Table of contents for Awards 2020 in What Car?

CAR MAKERS HAVE long had an obsession with big cats. From the lion on Peugeot’s crest to Jaguar to Panther (Google it), there’s something about the feline family that they just love to draw parallels with. Ford is the latest to do so with the Puma – a name it originally used on a small 1990s coupé and which has been exhumed for its new small SUV. Sitting above the Ecosport but below the Kuga, this sporty-looking Fiesta-based SUV comes with the sort of clever mild hybrid technology you’d usually expect to find in a much more expensive car – something that should, in theory, help it combine lively performance with parsimonious fuel consumption. The Puma also has an ingenious boot and is temptingly priced, even in range-topping form, as…

The latest Juke is a hugely improved car compared with the original; no longer would you buy it solely for the looks and live with its drawbacks. Interior space and driving dynamics have been improved vastly, and if a quality interior, lots of equipment or a strong safety rating are priorities, it’s a fine buy. The T-Roc is a small SUV for those who want to relax. It’s extremely comfortable and particularly good at isolating you from noise and the outside world.And because it’s consistently higher scoring in most areas than the Juke, it finishes ahead. The Puma is the most impressive car, though. It’s not only a great all-rounder but also moves the game on in certain areas. For example, it’s far more enjoyable to drive than its rivals…

The new Zoe may not look a lot different from its predecessor, but it’s a drastically better car.With a range that competes with that of many premium electric cars, a smart new interior and – on GT Line trim, at least – finally a host of modern safety systems fitted as standard, it’s a great buy. It’s just a shame there’s no longer a battery leasing option to bring the price down. The ZS EV finishes a close second, and it’s actually the better choice if you regularly need to cart around four adults.You also get loads of equipment as standard for a great price, helping to make up for its so-so driving dynamics and shorter range. Renault Zoe For Better to drive; much longer range; better infotainment system; smart…

At the start of this test, we wondered if the T-Roc R might be more agile than the Cupra Ateca, given that it’s a smaller car. However, what we weren’t prepared for was the size of its advantage;Volkswagen has produced a sports SUV that’s biblically good in the bends. The Ateca still impresses, not least with its combination of performance and practicality. In addition, Cupra is currently offering some very attractive PCP finance deals. However, the T-Roc is spacious enough for most families’ needs, and it costs less to own and lease, so it’s the one that takes the honours. Volkswagen T-Roc R For A lot more fun to drive; slightly quicker; cheaper to own and lease; better safety Against Smaller boot; less rear passenger space; hard dash plastics; pricey…

BEST BUY £14,000-£16,000 Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 SE THIS ITERATION OF the Skoda Fabia won our Small Car trophy for the first three years of its career and was even our overall Car of the Year back in 2015. That’s because it’s an absolute bargain; despite sharing plenty of its oily bits and technology with the pricier Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, the Czech car costs substantially less than either to buy. The Fabia is also deceptively spacious, allowing two six-footers to sit comfortably in the back behind adults of similar height. Meanwhile, the boot can hold more than a Ford Fiesta’s or Hyundai i20’s. Choose our recommended 94bhp turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine and you get enough pull at low revs to make motorway overtakes a breeze while also…

The term ‘Oscar bait’ describes a movie that seems purpose-made to win awards, and the Scala could be summed up in a similar way. From the moment it was launched, it was a strong candidate to lift this award; it excels in areas where many rivals are complacent, particularly when it comes to interior space and comfort. No, it can’t challenge the BMW 1 Series for driver appeal, nor can it hold a candle to the hybrid Toyota Corolla’s frugality. It has both trumped when it comes to price, though, and is definitely ‘value for money’ rather than ‘cheap and cheerful’. You won’t find red carpet glamour here, but it’s sure to go down as a box office hit. Buy this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Kamiq 1.0 TSI 95 SE IT HAS BEEN a bumper year for small SUVs, with almost all of the major players rolling out new or heavily revised metal. The Skoda Kamiq sits in the former category, although it shares much with the Seat Arona, which we already knew to be a top contender. So, what makes the Kamiq the standout SUV for those who have no more than £20k to spend? Well, the first thing you’ll notice is space – lots of it. Because its axles are farther apart than the Volkswagen T-Cross’s, the Kamiq has a surprising amount of rear leg room, along with a relatively big boot. Quality also impresses, with more squishy plastics than most of its rivals and a solid…

We always had a few reservations about the original Evoque, but we have nothing but praise for this new one. Not only does it look more stylish than ever, but the improvements that have been made under the skin and inside have transformed it into a class leader. Make no mistake: the Dacia Duster and Skoda Karoq are great options, but they can’t hold a candle to the über-desirable Evoque. It beats the Karoq for comfort, quality and refinement, and even the superb value for money of the utilitarian Duster can’t dim the Evoque’s appeal.After two years of dominance by the Volvo XC40, it’s the Evoque’s time to shine as our favourite family SUV. Save at least £1537 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

Winner Land Rover Defender AUTOMOTIVE ICONS DON’T come much bigger than the Land Rover Defender, so it follows that thousands were watching when the covers came off the all-new model at the Frankfurt motor show in September. And rightly so, because everything from how it looks to what powers it, from how it’s positioned to who it’s aimed at, has changed. Most notably, the Defender should be far more civilised on the road, thanks to it now having modern underpinnings, rather than its body bolted to a ladder frame. And don’t think that means it isn’t still capable in the rough stuff, because there’s even more suspension travel and ground clearance than before, plus a multitude of driver assistance systems and settings designed to make sure that you needn’t…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £40,000 BMW 5 Series 520d MHT SE HERE IT IS again: the BMW 5 Series. It’s been our favourite luxury car since the seventh-generation model was released in 2016, because it’s a consummate all-rounder. Having seen off tough competition from a new Audi A6 and an updated Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the past 12 months, it’s clear that the 5 Series will take some toppling. Not only is it the most comfortable and quietest car in its price bracket, but it also offers a better driving position than any comparable car and its feature-packed, user-friendly infotainment system is light years ahead of everything else. The 5 Series also beats its rivals when it comes to running costs. It’s cheaper to buy privately or run as a company…

