Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i What Car?

THE VIABILITY OF the Government’s decision to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 has been called into question by a group of MPs, who say the transition represents a “huge challenge” for the country and that the departments responsible for it have so far “lacked a clear, published plan”. The criticism comes from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which evaluates the effectiveness and value of government proposals and services. It is made up of 15 MPs, eight of whom are Conservatives, although the chair is Labour’s Meg Hillier. The PAC report says that although the Government has set “ambitious targets” for the transition, there are big hurdles to overcome, including increasing the uptake of electric cars and upgrading the UK’s charging network. The cost of…

SMALL AND FAMILY SUVs Alfa Romeo Tonale Autumn Sporty style and plug-in hybrid power. Honda HR-V December Adopts coupé-like looks and hybrid power. Nissan Qashqai Summer Trend-setting SUV gets clever with electrified power and semi-autonomous driver aids. Renault Kadjar December Should be better to drive and far swankier inside, plus it will offer several hybrid options. Toyota Yaris Cross Winter All-hybrid engines for chunky new baby SUV. SMALL CAR Skoda Fabia The Czech Ford Fiesta rival has long been a sensible, value-packed family car choice, and this next-generation model is more spacious than ever. Infotainment gets a boost, too, and there’s more driver assistance tech. There are no electrified engines for now, but the turbocharged petrol engines promise better economy than before. Price from £15,500 (est) LARGE AND LUXURY SUVs…

SCAN FOR A GREAT DEAL ON THIS CAR ✓ In the winter months it can take a long time for conventional blowers to clear your windscreen of mist and fog, and that’s why Volkswagen’s heated windscreen is well worth the £315 asking price. It clears your screen quickly at the press of a button, enabling you to start your journey safely and with clear visibility. ✓ Manually opening and closing SUVs’ heavy tailgates can be awkward and messy, and some open so high that they’re difficult to reach if you’re on the short side. Therefore, you’re likely to find an electric tailgate (£360) convenient on the Tiguan, because it can open and close itself at the touch of a button. ✓ Life models come with front and rear parking sensors…

1 Noco Boost Sport GB20 Price £79 Buy from amazon.co.uk, halfords.com The GB20 is fairly foolproof, with clear warning lights if you connect the cable incorrectly or there are electrical shorts. It has a bright LED torch, an override mode that’s controlled by dedicated buttons, and booster cables that are a decent length, making it easier to use in emergency situations. Factor in a punchy 500A of power and this is a brilliant all-rounder that’s suitable for vehicles with petrol engines up to 4.0 litres. WHAT CAR? SAYS 2 Ring RPPL300 Price £89.98 Buy from toolstation.co.uk Ring’s RPPL300 gets very close to the Noco Boost Sport GB20 in terms of build quality but it’s not as easy to use. Warnings are relegated to a couple of tiny LEDs…

For a car that has seen a few birthdays, the e-Niro still impresses. The world is on a manic mission to extend battery range, yet this Long Range version is far from obsolete. Were this test simply about which car travels farther, it would win, but there’s more to it than that. The e-Niro’s overall package is still excellent, but against the Enyaq it falls behind in a few areas, such as practicality, refinement and safety. In fact, for this kind of money, the Enyaq is the best new EV we’ve tested. It’s very comfortable and has masses of room for the family among its list of strengths. Anyone looking to do long distances regularly has the option of the pricier 80 model, but after our extreme test, the 60’s…

YOU’VE GOT TO admire a bit of upward mobility. Take the Land Rover Discovery: what started out as the Defender’s more civilised but still rough-around-the-edges sibling has been getting posher and posher with every iteration. Over the years, the Discovery has been smoothed out, with styling and underpinnings that have edged ever closer to Range Rover territory. Indeed, all versions get air suspension, an automatic gearbox and, after a recent refresh, creamy six-cylinder petrol and diesel engine options. Reassuringly, it still has seating for seven and plenty of practical touches, although its price puts it firmly in the luxury SUV class. With that in mind, we’re pitching the facelifted Discovery, in top-spec R-Dynamic HSE trim, against two What Car? award-winning seven-seat rivals in similarly plush trims and also with six-cylinder…

