Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2020 i What Car?

‘Some models suffer no faults at all, while others let down more than half their owners’ There are certain things about driving that you can rely on: traffic being bad when you’re running late; someone parking right next to you even when there are loads of empty spaces.But at least your car always starts, right? Well, that probably depends on what you drive. The results of the 2020 What Car? Reliability Survey show that the gap between the best and worst performers remains huge, with some models suffering no faults at all, while others let down more than half of their owners. This is based on the experiences of thousands of readers who own a car up to five years old.And our scores aren’t just based on the number of…

IF YOU WANT the best breakfast pastries in Europe,you buy French.The same goes for perfume and fashion.The decision may not be as clear-cut when it comes to cars, but Renault is giving family hatchback buyers more reasons to consider going Gallic with an updated Mégane that’s positively dripping with temptation. The big news is that there’s now a plug-in hybrid version across both the hatchback and Sport Tourer estate models. The Mégane E-Tech features a 1.6-litre petrol engine and two electric motors that produce a combined 158bhp. It’s capable of covering up to 30 miles solely on electric power, resulting in official fuel economy of 217.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 30g/km. A choice of driving modes allows the car to either hold the battery’s charge for later in your journey,…

SOME LARGE SUVS offer small third-row seats that cater for those rare occasions when you need to carry seven people, while others, like the Kia Sorento, are designed to be comfy and accommodating for seven people all of the time.And larger families looking for such a car have more choice than ever before, with rivals such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and upcoming Toyota Highlander vying for buyers’ affections. This all-new Sorento has an ace up its proverbial sleeve with which to fend off those rivals: a plug-in hybrid power option that will arrive later on this year and should offer at least 30 miles of electric-only range. For the time being, though, buyers can choose between a 199bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine that returns 42.2mpg in official WLTP tests, along…

TO SAY WE’RE rather taken with the BMW 330e is something of an understatement. Not only was it our favourite plug-in hybrid at the 2020 What Car? Awards, but it won the executive car category too. Why is this important? Because the same 288bhp plug-in hybrid system is now available in the X3 large SUV. Naturally, with its bulkier body and the extra drag of two additional driven wheels, the X3 30e isn’t quite as efficient as its saloon sibling, but an all-electric range of up to 32 miles and CO2 emissions as low as 44g/km are nothing to be sniffed at, putting it in the same 10% company car tax bracket as the 330e. That’s lower than the rival Audi Q5 TFSIe, Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e and Volvo XC60 T8.…

FORTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, in 1975, a man called Erno Rubik patented a cube and Volkswagen launched the Golf GTI. Both have done pretty well since, but, while the Rubik’s Cube hasn’t needed updating, the Golf GTI has frequently been reinvented – bringing us to this prototype of the new, eighth-generation model. Oddly, it has no more power or torque than the outgoing GTI Performance; perhaps Volkswagen was concerned about a return to the 1975 fuel crisis, because it’s said to be a little bit more fuel-efficient instead. We can’t test that claim, though, because, being a pre-production car (although near as damn it finished), there aren’t any official WLTP figures yet. At this stage of the GTI’s evolution, handling agility was targeted as the key area to improve, especially since…

THERE’S NO DOUBT 2020 has been a year of unexpected events, so it’s pleasing that Mercedes is here to restore a bit of normality to life. Yes, with reassuring predictability, the E-Class has been freshened up after four years on sale, mirroring its BMW 5 Series arch rival, which was also titivated recently. External changes include tweaks to the front bumper and grille, with LED headlights now standard across the range. Go for the top trim and there’s the option of a more advanced suite of driver aids that can automatically adjust the car’s speed in a wider range of situations than the previous system and can self-steer on the motorway with fewer inputs from the driver. The only version we’ve tried so far is the E300e plug-in hybrid, which…