There’s really no need to buy an SUV with a Rolls-Royce or Bentley mascot when you can have an incredibly spacious, cosseting and classy BMW X7 for just £70,000. But by the same token, you can have an exemplary luxury SUV for just £62,000. In fact, the Audi Q7 is even more consummate than the bigger BMW, with an exceptionally comfortable ride, more precise handling and comparable interior quality, not to mention a more powerful engine. It’s easily roomy enough for seven inside, too. While the Land Rover Discovery is cheaper still, it falls slightly behind in every aspect that matters to the average buyer. After all, very few cars are quite so multi-talented as the Q7. Save at least £4840 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to a charger, making a plug-in hybrid or electric car unfeasible. If that’s you, any of these hybrids will make a huge degree of sense, because they bring lower running costs than conventional rivals yet no real compromises. However, the Toyota Yaris is just too small for a family, while the Honda CR-V has no more seats than the Toyota Corolla, is no better to drive and less frugal, despite being a lot pricier. Indeed, the Corolla is an outstanding all-rounder. It’s fairly spacious and pretty plush inside, while being smooth, comfy and quiet as it discreetly and intelligently juggles its two power sources. Save at least £1515 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £25,000 Seat Mii Electric MANY BRANDS ARE now trying to capture the emerging lower end of the electric car market, and it’s Seat that leads, thanks to the enjoyable driving experience, reasonable range and decent practicality of the new Mii Electric. This city car is surprisingly fun and relaxing to drive around town, thanks to light steering, while its ride stays composed at all speeds. And our Real Range test revealed that it can go 111 miles between charges – a lot farther than most commutes, let alone inner-city journeys. In fact, it’s not too far off what the larger and much pricier Volkswagen e-Golf achieved. Despite coming with only rudimentary smartphone-based infotainment, the interior feels of surprisingly high quality. The boot is small, of course,…

These cars may all be electric, luxurious and quick, but they’re distinctly different from one other in practice. For one, you have the agile and relatively firm-riding I-Pace, and then there’s the wafty and supremely refined E-tron. But neither is a game-changer in the way that the smaller Model 3 is. It’s almost as practical while being quicker and better to drive, plus it can charge quicker and manages an impressive range. Best of all, it’s far more affordable than either SUV, costing about £53,000 to buy after the government grant. Desirable and capable cars though the I-Pace and E-tron are, they can’t match the brilliance of the Model 3 – a car that will encourage you to go electric like no other. Buy this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Fabia Estate 1.0 TSI 95 SE THE SKODA BRAND may be synonymous with value for money, but it’s also an expert when it comes to load-luggers, with the Fabia, Octavia and Superb estates all being among the roomiest options in their classes. Upgrading from a Fabia hatchback to an estate costs just £1165, giving you a mega 1395-litre cargo capacity when the rear seats are folded down. The only rival with a bigger boot is the Dacia Logan MCV, a car that’s far less polished inside and has little of the Fabia Estate’s tech and kit. Speaking of which, our preferred SE trim gets rear parking sensors, a 6.5in touchscreen infotainment screen and air conditioning, while an optional height-adjustable boot floor eliminates the step…

Pick-ups are expected to lead hard-working lives, but the trio here show that this doesn’t mean quality in other areas must be compromised. The Ssangyong Musso is outstanding value for money, while the Ford Ranger is great to drive. But the truck that makes the most compelling all-round package is the Volkswagen Amarok. All things considered, it should prove the most pleasant to live with, offering the smoothest ride in the class along with the most impressive engine by far.Add to that an outstanding interior and the most practical load bay there is and it’s more than worthy of retaining this title. In fact, the Amarok could even give some conventional SUVs a run for their money.…

It doesn’t always boil down to ‘the cheapest car wins’, but on this occasion, we feel that you get everything and more for less. The Audi TT isn’t as well equipped as the Mercedes-Benz CLA or indeed as bespoke as the Aston Martin DB11, but it’s more exquisitely put together than either of its dearer rivals and still thoroughly contemporary inside. It has recently gained a new engine that delivers pace almost on par with that of the rapid CLA 250, and while it’s nowhere near as fast as the DB11, it wouldn’t be far behind on a slippery, sinewy B-road. Nor would your smile be any less wide. It really is the ultimate coupé for every driver and every occasion. Save at least £2499 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £25,000 Mini Convertible Cooper Classic Comfort/Navigation IT’S OBVIOUS THAT ‘Mini’ doesn’t quite mean ‘miniature’ any more, but that’s no bad thing, in the sense that it allows the Mini Convertible to provide just enough space for four adults to sit in comfort. That’s more than you can say of the Fiat 500C. You can still get a shopping bag or two in the boot, too, even when the electrically folding fabric roof is lowered. You can choose from three different turbo petrol engines, but the 1.5-litre example in the entry-level Cooper model performs strongly enough for scooting down twisty country roads and motorway journeys alike. The Convertible isn’t the best of the Mini family to drive, with a slightly choppy ride. However, it’s still well resolved…

