What Car? April 2021

‘Car sales are down almost 40%, putting those still keen to buy in a great position’ One of Enzo Ferrari’s golden rules was to always sell one car less than he could, in order to keep values high.And the same forces of supply and demand usually work against you if you’re buying any new car (not just something exclusive) at this time of year, with the introduction of the new registration plate on 1 March meaning showrooms are filled with eager customers. But not this year. For obvious reasons, car sales are down almost 40% on the same period in 2020, putting those who are still keen to buy in a great bargaining position. Indeed, research by our team of Target Price mystery shoppers shows that you can currently save an average of…

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.…

FIRST DRIVE Vauxhall Mokka Petrol, diesel and electric Mokka looks to offer the best of all worlds On sale Now Price from £20,735 CAN YOU REMEMBER when you started to refer to your smartphone as just a phone or your digital camera as just a camera? No, nor can we. Which got us thinking. With electric cars (EVs) becoming increasingly commonplace, when will we start to naturally refer to them as just ‘cars’? Well, if Vauxhall has anything to do with it, that moment could come sooner than you think. Because instead of going down the route of designing a bespoke electric SUV, like Volkswagen with its new ID.4, Vauxhall has taken the decision to offer electric power effectively as an option on its all-new Mokka small SUV in an effort to ‘normalise’ electric…

THE COUNTRYMAN may not be all that mini, but this second-generation model has some important strengths. For one, it’s very practical compared with rivals, namely the Audi Q2 and Volkswagen T-Roc. It also has a posher interior than those cars and, if you spec it correctly, a better infotainment system. But the main reason it’s been a success is because of the way it looks, and there have been some changes here. As well as a new front end, the Countryman has been given fresh alloy wheel designs, new paint colours (metallic white and sage green) and a range of updated seat and interior finishes. There’s also a new Piano Black Exterior option. This replaces all the exterior chrome trim with gloss black. LED headlights are also now standard across the range,…

THE PUMA IS truly a joy to drive, because it’s super-nimble for a small SUV, while the steering gives you a real sense of connection with the front wheels. This isn’t just something aimed at those who enjoy a twisty road; it’s also welcome for anyone driving on, say, a muddy road in heavy rain. True, rear seat space is only so-so, but the Puma is still surprisingly practical, thanks to a huge boot with a height-adjustable floor. It’s also well equipped, strong on safety and very fuel-efficient. Our pick 1.0 Ecoboost 155 Titanium List price £22,780 Target Price £21,203 Target PCP £252 MPG 50.4 CO2 127g/km For Great fun to drive, yet rides bumps well; remarkable blend of performance and economy; big, clever boot Against Space in the back is adequate…

AS YOU’LL FIND out in our group test on p62, there are plenty of reasons to stick the latest Hyundai Tucson on your SUV shopping list. However, while going full hybrid might be a tempting choice for many, it does push up the price. That’s where the mild hybrid steps in, lowering emissions and improving fuel economy over the entry-level petrol (especially with an automatic gearbox) at a price that’s below £30,000. Pace is more than adequate, with that mild hybrid tech helping to give a little boost at low revs so you don’t have to thrash the engine. Beware, though: the auto ’box needs a moment of thought before it opts for the right gear. Although this Tucson can’t run on electricity alone, it’s able to shut down its engine and coast…