Содержание выпуска: September 2018 — What Car?

So, which is VHS and which is Betamax? In recent years, the majority of car makers seem to have decided that battery-electric power is the future of green motoring and the hydrogen fuel cell is destined to be one of those ideas that never quite makes it. And yet, in reality, the battle is far from over. ‘Will the hydrogen fuel cell be one of those ideas that never makes it?’ Yes, battery-electric models are currently more prevalent and affordable. But Toyota is still very much in the fuel cell camp, while just last month Volkswagen and Hyundai announced that they will be working together to find ways to bring down fuel cell costs. We might even find that there’s room for both – that you end up choosing the…

‘The 1.5 petrol engine can shut down two of its four cylinders when you’re cruising to save fuel’ NOT LONG AGO, if you wanted the funkiest and most youthful of Audi’s SUVs, you headed straight for the driver’s door of the Q3.While the larger Q5 and Q7 could be seen as being more ‘middle-aged’, the Q3 felt like it had dirty trainers and a Snapchat account. It was the young person’s Audi SUV. But what’s this? That role has now been usurped by the even funkier and smaller Q2. This means the Q3 has to go and forge its own path. In short, it has to grow up. Well, grow it has certainly done, because this second-generation Q3 is longer and wider than its predecessor, promising more space inside.The boot…

‘I AM MORE’ is the marketers’ strapline for the upcoming Volkswagen T-Cross. If you’re confused, they mean more good stuff, such as space and technology, not that it’s more expensive than other small SUVs. Well, that’s the intention. It’s basically a jacked-up Polo underneath, or, if you prefer, a close cousin of the Seat Arona. But at present it’s a prototype, with specifications and pricing still to be confirmed. The T-Cross will utilise much of the Polo’s technology. Configurable digital instruments and a slick 8.0in infotainment touchscreen will be available, as will blindspot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control. Lane-keeping assistance and automatic emergency braking that can avoid pedestrians as well as cars are likely to be standard. This isn’t the finished article, but the engineers reckon…

‘The Tarraco achieves its goal of being sportier than the Kodiaq – to a point’ YOU CAN THINK of the Seat Tarraco as the Boaty McBoatface of the car world. Nope, not because it’s a 15,000-tonne, 130-metre-long behemoth designed to explore the Antarctic, but rather because you, the general public, voted on its name. The difference is that Seat actually went with the moniker that nearly 150,000 people from all around the world voted for, instead of throwing it out and naming it after a famous naturalist. If you’re wondering, Tarraco isn’t a made-up word; it’s the ancient name for the modern Spanish city of Tarragona, just down the coast from Barcelona. SIBLING TO THE KODIAQ But that’s enough about the name and how it came to be. What is…

ONE DAY YOU’RE a somebody, the next you’re a nobody. Reality TV stars know the feeling well, but so do many cars in the executive class. That’s because while models like the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat used to be the bread and butter of new car sales, this segment is now feeling the rough end of both the SUV boom and diesel decline. But Mazda is hoping to demonstrate that there’s life left in the class, with a facelift for the 6 saloon and estate. Highlights include fresh styling touches inside and out, as well as a new 2.5-litre petrol engine, while the old 173bhp 2.2-litre diesel gets more poke to take it up to 181bhp. Suspension alterations aim to improve ride comfort, while the steering has been retuned…

SOME THINGS MANAGE to stay relevant for a long time without needing to be changed – think The Beatles, or Converse shoes, or even Tom Hanks. Well, the Suzuki Jimny can be added to that list, too, because the third-generation model has only just gone off sale after two decades in production. And it’s only being withdrawn because a newer, funkier Jimny is coming. While the previous car moved slightly away from the box-shaped designs of its predecessors in search of a more family-friendly and aerodynamic design, this new model looks every inch the rufty-tufty 4x4.That’s partly down to feedback from current Jimny owners, who rate its off-road ability well above its on-road comfort. In keeping with its squarer appearance, the new Jimny is marginally shorter and taller than the…