That’s right: even the might of a brand new Porsche 911 can’t stop the Alpine A110 from picking up our sports car trophy for a second time.That’s because it’s so approachable and intoxicatingly engaging that you’ll be setting your alarm for 3am every Sunday just to get up and drive it. Yes, it’s a lot pricier than the Mazda MX-5, but its additional precision and better body control over rippled roads make it worth the extra – as does the fact that people over 6ft tall actually fit inside. As for the 911, it sounds better and is faster, but the A110’s more talkative steering and lower limits make you feel more connected more of the time.There’s no doubting it’s sensationally good. Buy this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £45,000 Mercedes-AMG A-Class Saloon A35 4Matic GIVE THE MERCEDES A-Class Saloon to the experts from the little town of Affalterbach in Germany and it comes back with not only a more aggressive appearance and four-wheel drive but also its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine boosted to 302bhp. Such a hefty power figure in a small saloon gives really rapid acceleration; the A35 can sprint from 0-62mph sprint in a mere 4.8sec – Porsche 718 Cayman territory – while a pleasing rasp emerges from its twin tailpipes. And it doesn’t just swallow straights in one big gulp; it has a real hunger for turning, too. Four-wheel drive certainly gives the A35 all-weather capability, yet it isn’t straight-laced like the Audi S3 Saloon. It’s keen to dive into corners…

The entire collection of images used in this year’s What Car? Car of the Year presentation were shot at Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire, by kind permission of its owners.This unique 444-acre heritage site is a former Royal Air Force base opened in 1926. Many original red-brick buildings have survived in pristine form, and the site has become a haven for all who love, own, display, buy, sell or mend classic cars. The owners are rapidly developing the site into Bicester Motion, an automotive resort complete with 344-room hotel that will offer automotive leisure, culture and tourism experiences all in one place. Plans include an exhibition centre, a 4x4 driving centre, a brand experience centre for product launches and a new-build technology hub for emerging high-tech businesses, called FAST (Future Automotive Speed…

Mileage 2511 List price new (2019) £21,885 Value on arrival £18,950 Price new with options £24,570 Test economy 41.7mpg As is becoming common these days, my Golf has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. So, should I want to hook up my smartphone and listen to my own music through the Golf’s speakers, I can, and it’s all very easy to set up. In fact, the infotainment system as a whole is very user-friendly, whether you’re entering a destination in the sat-nav or finding a station on the DAB radio. I’m particularly taken with the Performance monitor hidden within the settings menu.This displays the g forces the car is generating as you accelerate, brake or turn.Years ago, this sort of toy used to be the preserve of high-performance cars…

PART OF THE original conceit for a hot hatch, established way back in the 1970s, was that it should go like stink but be very compact. After all, the original Volkswagen Golf GTI was tiny by today’s standards, and so were the competitors that flocked to share in its glory in the years following its debut. Now, though, a hot hatch will often be based on a family hatchback that can, once decked out with spoilers, angrier bumpers and wider wheel arches, be large enough to struggle with fitting into a multi-storey car park space. Not so this diminutive pair. The Abarth 595 is a desirable yet affordable hot hatch that is based on the Fiat 500 city car and has been providing driving thrills for the best part of…

FOR ALL THE hype around Tesla, and as much as you might dream of owning a Model 3, a Model S or perhaps even a Model X, there’s more than a reasonable chance you don’t have the wherewithal. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider an electric car at all, because there are now quite a few that offer many of the same perks for a much lower price. So, assuming that you need a reasonable boot and rear seats that can comfortably accommodate adults, what are your cheapest options? Well, the Renault Zoe is certainly one; this car came out in 2013 but has just been thoroughly overhauled, with a bigger battery, a new interior, a swanky infotainment system and the option of a more potent motor. Prices start…

FROM CAIN AND Abel to Liam and Noel, there are plenty of examples of sibling rivalries getting heated. And here we have another one that’s reached boiling point. Since its launch in 2018, the Cupra Ateca has been the best sports SUV available for less than £40,000. In fact, it’s so good that 12 months ago it saw off machines costing twice as much to win our inaugural Sports SUV of the Year award. Now, though, it faces its toughest challenger yet: sister brand Volkswagen’s T-Roc R. Thanks to those family ties, Volkswagen has been able to use the same 296bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, four-wheel drive system and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox as Cupra. But the T-Roc is a smaller car, so it could potentially be even more agile.…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £10,000 Dacia Sandero TCe 90 Essential IT SHOULD COME as no great surprise that the Sandero is our selection here, given that it has already contributed seven of our price point trophies to the mantelpiece at Dacia HQ. Yet again, nothing has emerged that can get close to the amount of car it offers for your money. Skip past spartan Access trim and go for Essential – which provides, ahem, essentials such as air conditioning and a DAB radio – and you and your passengers will be kept happy. Another reason for this is that Sandero is genuinely roomy for four adults, while its boot is easily big enough for your weekly shopping. Rivals such as the Fiat Panda can only dream about this level of…

Despite facing stiff competition from the new Peugeot 208, the Polo triumphs for the second year running. That’s because while the 208 has a space-age interior, the Polo’s technology is easier to get along with. While it uses the same engine as the cheaper Skoda Fabia, you’ll hear far less from it in the Polo, while also benefiting from less wind and road noise. And when it comes to comfort, the Polo is very nearly a match for the soft-riding 208.There’s enough space inside for the family, too. Sealing the deal is the fact that the Polo needn’t be an expensive choice to buy, thanks to generous discounts. It really is the complete package. Save at least £1251 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £24,000 Ford Fiesta ST ST-2 Performance Pack 3dr FAIR PLAY TO Ford. Volkswagen may be credited with popularising the hot hatchback genre, but when it comes to producing winning examples time and again, Ford is arguably the best in the business. Take the Fiesta ST Performance Pack as an example. Fresh out of the blocks last year – and off the back of an outgoing Fiesta ST that will go down in history as an all-time great – the current model proves that it still has the magic. Bringing Volkswagen back into the fray, the Fiesta ST blew away the Polo GTI on multiple levels. Its punchy 197bhp 1.5-litre turbo engine has a much more thrilling parp, the handling is 10 times more engaging and the…

