Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2018 i What Car?

 Buying a new car should be exciting. But it often feels more like a chore due to doubts about whether you’re paying a fair price and the fear that something better could be about to go on sale. ‘You don’t even have to haggle to secure our Target Prices’ That’s where this issue of What Car? comes in: we’re sharing everything we’ve learned about the new cars arriving in 2018. And, from page 50, we’re pitting some of them against today’s class leaders so you’ll know whether it’s worth waiting a few months before buying. Finally, our team of mystery shoppers have been out in force to see what discounts are available and have provided a Target Price for every new car (from page 115). You don’t even have to…

AUDI IS TACKLING the Mini hatchback head on with the second-generation A1. You see, the A1 already competes in the same market as the Mini but is outsold heavily by the retro-styled plush hatchback, which is, in fact, one of the UK’s best sellers overall. How’s Audi planning to take the Mini’s top spot, then? Well, the new A1 shares much with the new Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza – both of which have been very well received. This means it should be bigger, more refined and better to drive than the current A1. Its looks will move more in line with those of the rest of Audi’s line-up, with a more aggressive-looking grille and the same angular styling as larger models such as the new A5 and Q5. What’s…

HAVING PROVED THAT it knows how to build SUVs with the larger F-Pace, Jaguar’s attention has now turned to the bubbling small SUV market with the smaller E-Pace. Priced from £28,500, the ‘cub’ of the Jaguar range faces tough competition from the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. To help it stand out, the E-Pace has been given bold exterior styling and an interior inspired by the F-Type sports car. Jaguar’s Touch Pro infotainment system features inside, alongside a digital instrument display and an array of connectivity options, including a wi-fi hotspot. With 484 litres of space, the E-Pace’s boot is bigger than the Q3’s and GLA’s but lags behind the X1’s. Still, it can carry a folded buggy or six carry-on suitcases without any trouble. Clever features include…

BACK IN 2016, BMW and Toyota revealed they were collaborating on a new sports car project. The internet went wild with speculation. Could this project yield, at long last, successors to the Z4 and Supra? We now know that yes, it will, and the Z4 will be the first to arrive. Previewed by the Z4 concept car pictured, the new sports convertible will have an electrically folding fabric roof that stows away under a tonneau cover at the rear of the car. The futuristic interior of the concept will be toned down for production but will use mostly digital displays and a new version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system. With 310 litres of boot space, there’s also more room inside for luggage than in the old Z4 – partly thanks…

‘MODERATELY HOT’: SO it says next to ‘Cayenne’ in the index of chili peppers. Perhaps, then, its Porsche namesake should be upgraded to something ‘very hot’; ‘Habanero’ sounds quite nice. You see, the original 2003 Cayenne’s engines ranged from 240bhp to 514bhp in the Turbo S. The third-generation Cayenne of 2018 kicks out a minimum of 335bhp, with around 680bhp expected to come from the upcoming Turbo S E-Hybrid model. And it’s not just speed that has been improved; the new Cayenne is agile and stable at high speeds, staying remarkably upright in corners. We recently tested the second-rung S model, with its 434bhp petrol V6, and can confirm that the Cayenne can be driven along a winding B-road at a ridiculous pace. It’s just a shame the steering is…

JAGUAR MAY HAVE been a day late to the SUV market, but it’s certainly not a dollar short. Like a Hollywood star showing up fashionably late to an afterparty, it swooped in and duly stole the limelight with the sharp, svelte F-Pace, which became the fastest-selling model in the company’s 94-year history. Now, like any successful newcomer, Jaguar is keen to capitalise on its early success. Next summer, it will launch the electric I-Pace SUV and later there will be a bigger J-Pace. But first we have the car that’s designed to be the volume seller: the E-Pace. Described as the ‘cub’ of the Jaguar range, it will go head to head with premium models such as the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. Unlike those rivals, however, the…

IT’S BEEN TWO years since PSA Group launched DS, its ‘premium’ brand, and the DS range has thus far consisted of rebadged former Citroën models. However, the brand is determined to be taken seriously as a premium manufacturer and this new 7 Crossback is its first clean sheet design. At first sight, it certainly looks like an obvious answer to the question: ‘How can we sell more cars in Europe?’ It’s an SUV, for one. And, like a number of others in the class, it makes use of a large front grille, wide air intakes and a high waistline that all work to give the car a dominating look. And because DS is keen to market the 7 Crossback as a leader in technology, even the entry-level version will come…