CAN YOU PICTURE the Peugeot 508 saloon that has just been discontinued after seven years on sale? Unless you drive one or possess a metaphorical anorak, the reply is probably ‘no’. Peugeot has gone to some lengths to change that with the new 508, transforming it into a sleek five-door coupé (with a hatchback rather than a separate boot) to make it stand out against rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport. The 508 sits on the same platform as Peugeot’s latest SUVs and is therefore comfortable and good to drive, while its interior layout and quality are much improved. It’s also well equipped and something of a bargain, with prices starting at £25,000. As a result, we’ve given it a four-star rating. To find out…

The best small family car for a £9000 budget I regularly buy What Car? magazine and have based my car purchases over the years on models with four or five-star ratings. I am writing to you now to request some advice. I have £8000-£9000 in cash and I’m looking for a small used car with five doors, enough boot space for a baby stroller, good economy and a built-in sat-nav. The car is likely to be used for a mixture of urban and motorway driving, so I assume a petrol engine would be the best choice given that electric cars are likely to be out of my price range. Any advice that you can provide will be most helpful. Allan McGall ‘The Ibiza is based on the same platform as…

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 272 S line List price £57,785 Target Price £53,143 Our Luxury SUV of the Year is a great all-rounder: spacious, comfortable and classy. Lexus RX L 450h Premier List price £61,995 Target Price £57,886 The RX is now available with a longer tail to give two extra seats and a bigger boot. Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI 286 R-Line Tech List price £58,195 Target Price £55,250 The Touareg enters its third generation packed full of tech, but there’s no seven-seat option.…

The I-Pace is a seriously impressive debut electric car from Jaguar, but it stops just shy of achieving ‘game changer’ status. Yep, it’s a close-run thing, but the Model S has the edge in enough important areas to claim the win. It’s even better to drive, more practical and cheaper on PCP finance. Then, of course, comes arguably the most salient point: the Model S has a significantly longer real-world range between charges. The fact that it’s still a brilliant car today shows how far ahead of its time the Model S was. It’s no longer head and shoulders above the pack, but it’s still the best option for electric car buyers with deep pockets. Tesla Model S For Superior range; more agile handling; massive boot; cheaper on PCP finance…

The Golf R has many strengths, but the majority of them aren’t the sort that make a great hot hatch.Yes, it’s devastatingly fast in a straight line, but it’s outclassed through corners and is very expensive – particularly if you’re buying on PCP finance. If it’s the classy interior, decent practicality and VW badge that appeal, the GTI offers those things for a lot less cash. The fight for the win is a tighter affair, and the Civic and Mégane are undoubtedly two of the best hot hatches you can buy.The Civic will cost you more to buy and own, but we reckon it’s worth the premium. It’s a wonderfully well-engineered machine that’s both astonishingly capable and great fun. That it’s easy to live with only adds to its appeal.…

Mileage 4442 List price £37,940 Target Price £37,580 Price as tested £43,585 Test economy 44.2mpg IMAGINE BMW’S SUVs on display, lined up from the smallest to the biggest. At one end, there’s the X1: compact but practical. At the other, there’s the X5, aimed at people who value luxury and those who need seven seats. And in between sits everything else. Well, almost. You see, there’s a space between the X1 and X3 for something small but sporty – something that takes the coupé styling of the X4 and X6 and makes it less overtly aggressive. In short, a space that the X2 has been designed to fill. This is a car aimed at the increasing number of young buyers with money to spare (people like me, I guess). But…

Mileage 10,500 List price £17,740 Target Price £15,858 Price as tested £17,740 Test economy 46.2mpg Last week, a chap from Seat came to collect my Arona in order to perform remedial work as part of a safety recall. It was recently discovered that if you make an emergency lane change in the Arona with three people sitting in the back, the middle passenger falling to the side can unbuckle the person to their left. The fix is simple, with a redesigned rear buckle fixture fitted, and the work took only a couple of hours. What’s more, there’s no visual difference (at least to my eyes). If you own an Arona – or a new Seat Ibiza or Volkswagen Polo – your dealer should be in contact about this soon.And it…

Mileage 30,200 List price £24,700 Target Price £22,229 Price as tested £26,600 Test economy 41.6mpg MY OPTIMA SPORTSWAGON recently suffered some cosmetic damage. I was on the motorway and, as I manoeuvred around a white van cruising in the middle lane (and they say stereotypes don’t exist), I noticed a bit of its bodywork was flailing around. No sooner had I noticed it than it fell off and landed in my path. I didn’t hear any crunch and therefore assumed I’d done enough to avoid it. However, later I noticed the debris had almost pierced the front bumper and left other minor scrapes. So I took the Optima to Snows in Guildford. The usual repairs protocol is that Snows takes pictures of the damage and sends these to a bodyshop…

Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi 150 Zetec List price when new £25,995 Price today £16,000 Available from 2015-present The MPV to buy if you like driving, but how does it fare as a used buy? Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi 136 Tech Line List price when new £23,690 Price today £11,000 Available from 2013-2018 It’s more frugal than the S-Max and aims to be a better option for big families Price today is based on a 2015 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing…

LESS THAN £15,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 0.9 TCe Ambiance List price £8600 Target Price £8502 MPG 57.6 CO2 109g/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 Skoda Fabia Our pick 1.0 95 SE List price £14,355 Target Price £13,202 MPG 64.2 CO2 101g/km For Spacious interior, good to drive and relatively cheap to run. Against Hard interior plastics and low-speed ride could be better. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.2 Dualjet SZ3 List price £11,999 Target Price £11,573 MPG 65.7 CO2 98g/km For Good to drive, with sharp steering and fine body control, and it’s fairly well equipped. Against Interior…

LESS THAN £21,000 Seat Ateca Our pick 1.0 TSI Ecomotive 115 S List price £20,825 Target Price £18,604 MPG 54.3 CO2 119g/km For Excellent handling, with a spacious interior, a smooth engine and good resale values. Against The ride might be a bit too firm for some and the interior looks a bit bland. WHAT CAR? SAYS Nissan Qashqai Our pick 1.2 DiG-T Visia List price £19,300 Target Price £19,300 MPG 50.4 CO2 129g/km For Practical and classy interior, comfortable ride, superb refinement and low running costs. Against Visia trim misses out on some goodies and the thick pillars limit visibility. WHAT CAR? SAYS Dacia Duster Our pick 1.2 TCe 125 Nav+ List price £13,095 Target Price £13,003 MPG 46.3 CO2 138g/km For A lot of car for the money,…

LESS THAN £22,000 Vauxhall Zafira Tourer Our pick 1.4 140 Turbo Design List price £20,215 Target Price £20,215 MPG 41.5 CO2 156g/km For Great value for money, good to drive and has an excellent safety rating. Against The engine struggles with a full load and this entry-level trim lacks a few goodies. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Carens Our pick 1.6 GDi ISG 1 List price £19,505 Target Price £17,526 MPG 45.6 CO2 143g/km For Competitively priced, with seven seats, air-con, cruise control and Bluetooth as standard. Against Unsophisticated to drive, the engine is gutless and interior quality is poor. WHAT CAR? SAYS Ford Tourneo Connect Our pick 1.5 TDCi 120 Zetec List price £19,865 Target Price £18,592 MPG 61.4 CO2 119g/km For Seriously cheap and masses of passenger space, sliding…

‘Honda has taken the bold step of launching its new large SUV in petrol form only’ VISIT HONDA’S WEBSITE and, atop the list of things it makes, you’ll see a statement: ‘Dream machines to make you smile.’ Absolutely, if you’re thinking of a superbike, a thumping great outboard motor for your speedboat or a Civic Type R – the most smile-inducing hot hatch of the moment. But the other items on that list – the lawnmowers, the generators and the CR-V – surely that’s a stretch? Well, maybe not, because there’s a new CR-V in town. Yes, it looks remarkably similar to the outgoing car. But it’s bigger, most notably in the length between its front and rear axles, so this should generate more space inside. Also, for the first…

SO, YOU’VE READ the favourable reviews, absorbed the hype and decided that you want a new Mercedes-Benz A-Class on your driveway. But which version of it should you pick if you’re a keen driver? Well, until the new Mercedes-AMG A35 arrives early next year (ahead of the full-fat A45), buyers craving hot hatch performance have just one choice: the range-topping A250. With a 221bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 0-62mph time of just 6.2sec and multi-link independent rear suspension, it looks like it could have the measure of the 227bhp Volkswagen Golf GTI. However, from the minute you set off, it’s immediately apparent this a car that, for now at least, is in a class of its own – and we mean that in the most literal sense. You see,…

