Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2023 i What Car?

“I love the car, but I’d never buy another one if it means going back to that dealer. They tell me the service is going to take two hours, but when I arrive, they say they’re actually going to need all day because the car requires software updates. So, I have to completely rearrange my plans at no notice. And then to cap it all, when I collect the car seven hours later, it turns out they haven’t even done the updates.” ‘Many people find franchised dealers dissatisfying when it comes to servicing’ These were the words of my hopping mad mother when she came over for dinner the other night. However, the results of our latest servicing satisfaction survey show she’s far from alone in finding the experience at…

BMW HAS SLASHED the number of diesel-powered models it offers in the UK in response to falling demand. The move means you can no longer get a new diesel version of the 2 Series Coupé, the 4 Series (coupé, convertible and Gran Coupé) or the X2. You can still get diesel variants of the 1 Series, 3 Series and 5 Series, but their engine ranges have been slimmed down. BMW’s decision reflects a reduction in demand for diesel cars across the board. The fuel has been in decline since the ‘Dieselgate’ emissions scandal in 2015, and due to the rising costs associated with running a diesel. At the time of writing, diesel costs an average of 164p per litre, compared with 146p per litre for petrol. In 2016, diesels accounted…

SCAN FOR A GREAT DEAL ON THIS CAR BEST BUY BMW i7 xDrive60 Excellence Pro List price £129,980 Target Price £126,753 Options we’d add Technology Plus Pack (£4200), Executive Pack (£2365), CraftedClarity Controls (£825), BMW UK Service Inclusive (£0)  Total cost of options £7390 ✓ The £2365 Executive Pack gives rear seat passengers the full first-class travel experience. The left-hand seat gains gap-free calf support, with the vacant seat in front tilting forwards to provide extra room and a better view of the road ahead. It’s finished off with an elaborate centre armrest with snazzy glass detailing. ✓ To further gild the i7’s already beautifully finished interior, the CraftedClarity Controls (£825) add an extra level of sensory pleasure. Your money buys crystal glass controllers for the seat adjustment, gear selector,…

Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi HEV 4WD Ultimate List price £47,760 Target Price £45,665 Our current favourite seven-seat SUV combines serious practicality with sensible running costs and a long list of standard kit NEW Nissan X-Trail 1.5 e-Power 213 e-4orce Tekna 7 Seat List price £45,485 Target Price £43,629 Latest version of Nissan’s biggest SUV takes a fresh slant on hybrid power with fuel economy in mind The high-energy sport of Ultimate Frisbee involves two teams of seven players and is officially a non-contact sport – although accidents do happen. These two seven-seat SUVs, then, should be ideal for transporting a team of players without them coming together. The Nissan X-Trail is geared up to appeal to large families with active lifestyles. Our test car combines seven seats with Nissan’s…

Mileage 6462 List price £30,860 Target Price £29,071 Price as tested £30,860 Test economy 43.4mpg MY 308 SW dealt with everything my family could throw at it during our recent holiday, but, after that, its boot was immediately served up another challenge: fitting a Kiall. More specifically, our senior videographer Kiall Garrett, who needed to film from inside the boot of a moving car to get some sharp close-up footage of other vehicles in motion. Fortunately, the 308’s big boot did just the job. And because the 308 is a regular-height estate rather than a high-riding SUV, he got the low-down shots he was after. As a bonus, the 308’s comfortable ride meant the gimbal that stabilises his camera didn’t have to work too hard to keep the footage steady…

SEAT LEON SKODA OCTAVIA SEAT LEON SKODA OCTAVIA COMPARING YOURSELF WITH other family members is an unhealthy habit that we don’t condone. It can have you dwelling on why others who share your DNA seem more successful in life. On the other hand, we highly endorse such comparisons in regards to cars. The Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia, for example, are both born from the Volkswagen family tree and are closely related under the surface. There are a few big differences, though, so an in-depth comparison is essential to get the measure of them. At three years old, the used examples we’re looking at here are a lot cheaper to buy than their new equivalents. They’re powered by 1.5-litre petrol engines that drive the front wheels through six-speed manual gearboxes,…

1 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…

1 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 £42,519 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 BMW X7 Our pick xDrive40i Excellence…

1 Lexus NX IN ITS LATEST iteration, this upmarket large SUV is not only the first Lexus to be offered as a plug-in hybrid but also represents a leap forward for the brand in terms of ride and handling, as well as usability. It’s more practical than the rival Audi Q5, with a classy and well-equipped interior, and it has a relatively long electric range. The NX isn’t just a Lexus you’d buy for its reliability; it’s the best car from the brand in decades. Our pick 450h+ Premium Pack List price £53,300 Target Price £52,514 MPG 313.8 CO2 21g/km For Impressive electric range; strong performance; high-quality interior; Lexus’s reliability record Against Petrol engine isn’t the smoothest; choppy ride at high speeds; Takumi versions are pricey WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-Benz C-Class…

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 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…

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 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…

CAR THIEVES ARE increasingly targeting smaller models in the Midlands, fuelled by a surge in demand for spare parts caused by ongoing supply shortages and the rising cost of new parts. Although the problem of parts being taken from high-value cars to sell elsewhere is nothing new, the head of West Midlands Police’s Vehicle Crime Taskforce (VCT) says criminals are now targeting smaller models as well. In January, nine cars – including three Citroën C1 small cars – were stripped for parts in the Birmingham area alone. Even their body panels were taken. Other cars were targeted in the months leading up to Christmas. Insurer LV General says the theft of steering wheels has risen by 133% since 2017, and that demand for parts such as airbags, dashboards and gearlevers…

