Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2024 i What Car?

A FEW YEARS ago, Toyota had a bit of an image problem. Sure, its cars were super-reliable and many of them impressed for fuel economy – but fashionable? Not really – at least not to anyone under retirement age. The C-HR changed all that with its wacky, coupé-inspired styling, and this new, second-generation model promises more tech, more fun and even a bit more space. The new ‘hammerhead’ front end is reminiscent of that of the fully electric bZ4X, and the old boomerang-shaped tail-lights have been replaced by a single light bar stretching across the entire rear end. When you lock or unlock the car, this bar puts on a little light show, displaying the car’s name in red letters. The driving position hasn’t changed much at all, and this…

USB FLASH drives and phones with built-in cameras are just a few of the products launched in the year 2000 that went on to sell in big numbers. Volkswagen’s Touareg SUV made its debut in that year, too, and its first three generations have racked up more than 1.2 million sales globally since then. Now the brand hopes this updated version will continue that success. VW’s flagship SUV, which still shares its underpinnings with the luxurious Bentley Bentayga, gains fresh tech, revised suspension and some styling tweaks – namely updated front and rear lights and a backlit VW badge on the rear. Engine-wise, the entry-level 228bhp 3.0 diesel makes the most sense for private buyers. It’ll effortlessly sprint from 0-62mph in 7.7sec and happily tows up to 3500kg; it even…

What Car? gift subscriptions are an ideal match for car buyers and enthusiasts. Take advantage of our Christmas offer and buy a gift subscription from just £24.99, saving £16.95 on the shop price. Whether they’re car buyers looking for the perfect match or dedicated enthusiasts staying updated on the latest trends, What Car? caters to their unique automotive interests. TIME-LIMITED CHRISTMAS OFFER ENDS 26 DECEMBER Order today Call 0344848 8807quoting X23STPA Visit www.themagazineshop.com/X23STPA/wca See great offers on our other titles at themagazineshop.com TERMS AND CONDITIONS This is a UK-only offer; for overseas offers, please visit themagazineshop.com/X23STPA/wca or call +44 (0) 1604 251 461. All savings are based on the UK cover price of £6.99 and is correct as of September 2023. Please allow up to 35 days for delivery of…

YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD about the low-emissions and clean air zones that are being introduced to towns and cities around the UK in a bid to reduce air pollution caused by nitrogen oxide (NOx) particulates. And if you live in or near Greater London, you’re likely to know someone who’s been affected by the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Now some local councils around England are introducing a range of new parking fees that have a similar emissions-reducing goal. However, instead of targeting older, more polluting cars (as the ULEZ and regional clean air zones do), the new emissions-based parking tariffs affect all petrol and diesel cars, including the latest, low-particulate models. The first council outside London to introduce emissions-based fees in its public car parks is Bath…

NEW Jeep Avenger Summit List price £39,600 Target Price £39,212 The first fully electric car in Jeep’s 80-year history is a small SUV that makes its petrol-powered predecessors seem positively prehistoric Smart #1 Premium List price £38,950 Target Price £38,950 Marking a fresh start for Smart, the #1 has already impressed us in a previous group test, but can it get the better of the Avenger? There’s a lot to be said for the legacies our predecessors leave in their wake. After all, it’s often what people judge you by before they’ve even met you, and these instinctive, impersonal takes are hard to shake. It isn’t impossible to turn their opinions around, though, and these two electric SUVs are here to prove that. Take the new Jeep Avenger, for example.…

NEW MG 4 Long Range Trophy List price £32,495 Target Price £31,693 In high-end Trophy trim, the new MG 4 EV comes packed with kit, yet is still temptingly affordable USED Hyundai Ioniq 5 73kWh RWD Premium Price now £29,000* Price when new £41,945 Is a used example of this comfy, practical electric car as striking a purchase as it is to look at? *Price now is based on a 2022 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing IF YOU’VE WATCHED The Equalizer, you’ll have witnessed the title character’s remarkable ability to shift the odds in his favour. And here, a used Hyundai Ioniq 5 is doing the same. No longer is it a £40,000-plus car like it was when it was new; at…

