Table of contents for October 2016 in What Car?

 Volkswagen’s emissions test cheating might have dominated the news, but another diesel scandal affects far more people in the UK – the mis-selling of diesel cars themselves. For years, we’ve been pushed towards diesels by car dealers and successive governments alike. Yet, while they’re ideal for certain types of driving, they’re completely ill-suited to others. ‘Diesels are completely ill-suited to some types of driving’ Buy a diesel when you do mostly short journeys, and not only will you end up spending far more than you need to in the first place, but you’re also risking huge repair bills later on. From page 38 we explain what the salesman probably won’t. It’s a must-read if you’re thinking about buying a new car or you already drive a diesel. @swhuntingford…

The previous version of this ‘soft-road’ estate sold well. Can it repeat the success? Verdict Great for relaxing driving, but stick with the standard A4 Avant AT FIRST GLANCE, the Audi A4 Allroad may seem like a bit of an odd choice. Sat between the regular A4 Avant and the Q5 SUV, it’s effectively an estate car wearing high-heeled Wellington boots. As strange as that sounds, Audi certainly sold plenty of previous generation Allroads in both A4 and A6 guises. With that in mind, it’s no surprise to see the all-new A4 getting the ‘soft-roader’ treatment. It may not look too different, but there are plenty of changes under the skin, including a more efficient ‘ultra quattro’ four-wheel drive system for some models. Although this ‘quattro with ultra technology’ is…

American marque returns with a rival for the Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but there’s a catch Verdict Good to drive, but glaring downsides make it impossible to recommend ‘While the chassis may make the CT6 feel sporty, the engine is more disappointing’ CADILLAC IS THE United States’ answer to Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Cadillac is owned by General Motors, which also owns Vauxhall. Initially, Cadillac’s return to the UK will be with a range of luxurious, high performance petrol-powered models with left-hand drive, ahead of smaller diesel-powered models with right-hand drive in the future. The first of these left-hand-drive models is the CT6. It’s a saloon similar in size to the likes of the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. There’s one engine available: a…

THE STANDARD GT has already shown that Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance division can build its own bespoke sports car to a very high standard. When sales began in 2014, there was plenty of hype over this rival for the Porsche 911 and Jaguar F-Type Coupé. Now, there is a faster, sportier, and more powerful GT R model, which will sit at the top of the GT range, above the standard GT and the sportier GT S version. Interior gains Inside, the layout is almost identical to that of the regular GT, but you get more supportive sports seats which place you lower to the road, a chunkier steering wheel, bespoke stitching and new graphics on the central infotainment screen. Race car for the road The GT R uses the same twin-turbocharged…

Range-topping auto version of the GS aims to rekindle our love affair with MG Verdict Qashqai rival fails in far too many areas MG IS THE prodigal son of British motoring. It was sold to its Chinese owner after the collapse of MG Rover in 2005, and returned home five years later with the MG 6 family car, hoping to be welcomed with open arms. It hasn’t worked out that way; the 6 and the more recent 3 hatchback have failed to create more than a Chinese whisper among British buyers. The MG GS is the firm’s entry into the exploding small SUV market. Cheaper GS versions are good value; it’s bigger than a Nissan Qashqai but costs from just £14,995. So far, we’ve only driven manual versions; here we…

Niche model combines open-air motoring with the go-anywhere ability of a 4x4 Verdict Head-turner that has appeal in spite of its flaws CONVERTIBLES HAVE LONG been popular in the UK, despite our changeable weather, and the Range Rover Evoque Convertible could be the drop-top of choice for those who want to cope with sun, snow and all points in between. Using the regular three-door Evoque as a starting point, Land Rover reinforces the chassis to keep it from flexing like a rabbit’s ear, adds a soft-top and bumps the price up. Only offered in high-spec HSE or HSE Lux trim, it costs from £47,500. Extra weight dents pace There are two engines available: a 236bhp 2.0-litre petrol and the 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel tested here. The Evoque Convertible weighs nearly two…

