Auto Express 17.08.2022_downmagaz.net

COMPACT EXECUTIVES FROM £9,000 INTERIOR It’s the A4’s quality that really sets it apart from the alternatives. The fine materials are backed up by cutting-edge tech YOU don’t need to spend as much cash as you’d on offer, plus V6 diesels and up to 345bhp available in the think to cut a dash in the corporate car park, as the high-performance S4 range-topper. Pre-facelift S4s had a handsome and desirable A4 proves. Often falling just turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, which was dropped in 2019. behind the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class in the pecking order as a new car, the Audi comes out on top However, the real highlight of the A4 is its interior, which when it comes to the second-hand market. oozes premium appeal and is dripping with cutting-edge Despite strong residuals, you only need to spend £9,000 tech. Its slick infotainment is packed with features, while to bag a well maintained example of this classy and capable the latest driver aids bring added confidence. Those sitting saloon. At this price you’ll be looking at models with more in the rear get more space than in rivals, while the 480-litre than 100,000 miles on the clock, but the A4’s beautiful boot swallows everything from golf clubs to camping gear. build quality means it’ll look and feel like it’s done half that. Spend a few thousand pounds more and you’ll be able High demand from fleet users when new means there are to take your pick of lower-mileage cars with impeccable plenty to choose from, so you can afford to be picky. The history. And while you won’t be having as much fun as understated SE has the edge for comfort, while S Line adds you would in a 3 Series, the Audi is still good to drive, some subtle visual aggression. But whichever model you with precise steering, accurate handling and lots of grip, choose, you’re guaranteed a classy exec that can do it all. especially with the optional quattro four-wheel-drive AUSWEDACRADRS system. It’s impressively refined, too, and despite a firm low-speed ride, it serves up first-class comfort. WINNER 2022 In terms of engines, the punchy and fuel-efficient 2.0-litre diesel is still hard to beat, combining 189bhp with an easy BAEUSDTICAO4MPACT EXECUTIVE 50mpg. But there’s also an array of refined petrol engines REAR SEATS It may be called a compact executive car, but there’s more passenger space in the Audi than in its rivals PRACTICALITY There are no complaints about the 480- litre boot. It takes anything from golf clubs to camping gear Special Issue 51

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 AUSWEDACRADRS WINNER 2022 BVEOSLTVEOXESC9U0TIVE CAR THE used-car market has endured a leather-upholstered seats. You get the brand’s Volvo S90BEST USED EXECUTIV turbulent 12 months, but this sleek semi-autonomous driver safety aids, while Swedish saloon’s status as a top second-hand options to look out for include the Bang & OUR PICK D4 Momentum (2019/6 buy remains. With a compelling combination Olufsen stereo and handy head-up display. of style, comfort and value, the S90 scoops its COMMENDED third Used Car Award trophy on the bounce. Soft suspension and whisper-quiet So what makes this such a cracking used refinement mean few cars are as relaxing to BMW 5 Series Mk7 buy? Well, there’s the low price for starters. drive, while the four-cylinder petrol and diesel Struggles with new-car supply mean values engines combine with a slick eight-speed auto IF you value driving thrills above all else, then the of pre-owned models are up across the board, for effortless progress. And while it’s not as fine-handing 5 Series is still hard to beat. You’re also but a mint-condition D4 Momentum with a entertaining as a BMW 5 Series, the Volvo’s spoiled for choice when it comes to engines, with petrol, fully stamped history and less than 35,000 accurate steering and tenacious grip mean diesel and plug-in options, as well as the tyre-smoking miles will give you change from £19,000. you don’t have to avoid the long way home. M5 – although the quick and efficient 520d covers most That’s thousands less than you’ll fork out bases. Cutting-edge tech and an upper-class cabin only for any premium-badged German rival. If you want a touch more excitement, then add to the BMW’s considerable appeal. Despite the lower price, the Volvo won’t the T8 plug-in hybrid will zap to 62mph in leave you feeling short-changed. This is under five seconds, yet will hum along in www.autoexpress.co.uk especially true inside, where the car’s cool zero- emissions EV mode for more than 20 Scandinavian style and first-rate finish create miles and claims more than 100mpg. a club class sense of calm. Those sitting in the back also get limousine-like space, while the “Soft suspension and driver and passenger benefit from some whisper-quiet refinement of the comfiest seats in the class. mean few cars are as There’s no shortage of kit either, with relaxing – or as effortless – all versions getting the firm’s neat portrait- to drive as the S90” oriented infotainment, climate control and 52 Special Issue