Mileage 1895 List price £25,150 Target Price na Price as tested £26,950 Test economy 40.1mpg I GOT A chance to drive a Mazda CX-30 for the first time recently, and its interior cast a fresh light on that of my Skoda Octavia. In terms of the layout and functionality of its controls, I found Mazda’s family SUV very difficult to fault. The proper physical knobs and switches arranged in neat rows on its dashboard and steering wheel, and the BMW-style dial between the front seats for its infotainment system, were ridiculously easy and intuitive to operate. It made me wonder afresh why Skoda (like many other brands, in fairness) is taking such a different, less welcome direction with its interior layouts. Although the Octavia’s infotainment touchscreen is crisp and a…

Mileage 6506 List price £29,815 Target Price £28,189 Price as tested £30,545 Test economy 52.0mpg Any vehicle that I run must tick many boxes and perform many roles, but most importantly, it must be able to take all my bulky cameras, photoshoot gear and car cleaning kit to and from locations. Fortunately, the Kuga absolutely can. The only downside is that I sometimes need to remove the parcel shelf to get everything in the boot, and that isn’t ideal for security reasons. Therefore, I prefer to keep it in place and put less valuable items on the rear seat instead; after all, who’s going to break in to steal a bucket and sponge? Unfortunately, because of the flimsy plastic clips that secure one end of the parcel shelf, nearly every…

Mileage 1750 List price £47,340 Target Price £44,623 Price as tested £52,800 Test economy 30.5mpg THERE’S A ROUNDABOUT at the end of my road for which the word ‘busy’ is an understatement; it has seven exits, including one to get onto amajor motorway. As a result, it’s almost perpetually jammed up, and when a small gap in the traffic does finally appear, launching into it with gusto is the best approach. Unfortunately, while the automatic gearbox in my Q5 is super-smooth most of the time, shifting between its ratios with a precision and quietness that Rolex would be proud of, it doesn’t act in quite the same manner at very low speeds or when moving away from a standstill. Putting my foot down hard when I see an opening has…

IF YOU LIKE the idea of an electric car but have doubts about whether such a vehicle will fit into your lifestyle, you could always try a plug-in hybrid. Like electric cars, these can manage average-length commutes on battery power alone. But if you need to make a longer journey or simply didn’t have a chance to charge the battery, there’s still a good old petrol engine to help out. One of our favourite plug-ins is the BMW 330e, which takes all that we love about the regular 3 Series executive saloon and adds in the ability to cover up to 35 miles (officially) on battery power alone. Thanks to acombined 288bhp when its 2.0-litre petrol engine and rear-mounted electric motor work together, it offers punchy performance, too. However, it…

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 £33,520 Target Price £33,520 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 HEV 2 List price £39,100 Target Price £37,489 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 Hyundai Santa Fe Our pick 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid 4WD Premium List price £42,535 Target Price £40,001 MPG 40.4 CO2 159g/km For A great…

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 £32,240 Target Price £31,609 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 Fiat 500 Our pick 42kWh Icon List price £27,995 Target…

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 £64,792 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 Audi Q7 Our pick…

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 rivals WHAT…

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 £87,541 Target Price £87,541 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 Mercedes-AMG C63 Our pick S Estate List price £78,163 Target Price £70,199…

Volkswagen T-Roc WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 1.0 TSI 110 Design List price £24,445 Target Price £23,268 Target PCP £239 This is a cracking small SUV, with a comfortable ride, a decent-sized boot and the kind of high-set driving position that many buyers love. Design is our favourite trim level; its extra styling touches make it more distinctive, and you also get privacy glass and ambient interior lighting. SAVE £1177 Ford Puma WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 1.0 Ecoboost 155 Titanium List price £22,795 Target Price £21,499 Target PCP £259* Our favourite small SUV is great fun to drive and wonderfully practical, and with mild hybrid power, it should help you to save on petrol, too. Titanium trim gets you 17in alloy wheels, cruise control and rear parking sensors. SAVE £1296 Mercedes-Benz…

THERE’S A GOOD chance that the events of the past year and a half will have you rethinking your holiday plans. Where once we were happy to cram into a metal tube with a few hundred strangers and jet off to a supposedly clean room abroad, you might well be considering a more careful approach this summer. But what if you could just load all of your holiday clobber straight into nice, clean accommodation and drive it and your family anywhere you like? That’s right: we’re talking camper vans. When we say the word ‘camper’, there’s a good chance that the first brand that springs to mind is Volkswagen. With a family tree that stretches back to the 1950s, the California Ocean certainly has experience on its side. With our…