You’re unlikely to buy a hot hatch unless you’re interested in having some fun behind the wheel, and both cars can deliver on that front.The Up GTI may not be as quick or ultimately quite as capable as the Swift Sport,but it’s actually more of a hoot to drive most of the time. Adding to the Up’s appeal are its much lower price and lower running costs. Even after discounts, the Swift’s price is too close to that of the far more talented Ford Fiesta ST for its own good, and its superior kit list isn’t enough to make up for the price gap to the Up.That’s why we’d save some money and take the effervescent Up. Volkswagen Up GTI For Low monthly PCP rates; precise steering; peppy engine; more…

IN FAMILY CAR circles, the Skoda Octavia has long been a living legend. It’s the Czech brand’s best-selling model worldwide and accounts for a quarter of all Skoda sales in the UK. It’s also one of our favourite family hatchbacks, with an all-new, more efficient fourth-generation version of the car going on sale later this year. That news gave me, an Octavia fan of many years’ standing and with my used cars editor hat perched firmly on my head, an idea: that it would be a good time to run the outgoing model. The car that it would be replacing as my daily driver was a much-loved Alfa Romeo Giulia, an executive saloon whose raison d’etre is undoubtedly its appeal to the enthusiastic motorist. The Octavia, great car though it…

SOMETIMES, YOU REALLY can have your cake and eat it, and that’s exactly what I’m planning to do over the next four months with this family SUV. Although it looks like a regular XC40, it has an ace up its sleeve, because this is the Recharge T5 plug-in hybrid version. That means it has an electric motor as well as a traditional petrol engine to call upon, so it really could be the best of both worlds. I’ll fully admit that I might have bitten off more than I could chew with my previous car, the fully electric Hyundai Ioniq, because not being able to charge at home resulted in a fair amount of time loitering around public charging stations. But I still want to do my bit for the…

In production 2012-2019 Price from £4500 Our favourite 2.0 D2 Momentum IN THE MINDS of many, the search for a used family car with a bit of class means going German, but these people are missing out on a bargain. You see, there’s an alternative in the form of the Swedish-engineered (but Belgian-built) Volvo V40, a handsome hatch with a smart interior and an impeccable safety record. The V40 had a confusing range of engines, but we’ll try to simplify things here. The diesel range opened with a 115bhp 1.6-litre D2, followed by a 2.0-litre five-cylinder D3 with 148bhp and D4 with 177bhp. These were all replaced in 2015 by more efficient 2.0-litre four-cylinder units in three flavours: 118bhp D2, 148bhp D3 and 187bhp D4. Petrol engine options began with…

LESS THAN £28,000 Mazda CX-5 Our pick 2.0 Skyactiv-G SE-L List price £27,030 Target Price £26,171 MPG 38.2 CO2 168g/km For Classy interior; well equipped even in this entry-level trim; class-leading handling. Against The petrol engine feels weedy at lower revs and the ride is firm. WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda Kodiaq Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE 7 seat List price £27,795 Target Price £25,867 MPG 38.7 CO2 166g/km For Well priced, with a classy and spacious interior and good driving manners. Against Ride is unsettled in town, and the 2.0-litre diesel copes better with heavy loads. WHAT CAR? SAYS Citroën C5 Aircross Our pick Puretech 130 Feel List price £25,415 Target Price £24,376 MPG 44.4 CO2 144g/km For Punchy engine pulls well from low revs; versatile rear seats; well…

LESS THAN £35,000 Peugeot e-208 Our pick Allure List price £30,225 Target Price £29,710 Official range 217 miles CO2 0g/km For Cushioning ride; quiet cruising; smart interior; fast charging. Against Sluggish infotainment; small rear doors; restricted visibility. WHAT CAR? SAYS Renault Zoe Our pick R135 GT Line List price £32,995 Target Price £30,300 Official range 238 miles CO2 0g/km For Very low running costs; easy to drive; longer range than many price rivals. Against Unsettled low-speed ride and tight rear head room. WHAT CAR? SAYS Seat Mii Electric Our pick 36.8kWh List price £22,800 Target Price £20,455 Official range 160 miles CO2 0g/km For Easy to park; comfortable ride; one of the cheapest electric cars to buy. Against Tight for rear seat space; small boot; lacks modern safety kit. WHAT…