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT consider it vandalism, but street art is an undeniably dramatic way of making a statement, whether that be a political message or to raise awareness of social or environmental issues. As far as I know, Skoda hasn’t resorted to graffiti as a means of promoting its cars, but it has succeeded in grabbing our attention with the Enyaq Coupé. The message it’s sending is that this electric SUV is a different kind of car for Skoda – one that adds a large dose of style to the brand’s usual sensible, practical approach. The slightly cartoonish looks of my range-topping vRS version might not be to everyone’s taste, but they’ve dominated most of the conversations I’ve had about the car over the past six months, much more so…

Mileage 1034 List price £33,915 Target Price £32,350 Price as tested £35,935 Test economy 40.3mpg AUTONOMOUS SENSORY MERIDIAN Response is a tingling sensation running down your spine that can be stimulated by listening to something extremely satisfying. The sounds that trigger this response vary from person to person, but I’m happy to report that, for me, one of them is found in my Audi Q2. You see, unlike some small SUV rivals, my Q2 features user-friendly dials for both its climate control and infotainment system. And those controls not only look and feel built to last, but also move with a clicking sound that sets my spine tingling. I’ll often find myself fiddling with them when stationary.To me, they’re as calming as a cup of chamomile tea, so I’m glad…

AS A KID, I wanted to design cars when I grew up, so I’d always be excited to read about an all-new model in a car magazine, or to see a concept car at a motor show. Even more thrilling, though, was when an unfamiliar marque suddenly burst on to the scene, bringing limitless possibilities to my beloved world of cars. Now I’m 42, but the BYD Atto 3 on my driveway has me thinking like an eight-year-old once again. You see, I might be as jaded and cynical as the next middle-aged bloke, but I still find it exciting when a new brand joins the automotive fray – especially if it brings new ways of thinking, either in terms of design or technology. BYD is just such a brand.…

In production 2019-present Price from £14,000 Our favourite version 1.0 Ecoboost mHEV 155 ST-Line ALTHOUGH PUMAS ARE spectacular wild cats, they aren’t very practical. After all, they can’t carry much luggage, they can’t do motorway speeds and there’s always the looming possibility that they’ll eat you. The Ford Puma, on the other hand, is devoid of these shortcomings and actually very practical. Not only would we recommend it over the animal of the same name, but we’d choose one over all of the Puma’s second-hand rivals; that’s why it’s our reigning Used SUV of the Year. The engine line-up is simple: a 1.0-litre turbo with mild hybrid electrical assistance (to help boost performance and fuel economy) and an output of either 123bhp or 153bhp. Of these, there’s no bad choice,…

1 Hyundai i20 N THERE’S SOMETHING SLIGHTLY oldschool 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 £26,530 Target Price £26,028 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 £45,295 Target Price £41,917 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 2 BMW X7 Our pick xDrive40d Excellence…

1 Mercedes-Benz GLC GIVEN THAT THE majority of plug-in hybrids are run as company cars, the GLC 300e is a compelling choice, with a classleading electric range (up to 80 miles officially) that puts it in the low, 5% BIK tax bracket. If you plug it in regularly and do mostly short journeys, your running costs should be lower than those of rivals. There are good reasons for private buyers to consider it as well: it’s spacious and practical inside, plus it’s a refined cruiser. Our pick 300e AMG Line Premium List price £68,210 Target Price £68,210 MPG 565.0 CO2 12g/km For Outstanding electric-only range; low BIK tax rating; spacious rear seats; quiet and comfortable cruiser Against Disappointing fuel economy when battery is depleted; Mercedes’ so-so reliability record; spongy brakes WHAT…

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 £35,765 Target Price £35,765 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 2 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 £33,110 Target Price £31,167 MPG 42.2 CO2 152g/km For Hugely entertaining handling; tuneful and punchy engine; relatively cheap to buy and run Against Occasionally bouncy ride; infotainment system could be slicker; Volkswagen T-Roc is bigger in the back WHAT CAR? SAYS 2 Porsche Cayenne Coupé Our pick S List price £90,705…

