Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2021 i What Car?

‘The latest Nissan Qashqai has the potential to be one of the year’s best cars’ You don’t use a search engine, you Google, and you don’t edit images, you Photoshop them. Yes, occasionally a service or product is so successful that it becomes a verb. And, similarly, there are certain cars that end up transcending their brands. For example, a manufacturer might think it’s produced a new C-segment hatchback, but to the rest of the world it’s launching a new Golf, regardless of whether or not the brand in question is Volkswagen. Fiesta, 3 Series, Range Rover… they have all become standards against which everything similar is measured. And when it comes to family SUVs, the car is the Qashqai. But why should car buyers care? Well, this status inevitably…

WE’VE DRIVEN a late-stage prototype version of the 188bhp EQA 250. Getting under way, there’s more noise from the electric motor than you’ll find in the larger EQC, but, like all electric cars, the EQA feels decidedly brisk getting up to speed. Once you’re above 60mph, that immediacy tails off, but the EQA remains punchy enough for swift motorway overtaking. There’s good response from the accelerator pedal, too, and if you put the regenerative braking system in its most aggressive setting, the EQA pulls up quite abruptly – useful around town. However, its turning circle is more than a metre wider than that of the ID.3 electric hatchback, so the EQA doesn’t have the same feeling of manoeuvrability. Still, the EQA hides its weight well through faster corners, with little…

ALTHOUGH CAR DEALERS are still allowed to sell new and used cars during the UK’s third coronavirus lockdown, it seems that buying a used car is against the current guidelines. As of 5 January, people in England, Scotland and Wales were told to stay at home as much as possible and go out only for exercise or essential journeys, such as buying food and medicine, or to go to work if they cannot work from home. This is why officers from the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG), which covers Staffordshire and the West Midlands, reported the driver of a used Volkswagen Golf, who was returning from collecting the vehicle from a private sale. ‘Doing a private swap that requires a 100-mile trip breaks the law’ A tweet from the CMPG…

PICK OF THE MONTH: FAMILY SUV SAVE £2043 Range Rover Evoque WHAT CAR? SAYS  Model P300e HSE List price £51,130 Target Price £49,087 Target PCP £461 One of our favourite family SUVs, the Evoque proves that striking looks don’t have to come at the expense of practicality. It’s spacious by class standards, and slow depreciation means it should hold its value well. This plug-in hybrid model can travel for up to 34 miles solely on electric power. PICK OF THE MONTH: FAMILY CAR SAVE £1634 Ford Focus WHAT CAR? SAYS  Model 1.0 Ecoboost 125 Hybrid ST-Line Edition List price £24,460 Target Price £22,826 Target PCP £237 If you want your family car to be fun to drive, the Focus deserves to be at the top of your shortlist.…

SMARTPHONE MIRRORING revolutionised the car infotainment experience when it first appeared on new cars a decade ago. It enabled drivers to bypass the often awkward infotainment software car makers had installed in vehicles and use smartphone apps instead. The first car and phone connectivity system was MirrorLink, which was first unveiled in 2010. Its availability gradually increased, and it was joined by Apple’s CarPlay system in 2014, with Google’s Android Auto arriving a year later. Today, MirrorLink is no longer widely offered, because it isn’t compatible with popular smartphone apps such as Google Maps and Google Assistant voice control. That leaves smartphone owners with two choices: Android Auto for phones that run the Android operating system, and Apple CarPlay for iPhones. Demand for each system is fairly evenly split, with…

Seven-seat luxury SUVs don’t come bigger than these. Quite literally. But there’s much more to this pair of immense three-row machines than simply being enormous. The BMW X7 is one of its maker’s finest products. You can say what you like about the way it looks, but it absolutely nails the brief: it’s outstandingly comfortable, great to drive and plush inside. And now it offers a mild hybrid diesel engine that helps to take the edge off its thirst. Here to take on the X7 is the new, third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLS. Mercedes’ flagship SUV hasn’t always delighted, but this completely re-engineered version, with its futuristic interior and strong performance, should give the X7 a run for its money. You might expect the two biggest cars offered by a pair of…