LESS THAN £16,000 Vauxhall Astra Our pick 1.0T 105 Design List price £16,145 Target Price £15,376 MPG 65.7 CO2 99g/km For Good to drive and well equipped, with a comfortable, roomy cabin. Against The steering assistance is too light and lumbar adjustment costs extra. What Car? says Nissan Pulsar Our pick 1.2 DIG-T Visia List price £13,995 Target Price £12,740 MPG 56.5 CO2 117g/km For There’s plenty of room for occupants and their luggage, and there’s lot of equipment. Against Several rivals have stronger resale values and lower running costs. What Car? says Seat Leon Our pick 1.2 TSI 110 SE List price £17,700 Target Price £14,847 MPG 57.6 CO2 114g/km For The engine is refined, running costs are low and S trim has a decent amount of equipment. Against…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZ4 List price £14,499 Target Price £13,521 MPG 49.4 CO2 123g/km For The Vitara is good to drive, has a practical interior and SZ4 trim brings lots of equipment. Against CO2 emissions are comparatively high and the steering weight is too light. What Car? says Renault Captur Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Dynamique Media Nav List price £15,675 Target Price £13,999 MPG 56.5 CO2 115g/km For It’s refined, well equipped and roomy for four adults. The sliding rear bench is practical. Against The interior plastics feel hard and cheap, while the engine is underpowered. What Car? says Kia Soul Our pick 1.6 CRDi 134 Connect List price £16,600 Target Price £14,763 MPG 58.8 CO2 128g/km For The interior is spacious, Connect trim…

LESS THAN £15,000 Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.6 Sport 3dr List price £14,149 Target Price £13,575 MPG 44.1 CO2 147g/km For Loves to be thrashed, thanks to a rev-hungry engine and snappy gearchange. Against The cabin is plain, so there’s none of the ‘wow’ factor that hot hatch buyers crave. What Car? says Seat Ibiza SC FR Our pick 1.4 TSI 150 List price £16,245 Target Price £13,671 MPG 60.1 CO2 109g/km For Gutsy engine, low running costs, plenty of equipment and a spacious interior. Against Some rivals are more fun to drive and the cabin plastics feel cheap. What Car? says Fiat 500 Abarth Our pick 595 List price £14,610 Target Price £14,610 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For Small hot hatches don’t get any more stylish and the Abarth is certainly…

What’s the difference between contract hire and leasing? ‘Leasing’ is a catch-all term that includes finance lease and lease purchase, as well as contract hire, which is a form of leasing. Should I go for contract hire or a PCP arrangement? Although monthly payments are often similar, at the end of the deal a PCP gives you the flexibility to own the car for an extra lump sum, or put a deposit down on another deal. If you have to terminate the deal early, contract hire often carries a penalty of 50% of the outstanding rental; the penalties on a PCP are much smaller. With contract hire, VAT-registered users can reclaim VAT on some of the finance and maintenance costs. Does it make sense to take out a ‘with maintenance’…

Hybrid small SUV challenges Nissan Qashqai with ultra-low running costs Verdict Slow and dull to drive, but good value to buy and run ‘Pick the right model and you’ll get 70mpg-plus and CO2 emissions of 88g/km’ PRACTICAL FAMILY CARS with low running costs can be tough to track down if your mind’s made up, like just about everyone else’s right now, on buying a stylish, small SUV. After coming to the rescue of the bargain-hunting motorist many times, Kia is going in to bat for them again with the first petrol-electric hybrid it’s ever sold on British shores, the Niro. It combines a petrol engine with a modestly powerful electric motor in a way that’s broadly similar to a Toyota Prius. The Niro differs from the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, the…

The fourth-generation Mégane promises much, but it has some talented rivals Verdict Impressive economy and emissions; merely average elsewhere ‘The 108bhp diesel motor is quiet, but needs to be worked hard at times’ THE FAMILY HATCHBACK class is a tough one for any car to compete in. It needs to provide room for you and your family, with a decent enough boot for a summer holiday or a trip to the tip. It also needs to be cheap to run, so low CO2 emissions and above average fuel economy are a must. Finally, you’ll want it to be well equipped and safe. This new Renault Mégane 1.5dCi 110 looks like it’s got all the raw ingredients. Its CO2 emissions are below the magic 100g/km for cheap benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax and…