EXECUTIVE CARS FROM £19,000 FINANCE OPTIONS PRACTICALITY It’s very spacious back here, with cleverly BOOT Large enough to take two large suitcases and hand designed front seats freeing up legroom for passengers luggage. There’s a bit of underfloor storage on offer, too UPMARKET cars normally cost big money, but used Volvo INTERIOR S90s are surprisingly good value. Even 2019 models start High-quality at less than £20,000, with materials and monthly payments of £403 top-notch fit and on a four-year hire purchase finish mean the contract with a £3,000 deposit. S90 is a great to Other new cars have lower spend time in as monthlies, but those will be a passenger on PCP finance and you’ll have or driver to make a large optional final payment to buy them. Not with this Volvo on HP. In association with VE CAR 68, 51k miles, £19,490) LEFT-FIELD www.autoexpress.co.uk Lexus GS450h HYBRID executive saloons are all the rage these days, but it was Lexus that led the charge, with its GS450h. Featuring a 341bhp petrol-electric 3.5-litre V6 and rear- wheel drive, the Japanese machine is surprisingly fun to drive. Legendary reliability also means there’s less to go wrong than you’d think. It also comes crammed with standard kit, yet prices start at a bargain £2,500. Special Issue 53

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 BLEND High-quality interior mixes traditional materials with the latest tech ACCOMMODATION With beautiful trim and lots of space, PRACTICALITY Split tailgate is a Range Rover trademark, BEST USED LUX it’s just as comfortable in the back seats as it is in the front and it opens to reveal a suitably versatile, spacious boot www.autoexpress.co.uk COMMENDED Mercedes S-Class LAST year’s winner has to settle for the runner-up spot this time around. It remains as beautifully built, comfortable and enjoyable to drive as ever, and even newer rivals still struggle to match its advanced kit. The opulent long-wheelbase model offers unrivalled space, while the S 350 d combines strong performance and 40mpg fuel economy. LEFT-FIELD Aston Martin Rapide YOU’LL need deep pockets to run a Rapide, but with prices now starting at £60,000, it costs half what it did when new. Under the long bonnet, the snarling 6.0-litre V12 serves up supercar-style acceleration, while the handling is agile and engaging. The ride is firm and the luxuriously appointed interior is cramped, but few four-door cars offer such a sense of occasion. 54 Special Issue

LUXURY CARS FROM £20,000 AUSWEDACRADRS FINANCE OPTIONS WINNER 2022 WITH new Range Rovers costing upwards of £100,000 and the BREASNTGLUE XRUORVYERCAR Sport from more than £80,000, you’ll need deep pockets to buy one. Unless you pick a used model, in which case you can get a 2015 example for less than £30,000. That equates to monthly payments of £674 on a four-year hire purchase contract with a £3,000 deposit. That’s more palatable than the £2,294 per month needed for a brand- new entry-level model on HP. In association with URY CAR HANDLING Range Rover Although the OUR PICK TDV6 Vogue www.autoexpress.co.uk Range Rover is (2015/65, 65k miles, £29,844) all about comfort, it’s surprisingly THERE’S an all-new Range Rover in showrooms, V8 to plug-in hybrid, there’s something for everyone. Yet composed in the which means there’s never been a better time to for us, the tried and tested 255bhp 3.0-litre V6 serves up snap up an example of its equally excellent predecessor. a winning blend of pace, efficiency and durability. bends, too Despite being nearly a decade old, the brilliant Brit’s combination of cosseting luxury, impressive tech and As you’d expect, comfort is the order of the day. Soft go-anywhere ability means it’s still at the top of its game. air suspension allows you to waft over the worst bumps, Yet the really good news is that you can get your hands while wind and road noise are kept to a minimum. A on this automotive icon for less than the price of a new commanding driving position and excellent visibility Ford Focus. For that fairly modest sum, you get one of the mean the Range Rover is surprisingly wieldy in the urban most comfortable, capable luxury cars ever built. Imposing jungle, while direct steering and strong composure allow looks mean it still feels at home rubbing shoulders with it to deal deftly with a series of corners. And with its the jet set, while the spacious interior mixes traditional sophisticated four-wheel-drive system, the Rangie is wood and leather with the latest tech. It’s practical, too, equally at home off the beaten track. with a big boot and that trademark split tailgate. On the move, the Range Rover’s serenity is enhanced Electrical glitches can be expensive to rectify, and by engines and auto gearboxes that deliver power and as with most luxury cars you’ll have to budget more for refinement in equal measure. From supercharged petrol running costs. But find a well cared-for example with a fully stamped history and you’ll be rewarded with one of the most desirable and versatile luxury cars ever. Special Issue 55