Mileage 15,941 List price £25,565 Target Price £23,323 Price as tested £28,080 Test economy 50.0mpg THERE HAVE BEEN a fair few grumbles from my colleagues regarding our brightly coloured Scénic. I, however, have found it to be a reliable car that’s ideally suited to the long journeys I take to photograph cars. It’s the little things that make the difference, such as slim windscreen pillars that split to form large front quarterlight windows, giving the driver fantastic visibility. Night drives are easy, too, thanks to our Scenic’s full LED headlights, even if their auto-dipping function can be a bit slow to react at times. Similarly, the keyless entry system that’s standard on our Dynamique S Nav model isn’t perfect, because you sometimes need to pull the handle twice before the…

LESS THAN £19,000 Skoda Octavia Our pick 1.0 TSI SE List price £18,500 Target Price £16,994 MPG 58.9 CO 2 110g/km For Strong and refined engine, low running costs, excellent practicality, classy interior. Against Low-speed ride could be better and the Octavia is comparatively pricey to insure. WHAT CAR? SAYS Vauxhall Astra Our pick 1.6 CDTi 110 Design List price £18,195 Target Price £16,896 MPG 78.5 CO 2 95g/km For Low CO2 emissions make it an ideal company car. Decent to drive, with a practical interior. Against Entry-level trim is a little sparse, the engine is gruff and the low-speed ride is firm. WHAT CAR? SAYS Nissan Pulsar Our pick 1.2 DIG-T Acenta Tech Pack List price £17,070 Target Price £13,946 MPG 56.5 CO 2…

LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £15,440 Target Price £14,194 MPG 64.2 CO 2 101g/km For It’s one of the roomiest small estates, and SE trim adds air-con and a touchscreen. Against The seats could do with more support and it costs more than the hatchback. WHAT CAR? SAYS Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Our pick 1.0i Turbo 105 Design List price £18,505 Target Price £17,140 MPG 62.8 CO 2 103g/km For There’s plenty of room, equipment is generous and the engine is strong enough. Against The boot isn’t that flexible and some rivals are better to drive. WHAT CAR? SAYS Dacia Logan MCV Our pick 0.9 TCe Lauréate List price £10,495 Target Price £10,398 MPG 57.6 CO…

LESS THAN £26,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.2d 150 SE-L Nav 2WD List price £25,695 Target Price £24,614 MPG 56.5 CO 2 132g/km For Good to drive, with tidy handling and a flexible engine, plus lots of standard kit. Against Firm ride and it’s pricey to lease compared with rivals. WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda Kodiaq Our pick 1.4 TSI 125 SE 7st List price £24,490 Target Price £22,840 MPG 45.6 CO 2 141g/km For Value for money, with a classy and spacious interior and good driving manners. Against Unsettled low-speed ride and the 2.0-litre diesel (below) is more recommendable. WHAT CAR? SAYS Ford Kuga Our pick 1.5 TDCi Zetec (Nav) List price £25,590 Target Price £21,756 MPG 64.2 CO 2 115g/km For Comfortable ride,…

LESS THAN £18,000 Mini Cooper Our pick 1.5 3dr List price £16,200 Target Price £15,193 MPG 62.8 CO 2 105g/km For Fun to drive, with 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 Abarth 595 Our pick 1.4 T-Jet 145 List price £15,510 Target Price £15,510 MPG 47.1 CO 2 139g/km For Small hot hatches don’t get any more stylish, and the Abarth is certainly rapid. Against Not as involving to drive as some rivals and the dashboard is confusing. WHAT CAR? SAYS Renault Twingo Our pick 0.9 TCe 110 GT List price £14,250 Target Price £13,848 MPG 54.3 CO 2 115g/km For Sprightly…

EVEN THOUGH IT consistently ranks among the top-selling new cars in the UK, the current Ford Focus lags behind its key rivals – which include the similarly big-selling Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra – in several key areas, including interior quality and practicality. The new, fourth-generation Focus will look to address both of those issues, while also giving drivers more choice and more technology – all without raising its price too high. The new five-door family hatchback will be no longer or taller than the current Focus but will have more space between its axles, creating more room inside for passengers and luggage. The car will also be more aerodynamic and up to 50kg lighter than before, which should give a welcome boost to fuel economy. There’ll be more engine…