Large SUV is a halfway house between premium German and practical Korean rivals Verdict Spacious and well equipped, but its rivals are cheaper and have seven seats ‘It doesn’t have the premium feel of an Audi or BMW’ THE FORD EDGE is the latest addition to the manufacturer’s SUV range. It’s been designed to rival the accomplished Audi Q5 and BMW X3 – a brave move indeed. The Edge costs from £29,995 for the entry-level Zetec model, which undercuts the equivalent Q5 and X3 by around £3500. Every Edge has four-wheel-drive and a 2.0-litre diesel engine with two different power outputs: the single-turbo version produces 177bhp and the twin-turbo 207bhp. More is better Both engines offer enough low-down pull to build momentum swiftly around town, but out on the open…

Fast and swanky British coupé with a V12 engine is all-new both inside and out Verdict This is almost everything a luxury coupé should be ‘It always has effortless performance and never feels flat’ ASTON MARTIN HAS a plan, and for a small car maker, it’s a bold one. Between now and 2022, it’ll launch seven new models, all far more different from each other than any previous Aston range. It begins with the DB9’s replacement, the DB11. It has a new aluminium chassis, which is far more space-efficient than the old one. Although similar in size to the DB9, the DB11 is bigger inside – previous Astons weren’t exactly renowned for interior space. Mercedes-Benz owns 5% of Aston Martin, which is enough for all the electronics and the infotainment…

New battery gives electric hatchback an increase in range, but it doesn’t come cheap Verdict More expensive than rivals, but goes farther on each charge THE BMW i3 has just had its first major upgrade since the radical all-electric model was launched two and a half years ago. The ‘94Ah’ in this latest version’s name refers to the new lithium ion battery pack, which enables it to travel further between charges. Mounted under the floor, the new battery is the same size as the original one, so there’s no reduction in boot space, but the battery’s 33kWh capacity is 50% greater. More miles between charges Although the i3 has an official range of 195 miles, BMW claims that the real-world range is actually 124 miles in all weather conditions. If…

Could the less potent version of the C-Class AMG estate prove a practical choice? Verdict Easier to live with than V8 AMGs, but let down by crashy suspension FOR A FEW years now, the only Mercedes C-Class you could buy new that had been fettled by AMG, Mercedes’ performance division, had a thumping great V8 engine. While that offered lashings of power, it could be scary to drive in the wet, and it had a serious thirst for fuel. Now, AMG offers a slightly less unhinged version: the Mercedes-AMG C 43. The C 43 has a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine and Mercedes’ 4Matic four-wheel drive system. Flamboyant engine The engine fires up with a noisy flourish before settling to a burbling idle. Select drive on the standard nine-speed automatic…

New car, service, repair and warranty issues www.motorcodes.co.uk Citizens’ Advice Bureau www.citizensadvice.org.uk Check a car has a valid MoT test certificate www.motinfo.gov.uk Check if a car has outstanding finance www.whatcar.com/historycheck Trading standards www.tradingstandards.gov.uk Financial Conduct Authority www.fca.org.uk Check if a vehicle has been recalled www.gov.uk/check-if-a-vehicle-has-been-recalled Check car crash safety ratings www.euroncap.com Your car loan questions answered www.whatcar.com/car-news/carloanfaqs…

LESS THAN £10,000 Skoda Citigo Our pick 1.0 60 SE 5dr List price £9485 Target Price £8972 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/km For It’s economical, reasonably practical, solidly built and feels grown-up to drive. Against It’s not as classy as the Volkswagen Up and the 59bhp engine can struggle at speed. What Car? says Seat Mii Our pick 1.0 SE Technology 3dr List price £10,210 Target Price £8410 MPG 62.8 CO2 105g/km For The Mii feels remarkably grown-up to drive, and is cheaper than the near-identical VW Up. Against It’s not as well finished inside as the Up and this version can feel slow on faster roads. What Car? says Suzuki Celerio Our pick 1.0 Dualjet SZ3 List price £8499 Target Price £8119 MPG 78.4 CO2 84g/km For It has a…

