Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2023 i What Car?

THE DISTINCTIVE ORIGAMI styling of the original Lexus NX won it so many fans that it became the Japanese firm’s best-seller in Europe. It was no surprise, then, when this second-generation version appeared with evolutionary looks. Don’t be fooled, though; there’s been a revolution under the skin. You see, unlike older Lexus models, the latest NX is offered as a plug-in hybrid, with its 43-mile electric range enough to complete most commutes and school runs without troubling the petrol engine at all. Neither the Audi Q5 55 TFSIe nor the BMW X3 xDrive30e can go as far. And the NX’s lower CO2 emissions put it in a lower company car tax band than those rivals, too. Plug it in regularly and do mostly short journeys and you might get close…

IN THE PLUG-IN hybrid executive car endurance race, the Mercedes-Benz C300e is the reigning champion. In fact, its official electric-only range of 68 miles is almost double that of its arch-rival, the BMW 330e, and also trounces the figure of the larger Skoda Superb iV. This impressive ability to delay switching on its engine results in very low CO2 emissions and therefore a lower benefit-in-kind tax rating than its direct rivals. Only fully electric options such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Tesla Model 3 make cheaper company cars. The C300e is capable of keeping up with motorway traffic without needing to wake its 2.0-litre petrol engine. Yet when you’re more interested in performance than efficiency, it’s happy to oblige, accelerating from 0-62mph in a hot hatch-baiting 6.1sec. With a…

LIKE HALF & half bread and Cadbury Darkmilk, the Toyota Yaris Cross combines two of its maker’s greatest success stories: ‘self-charging’ hybrid power and the small SUV. True, some rivals have more space for rear passengers, but the Yaris Cross has one of the biggest boots in its class and is an easy car to live with, thanks to its comfortable ride, decent performance and high driving position. The Yaris Cross is also the most efficient car we’ve ever put through our True MPG test. Our pick 1.5 Hybrid Design List price £26,530 Target Price £25,378 Target PCP £294 MPG 62.7 CO2 102g/km For Very efficient; high-set driving position; user-friendly dashboard Against Rear seat space is a bit tight; vocal engine when accelerating WHAT CAR? SAYS…

TWO OF THE UK’s most popular electric cars, the Tesla Model 3 executive saloon and the Model Y SUV, have had their prices slashed by as much as £8000. That headline saving applies to the range-topping Performance version of the Model 3. Meanwhile, the entry-level RWD now starts at £42,990 – a £5500 reduction – and the cheapest ModelY is £7000 cheaper than before, at £44,990. Tesla says these cuts have been made possible by a recent easing of disruption in the supply chain and because of a “normalisation” of some of the cost inflation that has seen the prices of most new cars rise sharply in the last year. Tesla also confirmed that it will apply the lower prices to orders that have already been placed but have not…

ON SALE 16 MARCH The best car you don’t plug in We compare our favourite non-electric cars, and name the best of all New Lexus RX tested Is Lexus’s latest flagship SUV as impressive as its five-star sister, the NX? The cars that can take three child seats Find out which models can transport three kids comfortably and safely Facelifted Volkswagen ID 3 revealed VW’s electric family hatchback is treated to a mid-life refresh…

All things considered, the Funky Cat has to go down as a disappointment.Yes, it has its strengths – a sharp-looking interior, plenty of rear space and an impressive safety rating – but it also has too many flaws to go toe to toe with the best cars in this class. Its mediocre range, slow charging speed and poky boot don’t make for an EV that’s easy live with, especially if you want to do a long journey occasionally. The MG 4 has fewer flaws and does the important things (namely range and charging) significantly better. And when you consider that it also costs less to own, that only extends its advantage. That said, we reckon the cheaper SE with the smaller battery option is even more compelling. Buy this car…

Will.Nightingale@haymarket.com Twice a year (in the heat of summer and the chill of winter) we put a selection of electric cars through a ‘drive’em until they die’ endurance test. The aim? To find out how far they really go on a full charge, and how efficiently they use electricity. This is essentially our electric vehicle version of a Tough Mudder challenge. After all, temperature can make a big difference to how far an electric car can go on a charge. We’ve yet to find a model capable of matching its official range – and that was highly unlikely to happen in this latest round of testing, on a very chilly day in January. Some of the cars lining up (the BMW i4, Cupra Born and Tesla Model Y) have taken…