Despite strong rivalry from the Skoda Kamiq and Audi Q2, it’s the Puma that emerges as our new favourite small SUV. It’s much more fun to drive than either, while almost matching the Q2 for performance and being more efficient than even the Kamiq. Then there’s its practicality, the Puma having a bigger and more flexible boot than either of our other contenders. Sure, the Kamiq has a bit more rear seat space, but what’s on offer in the Puma will still be plenty for most.With affordable monthly PCP payments and plenty of standard equipment also on its side, the Puma is indisputably the new king of small SUVs. Buy this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £28,000 Mazda CX- 5 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 2WD SE-L Nav+ THE MAZDA CX-5 has no problem taking care of busy family life. There’s decent room on its rear bench for six-footers, while its boot is big enough for a pair of pushchairs. And folding its rear seats down leaves a flat extended bay to make loading easy, even if the similarly priced Honda CR-V offers even more space. The CX-5 also claims points by being more rewarding to drive than any of its rivals, including the Ford Kuga. Its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, while the confidence-inspiring handling that comes from plenty of grip and minimal body lean through corners means you can have fun on country roads. The slick manual gearbox even…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £30,000 Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI 150 SE Technology HOW VALUE FOR money is determined varies according to your priorities, but it’s the Skoda Superb that sets the standard in the executive car class by many people’s estimates. It’s well equipped, comfortable and oh so roomy – up front, in the back and in the boot – compared with rivals, including some that cost far more. In many regards, only the Skoda badging distinguishes it from ‘premium’ executive cars; its cosy seats, plush materials and intuitive touchscreen infotainment system set a standard few can match, for instance. The turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine is also a gem, delivering strong performance and decent fuel economy for a large saloon, along with company car tax-friendly CO2 emissions. In fact, our…

The 5 Series, our overall Car of the Year of 2017, remains our favourite luxury car for the third year in a row. It retains its crown because it still offers the very best traits of this class, but for less money than our other price point winners. Yes, the Audi A8 is outstandingly comfortable and the BMW 6 Series GT is exceptionally practical for a car like this. But the 5 Series really isn’t all that far off either in those respects, while also being better to drive, cheaper to run and in the same league for noise isolation. Specify a few choice options such as adaptive suspension and the 5 Series becomes the supreme luxury car package, but without the price tag to match. Save at least £4524…

Winner Subaru Driver Monitoring System BRITISH DRIVERS ARE becoming more distracted; 72% of us have admitted to multi-tasking at the wheel, be it by eating, drinking or illegally checking our phones. Driver monitoring systems improve road safety by sounding an alarm when the driver is either distracted or drowsy, meaning that their full attention isn’t on the road ahead. The alarm refocuses your attention on the road or alerts you of the need to take a break. Subaru’s Driver Monitoring System is the most advanced of its kind. It uses facial recognition software to keep track of the driver’s eyes and detect whether your gaze has wandered – for example, by staring out of the side window for too long. The system knows if you’re feeling drowsy, because it can…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £35,000 Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI iV SE Technology WE’VE BEEN BIG fans of the Skoda Superb for many years, and now the capacious Czech cruiser has added yet another string to its already powerful bow. This new plug-in hybrid version, called the iV, combines a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a battery big enough for an electric-only range of 34 miles. Sound familiar? Well, that’s because you’re in effect getting the guts of the brilliant Volkswagen Passat GTE with rear space that’s even more limousine-like. But bigger means pricier, right? Not in the case of the Superb, because it’s usefully cheaper than its German cousin yet still feels very much like a sumptuous executive express inside. Interior quality is impressive, while our favourite SE Technology trim…

The Renault Zoe won our first electric car award in 2017; now the market has expanded enough for us to divide it by size, and the updated version deserves our inaugural small electric car trophy. The Kia e-Niro remains a fantastic proposition, but the Zoe now offers a nicer interior, a much longer range and a better driving experience than before, so you really needn’t spend any more. And while the Seat Mii Electric is cheaper again, it’s far less practical and has an interior that feels dated in comparison. If range is your ultimate priority, the e-Niro does much better than either rival here. But the Zoe offers more than most will need, and in a very well-rounded package. Save at least £1571 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

Winner BMW 3 Series THE BMW 3 SERIES is a great all-rounder when it comes to safety, so it’s a thoroughly deserving winner of the 2020 Safety Award. Not only is it excellent at protecting adult and child occupants, but it has also been successfully designed to minimise the injuries it would cause to vulnerable road users in an accident and its active safety systems are among the best around. Moreover, as a favourite of both private and fleet buyers, it will significantly improve the safety of many drivers and other road users. In the event of a crash, the 3 Series is one of the safest cars you and your family could be in. It got 98.5% in the frontal offset crash test and 100% in both side…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £22,000 Citroën Berlingo Puretech 110 Feel M WOULD YOU BELIEVE that, despite being a lot smaller and considerably cheaper than the Audi Q5 large SUV, the Citroën Berlingo has both a bigger boot and an airier interior? That’s because it was designed with family life as the overriding priority. By the same token, a lofty ceiling means loading children into car seats will be no bother, while sliding rear doors make light work of tight car parks. And if that’s still not enough, as well as our winner here, the five-seat Berlingo M, there’s the XL, which for £2000 more gets you a third row of seats and 250 litres of extra boot space. Our engine recommendation, the 109bhp turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol, is strong enough to…