Mileage 7532 List price £72,630 Target Price na Price as tested £93,185 Test economy 30.9mpg Last year I helped to put 20 cars’ infotainment systems to the test to see how distracting they were for drivers to operate on the move. It was an issue we wanted to look at because the number of accidents caused by driver distraction is rising each year. The BMW 3 Series’system came out on top, due to its clear layout, handy rotary controller and impressive voice control. Why am I telling you all this? Well, my X7 features a more high-tech version of the same system, and after spending the past few months with it, I’m convinced it’s the best system on the market. It’s not only easy to use (and not the least…

FAST FORDS HOLD a special place in the hearts of keen drivers. From the sainted Lotus Cortina right up to the present-day pocket rocket that is the Fiesta ST, these cars have always been tremendous fun to drive and usually great value. The latest version of the Focus ST follows in those footsteps by being swift, agile and, if not quite so outlandish to look at as some previous hot Fords, at least subtly stylish. Where it departs from its predecessors is in its pricing; you’ll need north of £30,000 to put a new one on your driveway. If you buy an ST at a year old, though, when depreciation has taken a bite out of its value, it suddenly becomes a much more affordable proposition. Here, we’re pitching just…

Dacia Sandero WHILE WE PRAISED the old Sandero for being a great budget buy, you could see where Dacia had cut corners to make it so affordable. That’s not the case with the new one, though; in fact, it would be worth considering even if it cost the same as most rivals. Except it doesn’t. The Sandero is an absolute bargain that’s even within reach of those who would normally be considering only used cars. Our pick 1.0 TCe 90 Comfort List price £11,595 Target Price £11,595 MPG 53.3 CO2 120g/km For Amazingly cheap; well equipped in our preferred spec; comfortable ride; lots of space for people and luggage Against Not exactly thrilling to drive; entry-level trim is very basic; there are quieter small cars WHAT CAR? SAYS Honda Jazz…

Ford Puma THE PUMA IS 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. These are things you’ll appreciate no matter what type of road you’re driving on. 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 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 rather than outstanding; over-the-shoulder visibility could be better WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda…

BMW 3Series THE HYBRID BMW 330e slickly integrates the latest tech with the long-held wants and needs of executive car drivers. It’s easy to live with, has a high-quality interior and is great to drive, yet it’s also cheap to run. When charged, it can officially cover 37 miles on electricity, and it remains fairly frugal when running on petrol power. The resulting low emissions yield huge tax savings for company car drivers. Our pick 330e M Sport Pro Pack List price £44,635 Target Price £41,683 MPG 188.3 CO2 34g/km For Great to drive; low emissions and good electric range; high-quality interior; class-leading infotainment Against Smaller boot and petrol tank than regular 3 Series; sporty suspension setup won’t be to all tastes WHAT CAR? SAYS Tesla Model 3 Our pick…

1 Tesla Model 3 PUT SIMPLY, NO large electric car balances range, performance, price and technology as well as the Model 3. It was already hugely compelling, both as a private buy and a company car, but a refresh for 2021 made it even better. Factor in access to Tesla’s unbeatable charging network and the Model 3 is an incredibly desirable yet thoroughly sensible choice. It’s the best argument yet for switching from fossil fuels. Our pick Performance List price £56,490 Target Price £56,490 Range 352 miles CO2 0g/km For Dependable, fast charging network; well priced; stuffed with tech; surprisingly practical; enjoyable to drive Against Firm town ride, pricey finance deals; interior is better than it was, but could still be plusher WHAT CAR? SAYS 2 Porsche Taycan Our…

1 Volkswagen Touran THE TOURAN MATCHES the flexibility of huge MPVs such as the Ford Galaxy, with its independently sliding middle-row seats. And despite being a far more compact car, adults fit in all three rows. What’s more, the Touran feels much like a normal hatchback from behind the wheel, thanks to tidy handling and a supple ride. So yes, it exists to offer an abundance of functionality, but that doesn’t define the way it drives at all. Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE List price £28,580 Target Price £23,043 MPG 42.8 CO2 150g/km For Compact outside yet spacious inside; seats seven adults; Isofix on all rear seats; tidy to drive; tempting PCPs Against There are cheaper cash buys; Ford Galaxy has more third row space; automatic gearbox can…