James.Tute@haymarket.com Mileage 5135 List price £40,150 Target Price £40,150 Price as tested £38,390 Test range 215 miles I PLANNED TO make this latest report all about using the climate control in my Cupra Born – but it’s mostly about not using it. In fact, if I get to the end without telling you how easy or otherwise the system is to operate, make sure you give me a nudge… Anyway, why might I not be using the Born’s temperature settings to keep warm while driving in the winter chill? Yes, you guessed it: battery range. Recently, I’ve been getting between 200 and 250 miles, depending on my speeds and other factors – including, very noticeably, whether the climate control is on. I put that to the test at the weekend,…

Price today £27,000* Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI 300 4Drive List price when new £36,695 Available from 2019-present Combines the practicality of the Seat Ateca family SUV with storming performance Volkswagen T-Roc R 2.0 TSI 300 4Motion List price when new £38,450 Available from 2020-present Uses the same mechanicals as the Ateca in a slightly smaller, lighter package Price today £28,000* *Prices are based on a 2020 model with average mileage and a full service history and are correct at the time of writing CUPRA ATECA VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC R BEST RIDE CUPRA ATECA VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC R TRADITIONALLY, DRIVERS ON a modest budget looking for a bit more speed and fun would put a hot hatch at the top of their shopping list. The recipe was simple: you took a family hatchback,…

Honda Civic EFFICIENCY IS AT the heart of this latest, hybrid-only Civic – and one of its strengths is indeed its fine real-world fuel economy. But that’s by no means the only thing it excels at; it’s also great to drive and very practical, with a relatively big boot and a user-friendly interior layout. And although rear seat space could be better and there’s some road noise to contend with, the Civic compensates by being generously equipped. Our pick 2.0 e:HEV Sport List price £31,795 Target Price £31,487 MPG 56.5 CO2 113g/km For Impressive fuel economy; gutsy performance; big boot; easy-to-use interior; lots of luxury and safety kit Against Pricier than its main rivals; rear head room is only average; some road noise intrudes WHAT CAR? SAYS Toyota Corolla Our pick…

Kia Sportage OUR 2023 FAMILY SUV of the Year is a great all-rounder with a smart-looking, spacious and user-friendly interior, plus a large boot. It’s generally very comfortable and good to drive, too. For the best value, we’d stick with the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine, which combines lively performance with reasonable running costs, but it’s worth paying the small premium to step up to mid-range 3 trim for its generous level of standard kit. Our pick 1.6 T-GDi 3 List price £32,000 Target Price £30,697 MPG 41.5 CO2 154g/km For Smart-looking and spacious interior; large boot; good comfort/handling balance; generous warranty Against Very few options are available; slightly unsettled low-speed ride; rear seating could be more flexible WHAT CAR? SAYS Genesis GV60 Our pick RWD Premium List price £53,905 Target…

Range Rover Sport THE SLIGHTLY SPORTIER and cheaper stablemate of the full-fat Range Rover is a fantastic SUV that goes big on luxury, comfort and off-road ability, although other rivals are still sharper to drive. The P440e plug-in hybrid version that we favour has an impressive electriconly range (officially up to 70 miles but realistically 45-50 miles), making this a very enticing option for company car drivers in particular. Our pick P440e Dynamic SE List price £87,530 Target Price £87,530 MPG 338.3 CO2 18g/km For Cosseting ride; extremely quiet; great driving position; long electriconly range; low company car tax Against Cheaper than a Range Rover but still very pricey; rivals are sharper to drive; Land Rover’s reliability record WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW i7 Our pick xDrive60 Excellence Pro List price£129,980…

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 eight 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 1.5 TSI 150 SE L List price £34,665 Target Price £32,892 MPG 42.7 CO2 150g/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…

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 Performance Pack List price £32,350 Target Price £30,449 MPG 42.8 CO2 148g/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 £96,120 Target…

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 model, because this swaps the uncouth engines of lesser versions for a glorious 4.0-litre flat six. Our pick 4.0 GTS List price £70,770 Target Price £70,770 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…

FIRST DRIVE Vauxhall Astra GSe Sporty flagship plug-in hybrid family hatch turns its attention towards driver appeal On sale Now Price from £40,550 VARIOUS THREE-LETTER BADGES have been used to signify sporty Vauxhalls over the years, but GSe – for Grand Sport Electric – is the first to highlight electrically assisted performance. One of the first GSe models is this Astra variant, which, along with revised suspension for better handling, can call on 222bhp when its 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor join forces. The result? A 0-62mph time of 7.5sec, which is just 0.2sec quicker than the regular 178bhp plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Astra but a match for the Peugeot 308 225 PHEV. It combines that with the ability to go up to 40 miles officially without firing up the…

