beat. Indeed, had it not been for the arrival of the sensational electric Kia e-Niro family SUV, it could well have been our 2019 Car of the Year. Even without the top honour, though, this 3 Series is special. It’s larger, lighter and safer than before, borrowing its underpinnings from the 5 and 7 Series luxury saloons. Its wheels are more widely spaced across the axles, too, in a bid to improve agility while also giving…

THE COMBO LIFE is Vauxhall’s latest foray into the MPV market, sharing its underpinnings with the Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Rifter – the former being our reigning MPV of the Year. On paper, that makes the Combo Life one of the most practical cars around, but it’s also one of the most controversial. Much like Marmite, the Combo Life is a ‘love it or hate it’ proposition. Some people think the Combo Life isn’t the most fashionable thing in which to ferry your children around – and who can blame them? After all, it’s based on a vehicle more likely to be seen with ‘Smith & Sons’ or similar plastered on the side. With a centre of gravity to rival a camel’s and packing only 128bhp even in its highest-powered…

Mileage 5405 List price £35,900 Target Price £35,900 Price as tested £37,830 Test economy 26.2mpg THERE CAN BE few ways to better get to know a new car than on a week-long, 1000-mile tour of South Wales and the West Country – complete with partner, children, dog and way too much luggage. So, what have I learned? That even fully laden, the Cupra has the ability to be genuinely thrilling on the right road, and happily the Gower Peninsula has plenty of those. ‘In Sport mode, the Cupra takes off as if it’s been drop-kicked by Jonny Wilkinson’ It’s perhaps more surprising that it makes such a comfortable motorway car, but here I have the clever adaptive dampers to thank. Around town, the ride can get tooth-rattling in anything other…

Seat Ateca 2.0 TDI 190 4Drive Xcellence DSG List price when new £30,795 Price today £21,000 Available from 2016-present One of our favourite used SUVs, due to its excellent handling and generous kit. Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150 4Motion SE Navigation DSG List price when new £31,960 Price today £21,000 Available from 2016-present For this money, you get less power but a plusher, more practical interior. Price today is based on a 2017 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing…

LESS THAN £15,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Essential List price £8800 Target Price £8720 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 £11,051 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 £19,371 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 £20,000 Target Price £20,000 MPG 41.5 CO2 121g/km For Comfortable ride with surefooted handling and a smooth, punchy engine. Against Stingy…

LESS THAN £30,000 Renault Zoe Our pick R110 ZE40 Dynamique Nav List price £21,920 Target Price £19,177 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 Smart Fortwo Our pick EQ Prime Premium List price £21,195 Target Price £19,649 Official range (WLTP) 71 miles CO2 0g/km For Dinky dimensions are a boon for parking; proper electric cars don’t come any cheaper. Against Poor to drive; real-world range is disappointing; not exactly practical. WHAT CAR? SAYS Smart Forfour Our pick EQ Prime Premium List price £21,690 Target Price £19,909 Official range (WLTP) 68 miles CO2 0g/km For Relatively cheap; zippy and easy…

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 £46,005 Target Price £43,441 MPG 33.6 CO2 160g/km For Amazing steering; Quadrifoglio styling; great suspension set-up; 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 £36,277 MPG 34.4 CO2 158g/km For Fast, whatever the weather, and you’ll be cocooned in a…