CBEiStTrUoSEeDnMPGV rand C4 Picasso OUR PICK 1.6 HDi 120 Exclusive (2016/16, 29k miles, £13,150) COMMENDED FINANCE OPTIONS SEAT Alhambra THE Grand C4 Picasso is a sensible car with a sensible IT’S another podium for the sensible SEAT that £13,150 price tag. That means makes up for in space what it lacks in style. monthly payments of £255 on a That boxy body covers a vast seven-seat cabin, four-year hire purchase contract while sliding rear side doors make it easy to with a £3,000 deposit – £15,235 get in and out. It feels surprisingly poised to overall. With HP, you own the car drive, while the punchy, frugal TDI diesels once the last monthly payment really suit the slick DSG twin-clutch gearbox. has been made; there’s no large optional final payment needed LEFT-FIELD to buy it, as is the case with PCP. So, when the contract ends, Chevrolet Orlando you’re free to keep the car, with no more monthly payments. SAVAGE depreciation means the Orlando is great if you need to carry seven on a budget. In association with Awkward looks and a low-rent interior dent its appeal, but the Chevy is spacious, robust and well equipped. And while it’s not great to drive, it’s fairly composed and comfortable. Crucially, clean examples cost just £2,000. 56 Special Issue

MPVs FROM £4,000 INTERIOR The design of the dash is very distinctive, but it’s well built and the infotainment is full of features SALES of MPVs have slumped over the past few years, storage spaces. The well equipped interior feels surprisingly as buyers opted for rugged and more fashionable SUV robust, too, and the boldly and distinctively styled dash alternatives. As a result, values of used people carriers have houses a large TFT instrument cluster and touchscreen also taken a hit – and that’s great news for used buyers, infotainment system that’s packed with features. because no other cars offer so much space for so little cash. The best in the business is the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, Of course, the easy-going Grand C4 Picasso is hardly a or Grand C4 Spacetourer as it was renamed after a subtle car that’ll get your pulse racing when you’re behind the facelift in 2018. Bursting with French design flair and wheel, but its supple ride, strong refinement and light crammed with numerous family-friendly features, the controls will help keep stress levels low on the school run. cleverly packaged seven-seater takes our Used MPV of There is a wide variety of engines to choose from as well, the Year trophy for third year on the trot. but our favourite is the responsive and frugal 1.6-litre HDi. Like all the best family cars, the Grand C4 feels like it’s been designed from the inside out. For starters, the seats Speaking of cash, prices remain keen, with less than in the third row are roomy enough for adults and are easy £4,000 needed to secure a usable example. Spend to access. In the middle row, the three separate sliding £10,000 and you’ll get the keys to a mint low-mileage and reclining seats each have their own ISOFIX mounting. model that’ll leave you in seven-seater seventh heaven. There’s a big boot, too, with a healthy 793 litres of carrying AUSWEDACRADRS capacity in five-seat mode. Drop all five rear seats and you’re left with a whopping 2,181 litres to play with. WINNER 2022 The large windows create a great view out as well as a bright and airy atmosphere inside, while you’ll struggle to BCEITSTROMEPNV GRAND C4 PICASSO find enough odds and ends to fill all the cubbyholes and ON THE ROAD ACCOMMODATION In contrast to some other MPVs, the As with many Citroens, the focus Grand C4 has enough space for adults in the third row is on comfort, but that’s ideal for a family car PRACTICALITY In five-seat mode, the boot capacity is 793 litres, but that expands to 2,181 with every rear seat down Special Issue 57