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 the two batteries (a pricey option on the equivalent regular model). Our pick 4S List price £95,255 Target Price £95,255 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 2 Audi E-tron GT Our pick quattro List price £86,850 Target Price £82,759…

WHEN CHINESE COMPANY Geely acquired the then-ailing Volvo brand back in 2010, it likened the Swedish manufacturer to a tiger in captivity. “We need to liberate this tiger,” Geely said at the time. “The tiger belongs to a forest; it can’t be found in a zoo.” Well, in the 13 years since then, the tiger has well and truly escaped from captivity, made itself at home in the jungle and released a string of very impressive products. And the new Volvo EX30 might be the best of the lot. It’s a fully electric SUV that’s based on the same underpinnings as other SUVs in the Geely portfolio, such as the Smart #1 and Zeekr X. As well as competing with those two, the EX30 faces a host of other rivals,…

IF YOU WANT to see the difference between the updated Audi Q8 and the old one, you might be best off in the dark. In such conditions, you’ll better notice its new headlight design and how the daytime running light strip now runs along the top of the unit rather than the bottom. A more diligent inspection will reveal the new digital OLED rear lights, which automatically light up when stationary to warn approaching cars if they don’t stop within two metres. And, when the sun rises, you might spot the tweaked grille and that three new paint options are available. Thing is, while making such gentle tweaks midway through a car’s life cycle can often be a real missed opportunity, in the case of the Q8, it doesn’t feel…

SUZUKI HAS OPTED for evolution rather than revolution with its new-generation Swift small hatchback, which is due to go on sale late next year. This near-production-ready concept, revealed at theTokyo motor show last month, gives strong hints as to what the new model will look like. It reproduces the current Swift’s general outline, with a few relatively subtle changes. Differences include a more defined top half and bottom half, with a black roof and rear pillars that flow down to the bottom of the windows. And unlike on the current car – which has the rear door handles semi-hidden in the window frames – the concept’s are in a more conventional location on the door panels, below a well-defined crease that runs the length of the car. The bonnet appears…

IF THE ESTATE version of the outgoing Skoda Superb was a football team, it would be the championship-winning Arsenal side of 2003-2004 or the AC Milan one of 1991-1992, because, like them, it proved invincible. In addition to winning every group test in which we entered it, it took home our Estate Car of theYear Award eight times. So, it’s safe to say that the all-new version has big boots to fill. Speaking of which, the size of the Superb Estate’s luggage area has always been one of its strengths, and the new car’s is larger than ever, at 690 litres (up 30 litres on its predecessor’s). For context, the BMW 5 Series Touring – itself a fine load-lugger – makes do with a capacity of 570 litres. As before,…

State of roads a worry for drivers Top concerns of motorists revealed in new RAC report THE POOR CONDITION of roads, the rising cost of fuel and the poor standards of other motorists’ driving have been revealed as the top concerns of British drivers. That’s according to the latest RAC Report on Motoring – an annual survey of the roadside rescue organisation’s members. The results show that almost half of drivers surveyed (49%) labelled poor road conditions as a concern in 2023 – the highest figure since the report first began in 2015. More than two-thirds of drivers noted that the condition of local roads they drive on regularly had deteriorated in the past year. Around a third (35%) said they had been forced to swerve quickly to avoid a…

Would you like to be part of a future Reader Test Team? Email us with your details at readertestteam@whatcar.com Check out other electric SUVs in our buyer’s guide on p115 The Tiguan family SUV is very important to Volkswagen; it’s been on sale for 15 years and has been its best-seller every year since 2017. So important is it that ‘Tiguan’ is one of the few names that VW will keep when it transitions to an all-electric line-up; the others are ‘Golf’ and ‘Golf GTI’. The pressure is on, then, for the new, 2024 Tiguan to take on the mantle and run with it. Roughly the same size as the outgoing model, it will initially be available with a range of petrol, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and diesel engines, with an…