SINCE SPLITTING FROM Citroën in 2015, DS has been tasked with building cars that beat the German premium brands at their own game, and the DS 4 is its most convincing model to date. It outshines Audi’s Q3 in important areas such as interior quality and its ability to fast charge. What’s more, it’s very good at soaking up bumps and potholes, particularly at low speeds. It’s just a shame that rear seat space and the usability of its infotainment system are far less impressive. Plus, you have to put in some effort to avoid jerkiness, due to its inconsistent brakes. Our pick 1.6 E-Tense Performance Line List price £38,150 Target Price £37,028 Target PCP £494 MPG 232.3 CO2 27g/km For Classy and distinctive interior; cushy low-speed ride; fast charging…

LIKE MARY POPPINS’ handbag, the Honda Jazz can swallow far more than you might think. Indeed, while its proportions place it firmly within the small car class, its boot is usefully bigger than that of the rival Toyota Yaris. In addition, the rear seat bases can be tipped up like cinema seats to create extra space across the car for carrying tall items such as bikes. Or alternatively, when you’re using them to transport people, it gives more space to stretch out than any other small car. Even when you’ve loaded your Jazz to the gunwales, though, it doesn’t feel like a slouch. Indeed, the 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor produce a combined 107bhp, meaning the Jazz can get you up to motorway speeds faster than our favourite Volkswagen…

Steve.Huntingford@haymarket.com THE NEW BMW M3 Touring is the high-performance version of the 3 Series executive car that will appeal to dog owners. However, they should resist the temptation to use maximum acceleration when travelling with their four-legged friend, because the resulting g-force is likely to leave the poor pooch stuck to the inside of the rear window, doing a great impression of a suction toy. You see, this is the first time in the 37-year history of the M3 that it’s been offered as an estate. But while that means it’s the most practical car ever to wear the badge, the M3 Touring uses the same 503bhp twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine as the saloon, and it comes with traction-enhancing four-wheel drive as standard to help you make the most of all…

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LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND devolved governments are reducing the speed limit on miles of urban roads from 30mph to 20mph. Nearly half of London’s roads already have a 20mph limit, including all of those inside the Congestion Charge zone, but Transport for London is set to impose the limit in five more boroughs from March. In Wales, 20mph will become the limit for all urban roads from September, and Scotland has pledged to lower the speed limit on all“appropriate roads in urban areas’’ to 20mph by 2025. Scottish Borders was the first region to introduce the new limit, in January. There has also been updated government guidance on road design in new residential areas, in line with the 20mph limit. When asked if 20mph could become the default urban speed limit,…

SCAN FOR A GREAT DEAL ON THIS CAR BEST BUY Genesis GV60 RWD Premium List price £53,905 Target Price £53,905 Options we’d add Nappa Leather Pack (£2310), Bang & Olufsen audio system (£990), Vehicle-to-Load Pack (£880), auto-dimming door mirrors (£80) Total cost of options £4260 If you regularly drive at night, electrochromatic auto-dimming door mirrors (£80) are well worth considering. These can darken themselves to diminish the blinding effect caused by the headlights of cars behind you shining in the mirrors, improving not only driver comfort but also visibility in low-light conditions. The Nappa Leather Pack (£2310) upgrades the GV60’s interior from standard leather to softer quilted Nappa leather, with a suede-like material on the windscreen and side pillars as well as on the sun visors. All of this lifts…

TESTING PROCESS A GOOD TOOL kit can pay for itself many times over by helping you to tackle car repairs yourself rather than paying a mechanic to do the work. To help you pick one, we tried five kits, testing the tools on a variety of jobs, including removing the awkward-to-reach bolts around a car battery. We tested smaller kits you might keep in your boot, and larger ones for your garage. We factored in the apparent quality of each set, plus how fit for purpose they were. As ever, value was considered too. 1 Vonhaus Socket and Tool set Price £99.99 Buy from Amazon How many pieces? 256 This is a very comprehensive kit for the price, and includes a socket set with an extended arm, which made light…