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 FINANCE OPTIONS THE Audi A5 might look sharper than the A4 upon which it’s based, but it’s still a practical and relatively affordable option. Spread the cost of a £21,999 A5 across a four-year hire purchase deal and it’ll cost £477 a month, with the overall total amounting to £25,901. Hire purchase is easy to budget for, without the optional final payment – which could be as much as half of the price at the start of the contract – that you get with PCP finance. In association with COMMENDED ORONATDHE Porsche Cayman Strong grip and good body FEW cars at any price can match the sublime Cayman control mean the for immersive driver thrills. Its beautifully balanced A5 is a fine drive. mid-engined layout delivers deliciously agile and Four-wheel-drive adjustable handling, while its flat-six engine’s spine- examples feel tingling soundtrack is matched by punchy performance. particularly However, prices of used examples are on the rise, so if sure-footed you want one, buy now before it’s too late. LEFT-FIELD Alfa Romeo Brera WITH its distinctive looks and prices starting from less than £2,000, the Brera is a great choice for buyers looking to cut a dash without spending much cash. Slightly cumbersome handling means the Alfa isn’t quite as much fun to drive as you might expect, but the rasping four-cylinder and growling V6 motors sound great, plus it doesn’t rust like Alfas of old. 58 Special Issue

COUPES FROM £18,995 ABESuT UdSEiDACO5UPECoupé OUR PICK 2.0 TFSI 190 Sport (2019/68, 14k miles, £21,999) INTERIOR With its high- class materials and luxurious finish, the A5 is everything you expect of an Audi AUSWEDACRADRS IF you want to get striking looks for less cash, then engaging to drive. However, the Audi’s quick steering, the A5 Coupé should be at the top of your used-car strong grip and good body control mean it feels agile WINNER 2022 shopping list. Blending head-turning looks with sharp enough, while examples with quattro all-wheel drive driving dynamics and a decent dose of practicality, the feel planted and poised in all weather conditions. Find BAEUSDTICAO5UPE elegant Audi manages to pack style and substance. a model with optional adaptive dampers and the Audi Admittedly, it’s not quite as attention-grabbing as can be turned into a relaxing GT at the touch of a button. more rakish rivals, but the A5 is beautifully proportioned, neatly detailed and dripping in premium appeal. Equally The pick of the engine range is the refined and responsive impressive is the interior, which is packed with cool metal 188bhp 2.0-litre TFSI petrol which, when mated to the finishes and soft-touch plastics that give it a luxurious look snappy seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearbox, manages and feel. Audi’s slick MMI infotainment set-up and classy 0-62mph in a brisk 7.0 seconds and claims 50.4mpg. There Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster only add to the is also a range of frugal diesels, including the muscular appeal, while unlike many coupés the A5 offers room for 3.0-litre TDI V6, which combines turbine smoothness with four adults and a generous 465-litre boot. legendary reliability. If you’re looking for more of an Of course, a car like this has to be good to drive – and adrenaline rush, then there’s always the blisteringly quick the Audi doesn’t disappoint. The A5 will keep keen drivers 444bhp RS 5 flagship that’s capable of up to 174mph. happy, although the BMW 4 Series is ultimately more Whatever you need, the classy A5 has it covered. In fact, this is as close to a zero-compromise coupé as you can get. REAR SEATS In a marked contrast to many other coupés, PRACTICALITY A5’s generous 465-litre boot, along with the A5 can happily take a couple of adults in the back seats a 40:20:40 split rear seat, may come as a surprise to some Special Issue 59