If you’re after a truly luxurious SUV, the X7 is hands down the winner. Not only does it have the plushest interior, but it’s also the biggest inside. Adults will be happy in all three rows and its boot is vast. And you can hardly fail to be impressed by the performance and the high level of comfort on offer, especially if you stick with the standard 21in wheels. The Q7 comes an honourable second. Although it’s upstaged slightly inside by the X7, it’s still a class act and wonderfully smooth and comfortable. However, this lofty trim level doesn’t show it in its best light, mainly due to its steep buying and running costs, and its third-row space isn’t great in this company. Although the Discovery brings up the rear,…

Mileage 778 List price £34,595 (not including £2500 gov’t grant) Target Price £34,595 Price as tested £34,655 Test range 192 miles IT’S ONE THING driving around central London, topping up the battery of my electric car on a local lamp-post charger whenever I fancy (a gift the Renault Zoe affords me in the form of a realistic 200-mile urban range). But it’s quite another thing to jump into it for a long journey – at least without having to face my fear of sitting around at a service station for half an hour. In order to justify the Zoe’s price tag, though, as well as its right to be considered as a rival to the best non-electric small cars, it has to be able to tick off the miles. My…

IF YOU FLY around the world on private jets, you’re going to have a pretty big carbon footprint, no matter what certain preachy celebrities might think. But after running a BMW 530e plug-in hybrid for the past few months, I’m convinced that low pollution and luxury can go together – at least on terra firma. Okay, electrified cars aren’t a guilt-free option. There’s the CO2 emitted during their production, for a start, and just how green they are in daily use depends on how the energy you’re putting into the battery was generated. However, when it comes to reducing urban smog, they’re surely a big part of the solution. As someone who worries about the quality of the air my four-year-old daughter is breathing, that was very much in my…

Mileage 9358 List price new (2018) £47,415 Price new with options £55,315 Value now £21,406 Test economy 19.4mpg THE SECOND GENERATION of the XF Sportbrake has been with us for more than five years, and while it still looks sharp on the outside, its interior was beginning to feel a bit long in the tooth. That’s why Jaguar recently treated the car to some cosmetic surgery in an effort to help it compete with talented rivals such as the BMW 5 Series Touring and Volvo V90. Most significantly, the XF gained the huge, 11.4in ‘Pivi Pro’ touchscreen infotainment system that’s also found in Jaguar’s F-Pace SUV. So, does my used, pre-facelift XF feel like a product from the past? Well, I’m not so sure that it does. Yes, the screen…

Honda Jazz THE JAZZ IS the small car to beat for passenger space, and its unique and incredibly flexible rear seating only adds to its practicality. It’s neither the most fun car in the class (that’s the Ford Fiesta) nor the most comfortable (that’s the Peugeot 208), but with excellent visibility, it’s definitely easy to drive. Hybrid power also makes it really cheap to fuel, and slow depreciation helps make up for high prices. Our pick 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid SR List price £20,645 Target Price £19,060 MPG 62.8 CO2 102g/km For Remarkably spacious, with great seating flexibility; strong performance; lots of standard kit; holds value well Against Pricey by small car standards; not the quietest cruiser; disappointing infotainment system WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Polo Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 Match…

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 £22,795 Target Price £21,499 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…

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 Long Range List price £48,490 Target Price £48,490 Range 360 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 Porsche Taycan Our pick 4S…

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 £29,115 Target Price £23,611 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 be hesitant…

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 £43,300 Target Price £40,685 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 Audi TT Our Pick 45 TFSI Sport Edition…

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 £29,460 Target Price £28,379 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 Porsche Cayenne Coupé Our pick GTS List price £92,600…

THE RIBBLEHEAD Viaduct: a breathtakingly beautiful but imposing example of 19th-century transport infrastructure. Twenty-four arches, towering 32 metres towards the gods, spanning 400 metres across magnificent Batty Moss. What better place for a stopover when we’re testing the efficacy of our 21st-century transport infrastructure? We’re en route from Inverness to London – a journey of around 600 miles. Sitting beneath the imposing arches are two electric SUVs, and our objective is twofold: comparing the new Skoda Enyaq with the latest version of the Kia e-Niro – our 2019 overall Car of the Year – and the public charging network that’s the oxygen needed to sustain them. We already know that the e-Niro 64kWh Long Range has a very good battery range, but now you can order it in conjunction with…