1 BMW 4Series ITS LOOKS MIGHT be divisive, but whether or not you’re a fan of this 4 Series’ aggressive styling, you’ll love what’s underneath. This is one of the most rewarding driver’s cars in the class and, if you opt for the Pro Pack’s adaptive suspension, it’s also a very comfortable everyday car. In addition, the 4 Series benefits from a wonderful interior with supportive seats and class-leading infotainment. Our pick 420i M Sport Pro Pack List price £43,285 Target Price £40,670 MPG 42.2 CO2 151g/km For Rewarding handling; no longer so derivative of 3 Series; high-quality interior; composed ride Against Looks won’t be for everyone; some rivals have larger boots; you hear wind and tyre noise at speed WHAT CAR? SAYS 2 Audi TT Our Pick 40…

ALMOST HALF OF British drivers admit to ignoring their car’s warning lights, with one in five saying they would disregard the warning for up to three days, according to research by dealer group Robins & Day. In the survey of 2000 people, 46% of drivers admitted they would not address a warning light on their dashboard immediately, with 40% of that group saying they thought their car’s warning lights might be broken. Other reasons given for ignoring the lights – which tell drivers when something has gone wrong – were fears over the cost of any repairs (34%) and laziness (24%). The report also revealed that 12% did not know that failing to investigate the cause of a dashboard warning light is illegal, while 10% were unaware that it could…

BP PULSE Formerly BP Chargemaster and Polar, BP Pulse is the UK’s largest provider of public charging points, with more than 7000 of them around the UK, ranging from three-pin, 3kW units to a number of ultra-fast 150kW chargers. It operates a subscription-based service and a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) option. The former gives subscribers free charging at around half of its units and cheaper kWh rates than PAYG customers at those where they have to pay. It charges an overstay fee of £10 per hour after 90 minutes of charging at 50kW and 150kW chargers. CHARGE YOUR CAR One of the UK’s biggest players, with more than 2000 chargers. The chargers are only installed by Charge Your Car; they’re owned by those in charge of the location and they’re free to…

When you get towards the end of your mobile phone contract, you’ll no doubt start perusing replacements, marvelling at their dazzling displays, crystal-clear cameras and the promise of increased battery life. The smartphone market certainly seems to move at a much faster rate than the car world, which usually offers only incremental improvements to performance, fuel economy and space. However, with their far greater reliance on the kind of tech that makes your iPhone tick, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are relevant to a greater number of people with each passing generation, using a combination of a small petrol engine, an electric motor and a battery that can be topped up via mains electricity to eke out potentially incredible fuel economy and drastically reduce running costs. Take the Volkswagen Golf GTE, for…

While similar in size and virtually identical in practicality terms, they’re far from equal when it comes to the final reckoning. The GLS is reasonably refined and loaded with kit – with particularly impressive safety equipment as standard –but its inconsistent interior quality and unsettled ride disappoint. It simply doesn’t live up to its billing as Mercedes’ flagship SUV. The X7, meanwhile, totally delivers in every area, and then some. Outstanding inside and phenomenally relaxing on the road, it would be the clear winner even if it cost the same as the GLS. As it is, with financial factors so far in its favour, the big, brash and divisively designed X7 claims victory without breaking a sweat. BMW X7 For Relaxing ride; more entertaining to drive; build quality hard to…

Seat Leon AS A FAMILY car, the latest Leon gets the basics right by offering a big boot and even more space for passengers than the gigantic Skoda Octavia. But it also serves up a very welcome slice of fun and costs less to run than you’d think. Don’t go thinking that the Leon feels even remotely hairshirt, either. It’s every bit as smart inside as the more expensive Volkswagen Golf, while its infotainment system is more user-friendly. Our pick 1.5 TSI Evo 130 FR List price £24,060 Target Price £20,619 MPG 50.4 CO2 127g/km For Great handling; smart, spacious interior; punchy yet frugal petrol engines; generous standard spec Against Ride is on the firm side; more wind and road noise than some rivals; very few optional extras available WHAT…

Volvo XC40 IT MIGHT BE a few years since we voted Volvo’s most affordable SUV our overall Car of the Year, but it remains a hugely desirable product that’s backed up by real substance. The XC40 blends generous passenger space and a practical boot with a quality interior and the sort of top-notch safety you expect from the brand. Plus, our recommended version has plenty of poke and comes well equipped. Our pick T3 R-Design auto List price £33,545 Target Price £31,450 MPG 38.2 CO2 166g/km For Stylish, high-quality interior; big and clever boot; supple ride on most versions; comprehensive safety kit Against Fiddly infotainment system; lacks the rear seat flexibility of some rivals; body sways around a bit WHAT CAR? SAYS Range Rover Evoque Our pick P300e HSE List…