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 PRACTICALITY Mazda’s boot capacity of a mere 130 litres STORAGE Small cubbyholes between the seats make up means you’ll have to pack light, but that’s a small price to pay for the fact that the Mk4 MX-5 doesn’t come with a glovebox CABIN While the interior is cramped, it is comfortable. The infotainment screen can be operated by the rotary dial behind the gearlever Mazda MX-5CBOESNTVUESRETDIBLE AUSWEDACRADRS OUR PICK Mazda MX-5 1.5 SE-L (2015/65, 68k miles, £12,920) WINNER 2022 WHEN it comes to combining wind-in-the-hair thrills seconds with one hand, so you’ll have no problem dealing BMEASTZDCAONMVXE-R5TIBLE with rock-bottom bills, few cars can match the MX-5. with the UK’s unpredictable weather. The powered folding Brilliant to drive, affordable to buy and laughably cheap to hard-top on RF models takes a little longer, but it offers TOPLESS run, this is a roadster that won’t lead to financial ruin. And coupé-like refinement and security when in place. with prices now slipping below the £9,000 mark, the current The convertible fourth-generation machine is the most desirable of the lot. Regardless of which roof you choose, you’ll get the same version’s soft-top Underpinning the Mazda’s appeal are its engaging driving smart cabin. Taller occupants will find their heads brushing can be folded in dynamics that make every journey a moment to savour. The the ceiling, but a wide range of seat and wheel adjustment seconds. The blend of nimble and adjustable rear-wheel-drive handling (on later models) means getting comfy won’t be a problem. hard-top RF takes and relatively skinny tyres means you can enjoy the MX-5 at Relatively soft suspension means it rides well, too, which a little longer any speed, while the wrist-flick action of the six-speed manual in combination with the light controls and the brand’s gearbox encourages you to change ratios just for the hell of reputation for good reliability means the MX-5 is as happy www.autoexpress.co.uk it. The bigger 2.0-litre engine serves up strong performance, on the daily commute as it is being used for holidays. but the smaller 129bhp 1.5-litre unit revs more sweetly and has all the pace you’ll need, plus the promise of 47.1mpg. There’s also a decent haul of standard kit, but SE-L Few drop-tops give you such easy access to the elements, cars and above get better tech and connectivity. The only either. The manual fabric roof can be raised or lowered in niggles are a lack of storage and a cramped 130-litre boot. However, the MX-5’s ability to raise a smile every time you get behind the wheel means you’ll be happy to pack light. 60 Special Issue

CONVERTIBLES FROM £9,000 FINANCE OPTIONS WHO says sports cars need to be expensive? This MX-5 has a low cash price of less than £13,000 along with monthly payments of £249 on a four- year hire purchase deal after a £3,000 deposit. That means your overall spend after four years would be £14,956. At that price, no new drop-top – and very few new cars of any kind – can come close; especially not one that delivers such a thrilling driving experience. In association with COMMENDED BMW 4 Series Convertible IF you fancy drop-top motoring but don’t want to leave the family behind, then the Mk1 4 Series is hard to beat. There’s space for four inside, while the folding metal hard-top allows you to choose between fresh-air thrills or coupé comfort at the touch of a button. Well balanced rear-wheel-drive handling, top-notch quality and a wide range of petrol and diesel engines only add to the appeal. LEFT-FIELD Ford StreetKa YOU don’t need an expensive holiday to do a spot of sunbathing, because the Ford StreetKa will allow you to top up your tan for less than a grand. The funky-looking Ford’s soft-top can be lowered in seconds, while the quick steering and nimble handling make it a hoot to drive. It’s mechanically strong, too, although you’ll need to keep a wary eye out for rust. www.autoexpress.co.uk Special Issue 61