THE POLO IS growing up, as Volkswagen seeks to entice older, more affluent buyers who want a small but fundamentally upmarket car. On the outside, the Polo’s styling is more characterful, although still fairly restrained compared with the rival Seat Ibiza. Particular focus has been paid to the interior, where VW has gone to great lengths to make the Polo feel premium, with higher-quality materials than ever before, plus lots of personalisation options and new tech. New features inside include an 8.0in touchscreen as standard. Buyers will be able to choose from 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engines and a 2.0-litre turbo in the Polo GTI hot hatch. A 1.6 TDI diesel is also available with either 80 or 95bhp. Prices start from £13,885, putting the Polo towards the upper…

CONTINUING VOLVO’S SUV assault, the new XC40 will take on a diverse range of rivals, from higher-end versions of the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca right through to premium pace-setters such as the Audi Q2 and BMW X1, plus the established style leader, the Range Rover Evoque. The XC40 is reasonably conventional in size, although it is quite tall compared with many rivals. The benefit of that height, says Volvo, is that the XC40 has none of the space compromises that cars with more acutely sloped rooflines suffer from. That means it soundly trumps both the Q2 and Qashqai for boot space with 460 litres – although the X1 and Jaguar E-Pace provide more. Adding a cutting-edge feel inside is a 12.3in digital instrument display, while the centre of the…

GIVEN THE POPULARITY of SUVs, Jaguar’s decision to give its first electric car this bodystyle seems very sensible. But that doesn’t mean it has played safe. Spy shots of prototypes being tested show that instead of taking the easy option and simply stuffing an F-Pace with batteries, Jaguar has created something that remains faithful to the dramatic I-Pace concept car that it showed at the 2016 LA motor show. Power for the I-Pace comes from two electric motors, with one at the front and the other at the rear, to make it four-wheel drive. These motors produce a combined 395bhp, which should be enough for a 0-60mph sprint time of around 4.0sec. The I-Pace is also said to be capable of driving for 310 miles on a single charge. That…

GIVEN THE HUGE number of cars they sell, it’s hard to argue that German prestige brands are wrong to give their cars ‘Russian doll’ designs. And yet it’s still refreshing when a rival is a bit braver, as Volvo has been with its new XC40. This small SUV may have similar front and rear lights to the company’s other models to ensure a family resemblance, but the rest of the detailing and the overall proportions of the car are quite different; it certainly doesn’t look as if Volvo has put the blueprints for the larger XC60 in a photocopier and set it to 75%. Proof that it wants to lead, not follow, can also be found in the fact that the XC40 will be the first model to be offered…

BENTLEY ASKS QUITE a lot of its Continental GT; the four-seat coupé has to be a luxury car and yet also a 200mph sports car. It’s the British brand’s take on, say, the Aston Martin DB11 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé. The model has performed its job well over the years but, naturally, this new version aims to do it even better. There is a caveat, though: at the time of writing, it’s not yet finished. The hardware’s all there, but the engine and gearbox in particular are still being fine-tuned. It’s some hardware, though. The Continental GT is powered by a 6.0-litre W12, driving all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It rides on variable air suspension, with active anti-roll bars that slacken when you’re mooching and stiffen up…

THE CONTENDERS Seat Ibiza 1.0 TSI 95 FR List price £16,015 Target Price £13,876 Our reigning small car champ is back to defend its crown against its newer cousin. Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £15,930 Target Price £15,325 Shares its engine and underpinnings with the Ibiza but promises a posher interior. FUNNY THING, BRAND image. Ponder Seat and you’ll probably associate it with sporty looks and handling, but consider Volkswagen and – emissions cheating scandal aside – the automatic perception is more likely to be one of comfort and quality. Yet if you were to remove the body panels of the Seat and Volkswagen models you see here, you’d be left with virtually the same underpinnings and oily bits – those being the VW Group’s so-called MQB…

Mileage 859 List price £23,805 Target Price £21,012 Price as tested £24,675 Test economy 37.2mpg IF YOU’RE SUDDENLY overcome by a case of déjà vu, it’s probably because this isn’t the first time we’ve put a second-generation Qashqai through a long-term test; back in February 2014, we took delivery of one shortly after we’d named it our Car of the Year. So why have we got another one? Well, the eagle-eyed among you might have noticed the bolder snout and snazzy new alloy wheels that mark this model out as the freshly updated Qashqai. But as well as the external changes, it has plusher materials inside and a refreshed 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system. Nissan has also introduced a luxurious Tekna+ trim with lashings of soft nappa leather, heated, electrically adjustable…