Skoda Octavia Estate THE iV IS one of the more expensive Octavias, but it’s still one of the cheaper plug-in hybrids, and for many the investment will pay back dividends. Its official 282.5mpg economy shows what’s possible if you charge regularly, plus the car drops into the exceptionally low 6% benefit-in-kind bracket. As a bonus, you get all the usual Octavia Estate benefits, including lots of kit, a very comfy ride and vast space. Our pick 1.4 TSI iV SE Technology List price £34,230 Target Price £34,230 MPG 282.5 CO2 23g/km For Very low company car tax; 41-mile pure electric range; competitive price; cosseting ride; vast boot; well equipped Against Plenty of rivals are more fun to drive; floaty over undulations; air-con controls are in touchscreen WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW…

1 BMW 5Series OUR FAVOURITE LUXURY car for the past four years still offers the very best traits of this class. Take the interior, for example: it’s virtually identical to that of the pricier 7 Series and just as well made, despite the 5 Series costing far less. As a bonus, the 530e plug-in hybrid variant can complete many journeys on electric power. And even when its petrol engine does fire up, the car is quiet enough to shame full-on limousines. Our pick 530e M Sport Pro Pack List price £54,820 Target Price £46,872 MPG 188.3 CO2 34g/km For Fast and fun, yet comfortable and refined; low running costs, particularly as a company car; superb interior Against You need to add adaptive suspension (part of the Pro Pack) for…

1 Skoda Superb Estate SPACE IS THE name of the game when you’re looking at wagons, and the Superb Estate has been our favourite for six years, striking the sweet spot of practicality, comfort, low running costs and value more accurately than any rival. In fact, with masses of load space for flat-pack furniture or suitcases and palatial comfort for passengers, it’s one of the most impressive family holdalls in any class of car. Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE Technology List price £28,500 Target Price £27,947 MPG 57.7 CO2 129g/km For Comfortable ride; limo-like rear passenger space; huge boot with lots of practical touches; well priced Against Some rivals are more fun to drive on twisty roads; automatic gearbox can be a tad jerky in traffic WHAT CAR?…

1 BMW X6 THE COUPÉ SUV class wouldn’t exist without the BMW X6. However, the latest version isn’t the benchmark due to its history, but because it moves the game on again. It’s one of the more entertaining cars in the class to drive, and offers stunning performance, no matter which engine you choose. Meanwhile, the interior is as easy to use as it is beautifully built, and you even get generous rear space. Our pick xDrive30d MHT M Sport List price £66,910 Target Price £62,838 MPG 42.2 CO2 176g/km For High-quality interior; powerful yet frugal diesel engine; practical by the standards of the class; great to drive Against Ride is on the firm side; some options you’ll want are pricey; looks won’t appeal to all WHAT CAR? SAYS…

1 Porsche 718 Cayman IT’D BE EASY to write off the Cayman as a poor man’s 911. It can be bought for as little as half the money, so it must be half the car, right? Well, actually, no; in the ways that matter most, the Cayman is the best sports car on the planet. The only caveat is that you need to go for the GTS version, because this swaps the uncouth engines of lesser versions for a glorious 4.0-litre flat six. Our pick GTS 4.0 List price £66,385 Target Price £66,385 MPG 25.9 CO2 247g/km For Brilliant handling; rich, soulful naturally aspirated six-cylinder GTS engine; classy interior Against Lacks the level of standard kit you’d expect of such a pricey car, both in terms of luxuries and…

A REVIEW INTO the safety of Britain’s smart motorway network has been called for, after a coroner ruled that the deaths of two men involved in a lorry crash in 2019 could have been avoided. Coroner David Urpeth said such road layouts – typically featuring variable speed limits and hard shoulder running at busy times – present “an ongoing risk of future deaths”. He is writing to both Highways England and transport secretary Grant Shapps to request a review into their use. Jason Mercer and Alexandru Murgeanu were killed in June 2019 when a lorry crashed into their stationary cars on a stretch of the M1 that had been converted into a smart motorway and had no hard shoulder active. An inquest heard that had a hard shoulder been in…