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 AUSWEDACRADRS HANDLING WINNER 2022 While standard Fiestas are good BFOESRTDHFOIETSHTAATSCTH to drive, the ST turns up the wick to ensure the fast Ford is great fun behind the wheel FBEoSTrUdSEDFHiOeT HsAtTCaH ST OUR PICK ST-3 3dr (2015/65, 49k miles, £9,999) A DECADE on from its debut, the Fiesta ST is as brilliant durable and dependable, too. Even so, many examples as ever. Not only does it serve up a thrilling blend of have been driven hard, so you’ll need to keep an eye out speed and agility, it’s as cost-effective to run and easy to for accident damage. Also, any performance upgrades that live with as more mundane versions of the Blue Oval’s baby. haven’t been done by the (mostly) factory-approved When it was revealed in 2012, Ford’s engineers claimed Mountune company should be treated with suspicion. the ST was the most exciting car they’d worked on since the legendary Escort RS Cosworth, and it’s not hard to see why. Other than those caveats, the Ford Fiesta ST is a used Its 179bhp engine can develop up to 197bhp on overboost, hot hatch without the hitches. sprinting from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds, while the grippy and adjustable handling encourages you to seek out PRACTICALITY Two people will fit in just fine, with space twisting back roads. There are hot hatches costing a lot more that struggle to match the Fiesta for pace and poise. for a third passenger in the middle for shorter journeys Like all fast Fords, the Fiesta looks the part, its purposeful bodykit, tailgate spoiler and lowered ride height giving it an aggressive stance. Inside, figure-hugging Recaro seats, metal pedals and red stitching add to the pocket rocket’s go-faster appeal. Yet as with the standard car, the cabin is surprisingly practical and robustly built, while ST-2 and ST-3 versions get loads of standard kit. And although the infotainment is dated by today’s standards, it’s still easy to connect your phone to make calls and stream music. As with all the best hot hatches, the ST doesn’t cost the Earth to buy and run. Just £4,500 will secure a high-mileage example, while you can spend as much as £18,000 on the limited-run, 197bhp ST200. All versions can manage more than 45mpg if you take it easy while, tyres and brakes aside, it’ll cost no more to maintain than a 1.0-litre EcoBoost Zetec. Provided it’s been looked after, the Fiesta should be 62 Special Issue

HOT HATCHES FROM £4,500 FINANCE OPTIONS JUST under £10,000 gets you this top-spec Fiesta ST-3, which results in monthly payments of a mere £176, if you choose a four- year hire-purchase contract with a £3,000 deposit. That equates to an overall cost of £11,438 to buy the car. Consider that the most basic new Kia Picanto has a list price of £12,250 and gets 66bhp rather than the 179bhp – 197bhp on overboost – of the Ford, and we know which is the more exciting car. In association with COMMENDED SEAT Leon Cupra Mk3 UNDERSTATED looks mean that the hot Cupra version of the Leon can be easily confused with more basic models. Yet this sporty Spanish machine packs a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that delivers up to 296bhp, as well as a chassis that beautifully blends a fun driving experience with everyday comfort. Better still, there is a choice of three and five-door hatchback and four-wheel-drive ST estate bodystyles. LEFT-FIELD H(FoNn2d)aMCkiv8ic Type R WITH its space-age looks and high-revving motor, this Type R is quirky and quick. Sharp handling and a beautifully precise manual gearbox add to the fun, plus it has unburstable mechanicals. Prices start at just over £3,000. Special Issue 63

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 “Sublime handling and scorching performance are expected, but they’re mixed with everyday usability” COMMENDED Audi R8 Mk2 WITH its supercar looks, howling V10 engine and crushing performance, the second-generation R8 is a vehicle that creates a stir wherever it goes. The mid- engined Audi serves up beautifully balanced handling and an interior that looks and feels special. Yet it’s as easy to drive as an A3 hatchback, plus you can find examples on sale for less than half their new price. LEFT-FIELD Caterham Seven FOR back-to-basics driving excitement there isn’t much that can touch the sensational Seven. No other street- legal machine delivers such a connection between the road and driver, while its kerbweight of around 500kg makes for electrifying performance. Most use easy-to- maintain Ford or Rover engines, while depreciation is so slow you’re unlikely to lose much cash if you sell. 64 Special Issue