It’s the Nugget that brings up the rear in this test. While some will appreciate the separation of the kitchen from the lounge area, we prefer the more conventional layout of the other campers here; there’s a reason it’s the norm. The Nugget is also let down by its crude driving experience and low-rent interior. The California gets the runner-up spot, impressing with its tidy handling, comfortable lower bed and plentiful storage space. However, it’s the priciest to buy and has a noisy engine, while you’ll need a fair bit of muscle to change the interior layout when it’s bedtime. That leaves the Marco Polo to take the victory. It’s the most car-like to drive and the one that you’ll be happiest racking up the miles in, and it works…

ALTHOUGH I DON’T have a large family to transport around regularly, I have become the driver for my parents, and they need a car with big, wide-opening doors for easy access and a high seating position so they don’t feel too claustrophobic travelling in the rear seats. So, for my latest car, I’ve gone big. I’ve opted for Kia’s largest SUV, the Sorento. But that doesn’t mean I’ve splashed out an excessive amount of cash. In 2 trim, my Sorento retails at just under £40,000 – and significantly less than that with our Target Price discounts. Even though it’s the most affordable version of the car (no, I’m not sure what happened to the 1 trim level, either), it comes with a lavish amount of kit, including four-wheel drive, an…

Mileage 1383 List price £24,560 Target Price £23,257 Price as tested £28,700 Test economy 42.1mpg The last time I drove a car that was running on just two cylinders, it was my ancient Audi A4 and I’d failed to connect two of the spark plug leads properly after a DIY service. In my Golf, though, it’s entirely deliberate; its 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine has a clever cylinder deactivation system that basically turns it into a 750cc twin when full power isn’t required, such as at a motorway cruise. It’s very impressive, too. When the system kicks in, you get a ‘two-cylinder mode’ notification in the instant fuel consumption display, and you can feel and hear it if you really concentrate. However, far from being an unpleasant sensation, it’s quite a…

IF YOU’RE CURRENTLY in the market for a new car, it’s pretty likely that you’re specifically looking at SUVs. And why wouldn’t you be? On paper, they make a lot of sense; their high seating positions make getting in and out a breeze, their large side windows provide fantastic visibility, their tall suspension and big, squishy tyre sidewalls promise good ride quality, and there’s no denying that a physically larger car often feels safer to travel in. But does all of the above matter in the context of sports SUVs? These cars, after all, are designed to thrill the driver and accommodate families in equal measure, and that’s a combination that hot hatches have specialised in from the beginning of time. So, aside from the social cachet that comes with…

In production 2018-present Price from £22,000 Our favourite 2.0 T-GDi 275 Performance A FEW YEARS ago, a top-flight, thoughtfully engineered and seriously appealing hot hatch bearing a Hyundai badge would have been considered a flight of fancy. In 2018, though, the Korean firm rocked perceived wisdom when it launched the iconoclastic i30 N – the sporting version of its smart but sensible i30 family hatchback. This was Hyundai’s first attempt at a hot hatch to take on the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI, and it was deeply impressive and purposeful straight out of the box, thanks to such driver’s delights as adaptive suspension, launch control, an automatic rev-matching function and an overboost facility to help with speedy overtaking. The i30 N’s turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine comes in…

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 £24,065 Target Price £21,124 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 MAY HAVE been 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 £34,080 Target Price £32,117 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 R-Dynamic…

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 £32,185 Target Price £32,185 MPG 282.5 CO2 23g/km For Very low company car tax; 41-mile electric range; cosseting ride; vast boot; competitive price; well equipped Against Plenty of rivals are more fun to drive; floaty over undulations; air-con controls are in touchscreen WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW 3…

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 £49,181 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 the best…

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 L List price £31,590 Target Price £29,134 MPG 56.0 CO2 132g/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? SAYS Skoda…

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 £66,235 Target Price £61,885 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 Range Rover…

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 £67,355 Target Price £67,355 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 safety WHAT…