TESTING PROCESS KEEPING YOUR DOG secure when it’s travelling in your car is a legal requirement, as well as being vital for safety. An unsecured dog can sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash, and can cause similar injuries for others in the car. Thankfully, there are purpose-made restraints that attach to your rear seatbelts. With the help of Luther, the Labrador-Staffie cross, we tested them for fit, ease of use and Luther’s apparent comfort, in that most dog-friendly of cars: a Skoda Superb Estate. SCAN FOR MORE PRODUCT REVIEWS 1 Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength In-Car Dog Harness Price £35.99 Buy from Kurgo.uk The mountain-climbing webbing used by the Tru-Fit (crash-tested for dogs up to 34kg), is narrower than that of the 3 Peaks (below), so it probably isn’t quite as…

NEW Honda e:Ny1 Advance List price £47,195 Target Price £47,195 Honda’s second fully electric car (after the cute E hatchback) is a much more practical SUV with an official range of 256 miles USED Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin AWD Ultimate Price now £47,000* Price when new £60,300 Range-topping version of Volvo’s electric SUV packs lots of power and a longer official range than the e:Ny1; it’s a tempting used buy *Price now is based on a 2022 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing THE QUESTION OF what happened to legendary aviator Amelia Earhart is one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries, but our two-star rating of Honda’s first electric car, the E, is not. You only have to look at that small hatchback’s…

NEW Dacia Sandero 1.0 TCe 90 Expression  List price £14,795  Target Price £14,621 It may be one of Britain’s cheapest new cars, but the Sandero won’t leave you feeling short-changed USED Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost 140 ST-Line  Price now £13,000*  Price when new £20,440 The Fiesta has long been an immensely popular used car, and we rate its driving experience highly *Price now is based on a 2021 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing NOT TOO LONG ago, less than £10,000 was easily enough to buy you a new set of wheels. Today, that kind of money is still more than enough for the wheels – just not the rest of the car. You’ll need to spend five figures or there’ll be no brand-new car…

Mileage 7800 List price when new (2022) £99,245 Price new with options £100,790 Value now £100,186 Test economy 30.2mpg “ISN’T IT DIFFICULT to drive such a big car? Don’t you find it a nightmare to park?” I’ve been asked these things a lot since I took delivery of my Range Rover Sport (most recently by the father of one of the other students in my daughter’s ballet class). However, while you can become acutely aware of the Sport’s width when the road or parking bay is particularly narrow, in most situations the honest answer to both questions is: “No, not at all.” It helps that you sit high enough to look HGV drivers in the eye, so can see a long way down the road, even when traffic is heavy. Plus,…

Mileage 3833 List price £28,235 Target Price £26,408 Price as tested £28,235 Test economy 41.6mpg AS I MENTIONED in my first report, GS trim offers (to my eyes) the best value for money in the Mokka line-up. But the piece of kit it includes that I’m most grateful for is the ‘panoramic rear-view camera’, which gives a crystal-clear view of what’s behind the car, plus a handy 180-degree birds-eye view. It’s a good thing the camera is so good, because I’m not getting on well with the Mokka’s parking sensors. These are extremely sensitive, frequently going off as I pass parked cars in town.And when I try to use them to help with parking, they start to beep continuously long before I’m anywhere near the object I’m reversing towards. Sadly,…

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 Elegance List price £26,395 Target Price £25,572 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 2 Skoda Fabia Our pick 1.0 TSI 95…

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 £27,815 Target Price £26,414 MPG 47.4  CO2 135g/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 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 £39,990 Target Price £39,990 Range 318 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 2 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 sevenseater yet; fiddly touch-sensitive controls; efficiency could be better WHAT CAR? SAYS 2 Tesla Model 3 Our pick RWD List price £39,990…

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 £46,235 Target Price £43,554 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 2 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 GTS List price £75,575 Target Price £75,575 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 CAR?…

NOWADAYS THERE’S AN electric SUV to suit just about everyone – unless, that is, you want to carry around seven people in comfort. Sure, the Mercedes-Benz EQB has enough seats for the job, but adults in the third row really won’t relish a road trip. Well, the Kia EV9 is here to shake up the status quo. It’s the biggest car the Korean brand has ever sold in the UK, it’s available with a choice of six or seven seats, and it looks like nothing else on the road. Let’s start with those looks, because earlier this year you voted the EV9 the car you were most looking forward to seeing in 2023. Indeed, it racked up more than three times as many votes as anything else. That was based…