Mileage 7649 List price £24,295 Target Price £22,304 Price as tested £24,280 Test economy 40.6mpg LAST MONTH, I traded my 3008 for a 2014 example for a couple of days, because the new car was needed for a photo shoot. At first I was struck by the fact that I – well, my car – no longer turned heads wherever I went. The gently curvy (some might say bulbous or chubby) bodywork of the previous 3008 isn’t offensive, but it’s dull compared with the sharp looks of the latest incarnation. However, I soon discovered the previous-generation 3008 has many of the strong points that I appreciate on the new model. For example, both have a high driving position that ensures an excellent view ahead, and both are comfortable, quiet motorway…

LESS THAN £25,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Technology List price £23,550 Target Price £21,958 MPG 65.7 CO 2 113g/km For Masses of standard kit, huge rear leg room and boot space, and a 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 £24,435 Target Price £18,958 MPG 67.3 CO 2 109g/km For Drives well, with a good ride and refined diesel engine; the interior is smart. Against Some rivals are more practical, while the dashboard design is a bit dull. WHAT CAR? SAYS Ford Mondeo Our pick 2.0 TDCi 150 Zetec List price £22,045 Target Price £20,613 MPG 67.3…

LESS THAN £22,000 Volkswagen Golf SV Our pick 1.2 TSI S List price £19,905 Target Price £16,278 MPG 56.5 CO 2 116g/km For Good to drive, with a smooth engine, quality materials inside and solid resale values. Against The rear seats aren’t as clever as those in rivals, and entry-level ‘S’ trim is a bit basic. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Carens Our pick 1.6 GDI ISG 2 List price £20,700 Target Price £18,658 MPG 45.6 CO 2 143g/km For Competitively priced, with seven seats and generous standard kit. Against Not very sophisticated to drive, noisy diesel engines and poor interior quality. WHAT CAR? SAYS Renault Scénic Our pick 1.2 TCE Expression+ List price £21,605 Target Price £19,483 MPG 48.7 CO 2 129g/km For Class-leading…

LESS THAN £50,000 Volvo XC90 Our pick D5 Momentum List price £49,905 Target Price £46,268 MPG 49.6 CO 2 149g/km For Big, classy interior, seating for seven and lots of standard equipment. Against The ride isn’t as smooth as you’d expect and there’s plenty of suspension noise. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-AMG GLC Our pick GLC 43 List price £49,405 Target Price £47,968 MPG 34.0 CO 2 189g/km For Ridiculously fast, with a sweet-sounding engine. Just as practical as the regular GLC, too. Against Extremely thirsty and loses its value quicker than an Audi SQ5 or Porsche Macan. WHAT CAR? SAYS Porsche Macan Our pick Diesel S List price £48,844 Target Price £48,844 MPG 46.3 CO 2 164g/km For Very good to drive, with precise…

THE OUTGOING A-CLASS lags behind its rivals, the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, in nearly every area, so this fourth-generation model has plenty of catching up to do. It will have more space between its axles than before, making more space inside; rear leg room is a real issue with the current A-Class, so expect Mercedes to pay extra attention to that. A bigger boot is also likely. Inside, there’s a new dashboard layout featuring a fully digital instrument display with similar functionality to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, putting key information in front of the driver. The latest version of Mercedes’ Comand infotainment system is also present, while the steering wheel has touchpads in place of some buttons. Buyers will be able to choose from a new range of petrol…

LOOKING AT BMW’S SUV range, the German brand seems to have every market filled. From the small X1, through the X3, X4, X5 and X6, and on to next year’s seven-seat X7, there’s an SUV to suit almost everyone. We say ‘almost’ because until now, there’s been a car missing: the X2. First shown in concept form in 2016, the last piece of BMW’s SUV puzzle is now falling into place. Catering for the same SUV-coupé market as the larger X4 and X6, the X2 will take on stylish rivals such as the Jaguar E-Pace, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40. It’s aimed at affluent younger buyers who want the practicality of an SUV but don’t like those cars’ traditional boxy shape. Underneath, the X2 shares many of its components…