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.…

THE NEW HYUNDAI i20 has gone funky. Like a teenager coming back home from university at half term, it sports a bold new look and has grown a bit bigger. It has also learnt a few new tricks, to the possible surprise of its waiting audience. That audience is, of course, the buying public, and one of the i20’s tricks is that of reducing fuel consumption; the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo rival is now available with fuel-conserving mild hybrid technology. Safety has been boosted, too, with an enhanced suite of driver aids that includes a new automatic emergency braking system that can recognise pedestrians and cyclists. As for the bold new look, well, the i20 now wears the kind of aggressive styling that would have been the preserve of…

EVER SINCE THE Skoda Octavia made its debut back in 1996, it’s been the brand’s biggest-selling model worldwide, appealing to anyone with a keen eye on value and practicality. Over the years, though, the Octavia has pushed steadily upmarket, and while such a departure from its budget roots might have seemed a gamble at first, it certainly paid off. So well regarded is it now that it counts such aspirational models as the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf among its rivals. To maintain this upwardly mobile trajectory, the all-new, fourth-generation Octavia that you see before you has been treated to a plusher interior and a sharper look than ever before, as well as an advanced new suite of driver aids. Initially, buyers have the choice of an entry-level 1.0-litre turbocharged…

On sale January 2021 Price from £24,000 (est) SO SUCCESSFUL HAS the Fiat 500 been since its 2007 relaunch that you’d think its replacement would play it safe. Look past the familiar, charming appearance, though, and you’ll find the latest 500 is very different under the skin. That’s because this 500 has gone all-electric, and there’s no other propulsion choice for the third-generation car. The current 500 will stay on sale alongside the new model, complete with its recent mild hybrid engine upgrade. Confusingly, though, this older car will retain the exact same name. The new electric 500 uses a battery pack that’s good for an official range of 199 miles, usefully farther than key rivals such as the Honda E, Mini Electric and Seat Mii Electric. A full recharge…

GENUINE FIRSTS ARE a rare thing in the car world. No matter what niche car makers try to explore, the chances are that someone has already been there before. It’s remarkable, then, that the new MG 5 can call itself the first fully electric estate car. MG hopes the 5 will capture the imaginations of families who want to go green, persuading them out of petrol rivals such as the Ford Focus Estate, Peugeot 308 SW and Skoda Octavia Estate. It uses a 52.5kWh battery pack and single 114bhp electric motor, and can officially cover up to 214 miles between recharges.That’s farther than the Hyundai Ioniq Electric can go, but the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf E+ can take you farther still. You’ll be able to fit more into the…

OUR FAVOURITE VERSION of Britain’s bestselling car has just been updated (or perhaps that should be downgraded?). You see, the trusty 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engine that used to pump out 99bhp has been detuned to deliver a maximum of 94bhp. Should that put you off? Absolutely not. In reality, if there is a small difference in performance, we couldn’t feel it, and that’s probably because the amount of torque, or low-rev muscle, that the engine delivers hasn’t been affected. Acceleration remains respectable and is roughly on a par with that of our favourite small car, the Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 95. The new engine does promise better fuel economy, though. In the real world, the difference probably won’t match the official 4mpg improvement, but hopefully you’ll see a slightly better…

Use your phone to scan the code by the car you like, or search for it on whatcar.com and click the ‘Get best price’ button. We’ll alert dealers in your area so they can compete for your business, but they can’t see your details until you’re ready to buy. You can request quotes on as many cars as you like, and your ‘My offers’ page lets you view them all in one place. While our Target PCP price allows direct finance comparisons, you can also request personalised finance quotes.…