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER large SUV review – nothing to get excited about, right? Wrong. You see, while the Hyundai Nexo is yet another car of the Audi Q5’s type – albeit a thoroughly futuristic-looking one – it’s also just the second hydrogen-fuelled car to go on sale to the British public, after the Toyota Mirai saloon. Unlike Hyundai’s previous hydrogen effort, the ix35 FCEV of 2013, the Nexo has been designed around a dedicated platform, rather than being merely a hydrogen-fuelled version of an existing model. This has allowed its engineers to package the powertrain more tactically. The result is that, unlike the ix35 FCEV, the Nexo is available in right-hand drive, has boot space comparable to that of conventional family SUVs and provides decent space for rear-seat passengers. How…

ALTHOUGH A CERTAIN 4x4 specialist with a name that rhymes with ‘hand over’ is making a big noise about turning 70 years old this year, it isn’t the oldest manufacturer of go-anywhere vehicles. You see, the Jeep Wrangler can trace its lineage all the way back to the Willys MB Jeep that played a key role in the Second World War. This new ‘JL’ model echoes its many forebears in having a ladder frame chassis with the body mounted on top, as well as simple ‘live’ axles front and rear. However, it offers two new engines: a 197bhp 2.2-litre diesel and a 268bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol, both of which come allied to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Unlike the majority of SUVs you see today, the Wrangler has been designed to…

GO FUN YOURSELF. That was the advertising slogan for the new Aygo when it was launched in 2014. It turned heads across the country, emphasising the cheeky yet highly personable nature of Toyota’s city car, and helped to set the Aygo apart from its siblings, the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108. It proved successful, too; in 2017, the Aygo was the second best-selling Toyota in the UK behind the Yaris. And now it’s been treated to a midlife facelift so that it can better square up to our reigning city car champion, the Kia Picanto. So, what’s changed? For starters, there’s a modest increase in power for the sole three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine on offer. And ‘modest’ really is the key word, because the increase is just 2bhp, with output…

THERE ARE AROUND 8.5 million dog-owning households in the UK, and it seems 99.9% of those consider their pet a fully fledged member of the family. So, which car should you choose if you’re looking for one that’s as comfortable for Fido as for Aunt Frida? Making the right choice is more complicated than you might think. But we’ve come up with our recommendations at six price points (ranging from less than £16,000 to more than £40,000) using our star ratings and a list of dog-friendly criteria compiled with the help of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. For starters, a good-sized boot is crucial, while a cream-coloured interior is a big no-no and hard-wearing materials are essential. You might also want to consider tinted windows to help keep your dog…

1 WHY IS SERVICING IMPORTANT? Servicing ensures that your car is in good working order and is also the perfect opportunity to mention any niggling issues that you’ve noticed, because the technician will be able to investigate and possibly fix them while the car is up on the ramp. 2 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? The cost of a service depends on numerous factors, including whether it is a full or interim check-up, where you choose to book your car in and, in some cases, where in the UK you live. Be wary of fixed-price servicing, because they are often focused on price rather than ascertaining exactly what your car needs. 3 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? The main benefit is that your car will have a clean bill of health…

Check if a vehicle has been recalled gov.uk/check-if-a-vehicle-has-been-recalled 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 nationaltradingstandards.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…

It may be three years old, but the Audi Q7 is still the best luxury SUV you can buy. Not only is it one of the most relaxing cars on the planet to bumble around in, but it can also pick up its skirts and charge up to motorway speeds, even with a full load on board. Given that it’s the most spacious and has the joint highest towing capacity, with optional air suspension fitted, there really isn’t much it can’t do. In second place is the Volkswagen Touareg. Although it doesn’t have seven seats, it’s thoroughly practical, roomy and, in the right spec, almost as good to drive as the Q7. However, it’s let down by its cheap-feeling interior and an uncomfortable ride unless you pay extra for air…

BMW X2 xDrive20d M Sport List price £37,940 Target Price £37,580 Price as tested £43,585 Extras Tech Pack (£1260), Vision Pack (£710), electric front seats (£650), Harman Kardon stereo (£600), 19in alloy wheels with performance tyres (£550), Comfort Access (£350), front and rear parking sensors (£340), sun protection glass (£270), extended interior lighting (£220), M Sport steering (£220), bike rack preparation (£180), Electronic Damper Control (£150), luggage compartment separating net (£105), touring fuel tank (£40) Running costs Test economy 44.2mpg True MPG na NEDC average 58.9mpg Tank 60 litres Contract hire £350.98 per month Insurance group 32 Typical insurance quote £849 per year…