FINANCE OPTIONS SPORTS CARS FROM £46,790 SPLASH out on a used 911 PBESoTrUSsEcDhSPeORT9S C1A1R Carrera 4 PDK and monthly payments come in at £1,866 on OUR PICK Carrera 4 PDK a four-year hire purchase deal (2016/66, 11k miles, £79,980) with a £3,000 deposit. Given that this is an HP set-up, once INTERIOR you’ve made the final monthly payment, the car is yours. This If you’re buying a might not be cheap, but because 911, it’s best to 911 residual values are so strong, find a facelifted and this is a dying breed of car, model from 2016 it arguably stacks up as a long- onwards, with term investment more than any better infotainment. other car in our rundown. A manual gearbox (right) is also In association with available AUSWEDACRADRS THERE’S a reason the 911 has been at the top of the on the road, and are more frugal. Also included was updated sports car pecking order for more than half a century. In infotainment that featured much better connectivity. WINNER 2022 fact, there are many. The sublime handling and scorching performance are expected, but it’s the fact it mixes these All 991-era 911s are brilliant to drive, with quick steering BPEOSRTSSCPHOER9TS11CAR qualities with everyday usability and solid reliability that that lets the driver feel the road, involving handling and makes the 911 our top used pick in this category. hugely powerful brakes. That classic flat-six engine also ONROTAHDE The Porsche has evolved hugely over the past six decades, delivers a distinctive bark from its exhausts. Most are fitted but its styling has remained instantly recognisable, plus it with the excellent PDK twin-clutch transmission, which Combining agile has retained its trademark rear-engined layout and versatile serves up quick and slick shifts in manual and auto modes. handling, great 2+2 seating. Launched in 2012, the 991 generation is one performance and of the best ever, combining typical 911 agility and pace with Yet the Porsche’s real party trick is how it fits seamlessly good refinement, vastly improved refinement, efficiency and tech. You’re also into your life. Great visibility and a relatively compact size the 911 is simply spoiled for choice, from the basic Carrera to the supercar- make it a doddle around town, while the rear seats are big slaying Turbo S and the track-honed GT3 and GT3 RS. enough for kids. There’s also a large boot in the nose, and unbeatable A facelift in 2016 added turbocharged engines across 30mpg is possible if you take it easy. Use an independent almost the full range. While these lack some of the character specialist and even maintenance needn’t cost a fortune. of earlier units, they respond more quickly and feel far faster Take your time to search for a mint, comprehensively maintained example and the 911 could be one of the most exciting and satisfying used-car purchases you ever make. REAR SEATS You can fit kids in the rear seats, or just drop PRACTICALITY No one will expect a big boot capacity in a the backs down to extend the car’s interior stowage space 911, but there’s a surprising amount of storage in the nose Special Issue 65

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 THE C-Class has been a multiple winner in life, while even at motorway speeds wind and MercedesBEST USED HYBRID our annual New Car Awards, and now it’s road noise are kept to a minimum. That said, scooped a prize in our used ceremony. Comfort, find a series of corners and you’ll discover OUR PICK Sport (2016/66, 59k m refinement and quality are the Mercedes’ main accurate steering and composed handling. calling cards, but with the plug-in hybrid you COMMENDED can add extremely low running costs to the mix. As in the standard C-Class, it’s the interior of Combining a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an the plug-in hybrid version that’s the real star Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 81bhp electric motor and a 6.4kWh lithium-ion of the show. Elegantly styled and beautifully battery, it can deliver an EV range of just under finished from high-grade materials, it feels THE car that kick-started the plug-in hybrid trend is also 20 miles. That’s around five miles less than a almost as special as the company’s S-Class one of the most affordable models to buy used, with BMW 330e, but it should be enough for most limousine flagship. Those sitting in the back prices starting at £8,000. The range-extending Outlander daily commutes, especially if you frequently get plenty of leg and headroom, and while isn’t the most glamorous choice and its interior feels plug it in to charge. While the C-Class can’t there’s loads of useful storage, the need to cheap, but it’s extremely spacious and well equipped. travel as far on electricity as its arch-rival, its accommodate the battery under the boot And while the handling is a little sloppy, it feels brisk combined power output of 275bhp is higher, floor means carrying capacity is reduced to on the move and will travel nearly 30 miles on a charge. and the C 350 e needs just 5.9 seconds for the a disappointing 335 litres. That’s more than 0-62mph dash – quick enough to leave some 100 litres less than the standard diesel and www.autoexpress.co.uk sports car drivers looking a little red-faced. petrol models. But if you need more space, But the C-Class is more concerned with the C 350 e is also available as an estate. keeping its driver and occupants relaxed than getting their hearts racing. In pure electric There are also loads of gadgets and gizmos mode the Mercedes serves up smooth and to play with, while the easy-to-use infotainment near-silent acceleration around town, while the system allows you to stay connected on the standard air suspension smothers bumps and move. And of course, many examples are fitted shrugs off potholes. Head out on to the open with Mercedes’ cutting-edge driver-assistance road and the petrol engine fires quietly into systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, helping make the C 350 e one of the safest PHEVs you can buy. 66 Special Issue