EXECUTIVE CAR Peugeot 508 Executive cars without premium badges are thinning out, but this French BMW 3 Series rival has been given a new lease of life. It’s the first model to display Peugeot’s new ‘claw’ lighting design, and it brings a redesigned interior. Diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid options will be carried over. Price from £35,000 (est) COUPÉ SUV BMW X2 Complementing the latest X1 family SUV and its iX1 electric SUV sibling, the new X2 wraps the same mechanical package in a shape that’s more akin to the bigger (and pricier) BMW X4 and X6. Alongside engines shared by the X1, the X2 will offer a hot M35i variant with more than 300bhp. An all-electric iX2 will follow the X2 into showrooms later. Price from £38,000 (est) PERFORMANCE…

Having your car serviced can seem like a financial burden, but keeping it regularly maintained will extend its life and help it retain more of its value. When you come to sell the car, being able to show that your car has been serviced according to its maker’s recommended schedule will make it more appealing and boost its resale value. And if your car is written off after an accident, its insurer is likely to pay out more for a car with a full service history. The technicians working on your car will inspect the condition of the brakes, suspension, tyres and other crucial parts, and this will enable them to identify any potential problems and recommend fixes before they get too serious. In most instances, you should have your…

TESTING PROCESS TO DETERMINE which air fresheners were best, we assessed them for ease of positioning – including if any impeded our view of the road – and how well the fragrance filled the interior. Value for money was also considered, as, of course, was how pleasant we found the scent of each freshener. Our test car was equipped with manual air conditioning, and in order to ensure all products were tested fairly, we turned the fan to its middle setting and closed all the windows. SCAN FOR MORE PRODUCT REVIEWS 1 Lynx Car Freshener Price £4.95 Buy from Amazon Mount type Vent This air freshener impressed with easy installation and a scent (we tested Ice Chill) that filled the car’s interior quickly. It comes with two scented sticks that…

NEW Dacia Sandero 1.0 TCe 90 Expression List price £13,995 Target Price £13,863 Despite a small price increase, the recently facelifted Sandero continues to offer a lot of car for the money, being bigger and more powerful than its rivals Kia Picanto 1.0 DPi ISG 2 List price £14,140 Target Price £13,389 We’ve always been fans of the Picanto’s grown-up feel and nimble handling, but can those things make up for its diminutive size and modest power in this company? NEW Citroën C3 1.2 Puretech 83 S&S You List price £13,995 Target Price £13,995 This new entry-level version of the C3 packs a familiar 1.2-litre petrol engine and, as with all Citroëns, promises to make comfort a high priority CITROEN C3 DACIA SANDERO KIA PICANTO According to billionaire investor Warren Buffett, ‘price’…

1 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 £21,922 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…

1 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 £26,210 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…

1 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 entry-level 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…

1 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 £63,715 Target Price £63,715 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…

1 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 £45,200 Target Price £42,670 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…

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 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…

THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU) has watered down its plans to ban the sale of new combustion-engined cars from 2035 – a decision that could see the UK Government come under pressure to rethink its own ban. Previously, only low-volume manufacturers (those registering less than 1000 vehicles per year) would have been exempt from the ban in the EU. However, new cars that run on e-fuels will now be allowed as well, after pressure was applied by German and Italian officials. E-fuels are made by mixing CO2 captured from the atmosphere with hydrogen that’s been created using renewable energy, so they are claimed to be carbon-neutral. The EU’s U-turn on e-fuels is likely to be welcomed by performance car brands famed for their engines, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche. However,…

SAVE £1035 Hyundai Ioniq 5 WHAT CAR? SAYS Model RWD Premium List price £46,650 Target Price £45,615 Target PCP £599 With distinctive looks that wouldn’t look out of place in a sci-fi film, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the most eye-catching new cars you can buy. And despite it only being launched last year, Hyundai has already given it a minor update to make it even better than before. One of those changes includes the addition of a larger, 77kWh battery, so it can now travel 315 miles (officially) in rear-wheel-drive form. SCAN FOR A GREAT DEAL ON THIS CAR SAVE £4450 Audi Q7 WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 55 TFSI quattro S line List price £66,305 Target Price £61,855 Target PCP £684 One of the biggest strengths of…

Genesis GV60 RWD Premium List price £53,905 Target Price £53,905 Our current favourite electric SUV has a stunning interior, a long official range and ultra-fast charging capability NEW BMW iX1 xDrive30 xLine List price £53,295 Target Price £52,509 The latest BMW X1 has so far failed to impress in petrol form. Can this all-electric version make amends, despite having the shortest official range here? Nissan Ariya 87kWh Advance List price £51,895 Target Price £50,210 The cheapest of the trio comes with lots of kit and has the biggest battery, to give it the longest official range between charges Once upon a time, there was a school of thought that electric cars should look different. That any buyer would want to shout about the fact that they’d bought a futuristic and more environmentally…

1 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 £33,720 Target Price £32,248 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…

1 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…

1 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 electric-only 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 electric-only 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…

1 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…

1 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 £50,000 Target Price £46,075 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…

1 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 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 Range…