Mileage 12,543 List price £31,290 Target Price £28,750 Price as tested £31,615 Test economy 39.9mpg This month, the Kodiaq took me and my son to Ypres for a bit of a history lesson, on a journey that involved driving to Dover, through France and on to the Western Front of World War 1 in Belgium. I always try to be doubly cautious with mirror checks when driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, but modern cars help, with electric mirror adjustment allowing for multiple, easy changes according to how far back (or close) you want to be looking. Likewise, there was no need to stick bits of reflective plastic to the headlights, because the Kodiaq’s beam alignment can be adjusted at the press of the infotainment screen. Full marks…

In production 2013-present Price from £6500 Our favourite 1.4 TSI 125 SE THE SEVENTH GENERATION of the Volkswagen Golf Estate combines the excellent driving manners, fine build quality and frugal engines of the hatchback with added practicality. It’s so good that the biggest problem you’re likely to encounter is finding one. Golf hatchbacks on the used market outnumber estates by about 10 to one and, on top of that, diesels outnumber petrol models by roughly the same ratio. From launch, the engine range consisted of two 1.4-litre petrol units, economical 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesels and a barnstorming 306bhp 2.0-litre petrol Golf Estate R with four-wheel drive. A 182bhp 2.0-litre diesel GTD model became available from 2015, while a facelift in 2016 introduced a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and replaced the…

LESS THAN £18,000 Seat Leon Our pick 1.2 TSI SE Dynamic Tech List price £17,975 Target Price £15,015 MPG 56.5 CO2 116g/km For Strong yet economical petrol engine with low running costs, and you get lots of safety kit. Against Some of the plastics feel cheap and it can seem sluggish on the motorway. WHAT CAR? SAYS Vauxhall Astra Our pick 1.4T 16V 125 Design List price £18,420 Target Price £16,889 MPG 52.3 CO2 124g/km For Low CO2 emissions make it an ideal company car; decent to drive, with a practical interior. Against The steering feels numb and Tech Line trim adds more kit for only a little more money. WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda Rapid Spaceback Our pick 1.0 TSI 110 SE Tech List price £16,475 Target Price £15,142 MPG…

LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £15,520 Target Price £14,268 MPG 64.2 CO2 101g/km For It’s one of the roomiest small estates; SE trim adds air-con and a touchscreen. Against Costs more than the hatchback and seats could do with more support. WHAT CAR? SAYS Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Our pick 1.4i 16v Design List price £19,020 Target Price £17,391 MPG 51.4 CO2 127g/km For There’s plenty of room and you get air-con, Bluetooth and auto headlights as standard. Against This is the least powerful engine in the range and the boot isn’t that flexible. WHAT CAR? SAYS Dacia Logan MCV Our pick 0.9 TCe Lauréate List price £11,115 Target Price £11,012 MPG 57.6 CO2 109g/km For Lots of space, low running…

LESS THAN £20,000 Volkswagen Up GTI Our pick 1.0 115 3dr List price £14,055 Target Price £13,657 MPG 58.9 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 Mini Cooper Our pick 1.5 3dr List price £17,345 Target Price £16,266 MPG 56.5 CO2 114g/km For Fun to drive, good performance, low running costs and strong resale values. Against Equipment is fairly basic without the option packs and space is on the tight side. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Swift Sport Our pick 1.4 Boosterjet List price £17,999 Target Price £17,999 MPG 50.4 CO2 125g/km For You get plenty of equipment as standard, plus it’s relatively quick and cheap to run.…