COME EXAM TIME, there were always a few people who’d seemingly done no work yet came away with straight As. Some of them probably did secretly revise, though, and Seat is their automotive equivalent. Having never before made an SUV, the brand spent years making the best of the Volkswagen Group technology available to it and, in 2016, blew the established small SUV manufacturers away with its Ateca, before repeating the trick this year with the smaller Arona. Both are great to drive, practical for families and excellent value for money. So, the doomsday clock is likely at minutes to midnight for the leading large SUVs ahead of Seat’s arrival. The name of Seat’s seven-seat SUV is being decided by a public vote, with the stipulation being that it has…

THE PODIUM IN the executive saloon class is as predictable as it is in Formula 1. But while both usually feature a Mercedes, the former is mostly completed by an Audi and a BMW rather than a Ferrari and a Red Bull. And with the newborn BMW 5 Series and two-year-old Mercedes-Benz E-Class getting five and four-star ratings respectively, it’s time, after seven years, for a new Audi A6. We commend the outgoing A6 for its refinement, engines and interior, yet Audi has marked all of those for improvement. The new car has a more aggressive design, being wider, longer and squatter, but it shares its platform with the new A8, so it should be even quieter and comfier. The existing four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines get efficiency improvements, while…

EVER SINCE THE covers were pulled off the original BMW M5 in 1984, it has been the yardstick against which all other super-saloons are judged, and that’s a trend BMW would like to continue with this sixth-generation model. Based on the latest 5 Series, the new M5, BMW claims, is a significant step on from its predecessor. It has a considerably more rigid yet lighter body that should result in sharper handling and better refinement, while its twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8’s power has increased by 40bhp over the previous M5, up to 592bhp. Official average fuel economy has dropped from 28.5mpg to 26.9mpg, however. In a first for the M5, BMW has dropped the traditional rear-wheel drive layout for a four-wheel drive system. The benefits are obvious: increased traction and a…

SOMETIMES, WE RARELY see a car again after its launch. That can be because it’s built in tiny numbers (most supercars), but more often it’s because it belongs to a segment that’s in decline. As a compact MPV, the Volkswagen Golf SV falls into the latter camp; most people don’t want a people carrier when a much more stylish SUV can offer similar practicality. So, why has Volkswagen decided to update a car that not only overlaps with the likes of the Tiguan SUV and Touran MPV models but also sells in tiny numbers here in the UK? Well, despite the market indicating otherwise, the company still believes there’s a place for a well-equipped, dynamic and fuel-efficient MPV. For 2018, the Golf SV has been given new bumpers and optional…

Mileage 1980 List price £30,615 Target Price £29,095 Price as tested £31,615 Test economy 43.9mpg WHAT BETTER WAY to get to know a car than to load it up with the family for a 1500-mile trip? That’s what we did recently, driving from London to Wales and then on to Killarney on the west coast of Ireland. The first test this family holiday presented the Kodiaq with was load space – initially with the four of us and our two weeks’ worth of luggage, then for a couple of days of seven-up travel as we ferried around the extended family. Although boot space is pretty paltry once the rearmost seats are in place, the Kodiaq managed the task admirably. As we extended the mileage by spending several hours in the…

‘On the road, the Leon feels sprightly, with distinctly sporty handling’  In production 2013-present Price from £7000 Our favourite 1.4 TSI 150 FR Technology IF YOU ASKED people to name a medium-sized family hatchback, chances are that the Seat Leon would be quite a way down their list. They might easily be able to roll off the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra, but for years the Leon has been a little off the public’s radar. Considering how good it is and how much it undercuts its rivals on price, this is a real travesty of justice. WHAT’S IT LIKE? On the road, the Leon feels sprightly, with distinctly sporty handling. And yet the ride is comfortable and controlled. Inside, it is well equipped and there’s plenty of…

LESS THAN £16,000 Suzuki Vitara Our pick 1.6 SZ4 List price £15,499 Target Price £14,536 MPG 53.3 CO 2 123g/km For Good to drive with a practical interior. SZ4 trim brings enough equipment. Against CO2 emissions are comparatively high and resale values are only average. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Soul Our pick 1.6 GDi 1 List price £14,310 Target Price £13,751 MPG 43.5 CO 2 152g/km For Spacious interior, ‘1’ trim gives you air-con and DAB, and it’s decent to drive. Against CO2 emissions are comparatively high and the steering feels lifeless. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Ignis Our pick 1.2 SHVS SZ5 List price £13,999 Target Price £13,498 MPG 65.7 CO 2 97g/km For Good value for money, it’s fun to drive and you…