LESS THAN £25,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Business List price £22,555 Target Price £20,356 MPG 68.9 CO2 108g/km For Masses of standard kit, a huge amount of rear leg room and boot space, and good to drive. Against Other executive cars are more fun to drive and have stronger resale values. What Car? says Volkswagen Passat Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Business List price £25,045 Target Price £21,387 MPG 67.3 CO2 106g/km For Drives very well, with a good ride and refined diesel engine. The interior is top notch. Against Some rivals are more practical, while the dashboard design is a bit dull. What Car? says Audi A3 Saloon Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 Sport List price £25,685 Target Price £23,560 MPG 68.9 CO2 107g/km For It…

LESS THAN £18,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.2 TSI 90 SE List price £14,765 Target Price £13,416 MPG 60.1 CO2 107g/km For It’s one of the roomiest small estate cars around and SE trim brings air-con and a touchscreen. Against The ride is unsettled over poorer surfaces and the dashboard looks a little dull. What Car? says Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Our pick 1.0i 105 Turbo Design List price £17,435 Target Price £16,101 MPG 65.7 CO2 100g/km For There’s plenty of room, equipment is generous and the engine is a willing performer. Against The boot isn’t that flexible and some rivals are better to drive. What Car? says Kia Cee’d Sportswagon Our pick 1.4 CRDi 89 1 ISG List price £17,395 Target Price £15,641 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.2d 150 SE-L Nav 2WD List price £24,995 Target Price £23,125 MPG 61.4 CO2 119g/km For Lots of space and kit for a good price, while CO2 emissions and economy are impressive. Against Firm low-speed ride, and wind and road noise can intrude at speed. What Car? says Nissan X-Trail Our pick 1.6 dCi Acenta 2WD 7-seat List price £26,545 Target Price £24,492 MPG 57.6 CO2 129g/km For It’s comfortable, has a spacious and classy interior, a large boot and lots of equipment. Against Body control is sloppy and the diesel engine is noisy. What Car? says Honda CR-V Our pick 1.6 i-DTEC 120 SE List price £26,060 Target Price £23,588 MPG 64.2 CO2 115g/km For The engine is economical and powerful, while…

LESS THAN £25,000 Seat Leon SC Our pick 1.4 EcoTSI 150 FR List price £20,225 Target Price £17,322 MPG 57.6 CO2 114g/km For It’s quick, agile, economical and excellent value. There’s good space for people and bags. Against A few bits of cabin trim feel low-rent and there’s too much wind noise at speed. What Car? says BMW 2 Series Our pick 218d SE List price £25,100 Target Price £23,215 MPG 62.8 CO2 119g/km For It rides and handles well, and the diesel engine is punchy and economical. Against The rear seats are cramped for adults and the engine is noisy. What Car? says Volkswagen Scirocco Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 GT List price £25,610 Target Price £23,239 MPG 67.3 CO2 109g/km For Good to drive, with quick steering and…

A BROKER CLAIMS HE CAN SUPPLY ME WITH A NEW BMW X5 SOONER THAN MY LOCAL DEALER CAN. Is this possible? It could be that the broker pre-ordered a new X5 on the basis that he’d be able to find a buyer for it, or he may have a cancelled order. In either case, it is possible that you could beat the dealer waiting list, but quiz him about the basis for his claim. If it’s one of the two cases above, ask to see the proof, make sure the car has the same engine and trim that you want, and remember that you won’t be able to choose the spec if the car has been ordered. Get the delivery date in writing, too. I’VE SEEN A BROKER WHO IS…