NEW Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Design List price £31,780 Target Price £29,680 A significant update for Toyota’s frugal family hatch includes a power hike, a bigger battery and an improved interior; it’ll be a strong contender Honda Civic 2.0 e:HEV Sport List price £31,795 Target Price £31,179 The current class leader is good to drive and practical, with a user-friendly interior – but can it keep up with the Corolla when it comes to running costs? It’s all well and good being crowned What Car’s Family Car of the Year, but all that attention is a double-edged sword. You get to enjoy the glory, but you also end up being the prime target everyone wants to beat. Indeed, it’s barely been a month since our 2023 awards and the latest…

USED CAR Jim.Holder@haymarket.com Mileage 17,004 List price when new £42,530 Price new with options £42,530 Value now £36,368 Test range 206 miles WHENEVER NEW ELECTRONIC technology is used to replace age-old mechanical systems, it is standard form for traditionalists to suck their teeth and mutter about how they “wouldn’t like to be responsible for paying the bill when it goes wrong”. Those folk would get wildly agitated by my Ford Mustang Mach-E’s door-opening system, which eschews traditional handles for a push button, on top of giving you the option to use a numerical combination lock located in the door frame. It has attracted plenty of such comments – particularly among those whose patience has been tested by trying to relearn how to get into a car. One benefit of the…

FINAL REPORT Mark.Pearson@haymarket.com MY FIRST REPORT on the Suzuki Swace highlighted the fact that most people had no idea what it was. Now, at the end of our time together, the same still holds true. Indeed, in my time with it, I don’t think I ever saw another. But don’t go thinking that’s a bad thing. You see, the Swace was launched two years ago in a blaze of obscurity, and I think its inconspicuous nature is great. When people ask me at dinner parties what car I’m driving, I can tell them it’s a Swace and watch in delight as their faces fall in total bemusement. Here’s the thing, though. It may have a little-known name and be rather conventional-looking on the surface, but underneath it’s a very well-sorted…

John.Bradshaw@haymarket.com Mileage 3482 List price £36,580 Target Price £34,997 Price as tested £37,365 Test economy 40.3mpg IF MY HONDA CR-V were sentient, it would have learnt its way around quite a lot of Britain by now. In the past month, my duties as chief photographer have taken me as far west as Weston Super-Mare, as far east as Aldeburgh and as far south as Poole. And I’m pleased to report that the motorway miles between these destinations have passed in comfort. As a result, I’ve always arrived feeling relatively bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The CR-V has made itself useful in other ways, too. As befits its SUV identity, it rides quite high, and that gives it good ground clearance. Sometimes, to get the right shot, I have to venture off the…

Despite the fact that both of these cars share so much of their underpinnings and cost a similar amount, we were surprised at the differences that emerged. The smaller, lighter T-Roc is not only more agile than the Ateca but is also much nicer to steer, handles with more verve and has more grip. It feels much more like a natural rival to a hot hatch. The Ateca still impresses, though, not least with its combination of performance and practicality. Indeed, if you have a set of lanky teenagers, it’s probably the one that’ll suit your needs better. Buy this car at whatcar.com/usedcars Volkswagen T-Roc R For Muscular performance; agile, playful handling; more safety kit; cheaper to fuel Against Fidgety ride; lots of hard plastics inside; relatively shallow boot Buy…

Hyundai i20 N THEE’S SOMETHING SLIGHTLY old-school about the i20 N – and we mean that in a good way. It’s not only quick and fun to drive but, unlike many current hot hatches, is also very affordable. Its engine even has a touch of turbo lag, with a small pause between you asking for more power and it arriving – all part of the charm. And because its handling and ride are calmer than the Ford Fiesta ST’s, the i20 N is an easy car to drive quickly. Our pick 1.6 T-GDi 204 List price £25,750 Target Price £25,198 MPG 40.4 CO2 158g/km For Gutsy performance; friendly handling; comfier ride than Fiesta ST; relatively cheap to buy and run Against Slightly less playful handling than Fiesta ST; smaller boot than…

Hyundai Santa Fe THERE’S LOADS TO like about the latest Santa Fe, including its huge boot and practical interior with seating for up to seven adults. The regular hybrid version that we recommend offers the best trade-off between price and running costs, and even entry-level Premium trim comes with many of the luxuries that are available only on high-end versions of the closely related Kia Sorento, making it fantastic value for money. Our pick 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid 4WD Premium List price £44,465 Target Price £42,843 MPG 40.4 CO2 159g/km For User-friendly interior with seven seats suitable for adults; huge boot; loads of standard kit; long warranty Against Performance is only average; some wind noise at motorway speeds; top trim is expensive WHAT CAR? SAYS BEST FOR LUXURY BMW X7 Our pick…