12,892survey responses 20%of cars had a fault 32.8%of diesels went wrong, versus 24.3% of electric cars, 20.1% of petrols and 16.3% of hybrids 87%of faulty cars were fixed under warranty 5%cost between £100 and £500 to repair 2%cost more than £1500 35%of faulty cars could still be driven and were fixed in a day or less 26%of faulty cars could be driven but took more than a week to repair 9%couldn’t be driven and took more than a week to fix Most common fault areas…

1 / Check the specification You’d be amazed how often a fault is reported that concerns a feature a car doesn’t actually have. Cars frequently change in specification during their production life, and if you’ve upgraded to a newer version of the same model, there might be tiny variations in how the two cars function. Also, where switches are shared between trim levels, it’s sometimes the case that you’ll find a button labelled for a feature that isn’t fitted to your particular model. An example is a voice control button on the steering wheel of a car without that facility. 2 / Check the manual Often, what might seem like a fault can be merely a characteristic of the way a car is set up, and the manual will explain…

Faulty Volvo XC60: what are our rights? ‘The car is out of its factory warranty, so we wouldn’t expect Volvo to intervene’ An elderly friend has asked me to help get his money back on a car he bought in January and which he has barely driven. The car is an 11-reg Volvo XC60 with a mileage of 70,545.The car broke down the first week he had it and was recovered back to the supplying dealer, Sandiforths of Worksop, to be fixed.Although my friend got the car back two weeks later, he was unable to drive for four weeks because he’d had an operation. He drove it on 4 March and it broke down again for the same reason.This time the car was taken to a local garage, which claimed…

The new A3 has enough cards up its sleeve – including its fine driving position, well-judged ride and handling balance and highly competitive running costs – to win the pot and take over as the best premium hatchback you can buy. It’s just a shame its interior quality and the usability of its infotainment system have dipped compared with the previous model’s. Still, the A3 is a great all-rounder. If you want the most comfortable car, the quietest one in which to pound the motorway beat or the fastest, or you simply value safety above all else, then do check out the A-Class.This is the best version we’ve tested so far, but its reliability record still disappoints and the expensive option packs hike up the price. It does just enough…

AS I SAY goodbye to the T-Cross, I thought I’d mix some of my own impressions of it with those of Millie – a key worker in my dad’s care home who borrowed the car during lockdown, after the engine on her own car blew. Let’s start with mine, though. The 1.0 TSI 115 engine certainly has all the poke you need, whether you’re covering motorway miles or simply bumbling around town. And it’s reasonably economical, averaging 36.6mpg during the time I had the car. The T-Cross has also shown its practical side; I never found it wanting for passenger or luggage space, and it’s certainly roomier than the Polo hatchback on which it’s based. The T-Cross will easily carry four adults and its boot is very accommodating – especially…

Mileage 1390 List price £30,995 (before £3000 gov’t grant) Target Price £30,995 Price as tested £31,540 Test range 140 miles FOLLOWING THE EASING of lockdown restrictions, I’ve been climbing into my ZS fairly regularly and driving down to the Surrey Hills to go walking.Although I’d probably feel guilty about doing this in a petrol or diesel-powered car, knowing that it was pumping harmful substances into the atmosphere, that isn’t the case with the electric ZS. While I wouldn’t describe the ZS as fun to drive, it handles and steers in a perfectly competent way.And I get a sense of satisfaction from the way the ZS (as with most electric cars) flows along twisty country roads, with its speed controlled almost entirely by the accelerator, especially when the regenerative braking system…

LESS THAN £12,000 Dacia Sandero Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Essential List price £8795 Target Price £8716 MPG 49.6 CO2 134g/km For Lots of space for the money, decent to drive and has a fair amount of standard kit. Against Its engine is unrefined and its interior is comparatively basic. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Picanto Our pick 1.0 2 List price £11,575 Target Price £10,957 MPG 54.3 CO2 117g/km For You get plenty of kit as standard and this engine is cheap for company car drivers. Against It struggles to keep up out of town and the 3 trim has more desirable goodies. WHAT CAR? SAYS Dacia Sandero Stepway Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Essential List price £10,145 Target Price £10,052 MPG 44.8 CO2 141g/km For Reasonably well equipped, rides…