It’s easy to wax lyrical about the need for boot space and rear seat comfort in a wagon, but the Superb Estate has all of that and more, as proven by this fifth category win in a row. The smaller Skoda Fabia Estate is similarly impressive if you’re on a budget, and, while the BMW 5 Series Touring offers one of the best interiors and most complete driving experiences around, it can’t match the Czech car’s value for money. Combining confident driving manners with a relaxed ride, an appealing interior, plenty of standard kit and low running costs, the Superb Estate is the go-to option for mile-munchers and load-luggers alike. Buy this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

Winner Lexus ‘Not one Lexus CT up to five years old had any fault at all, according to owners’ RELIABILITY RATING 96% LEXUS MANAGED A clean sweep of wins in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, claiming the top spot for cars aged up to five years old, with an almost-perfect 99%, and for those aged six to 15 years old. A score of 93.1% in the latter category demonstrates just how well the Japanese luxury brand designs and builds its cars. Hybrid technology is at the heart of every Lexus, but rather than the greater complexity of these cars making them fragile or costly and time-consuming to repair, they have proved to be mostly fault-free and land their owners with very few bills. In fact, no CT up…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £35,000 Audi Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI Sport A HEAD START is always welcome, and the Q3 Sportback had just that when it arrived last year. That’s because it takes all the best bits of the Q3 family SUV – strong performance, tidy handling and a classy interior – and dresses them in a more dramatic shape, with only a small impact on practicality (there’s less rear head room). In fact, with sliding and reclining rear seats, the Q3 Sportback has a more flexible interior than the rival BMW X2, and its boot is easily big enough for family duties. The entry-level 35 TFSI model is our pick of the range; with 148bhp from its 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, it certainly isn’t short on pep, yet its…

It’s a second year of success for the S-Class Cabriolet; while it’s easily the most expensive of our three contenders, it justifies that by proving every penny has been put to good use. It’s not just its beautiful interior that highlights it; unlike our smaller picks, it handles very nearly as gracefully as its fixed-roof relatives, meaning you can have fun whether cruising down a country B-road or just driving to work, and it has a super comfy ride that simply glides over imperfections. Better still, there’s loads of space for four adults to sit in comfort, even when the roof is up.Add in excellent refinement and the S-Class makes a thoroughly convincing convertible. Save at least £16,974 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £40,000 Volkswagen T-Roc R 2.0 TSI 300 4Motion IF YOU’RE GOING to build a sports SUV, why not borrow from the best? That appears to have been Volkswagen’s thinking with the T-Roc R, because it uses the same 296bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, four-wheel drive system and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox as last year’s Sports SUV of the Year, the Cupra Ateca. The T-Roc is smaller and lighter, though, so it’s even quicker, blasting from 0-62mph in just 4.8sec. Plus, as you might have read elsewhere in this issue, it feels quite a bit sharper than the Ateca, positively darting into corners and gripping the road like it has been glued there. Let’s put it this way: the Ateca handles very well by SUV standards, but…

For the third year in a row, the Quadrifoglio version of the Alfa Romeo Giulia takes home a trophy, and for very good reason. For starters, it’s much more powerful and more engaging to drive than the Mercedes-AMG A35 Saloon, not to mention more spacious. And while the AMG E63 S Estate is even faster and more practical, the price chasm between the two is gaping – especially when the Italian is softer-riding and more fun. You see, the Giulia isn’t just about making you grin from ear to ear; as long as you don’t mind frequent visits to petrol pumps, it can easily be used regularly for family or business duties.And that makes it the perfect performance car. Save at least £1573 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

THERE ARE PLENTY of sensible reasons to buy an electrified car, whether that’s one that runs purely on battery power or a plug-in hybrid like my Volvo XC90. But actually it’s these cars’ ability to make themselves nice and toasty inside before you hop aboard that I reckon is perhaps most underrated. Bear with me here; I’m not trying to equate the importance of avoiding a chilly entrance with that of slashing CO2 emissions – or even with the potential tax savings on offer. But it’s one of those small pleasures in life that I doubt is even on the radar of most potential buyers. Even better, it can do the opposite in the summer months, cooling the interior to a bearable temperature – really handy if, like me, you…

Mileage 3684 List price £18,930 Target Price £18,025 Price as tested £21,085 Test economy 53.5mpg SINCE 2014, THE Skoda Octavia has contributed five What Car? awards to the firm’s trophy cabinet. One of the attributes that has best served this family car is its space; nothing else in the class can match it. However, that’s understandable when you learn that it’s up to 300mm longer than the likes of the Audi A3, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. This puts Skoda in the unusual position of having room in its model line-up for two distinct family hatchbacks. The all-new one, the Scala, fits right into the conventional size bubble but undercuts those aforementioned rivals and the Octavia on price. It’s actually most closely related to sister firm Seat’s Ibiza and is…

Mileage 1786 List price £28,580 Target Price £26,930 Price as tested £37,500 Test economy 30.8mpg I’M NOT EVEN a month into life with my 1 Series, but its practicality has already been put to a proper test.You see, in celebration of my 30th birthday, a group of friends and I headed up to Leiston in Suffolk for a British countryside escape – the sort involving two cars, 10 people and a full house. With just 380 litres of boot space to work with and five adult occupants, I feared I might be asking too much. However, we managed to squeeze in all of our luggage without anyone having to have a bag on their lap. Head and leg room weren’t an issue, either. But while the latest 1 Series is…