Volkswagen ID Buzz OUR 2023 OVERALL Car of the Year is styled to look like Volkswagen’s classic camper but is actually a thoroughly modern electric car. It’s very pleasant to drive, behaving more like a good SUV than a van, plus it’s hugely spacious inside and cheaper than you’d think if you’re buying on finance. As such, it makes a fantastic alternative to premium electric SUVs such as the BMW iX3 and Tesla Model Y. Our pick Style List price £61,915 Target Price £61,915 Range 255 miles CO2 0g/km For Drives as well as a good SUV; comfortable ride; hugely practical; strong resale values Against Not available as a seven-seater yet; fiddly touch-sensitive controls; efficiency could be better WHAT CAR? SAYS Tesla Model 3 Our pick RWD List price £42,990…

BMW 4 Series Coupé ITS LOOKS MAY 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 £45,600 Target Price £42,836 MPG 42.8 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 40 TFSI…

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo THE ALL-ELECTRIC Taycan rewrote the performance car rulebook in 2021, and now the Cross Turismo has raised the bar even higher. It brings greater versatility, courtesy of a bigger boot and roomier rear seats, plus raised suspension that seems tailor-made for battered British roads. Our preferred 4S version is more than fast enough and comes with the larger of the two batteries (a pricey option on the equivalent regular model). Our pick 4S List price £91,055 Target Price £91,055 Range 304 miles CO2 0g/km For Massive and instantaneous performance; remarkably agile; gorgeous interior; more practical than the regular Taycan Against Charging network isn’t as good as Tesla’s; range could be better WHAT CAR? SAYS Audi E-tron GT Our pick quattro List price £84,000 Target Price £83,167…

LIKE THE ASTRA GSe, the Grandland GSe uses plug-in hybrid (PHEV) tech for more than just saving petrol. You see, this sporty take on the family SUV combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors, pushing up output to 296bhp – making it Vauxhall’s most powerful car. That means that as well as officially being able to run on electricity alone for up to 41 miles, the Grandland GSe can hit 62mph from a standstill in a rapid (for an SUV) 6.1sec. Other changes that set it apart from the single-motor PHEV Grandland include stiffer suspension and meatier steering, sports seats and thicker leather on the steering wheel. The suspension in particular is a great improvement in terms of driver enjoyment, giving much better body control, but the firm…

LIKE THE GAME of golf, the BMW 5 Series has a very respectable, monied image; it’s no coincidence that many a clubhouse has at least one parked outside. And, like the game, the car has adapted to appeal to a changing audience. Its petrol and diesel-powered variants still have a strong following, but the 530e plug-in hybrid is our favourite. Not only will it cost company car drivers less in tax than its non-electrified stablemates (its BIK rating is 12% versus the 520d diesel’s 30%), but it’s better to drive than the rival Mercedes-Benz E300e, with a higher-quality interior. Our pick 530e M Sport (Pro Pack) List price £58,980 Target Price £53,947 Target PCP £642 MPG 188.3 CO2 33g/km  For Good to drive; classy interior; comfy ride on adaptive suspension;…

LIKE A TALENTED young chef being told that, finally, they’ll be making a menu-topping meal by themselves, the XM marks the first time BMW’s famed M performance sub-brand has been allowed to create a model from scratch. And while it’s mostly stuck to the SUV recipe book, it’s also added plenty of strong flavours. Chief among those is a plug-in hybrid set-up that combines a 4.4-litre V8 engine with an electric motor to produce 644bhp. That’s enough to hit 62mph from a standing start in just 4.3sec. And while the rival Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is slightly quicker still (3.8sec), that model has an official electric range of just 25 miles, compared with the XM’s 55 miles. Want even more power? No problem, because an even hotter XM with…

Dan.Jones@haymarket.com IT’S BECOME SOMETHING of a tradition for manufacturers to develop sleeker coupé versions of their existing SUVs for buyers who want a bit more style to go with that practicality. The all-new Citroën e-C4 X, though, flips that on its head. You see, rather than following the crowd, the regular e-C4 has been stretched and turned from a stylish coupé SUV into what should be a more practical saloon. How much more practical? Well, it’s 240mm longer than the e-C4, so the main attraction is that you get a bigger boot than most rivals give you. Beyond the stretched proportions, not much has changed compared with the regular e-C4, so you’ll find the same 134bhp electric motor and 50kWh battery powering the front wheels, and the same 0-62mph sprint…