LESS THAN £21,000 Skoda Kamiq Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £19,730 Target Price £18,644 MPG 49.6 CO2 129g/km For Spacious inside, with a big boot, comfortable ride and low running costs. Against Driving position isn’t very SUV-like; height-adjustable boot floor costs extra. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen T-Cross Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £20,210 Target Price £19,341 MPG 48.7 CO2 135g/km For Good balance between ride and handling, plus a spacious, flexible interior. Against Pricier than many rivals, and you’ll want to add a few options. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Ignis Our pick 1.2 Dualjet SHVS SZ5 List price £16,509 Target Price £16,509 MPG 54.1 CO2 117g/km For Real-world economy is excellent; spacious and practical; lots of standard kit. Against Unsettled ride; noisy on the…

LESS THAN £45,000 Volkswagen T-Roc R Our pick 2.0 TSI 300 4Motion DSG List price £40,735 Target Price £38,120 MPG 32.1 CO2 197g/km For Bombastic performance; stunning agility; decent practicality; well equipped. Against Hard dash plastics; Cupra Ateca has more rear leg room and a bigger boot. WHAT CAR? SAYS Cupra Ateca Our pick 300 List price £38,140 Target Price £36,904 MPG 32.5 CO2 197g/km For Huge performance and impressive practicality for a very reasonable price. Against Doesn’t sound very exciting and isn’t as sharp to drive as the T-Roc R. WHAT CAR? SAYS Audi SQ2 Our pick TFSI quattro S tronic List price £37,395 Target Price £35,273 MPG 33.2 CO2 192g/km For Exceedingly rapid in a straight line, grippy handling, classy interior. Against The T-Roc costs only a bit…

LESS THAN £20,000 Skoda Fabia Estate Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £16,975 Target Price £16,168 MPG 52.3 CO2 122g/km For It’s one of the roomiest small estates; SE trim adds air-con and a touchscreen. Against So-so handling and could do with more supportive seats. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Ceed Sportswagon Our pick 1.0 T-GDi 2 List price £19,855 Target Price £18,666 MPG 49.6 CO2 130g/km For Gutsy enough performance for most buyers; lots of kit; boot is big and practical. Against Ride is restless and there’s quite a bit of tyre noise on the motorway. WHAT CAR? SAYS Dacia Logan MCV Our pick 0.9 TCe 90 Comfort List price £11,745 Target Price £11,636 MPG 45.6 CO2 134g/km For Lots of space; low running costs; plenty of equipment…

LESS THAN £25,000 Mini Convertible Our pick Cooper Classic Comf/Nav List price £22,430 Target Price £21,240 MPG 45.6 CO2 141g/km For Fun to drive, good resale values and a quality interior. Against Ride is a bit choppy, rear seats are cramped and option packs make it pricey. WHAT CAR? SAYS Fiat 500C Our pick 1.0 Mild Hybrid Lounge List price £17,400 Target Price £17,194 MPG 49.6 CO2 114g/km For Engine is perfect for town driving, and there’s minimal buffeting with the roof down. Against Lots of wind noise; not as classy as the Mini; little space inside; so-so rear visibility. WHAT CAR? SAYS Smart Fortwo Cabrio Our pick EQ Pulse Premium (22kW charger) List price £23,920 Target Price £21,612 Official range 73.9 miles CO2 0g/km For Truly agile around town;…