THE UK IS ONE of Europe’s biggest markets for electric vehicles (EVs), behind Norway and Germany. There are nearly 200,000 full EVs on British roads today and close to 400,000 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Although the coronavirus pandemic took its toll on new car sales last year, it encouraged more people to go electric. Sales of EVs in 2020 were up by 186% compared with the previous year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), with 108,205 registered. PHEV sales rose by 91% on the previous year, and together these two power types accounted for nearly 10% of new car registrations for the first time; that’s three times more than in 2019. That’s all very encouraging, but EV buyers could end up paying extra to go green. Many…

1 The Exclusive Pack bundles together lots of useful extras for £350. You get automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection for added safety on city streets,as well as adaptive cruise control and speed limit sign recognition.You also get a handy 4.2in information display in the instrument cluster. 2 A heated windscreen is standard on every Fiesta; this rapidly clears the ice on a frosty day. For an extra £300, the Comfort Pack will do the same thing for your extremities; it gives you a heated steering wheel and heated seats to thaw your hands and posterior on those wintry mornings. 3 Every Fiesta comes with a tyre repair kit to keep you going in the event of a small puncture, but for real peace of mind against bigger blowouts, we’d…

It’s a close-run contest, with each contender having specific strengths and weaknesses.We can certainly see the appeal of the Golf’s punchy performance, lengthy kit list and the breadth of ability the optional adaptive suspension brings, but it comes last here, given that it’s the priciest to buy and has the least upmarket interior and a disappointing infotainment system. The A-Class comes second, combining swift performance with a mostly comfortable ride and the best all-electric range. However, the unpolished feel of its hybrid system, its relatively thirsy petrol engine and its so-so handling count against it, handing victory to the A3. The A3’s suspension blends comfort and handling agility extremely well, while performance is more than sufficient for the everyday grind.With the most appealing interior, a great driving position, easy-to-use controls…

Mileage 2620 List price £19,235 Target Price £16,225 Price as tested £19,980 Test economy 47.8mpg I’ve just brimmed my Ibiza with £40 worth of petrol, the previous tankful having taken me 370 miles. Okay, my current average of 47.8mpg is a bit short of the official fuel consumption figure, but I’m still impressed, particularly given that I haven’t exactly been driving with thriftiness in mind. I’ve also found that more than 52mpg is possible on the motorway. I’m delighted, then, that the Ibiza looks to be fulfilling the ‘economical commuter’ remit rather well. Optimistically looking towards a lockdown-free future, the Ibiza is going to work out much cheaper than the train for my commute to the What Car? office from deepest, darkest Essex. And I’ll wager that the Ibiza is…

FAMILY CAR Seat Leon WE FOUND 2017 1.4 EcoTSI 150 FR Technology, 23,609 miles Price £11,995 Despite being replaced recently, the previous-generation Leon still makes an excellent family car. The 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine is both economical and sprightly, while FR Technology trim comes with an easy-to-use infotainment system with an 8.0in screen, plus excellent LED headlights. MPV Ford Galaxy WE FOUND 2019 2.0 Ecoblue 150 Titanium, 19,370 miles Price £18,495 Never mind that this isn’t some trendy SUV, because at nearly half the £35k list price when new, this year-old Galaxy is a stonking bargain – and it isn’t even an ex-Addison Lee taxi. The Galaxy is a refined family hauler that’s good to drive and has either space for seven or amonstrous load of cargo when the seats…

Toyota GR Yaris THE GR YARIS is a truly special machine that feels tailor-made for tackling a British B-road. With its small proportions, clever four-wheel drive system and firecracker of an engine, its performance is incredibly accessible, yet it’s also fast enough to frighten thoroughbred sports cars. For pure driving thrills, hot hatches don’t get any better. And yet it’s well priced and should be fairly cheap to run. Our pick 1.6 Circuit Pack List price £33,495 Target Price £33,495 MPG 34.4 CO2 186g/km For An absolute riot in the bends; incredible traction and acceleration off the line; tempting finance deals Against Limited rear seat and boot space; interior too similar to a regular Yaris’s; small range of options WHAT CAR? SAYS Honda Civic Type R Our pick 2.0 VTEC…