NEW CARS MIGHT not face their first MOT test until they are four years old, under new proposals being considered by the Government. Currently, new cars must undertake their first roadworthiness test three years after the date they were first registered. The Government is also seeking views on whether subsequent MOT tests should be carried out every two years instead of annually, and what changes could be made to ensure that tests provides adequate checks to assess the operation of the latest safety features. The consultation document states that vehicles are now better built than they were when the MOT test was introduced in 1960, making them more resilient to wear and tear. “There are also huge advances in the systems that provide safety information to the driver,” it states.…

SAVE £1303 Kia Sportage WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 1.6 T-GDi 3 List price £32,000 Target Price £30,697 Target PCP £358 Winner of our 2023 Family SUV of the Year award, the Sportage is a brilliant all-rounder, being comfortable and good to drive, with a spacious and smart-looking interior. The punchy entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine offers the best value, while our preferred 3 trim comes with plenty of kit, including heated front and rear seats and keyless entry. SCAN FOR A GREAT DEAL ON THIS CAR SAVE £1901 Ford Puma ST WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 1.5 Ecoboost 200 Performance Pack List price £32,350 Target Price £30,449 Target PCP £328 Tempted by a Fiesta ST hot hatch but in need of a bit more space and practicality? The Puma ST – our…

Plan to expand the ULEZ is due to go live on 29 August Claire.Evans@haymarket.com IF YOU LIVE or work in Greater London, it will soon become prohibitively expensive to drive an older car. From August, the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanding to cover most of the area inside the M25 motorway, encompassing around 600 square miles of territory and all 32 London boroughs. Owners of cars that don’t meet the required emissions standards – broadly speaking, most diesels registered before September 2015 and petrols sold before January 2006 – will have to pay to drive in the zone. The ULEZ represented the next step after the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced across Greater London in 2008, penalising higherpolluting vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes. The Government…

25p The difference in price between a litre of regular unleaded and regular diesel at the Surrey filling station chosen for our test. WHICH COSTS LESS? 62.7mpg The diesel Peugeot 308 was the most efficient car on test, despite falling a little short of its official fuel economy figure of 65.4mpg. George.Hill@haymarket.com THERE ARE MANY factors that can impact your decision when choosing which fuel to power your car, but one key element is running costs. Traditionally, for those who rack up a lot of miles and make mostly motorway journeys, diesel cars have been the default choice for the additional fuel economy they offer over petrol equivalents. However, after the recent inflation in fuel prices, the cost of diesel has risen significantly above that of petrol; at the time…

NEW Ora Funky Cat First Edition List price £31,995 Target Price £31,995 New Chinese electric hatchback offers cheeky looks and an inviting interior, but can it compete with the class best with an official range of less than 200 miles? MG 4 EV Long RangeTrophy List price £32,495 Target Price £32,495 The MG 4 is our Small Electric Car of the Year in entry-level SE guise, but this time we’re testing it in top spec with a bigger battery and an official range of 270 miles When electric vehicles (EVs) first burst onto the scene, they came with the promise of being kinder to Mother Earth and with running costs that were far lower than petrol and diesel alternatives. While that’s still largely true, the issue is that EVs tend…

This latest Corolla is even more recommendable than the previous version was. True, some rivals are more practical and have more rear seat space, but it lands a number of solid blows on the Civic with its soothing ride, quiet cruising manners and lower buying and running costs. The upgraded engine has significantly improved the way it drives, too. We’d happily point you in the direction of the Corolla if it weren’t for the Civic, which is virtually as impressive in areas such as fuel economy while being quicker, better to drive and more practical, with an even smarter interior. Yes, it costs a little more to buy, but we think the extra outlay is worth it to get the best car in this class. Buy this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals…