LESS THAN £50,000 Alpine A110 Our pick 1.8 Pure List price £46,905 Target Price £46,905 MPG 46.3 CO2 138g/km For Grin-inducing handling is unmatched at this price level; surprisingly cheap to run. Against Limited luggage space and the infotainment system is only average. WHAT CAR? SAYS Porsche 718 Cayman Our pick 2.0 List price £43,467 Target Price £43,467 MPG 38.2 CO2 168g/km For Balletic handling, sublime steering and gearshift, as well as strong pace. Against Stingy levels of standard equipment and the engine doesn’t sound special enough. WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW M2 Our pick 3.0T List price £46,740 Target Price £45,510 MPG 33.2 CO2 199g/km For Quicker, sounds better, gets more kit and is more practical than the Porsche Cayman S. Against Not as agile or precise as the Cayman…

WHILE IT STILL looks like the work of science fiction, the BMW i8 coupé is now four years old, and therefore due a facelift. Although it looks much the same externally if you discount the new Donington Grey paint, you’ll find a number of changes if you dig a little deeper. Under the skin is a new, more power-dense battery pack that allows the front-mounted electric motor to produce a little more power. Crucially, it also increases the real-world electric-only range from 23 miles to 34, potentially making the car more economical if you can charge it up. Sure, you won’t get near the 148.7mpg average fuel economy figure unless you spend the majority of time running on electric power, but near 50mpg is achievable without too much difficulty. Considering…

IN AN INCREASINGLY diverse marketplace, designing a vehicle with universal appeal is one of the greatest challenges that modern car makers have to face. It means creating something that appeals to everyone from aspirational millennials to school-run mums. Only a handful of brands (Mini being an obvious example) have achieved this over the years. That’s why no one could have predicted just how popular the Range Rover Sport would be. Marketed as a sportier and more accessible alternative to the full-sized Range Rover, it has become one of the most successful vehicles that Land Rover has ever produced. However, the second-generation car has come under pressure from the new Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q8. So, in an effort to ensure it can fend off its rivals, the Sport has been…

SOME PEOPLE WANT a car that doesn’t attract too much attention. If that sounds like you, you should probably steer clear of the new BMW X4. Like its predecessor, Brexit and whether you should put jam or clotted cream on scones first, it polarises opinion. But no matter what you think of the X4’s coupé-inspired looks, they certainly ensure it stands out. There’s also no denying that they make the new X4 less practical than the more conventional X3, to which it’s closely related, with the plunging roofline forcing six-footers to slouch in the back. Thankfully, the boot is still big enough to swallow several large suitcases with ease, and the 40/20/40-split rear seats lie flat when folded down. In addition, the dashboard is pretty much identical to the X3’s,…

SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION in 1998, the Audi TT has chalked up a whopping 17 What Car? Car of the Year category wins – more than any other car. Put simply, no other coupé has managed to combine cutting-edge style and great handling with the day-to-day usability of the TT. There really has been nothing to topple it, even if the current model has been on sale for four years. Nevertheless, Audi has elected to give the TT a mid-life refresh, starting with the sporty TTS. On the outside, it gets new matrix LED headlights, tweaked bumpers and high-tech LED tail-lights, while there are some new trim options for the interior and a new sport display for the digital instrument cluster. More extensive tweaks are to be found under the skin.…

BIG ISN’T ALWAYS beautiful – just look at the previous Hyundai Santa Fe. Thankfully, it has been sent to the plastic surgeon for a much-needed restyle and mechanical overhaul. Outside, it now apes the smaller Kona, complete with Hyundai’s trademark ‘cascading’ grille. Inside, the Santa Fe gets new technology and more squishy plastics to make it feel more upmarket. Families will appreciate the larger dimensions; impressively, this has been achieved while also reducing weight to help efficiency. Although you get a choice of three trims (SE, Premium and Premium SE), there’s just one 2.2-litre diesel engine, which can be had with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. You can also choose between front and four-wheel drive, depending on whether your idea of off-roading is parking on a kerb or…

ALL OF THESE price point winners – indeed, all of the cars mentioned here – are well worth considering if you own a dog. However, the car that our group of readers rated above all others was the Mazda CX-5, standing out due to its practical features, stylish yet solid interior and relatively affordable pricing. The CX-5 is a great-looking, great-driving car that gives everyone inside a safe and comfortable ride. Some of the owners explained why the CX-5 was their top choice. Emma Smith, owner of bearded collie Bodhi, said: “I really like the storage solutions in the CX-5’s boot, because they enable me to hide items out of sight at the same time as transporting Bodhi.” Lisa Howard, who owns two-year-old Border collie Slinky and four-year-old sprollie Biggs,…