LESS THAN £60,000 Mercedes-AMG A-Class Saloon Our pick A35 4Matic Executive List price £38,955 Target Price £37,463 MPG 36.7 CO2 173g/km For Incredible performance, plush interior, and sublime handling. Against Shame the engine doesn’t sound more tuneful; ride could be more compliant. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-AMG C-Class Coupé Our pick C43 4Matic List price £53,480 Target Price £51,682 MPG 29.4 CO2 218g/km For Smooth, powerful V6 engine, responsive nine-speed gearbox and masses of grip. Against Road and wind noise at speed; not the most entertaining handling. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Stinger Our pick 3.3 T-GDi GT S List price £41,145 Target Price £41,145 MPG 27.7 CO2 233g/km For Nicely balanced handling, with strong pace from purposeful-sounding V6 engine. Against Tight in the back for tall adults; not quite as classy…

STAR RATINGS TARGET PRICE The What Car? Target Price is the maximum you should pay for a new car and is set by our mystery shoppers. It’s updated each month and our approved dealers guarantee to match it. However, in a lot of cases, they can save you even more: just visit whatcar.com/new-car-dealsor call 03302 216207 between 9am and 5pm (standard network fees apply). All Target Prices are correct at the time of going to press. TARGET PCP The Target PCP is a fair monthly fee if you’re taking out a personal contract purchase (PCP) finance deal, also set by our mystery shoppers. Most are over 48 months with a 15% deposit and an 8000-mile annual limit.Those marked with an asterisk are over 36 months and those with an apostrophe…

AS A LUXURY LIMOUSINE with a starting price north of £75,000,the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is never going to be a big seller, but it will still be one of next year’s most significant new cars. You see, whenever a new generation of this flagship saloon goes on sale, it brings with it a raft of technical innovations, which then filter down to the sort of cars the rest of us drive. Features as diverse as anti-lock brakes, keyless entry and adaptive cruise control have been pioneered by the S-Class over the years. And while some of the details of the 2021 model remain under wraps for now, we do know that it will be available with a host of new functions designed to improve agility, including two different four-wheel steering setups.…

WE’VE BECOME USED to ‘model bloat’, the phenomenon where new cars grow bigger and fatter than their predecessors. Unusually, though, the new Toyota Yaris is actually shorter than the previous model, albeit slightly wider, promising to make it better than most small cars for squeezing into tight parking spaces. Its petrol engine hasn’t grown, either, although the 1.5-litre, non-turbo unit is all-new, with three cylinders rather than four in the quest for greater efficiency. The hybrid Yaris’s new battery is both lighter and more powerful than before, and when the petrol engine and two electric motors join forces, 114bhp is the result. A much cheaper non-electrified 1.0-litre petrol model might join the Yaris range later. With the electric motors providing extra low-rev urge, the Yaris has plenty of zip off…

DESPITE HAVING A reputation to die for, James Bond’s favourite car maker hasn’t always been in rude financial health, so joining the booming luxury SUV market with this, the all-new DBX, makes a whole lot of sense. Although Aston hasn’t exactly made things easy for itself, arriving at the party well after rivals such as the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne, it has used its time wisely by developing all-new aluminium underpinnings specifically for the DBX. Power comes from a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG (with V12 and plug-in hybrid versions to come), in a different state of tune from the one in the DB11 and Vantage sports cars. The DBX also borrows its nine-speed automatic gearbox, plus its clever four-wheel drive system and rear differential, from…

THE NEW iX3 large SUV represents a U-turn for BMW when it comes to the development of electric cars. You see, back in 2013, when BMW unveiled the radical i3 electric hatchback, it pointed towards the brand’s zero-emissions models always being bespoke from the ground up, rather than being based on existing models. The iX3, however, is an electric version of the current X3.And while there could be few finer machines on which to base a new electric SUV – the X3 is a five-star car, remember – it remains to be seen whether this conservative approach will pay off. On paper at least, the iX3 looks to have been given the right tools to do a first-rate job. For a start, it can travel farther on a single charge…