Allan.Muir@haymarket.com ASK SOMEONE TO name the burger that’s most synonymous with McDonald’s and there’s a fair chance they’ll say “the Big Mac” without even having to think about it. Love it or hate it, the fast food chain shifts an estimated 900 million Big Macs globally each year – far more than any other burger on its menu – so it’s not an exaggeration to say that it’s been crucial to the brand’s success. The equivalent of the Big Mac for South Korean car maker Kia is the Sportage. Now in its fifth generation, this family SUV is Kia’s top-selling model in the UK and appears regularly in the top 10 overall best-sellers chart. It’s the rock to which Kia’s rise to prominence is anchored, and it’s rightly popular with…

FIRST REPORT Lawrence.Cheung@haymarket.com WHEN PEOPLE FIRST see my Peugeot 308 SW, their initial reaction seems to be: “That looks nice!” And while looks are subjective, it’s quite heartening that an estate car is receiving compliments these days. You see, the estate has long had a bit of an image problem and, to some, it’s still at the bottom end of the cool scale. These days, practicality-led design is about as trendy as a Blackberry phone; it’s easy to use but hardly something to show off in public. The rise of the SUV hasn’t helped sales of the estate car, either, although regular family hatchbacks and saloons have been hit just as hard. The thing is, though, I still use a Blackberry phone (and you can’t even buy a new one…

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 usability. However, crucially, the Jazz outscores its rivals even if you take practicality out of the equation, thanks to its great driving position, strong performance and generous standard kit. Hybrid power makes it really cheap to fuel, too, and slow depreciation helps to make up for relatively high prices. Our pick 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid SR List price £22,795 Target Price £21,977 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 Skoda Fabia Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE…

Volkswagen T-Roc THE T-ROC WAS always a fine buy, but this latest version has raised its game to a new level. A soft ride makes it more comfortable than most of its rivals, while its spacious interior is much smarter looking than the previous model’s. In addition, unlike many of its rivals, it has the high-set driving position that many SUV buyers crave. We’d stick with one of the cheaper models; top-spec T-Rocs are too expensive to be a good bet. Our pick 1.0 TSI 110 Life List price £26,080 Target Price £25,137 MPG 47.1 CO2 136g/km For Comfy ride; quiet on the motorway; spacious and well equipped; big boot; high driving position Against Not as much fun to drive as a Ford Puma; top trims are too pricey; touch-sensitive controls…

Tesla Model 3 AS WELL AS being one of the best electric cars you can buy, the Model 3 makes complete sense for company car drivers too, largely thanks to its lowly 2% benefit-in-kind tax rating and outstanding efficiency. Even the entrylevel RWD version we recommend has a long range, plus it’s good to drive, packed full of tech, reasonably priced and very practical. Tesla’s dedicated public charging network is second to none, too. Our pick RWD List price £42,990 Target Price £42,990 Range 305 miles CO2 0g/km For Class-leading efficiency; fast charging via Tesla’s own network; surprisingly practical; well priced Against Firm low-speed ride; not all that quiet at motorway speeds; not quite as much fun to drive as a BMW 3 Series WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-Benz C-Class Our…

Genesis GV60 UPMARKET SOUTH KOREAN brand Genesis has taken the underpinnings of the excellent Kia EV6 and added an extra layer of polish to create something special for its first dedicated electric car. The GV60 not only offers a generous range and ultra-fast charging but is also extremely refined and has a wonderful interior. In the cheapest rear-wheel-drive guise that we recommend, it’s outstanding value for money, too. Our pick RWD Premium List price £53,905 Target Price £53,905 Range 321 miles CO2 0g/km For Sumptuous interior; comfortable ride; very quiet; generous range; user-friendly infotainment system Against Rear seat space is only average; relatively small boot; you’ll want to add some options WHAT CAR? SAYS BMW iX3 Our pick M Sport List price £64,165 Target Price £62,425 Range 285 miles CO2…

BMW 4 Series Convertible LIKE THE COUPÉ on which it’s based, the 4 Series Convertible feels wonderfully balanced, and combines agile handling with impressive comfort if you specify the Pro Pack’s adaptive suspension. It’s also refined with the roof up or down, and surprisingly practical for a car of this sort, offering space for four adults and a good-sized boot. Throw in an upmarket and well-equipped interior and you’ve got a drop-top that’s hard to fault. Our pick 420i M Sport (Pro Pack) List price £50,400 Target Price £45,843 MPG 40.4 CO2 160g/km For Agile and precise handling; comfortable ride; user-friendly infotainment system; classy interior Against Some visibility issues; rear seats fold flat but don’t split; adjustable lumbar support costs extra WHAT CAR? SAYS Fiat 500C Electric Our pick 42kWh…