Honda Civic Type R 2.0 VTEC Turbo List price £31,525 Target Price £31,300 Our 2018 Hot Hatch of the Year is a truly extraordinary driver’s car. It’ll be tough to beat. Renault Mégane RS 280 Cup List price £28,995 Target Price £28,995 Previous RS was one of the greatest hot hatches ever, so hopes are Eiffel Tower high. Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI 300 DSG List price £34,910 Target Price £31,873 Range-topping Golf now comes excusively with five doors and a DSG automatic gearbox.…

Mileage 5648 List price £23,670 (before gov’t grant) Target Price £19,170 Price as tested £24,470 Real-world range 160 miles (summer), 130 miles (winter) SO THEN, WHAT’S the answer to our future mobility? Sorry, that’s a tough one, but I bet we all occasionally ponder it while driving through petrol and diesel fumes on our commutes. It’s very unlikely that we’ll have completely left combustion engines behind in our lifetime – possibly even during that of our children – but they’ll have to go one day. And then what? If you were expecting a profound solution to our transport troubles, I’m afraid this goodbye to our Zoe isn’t it. However, running this car for the past 12 months has confirmed a few things. First, even if electric vehicles (EVs) aren’t the…

Mileage 3300 List price £39,905 Target Price £38,946 Price as tested £39,905 Test economy 33.6mpg YOU KNOW HOW time seems to slow down when you realise something bad is about to happen and there’s nothing you can do to prevent it? Well, the other week I had one of those moments with my XC40. I was leaving work and had walked out to the car and unlocked it using the keyless entry, when I decided to take off my jacket and chuck it on the back seat. Before doing so, I removed the car’s key fob and my garage plipper from the pocket and put them on the roof, because my hands were full. You can probably see where this is going. The key fob didn’t stay where I’d placed…

LESS THAN £10,000 Suzuki Celerio Our pick 1.0 SZ2 List price £7999 Target Price £7352 MPG 65.7 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 £9695 Target Price £8995 MPG 60.1 CO2 108g/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 £9325 Target Price £9155 MPG 64.2 CO2 101g/km For Fun to drive, with a comfortable ride and an upmarket interior.…

LESS THAN £26,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Technology List price £24,210 Target Price £23,042 MPG 65.7 CO2 112g/km For Masses of standard kit, lots of rear leg room and boot space, comfortable ride. Against Some other executive cars are more fun to drive and the engine is a little gruff. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Passat Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 S List price £25,295 Target Price £20,255 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For Drives well, with a good ride and refined diesel engine, while the interior is smart. Against Some rivals are more practical and the dashboard design is a bit dull. WHAT CAR? SAYS Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport Our pick 1.6 Turbo D Ecotec 110 Tech Line List price £22,745 Target Price £21,874 MPG 70.6 CO2…

LESS THAN £16,000 Dacia Duster Our pick 1.6 SCe 115 Comfort List price £13,195 Target Price £13,105 MPG 43.4 CO2 139g/km For Spacious interior, decent engine and incredibly cheap compared with rivals. Against Interior is decidedly low-rent and there isn’t much standard safety kit. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZ4 List price £15,999 Target Price £15,272 MPG 53.3 CO2 123g/km For Good to drive and practical interior. SZ4 trim brings enough equipment. Against CO2 emissions are comparatively high and resale values are only average. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Ignis Our pick 1.2 SHVS SZ5 List price £14,509 Target Price £12,301 MPG 65.7 True MPG 59.6 CO2 97g/km For Excellent real-world economy, it’s fun to drive and you get lots of kit as standard. Against The ride is…

LESS THAN £30,000 Renault Zoe Our pick Q90 ZE40 Dynamique Nav List price £23,670 Target Price £15,170 Official range 230 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 Hyundai Ioniq Our pick Electric Premium List price £29,845 Target Price £23,958 Official range 174 miles CO2 0g/km For Quick off the line; easy to drive around town; spacious and well-equipped interior. Against Battery pack robs boot space and rivals are better to drive. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen e-Up Our pick e-Up List price £25,640 Target Price £20,328 Official range 99 miles CO2 0g/km For Great to drive; well equipped; easy to manoeuvre and park in…