PEUGEOT IS ON to something here. The Peugeot 208 and e-208 showed that a single blueprint can be shared by petrol and electric cars to impressive effect. And now, the 2008 small SUV has sired the near-identical all-electric e-2008, which we’ve driven in the UK for the first time. And it, too, is very good. It needs to be, too, if it wants to compete with the MG ZS EV, Kia Soul EV and Hyundai Kona Electric, as well as the Kia e-Niro – a world-beating mainstream electric family SUV and our overall Car of the Year when it arrived two years ago. So, can the e-2008 stand out? Well, its 50kWh battery and the single 134bhp electric motor that powers its front wheels don’t amount to a huge amount…

Check if a vehicle has been recalled gov.uk/ check-vehicle-recall 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 nationaltrading standards.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…

We won’t beat around the bush: the Model 3 wins this dust-up convincingly and remains the most compelling electric car on sale today.A longer range than the Polestar and access to Tesla’s exclusive Supercharger network are big enough reasons alone to choose the Model 3, but when you consider that it’s also faster than its Swedish rival, more fun to drive, smoother riding and roomier inside,it’s easily worth the small price premium. However, the Polestar isn’t far behind in some areas and actually betters the Tesla for interior quality. If you’ve fallen for its looks (we wouldn’t blame you), you’ll be buying a very good electric car, albeit one that’s outclassed by the very best. Tesla Model 3 For Jaw-dropping pace and grip; roomier inside; outstanding safety score; better charging…

IN AN IDEAL world, I’d have three cars: something luxurious, something sporty and something family-friendly. However, I don’t have the budget or the parking for that, so instead I generally try to choose one car that can fill all three roles. And few of the cars that I’ve run over the years have performed this juggling act quite as well as the Jaguar XE. As an executive saloon, its natural habitat is obviously the corporate car park, where I reckon it looks suitably smart – especially since last year’s facelift. But at least as important as the tweaks to the styling were the interior upgrades that accompanied them, with the Fisher Price-plastic dashboard buttons and gearshift paddles swapped for items that are altogether more tactile. No, the perceived quality still…

CAN YOU LIVE with an electric car, even if you can’t charge it up at home? That’s the question I set out to answer at the start of my time with the Hyundai Ioniq Electric. I was excited to begin, too, not least because the reduction in running costs compared with the diesel-engined car I ran previously would be good for my bank account, but also because it meant I’d be contributing to a healthier planet. And the Ioniq Electric seemed like a good fit, with an official range of 193 miles and a fresh look brought about by its recent facelift. To emphasise the point, when I say I cannot charge at home, I mean that in absolute terms. There would be no sneaky three-pin plug charging here, because…

Audi TTS Roadster 2.0 TFSI quattro List price when new £41,435 Price today £22,000* Available from 2014-present One of our favourite drop-tops: great to drive, easy to live with and cheap to buy. Porsche 718 Boxster S 2.5 List price when new £50,695 Price today £32,000* Available from 2016-present You’ll bag a bargain Boxster by buying used, but is it better than the brawny TTS? *Price today is based on a 2016 model with average mileage and full service history,correct at time of writing…

£15,000-£16,000 Skoda Fabia Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £15,810 Target Price £15,062 MPG 51.4 CO2 123g/km For Roomy interior, reasonably well equipped and a sprightly engine. Against There are too many hard plastics inside and the ride is firm in town. WHAT CAR? SAYS Kia Rio Our pick 1.0 T-GDi 2 List price £16,000 Target Price £15,054 MPG 48.7 CO2 132g/km For Turbo engine is a fine performer and there’s lots of kit as standard. Against It’s fidgety in town and the handling and security ratings are average. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Swift Our pick 1.2 Dualjet SHVS SZ-T List price £15,059 Target Price £12,664 MPG 51.4 CO2 136g/km For Nippy engine can keep up on the motorway and interior space is good. Against Some rivals ride…