The 595 may be quicker than the Up, but it’s simply too flawed.We’d forgive its poor rear space and driving position if it handled brilliantly, but the faster you go, the less composed it becomes.A bit more grip, less intrusive stability control and better steering feel would make a big difference. Extra practicality, a better driving position, more composed handling, more precise steering and a comfier ride blend to make the Up GTI much more pleasant.To seal the deal, it’s slightly cheaper to buy and run. Volkswagen Up GTI For Better handling; comfier ride; more practical; cheaper to buy and run Against Could be more exciting; intrusive traction control; contrived engine noise Abarth 595 For Faster acceleration; more tuneful exhaust note Against Numb steering; limited front-end grip; poor driving position;…

LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Scala FROM THE MOMENT it was launched, the Scala was a strong candidate to be the class leader. It excels in areas where many rivals are complacent, particularly interior space and comfort. No, it can’t challenge the BMW 1 Series for driver appeal, nor can it hold a candle to the hybrid Corolla’s frugality. It has both trumped when it comes to price, though; it’s definitely ‘value for money’, not ‘cheap and cheerful’. Our pick 1.0 TSI 115 SE List price £18,930 Target Price £18,025 MPG 51.4 CO2 111g/km For SE trim brings a decent touchscreen, and the engine can keep up with faster traffic. Against Interior feels a little cheap and the Scala isn’t as good to drive as a Ford Focus. WHAT CAR? SAYS…

ELECTRIC CAR Ford Mustang Mach-E The first mainstream electric Ford is a large SUV inspired by the Mustang coupé. Ford promises the Mach-E “has soul”, so expect exciting handling. It will offer rear or four-wheel drive, power outputs of 254, 285 and 332bhp and a range of between 247 and 335 miles, depending on spec. Inside, it has a Tesla-style 15.5in touchscreen, but with a dial integrated, plus more boot space than the related Ford Kuga and, it appears, loads of room for rear passengers. Price £40,000 (est) SMALL CARS Honda Jazz July Just as practical but now exclusively a hybrid. Hyundai i20 May Main focus for new VW Polo rival is the interior. Toyota Yaris September Improved inside; hybrid is stronger and cleaner. FAMILY CARS Audi A3 Summer Claims…

The Puma’s Sync 3 system’s graphics look basic and the 8.0in screen isn’t super-sharp. The system isn’t particularly responsive but in the main is easy to navigate, and you get standard smartphone mirroring (as you do with all three) to bypass Ford’s software and use your phone’s apps instead.Wireless charging is standard and the 10-speaker B&O hi-fi is great, producing a punchy and detailed sound. The Juke’s 8.0in screen is a little sharper than the Puma’s and its graphics more attractive, but when you prod the icons there’s often a delay before you get a response.You get many connected services and can even hook it up to your Google Assistant to ask questions such as, “When’s my car due a service?” The Bose stereo is the best here. It has…

The ZS’s 8.0in touchscreen system is reasonably easy to use, thanks to logical menus.The screen sometimes takes a while to respond after you’ve pressed it, though, and resolution isn’t that impressive in this company. You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, meaning you can hook up your smartphone and use selected apps via the car’s touchscreen. The six-speaker sound system is nothing special. This is a huge improvement on the system in the original Zoe. Go for GT Line trim and you get a 9.3in portrait touchscreen (cheaper versions have a 7.0in display) that trumps the ZS’s for both speed and resolution. It’s easier to use, too, and again Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The optional Bose sound system (£500) is better than the MG’s equivalent,…

The 9.2in touchscreen is fairly intuitive to use, although it would be better if it had proper shortcut buttons for moving between menus instead of touch-sensitive icons that force you to take your eyes off the road for longer.The system is augmented by a 10.3in digital instrument panel in place of analogue dials.This is highly configurable and able to show you lots of useful information, including the sat-nav map, audio menus and trip computer. The T-Roc’s touchscreen is smaller than the Ateca’s, at 8.0in. However, it’s similarly easy to use, because its menus are just as logically laid out and most of the icons are a decent size. Like the Ateca, it also features a rotary knob that makes it easy to scroll up and down lists. But as in…

You might recall that the Picanto won this trophy last year, and it does so again simply because its winning recipe of space, performance, comfort and value for money is still unbeaten. It’s more practical than the Toyota Aygo, being surprisingly spacious for a city car. Furthermore, the quality of its interior is better and it gets the longest warranty around to counter Toyota’s famous reliability record. And next to the Dacia Sandero, the Picanto not only feels generally more upmarket but also drives with noticeably greater competence. Indeed, it’s a more sophisticated machine all round. Once again, then, we can’t name anything other than the Picanto as the very best choice for buyers on a budget. Buy this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Scala 1.0 TSI 115 SE THE VOLKSWAGEN GROUP is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to producing family cars that make a whole lot of sense, and the Skoda Scala is the latest in a long line of hugely impressive machines from the Czech branch of the business. Complementing the bigger Skoda Octavia at a temptingly lower price, the Scala ticks almost every box on our list of key requirements for a family car. Its main strengths lie in its comfort – the Scala is more cosseting over bumps than the Ford Focus and Kia Ceed – and interior space. Indeed, it comes close to upstaging the Octavia in this regard and beats much bigger cars for rear head room. The…