Kia Sorento THE SORENTO’S HYBRID tech combines good real-world fuel economy with comparatively low CO2 emissions, while the ride is forgiving and the steering pleasingly accurate. Throw in a nicely made interior that can seat seven adults in comfort, a driving position that’s lofty enough to make HGV drivers jealous, and Kia’s unmatched seven-year warranty, and you’ve got an outstanding all-rounder. Our pick 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid 2 List price £38,845 Target Price £37,903 MPG 40.9 CO2 158g/km For Vast interior; frugal and strong engine; industry-leading warranty; comfortable ride; well equipped Against Expensive considering you don’t get a premium badge; automatic gearbox can be hesitant WHAT CAR? SAYS Peugeot 5008 Our pick Puretech 130 Allure List price £31,435 Target Price £30,293 MPG 46.0 CO2 136g/km For Quiet cruiser; comfortable ride; practical…

1 Volkswagen ID.3 THANKS TO REAR-WHEEL drive, accurate steering and fine body control, the ID.3 is an electric car that’s genuinely fun to drive. What’s more, its practicality is up with the roomiest family hatchbacks, and predicted resale values are superb. As a bonus, the ID.3 performed exceptionally well in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests, because it’s good at protecting occupants in a crash and at avoiding crashes in the first place. Our pick Pro Performance Life List price £32,990 Target Price £32,586 Range 263 miles CO2 0g/km For Long official range; fun to drive; spacious and practical interior; slow predicted depreciation Against Iffy interior quality; infotainment systems puts style before substance; charging network weaker than Tesla’s WHAT CAR? SAYS 2 Peugeot e-208 Our pick Allure List price…

1 BMW X5 WHEN CHOOSING A plug-in hybrid, it goes without saying that you want economy and cost-effectiveness, but if you don’t want to compromise on the finer things in life, the X5 xDrive45e is right up your street. It offers the same fantastic interior as any other X5, and is even more refined. Yet it’s cheaper to run than rivals, not least because it can travel a whopping 54 miles on electric power. Our pick xDrive45e M Sport List price £69,915 Target Price £66,465 MPG 217.3 CO2 29g/km For Superb ride and handling balance; excellent infotainment; big pure electric range; low company car tax Against Only seats seven if you go for our preferred engine; the boot isn’t as big as you’d expect WHAT CAR? SAYS 2 Audi…

1 Fiat 500 Cabrio THE LATEST FIAT 500 Cabrio is all-electric – a sign of the times, no doubt. However, don’t think that it takes the number one spot just because it taps into the zeitgeist. True, the way you can whizz around near-silently gives it a trump card that no other drop-top can match, but just as appealing is its high-quality interior and the fact that it’s every bit as good to drive as the hatchback on which it’s based. Our pick Icon List price £30,645 Target Price £30,645 Official range 188 miles CO2 0g/km For Great interior with lots of kit; refined and good to drive; low running costs; useful range between charges Against Tiny rear seats; ride could be more settled; pricier than some conventionally powered…

1 Ford Puma ST UNTIL RECENTLY, BUYING a sports SUV required a sizeable outlay, but the Ford Puma ST changes that. And don’t think the fact that it costs far less than the competition means it’s far less fun. Even the mighty Porsche Cayenne has to bow to the Puma’s incredible agility, while its greater driver engagement and less extreme acceleration mean there’s far more chance to enjoy yourself on public roads. Our pick 1.5 Ecoboost 200 Perf Pack List price £31,365 Target Price £31,365 MPG 41.5 CO2 155g/km For Hugely entertaining handling; tuneful and punchy engine; relatively cheap to buy and run Against Occasionally bouncy ride; infotainment system could be slicker; Volkswagen T-Roc is bigger in the back WHAT CAR? SAYS 2 Porsche Cayenne Coupé Our pick GTS…

1 Porsche Taycan SOME MIGHT VIEW it as heresy to declare an electric car the number one performance car, but the Taycan is proof that such models can be just as rewarding and usable as the best petrol rivals, and then some. Even the entry-level 4S version can sprint from 0-62mph in just 4.0sec. Plus, the Taycan has exceptionally precise, tactile steering and incredible poise in corners. Its brakes are monstrous, too. Our pick 4S (Performance Battery Plus) List price £88,248 Target Price £88,248 Official range 288 miles CO2 0g/km For Massive and instantaneous performance; remarkably agile; gorgeous interior; seats four adults Against Charging network isn’t as good as Tesla’s; similar-priced Model S is more spacious WHAT CAR? SAYS 2 Mercedes-AMG C63 Our pick S Estate List price £78,103…