LESS THAN £25,000 Dacia Duster Our pick 1.3 TCe 130 Comfort List price £15,295 Target Price £15,151 MPG 57.6 CO2 149g/km For Roomy inside, reasonably comfortable and incredibly cheap compared with rivals. Against Interior is decidedly low-rent and there isn’t much standard safety kit. WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda Karoq Our pick 1.0 TSI 115 SE List price £22,765 Target Price £21,233 MPG 44.8 CO2 142g/km For Very well equipped; rides and handles well; flexible rear seats boost practicality. Against The engine struggles when the interior is loaded; a Seat Ateca is more fun. WHAT CAR? SAYS Nissan Qashqai Our pick 1.3 DiG-T 140 Visia List price £20,565 Target Price £20,565 MPG 41.5 CO2 154g/km For Comfortable ride with surefooted handling and a smooth, punchy engine. Against Dated interior, stingy standard…

LESS THAN £60,000 Land Rover Discovery Our pick 2.0 Sd4 SE List price £54,695 Target Price £51,264 MPG 33.6 CO2 220g/km For Decent finance deals, cheaper than rivals as a company car and a gutsy engine. Against Rivals handle better and the touchscreen is sluggish to respond. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volvo XC90 Our pick B5D Momentum List price £54,400 Target Price £49,641 MPG 44.1 CO2 167g/km For Big, classy interior, with seating for seven and lots of standard equipment. Against The ride isn’t as smooth as you’d expect and the suspension is noisy. WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW X5 Our pick xDrive30d MHT xLine List price £59,145 Target Price £54,129 MPG 37.2 CO2 199g/km For Punchy, smooth engine; super-supple air suspension; excellent infotainment. Against Seven seats costs extra and the boot…

LESS THAN £30,000 Skoda Superb Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE Technology List price £25,320 Target Price £24,587 MPG 44.8 CO2 143g/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. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Passat Our pick 1.5 TSI Evo SE Nav List price £27,085 Target Price £21,318 MPG 45.5 CO2 141g/km For Spacious, plush interior; comfortable and refined at high speeds. Against Less versatile than hatchback rivals, despite the big boot. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon Our pick A180d Sport auto List price £28,800 Target Price £27,272 MPG 64.2 CO2 115g/km For Comfortable, attractive interior; supple ride; good infotainment. Against Rivals handle better and have bigger boots; rear head room is…

LESS THAN £25,000 Ford Fiesta ST Our pick ST-2 3dr List price £22,275 Target Price £20,867 MPG 40.4 CO2 158g/km For Fun to drive, with loads of grip and a cracking engine; good value. Against It’s easily upset by bumps and the interior feels a bit low-rent. WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Up GTI Our pick 1.0 TSI 115 5dr List price £16,540 Target Price £15,913 MPG 53.3 CO2 121g/km For Gutsy little engine; grippy and surefooted; super value. Against Rivals are more involving to drive; weak infotainment; poor safety rating. WHAT CAR? SAYS Suzuki Swift Sport Our pick 1.4 Boosterjet Hybrid List price £21,570 Target Price £18,105 MPG 50.1 CO2 127g/km For Gutsy performance; well equipped; tidy handling. Against Not the bargain it used to be; low-rent interior; poor infotainment.…

LESS THAN £35,000 Audi TT Roadster Our pick 40 TFSI Sport S tronic List price £34,320 Target Price £31,509 MPG 39.8 CO2 160g/km For Brilliant to drive, plus it has a sumptuous interior and a fast-acting hood. Against Small boot; rearward visibility is poor with roof up; some essential kit is optional. WHAT CAR? SAYS Mazda MX-5 Our pick 1.5 Skyactiv-G 132 SE-L List price £23,800 Target Price £23,388 MPG 44.8 CO2 142g/km For Great to drive, with a wonderful chassis, a slick gearbox and just enough power. Against It doesn’t have the classiest interior, nor much space for people or luggage. WHAT CAR? SAYS Toyota GT86 Our pick GT86 List price £27,855 Target Price £26,180 MPG 33.2 CO2 191g/km For Light weight and classic sports car layout make the…