The Fiesta ST is a feisty little scamp that’s a hoot to drive on twisty back roads and fantastic value for money.The i30 N is a bargain too, and it won’t be long before you’re revelling in its crackling and popping engine and sweet handling. But neither car has destroyed all comers like the Civic Type R. Believe it or not, the fact that the Type R can corner faster than some supercars and feels like a road-legal touring car racer aren’t the only reasons why it wins. It wins overall because it’s so multidimensional, being one of the roomiest, most comfortable and best-equipped hot hatches you can buy, as well as one of the quickest. Buy this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £20,000 Dacia Duster TCe 130 Comfort BUYERS WHO NEED a mid-sized SUV rather than a small one to transport their family around, and whose budget is tight, will love the rugged-looking Dacia Duster. As you’d expect from the cut-price Romanian firm, you get a huge amount of car for the money, with the Duster range starting at a far lower price than comparable rivals such as the MG ZS. Inside, you’ll find plenty of passenger space, as well as a large boot that can easily cope with a family holiday, a fold-up buggy or, with the rear seats folded, awkwardly shaped items of flatpack furniture. Choose the turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol engine that we favour and you’ll have a car that’s pleasingly brisk and reasonably economical. It…

You can’t hide from the fact that one of the main priorities for large SUV buyers is space and practicality, and neither the Audi Q5 nor the Mazda CX-5 can hold a candle to the Peugeot 5008 in this regard. With seven seats, a sliding middle row and a big, well thought-out boot, it offers more than some SUVs costing nearly twice as much, all while delivering comfort and interior quality to take on the lot. As if that’s not enough, it’s cheaper to run than either rival here and just as competent on the motorway as it is in town. While it might cost more than the sleek CX-5, the 5008 wins this award for the third time in a row as a fully formed family ferry. Save at…

Petrol, plug-in hybrid or electric? Our answer is the car we believe will suit most people most of the time: the BMW 330e. This slickly integrates the latest technology with the long-held wants and needs of executive saloon drivers.That it’s easy to live with, of the very highest standard everywhere inside, fantastic to drive and yet relatively cheap to run secures it the victory. If the Tesla Model 3 has a long enough range for your needs, it’d make a terrific choice. Likewise, the Skoda Superb offers great value for money, delivering much of its rivals’ capability. But the 330e possesses greater premium lustre than either, while providing penny-pinching zero-emissions driving without a hint of range anxiety. Save at least £2442 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £60,000 Land Rover Discovery Sd4 SE WHAT, NO V6 diesel? We’ve favoured higher-spec versions of Land Rover’s versatile seven-seat Discovery in the past, but there are good reasons why the more modest four-cylinder diesel Sd4 is now the one we recommend. Although the difference in list price between the Sd6 and Sd4 isn’t huge, the less powerful model in SE trim is a bargain if you buy it on PCP finance, thanks to strong manufacturer support. It’ll therefore cost you much less per month than the equivalent Mercedes-Benz GLE, assuming you put down the same deposit in both cases, rather than the 15% used for our Target PCP figures. It’ll be cheaper to run as a company car, too. Even with the 237bhp 2.0-litre engine, performance…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £20,000 Toyota Yaris 1.5 Hybrid Icon THERE ARE A couple of small cars, such as the Suzuki Swift, that employ a dinky motor to assist the engine, making them mild hybrids. But there’s only one that’s a proper hybrid, meaning it can drive on electricity alone. Fortunately for buyers in this market, it’s a good one. In fact, the Yaris Hybrid is an improvement on its regular 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol siblings, having a more settled, less floaty ride, thanks to the extra weight of the battery and a revised suspension setup. And although it’s still not quick, making just 99bhp, it’ll be nippy enough for most people. It’s also one of the most efficient cars we’ve ever tested, returning 80mpg around town (because it runs…

Yes, this is a second class won overall by the terrific 330e. Not only is it really rapid, but it can also be hugely frugal and even handles rather well, in spite of the basket of battery cells in its boot. The XC90 T8 may be far more practical, but there’s no hiding from the huge price jump it requires. Besides, the 330e can go farther on a full charge and is far more frugal when running on petrol alone. But what of the new Superb iV? Well, it’s certainly comfier and even cheaper to buy, but it just isn’t as good to drive and its interior isn’t as swanky. Given that the 330e makes traditional petrol and diesel versions of the 3 Series obsolete for most company car drivers,…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £60,000 Tesla Model 3 Performance THE PROSPECT OF a smaller and cheaper Tesla than the Model S and Model X was mouthwatering for a lot of people, and the Model 3 didn’t disappoint. In fact, it exceeded all expectations, delivering outstanding range, performance, practicality and tech, with a surprising dose of driver appeal thrown in. Even the entry-level, £43k Standard Range Plus is praiseworthy, but it’s the Performance that really stands out, delivering eye-popping acceleration and an official range of 329 miles, translating to 239 in our Real Range test. Some other electric cars, such as the Kia e-Niro, can travel even farther between top-ups, but the Model 3 is better to drive and able to recharge much quicker. What’s more, it can use Tesla’s dependable…