A mid-life facelift aims to keep the small car fresh against newer competition Verdict Small but significant improvements – pricey in this guise, though ‘It isn’t as much fun as a Ford Fiesta, but it can still put a smile on your face’ IF YOU CAN remember Helen Sharman going into space, The Channel Tunnel ‘breakthrough’ and Bryan Adams’ 15 weeks at number one with Everything I Do, chances are you’ll remember the launch of the original Renault Clio in the same year: 1991. Yes, Nicole’s favourite supermini is 25 years old this year, and the current model is no spring chicken, either, having been on sale since 2012. So Renault has decided to give the Clio a facelift for its birthday. Along with the usual nip and tuck for…

AT JUST A fiver short of £9500, the Dacia Duster is the cheapest small SUV currently on sale in the UK. Now it has been updated, with a revised front end and new engines. The Duster is larger, bulkier and more practical than the similarly cheap Dacia Sandero, and a rival for the likes of the Renault Captur, Suzuki SX4 S-Cross and our small SUV of the year, the Nissan Qashqai. We’ve praised the Duster in the past for its incredible value for money. It’s spacious, practical and makes good sense for families – if you’re willing to overlook the compromises in driving pleasure that come with a car that has been engineered on a budget, that is. New engines and options Cosmetically, new headlights are part of a redesigned…

Compact exec gains four-wheel drive to compete with German rivals Verdict Choose standard car unless you regularly need added traction JAGUAR’S DECISION TO launch a four-wheel-drive saloon in summer might seem about as logical as opening an ice cream shop in December, but the whole point of this new Jaguar XE AWD is that most of the time it behaves much like any other XE. While rival four-wheel-drive systems, such as Audi’s quattro and BMW’s xDrive, power all four wheels at all times, the XE is entirely rear driven until those wheels start to slip, at which point up to half of the power is diverted forwards. The reason? Jaguar didn’t want to lose the sporty handling of the standard car. However, the extra oily bits add about 100kg of…

Luxurious 740Le hybrid is strong on the motorway and emissions-free around town Verdict Hard to find any real criticisms, apart from the price THE 740Le xDRIVE is a green-tinged luxury car and a mighty technical achievement. It features a clever plug-in hybrid drivetrain, and the lengthened, range-topping variant here also has four-wheel drive. Power comes from a 265bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a 111bhp electric motor, coupled to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. A matter of modes The 740Le can be driven in two main ways. In Auto eDrive mode, it uses the battery only, for emissions-free low-speed travel. The engine only kicks in at around 50mph or when the driver accelerates hard. The other mode is Max eDrive, in which the car runs on battery power alone up to…

LESS THAN £12,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 1.2 Ambiance List price £6795 Target Price £6764 MPG 48.7 CO2 130g/km For Lots of space for the money, plus a proven four-cylinder petrol engine from Renault. Against The interior and equipment list are basic, while the low-speed ride is lumpy. What Car? says Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.2 SZ3 3dr List price £10,749 Target Price £10,160 MPG 56.5 CO2 116g/km For Lots of equipment as standard and a smart cabin. It’s also fun to drive. Against The engine is noisy and a little gutless at motorway speeds. What Car? says Seat Ibiza Our pick 1.0 EcoTSI 95 SE 5dr List price £13,975 Target Price £11,447 MPG 67.3 CO2 98g/km For Rides and handles well and it has a generous standard kit list and low…

LESS THAN £20,000 Citroën C3 Picasso Our pick 1.2 Puretech Edition List price £16,575 Target Price £12,376 MPG 56.5 CO2 115g/km For The interior is spacious and the boot is big. Ride comfort and refinement impress. Against Some rivals are cheaper and the engine feels a bit weedy on faster roads. What Car? says Renault Grand Scénic Our pick 1.2 TCe 130 Dynamique Nav List price £21,435 Target Price £15,290 MPG 43.5 CO2 145g/km For It’s good to drive, well equipped, there’s room for seven and dealer discounts are huge. Against Interior quality could be better and the middle row of seats is heavy to lift out. What Car? says Ford B-Max Our pick 1.4 90 Zetec List price £15,095 Target Price £12,681 MPG 47.1 CO2 139g/km For The engine…