APPLE AND TESLA both identify as tech companies, but they have very different attitudes toward product updates. While Apple’s iPhone is updated with clockwork regularity, Tesla has previously given only one of its four models, the Model S, a major update since its UK launch in 2014. This makes the facelifted Model 3 particularly significant. Externally, the previous slightly bulbous headlights are now slimmer, the front foglights have gone, and there’s a reshaped rear bumper and smaller C-shaped rear lights. These changes not only lend the Model 3 a sleeker look but are also said to improve aerodynamic efficiency. As a result, despite the battery capacity being unchanged at 57.5kWh (usable) for the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and 75kWh (usable) for the four-wheel-drive Long Range, the former’s official range jumps from…

YOU KNOWWHAT you’re getting when you visit a restaurant that’s part of a familiar chain; a Nando’s or a Zizzi serves up exactly the same food whether you’re in Exeter or Edinburgh. It’s always exciting, though, to try somewhere new. Nio is just that, but with cars rather than food. Nio is a Chinese firm that has its sights set on the European car market. It joins a flurry of brands – including Genesis and Polestar – that are hungry to steal sales from established premium names, such as Audi and BMW. While Nio already has a wide range of models on sale in some European countries (including the ET5 executive car, the ET5 Touring estate, the ET7 luxury saloon and the EL7 luxury SUV), the EL6 family SUV will…

THINK OF A type of car and there’s probably an SUV version. Want a convertible SUV? No problem. Want an SUV that sounds and drives more like a sports car? That’s covered, too. Indeed, there’s no shortage of performance SUVs these days, but there aren’t many that can hold a candle to the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S in terms of outright acceleration. The previous V8-powered car was the quickest SUV we’d ever tested when it arrived back in 2018, and with a 0-62mph time of 3.5sec, this new GLC 63 S E Performance has even more pace. That’s perhaps not surprising, given that it mates the world’s most powerful mass-produced four-cylinder engine with a rear-mounted electric motor for a total of 670bhp. You see, this new version adopts a plug-in…

SCAN FOR A GREAT DEAL ON THIS CAR SAVE £1466 Hyundai Kona WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 1.6 Hybrid N Line List price £31,825 Target Price £30,359 Target PCP £333 With a design inspired by the Ioniq 5 electric car’s, the new Kona has a much more distinctive look than before. However, it’s not just its appearance that has moved on, because the Kona is more spacious than before. Plus, this hybrid version is quiet, smooth and efficient. WHAT IS TARGET PRICE? TheTarget Price is what we consider to be a fair price for your new car. It’s set by our team of mystery shoppers, who spend all day haggling to see what deals are available. Most of our dealers will match this price if you use our New Car Buying…

NAVIGATING THE WORLD of child car seats, with all its jargon and advertising spiel, can be confusing. A child seat can also be a big expense, and it’s one of the most vital pieces of safety equipment you’ll buy for your child, so it’s important to make an informed choice. The first thing to check is that a seat complies with the latest R129 safety regulations rather than the older R44 certification. R129 seats are put through more rigorous testing than R44 seats. In addition to the front and rear collisions that are required for R44, R129 seats undergo a side impact collision, and the crash test dummy has 32 sensors, compared with just three before, so more information can be gathered about potential injuries. R129 also states that seats…

Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 AMG Line Premium Plus List price £86,345 Target Price £85,345 While the i5 has petrol-powered siblings, the EQE has been designed from the ground up as an electric car, with an official range of 337 miles in this high-spec guise NEW BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro List price £77,455 Target Price £77,455 In its latest iteration, BMW’s 5 Series gets an allelectric option for the first time, featuring cutting-edge tech and a long official range of up to 352 miles When the publisher in charge of Enid Blyton’s ever-popular books revealed its plans to modernise them for today’s more ‘progressive’ readers, it triggered a mixed reaction. Some fervent fans lamented that the original text’s sharp-edged spirit had been sacrificed to what they considered unnecessary censorship, while others…