The Berlingo is the very definition of ‘multipurpose vehicle’, and we don’t mean that it’s just a big box on wheels. Having said that, you won’t find anything this spacious for less money, whether that’s for five people or loading anything from pushchairs to plant pots. While it’s less potent than the Touran and Galaxy, the Berlingo still performs strongly enough, both in town and on the motorway. What’s more, it has a more comfortable ride than its German rival. And while it can’t match the interior quality of the far pricier Touran or Galaxy, everything feels hard-wearing and coloured trims prevent it from feeling cheap. Save at least £3126 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £28,000 Ssangyong Musso 2.2 4WD EX MIGHTY CAPABILITY NEEDN’T come with a mighty price tag. Cheap pricing is no new concept to Korean brand Ssangyong, but the Musso is the first of its products that truly mixes it with the best in its class while significantly undercutting its rivals. Its biggest strength? Well, aside from the aforementioned, it’s enormous inside – so much so that it makes the Nissan Navara feel positively cramped. What’s more, everything looks and feels nicer than in the Mitsubishi L200; rub the dashboard or flick a switch and the sense of quality truly belies the price. The Musso also has a trump card to play against any other pick-up on sale today: it can carry its maximum payload (1058kg) while towing…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £35,000 Audi TT 40 TFSI Sport THE AUDI TT was missing from this category last year. No, we didn’t forget in a moment of amnesia; at the time, it was off sale while Audi gave it a midlife spruce-up. That allowed the BMW 2 Series Coupé to steal the honours in a category the TT has historically dominated. So, why has the TT stormed straight back in at number one in this price point? Well, it continues to be a sharper, sportier option, which you can tell from the minute you get behind the wheel. Although purists love the idea of a rear-wheel-drive BMW, it’s actually the front-driven TT that’s nimbler and more precise. And don’t think it’s a boneshaker; sure, its suspension is relatively firm…

It isn’t easy to blend catwalk looks with practicality; a stout pair of wellies can rather spoil the lines of a flowing dress or a crisply cut suit. The Velar is like those people you see at music festivals who somehow define glamour while effortlessly shrugging off the mud; that ability is in its genes, after all. Yes, the Audi Q3 Sportback and Q8 both pile on the style while outclassing rivals on key points, particularly sheer quality, but the Velar is a more talented all-rounder than either. It balances style and substance without losing its grip on the realities of daily life, and our favourite engine/trim combo keeps its price down. High fashion has never been so rational. Save at least £2733 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

BEST BUY LESS THAN £30,000 Mazda MX-5 1.5 Skyactiv-G 132 SE-L IF YOU HAVE £250 burning a hole each month and want the most enjoyable thing on four wheels instead, the answer is the Mazda MX-5. It’s tiny, for a start, so you can thread it along narrow B-roads without worrying about clashing mirrors with someone, while grip levels are fairly modest. That might not sound great for a sports car, but actually it means you can really explore the playful handling without having to travel at warp factor nine. Don’t get us wrong, though: the MX-5 is brisk enough, thanks to a rev-hungry 1.5-litre engine that comes sans turbocharger for lightning-fast responses to the accelerator pedal. Sure, you’ll need to use every one of the 7000rpm it’ll spin to…

Above all, sports SUVs have to be fast and fun, and all of our price point winners more than deliver. However, unlike traditional sports cars, they’re also likely to be used every day, so the fact that the Porsche Macan S is quieter, comfier and much classier inside than the Volkswagen T-Roc R makes it worth the extra. The Cayenne Coupé Turbo moves things up to yet another level, particularly in the areas of performance and space. But then it costs twice as much as the Macan and most certainly doesn’t feel like twice the car. So, if you’re looking for a sports SUV that’s as rounded as it is thrilling, the Macan is the one to choose. Buy this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

The Range Rover Evoque would have made a worthy overall winner, having seen off a former Car of the Year to take the honours in the family SUV class, while the Skoda Scala and Tesla Model 3 were also strong contenders for the top prize. However, in 2020 they’ve had the misfortune of coming up against the new Ford Puma. As a small SUV, this competes in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the car market. Crucially, it excels in all the areas that are important to buyers, according to our research. Thanks to its sharp handling, gutsy engine and clever mild hybrid technology, the Puma offers a mix of fun and frugality not previously seen. Plus, it’s very well priced and equipped, and as practical as it is stylish.…

Mileage 3248 List price £31,995 Target Price £30,321 Price as tested £35,435 Test economy 26.8mpg If you’ve read my previous reports, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of the Renault Mégane RS. However, there are still a couple of things about it that irritate. For starters, I prefer to have the engine in Sport mode, because this makes it sound so much better, but every time I start the car, a message flashes up on the dashboard telling me it will revert to Neutral unless I override within 15 seconds. Having gone to the trouble of selecting Sport in my preferred settings, I don’t want the car to keep asking me if I’ve changed my mind. Second, while Renault provides a range readout that tells you how many miles…

UNTIL NOW, I’VE been only a theoretical advocate of electric cars such as my new Hyundai Ioniq. You see, as often as I recommend others give electric motoring a try, extolling the benefits in terms of environmental credentials and running costs, I haven’t run one myself for an extended period, sticking mainly with diesels, including an example of our favourite executive car, the BMW 3 Series. However, it’s now time to rectify that situation. The Ioniq Electric is fresh from a facelift, which, as well as upgrading the car’s interior with better-quality materials and a larger infotainment screen, has also given it a longer range – 194 miles, to be precise – thanks to a larger (38.3kWh) battery. As a result, it can cover more distance between recharges than the…

LESS THAN £25,000 Citroën Berlingo YOU WON’T FIND anything this spacious for less money, whether that’s for seating five people in comfort or transporting anything from pushchairs to plant pots in the boot. While the Berlingo is less potent than the Volkswagen Touran and Ford Galaxy, it still performs strongly, both around town and on the motorway. What’s more, it has a cushier ride than its more expensive German rival. Our pick Puretech 110 Feel M List price £20,460 Target Price £17,334 MPG 43.5 CO2 122g/km For Comfortable and relaxing to drive, with a vast amount of space and storage inside. Against Wallowy handling; laggy infotainment system; cheap-feeling interior plastics. WHAT CAR? SAYS Peugeot Rifter Our pick BlueHDi 130 Allure EAT8 List price £25,225 Target Price £23,891 MPG 50.3 CO2…