NEW Skoda Karoq 1.0 TSI 110 SE Drive List price £28,365 Target Price £26,561 It was treated to a mid-life refresh last year, but the Karoq has always been a superb all-rounder USED Audi Q3 35 TFSI S line S tronic Price now £28,000* Price when new £34,150 The Q3 packs more power and promises similar practicality, plus it has the prestige of that Audi badge *Price now is based on a 2021 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing IF YOU WATCH TV or YouTube, you’ve probably been unable to avoid Asda’s blind taste test advert. It’s the one where people sample similar products from Asda and a luxury brand, but no one is told which is which. They then decide which tastes better…

NEW Lexus NX 450h+ Premium Pack (Lexus Link Pro Pack) List price £56,900 Target Price £55,359 Our reigning Plug-in Hybrid of the Year is frugal and refined, with the promise of stellar reliability USED BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport Price now £52,000* Price when new £66,665 For a little less, the posh X5 saves you £14k from new when bought at two years old *Price now is based on a 2021 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing THE X5 WAS BMW’S first ever SUV. First arriving in the UK way back in the year 2000, it was a great success from day one, going on to spawn a whole generation of X-branded BMW SUVs of various shapes and sizes. Arguably, though, it’s the X5 that…

Mileage 8837 List price £90,050 Target Price £86,984 Price as tested £107,110 Test economy 28.5mpg IN A PREVIOUS report, I boasted about how lavishly equipped my BMW X7 is. But after reading it, deputy reviews editor Neil Winn pointed out that BMW makes motorbikes with similar levels of kit. The list of manufacturers who produce both cars and motorcycles isn’t huge – Honda and Suzuki are the other big ones – although in recent years there have been a few collaborations between makers of two and four-wheeled machines; for example, Yamaha and Abarth teamed up to make similar-liveried special editions of the former’s XSR900 retro bike and the latter’s 695 hot hatch. BMW, though, is (at least to my knowledge) the only manufacturer that sells its cars and motorcycles from…

WHEN I WAS a child, I remember watching the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with glee. And if Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy and Sneezy had decided to carpool rather than walk to work (no doubt whistling all the way), I reckon my new Dacia Jogger would have been an ideal choice. For starters, there’s the simple fact that it has enough seats for all of them. But it’s also an absolute bargain – costing around half as much as the rival Mercedes-Benz B-Class and Volkswagen Touran – so they wouldn’t have had to strike it lucky down the mine before they could afford one. That value element was key to me choosing a Jogger, too. And once I’d made that decision, speccing the car was refreshingly…

Mileage 7084 List price £61,855 Target Price £58,805 Price as tested £60,635 Test range 210 miles I’M PLEASED TO report that the stone-chipped windscreen that I mentioned last month was quickly and efficiently replaced by my local Volvo service department. And the final bill came to £900 – including a lot of sensor recalibration – which is £400 less than the original estimate. With my XC40 Recharge back in tip-top condition, it swiftly found itself pressed into family duties again, taking on the traditional Volvo role of load-lugger. I’d blithely offered to build my mother a rockery for her birthday earlier this year, not comprehending the vast quantity of coarse gravel, topsoil and large stones I’d need to get from the shops to her garden. I was rather nervous about loading…

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 £36,495 Target Price £35,168 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 2 Toyota Corolla…

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 £32,560 Target Price £31,080 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 2 Genesis GV60 Our pick RWD Premium List price £54,105 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 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 P460e Dynamic SE List price £92,980 Target Price £92,980 MPG 392.6 CO2 16g/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 2 BMW i7 Our pick xDrive60 Excellence Pro List price£134,070…

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 £54,105 Target Price £54,105 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 2 Smart #1 Our pick Premium List price £38,950  Target Price £38,950 Range 273 miles CO2 0g/km…

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 £51,275 Target Price £47,794 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 2 Fiat 500C Electric Our pick 42kWh…