FINANCE OPTIONS HYBRIDS FROM £11,000 DESPITE the high prices of many INTERIOR Thanks to the use of high-grade materials and BOOT C 350 e’s 335-litre load bay is more than 100 litres new PHEVs, the C 350 e offers strong value as a used car, from fine build quality, the Mercedes’ cabin feels very upmarket less than in diesel or petrol C-Classes, due to the battery just £17,300. This results in monthly payments of £359 on a four-year hire purchase with a £3,000 deposit. At the end of the term you’ll own the car outright after paying just £20,237 overall. That’s less than the cash price for a new entry-level 1.0-litre 123bhp automatic five-door Ford Fiesta. And that’s only a mild-hybrid. In association with ON THE ROAD The C 350 e is set up for comfort, but its handling is composed AUSWEDACRADRS INTERIOR WINNER 2022 Beautifully built dashboard uses BMEESRTCHEYDBERSIDC 350 e a variety of smart materials, and Sport trim brings more supportive front seats C 350 e LEFT-FIELD miles, £17,300) Vauxhall Ampera www.autoexpress.co.uk IN many respects, the Vauxhall Ampera was ahead of its time. The futuristic hatchback packs a powerful 148bhp electric motor for brisk performance, and a 1.4-litre petrol generator keeps you on the move when the 16kWh battery is low. The claimed 50-mile range will cover most trips, while the smooth ride and poised handling make the Ampera good to drive. Special Issue 67

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 FINANCE OPTIONS WAITING lists for most brand- new EVs are pretty lengthy, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay top dollar for a decent second-hand one. You can get a two-year-old Ioniq Electric for £495 per month with a four-year hire purchase deal and a £3,000 deposit. That might sound like a high monthly payment, but with HP there’s no large optional final payment – as is the case with PCP finance – should you want to take ownership of the car. In association with HyundaiBELEESCTTURSIECDCAR Ioniq Electric OUR PICK Premium 38kWh (2020/20, 29k miles, £22,700) COMMENDED ROONATDHE Tesla Model S Thanks to its light controls YOU can now snap up an early Model S for and smooth less than £30,000. That may sound like a lot, transmission, but even basic editions have sports car-rivalling the Ioniq is an pace and a range of at least 250 miles. The easy and relaxing interior is spacious and brimming with tech, car to drive plus there’s a seven-seat option and you get access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. LEFT-FIELD BMW i3 AVANT-GARDE looks and a high price meant the i3 didn’t penetrate the market like BMW hoped it might. Yet as a used car the i3 makes lots of sense. For starters it’s good to drive, costs buttons to run and has a beautifully finished interior that’s packed with tech. What’s more, i3 owners tend to be enthusiasts who cherish their cars. 68 Special Issue

ELECTRIC CARS FROM £11,570 TECHNOLOGY All models feature an eight-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto AS manufacturers have raced to add EVs to their books, camera are all standard, as are adaptive cruise control the number of used models has increased as well. That and autonomous emergency braking. On top of all that, means there’s a huge range of models to choose from, but the brand’s intuitive eight-inch touchscreen infotainment few offer such a winning blend of talents as the Ioniq. set-up features sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It hasn’t grabbed the headlines like the brand’s brilliant Ioniq 5, but the family-friendly hatch can travel the best part A 134bhp electric motor delivers zippy and seamless of 200 miles on a charge and costs as little as £20,000, acceleration, while the pay-off for a firm low-speed ride undercutting Hyundai’s less practical Kona by thousands. is planted and predictable handling. The Ioniq isn’t an What’s more, almost all versions will still be covered by at exciting car to drive, but the light controls and smooth least a couple of years of the brand’s five-year warranty. transmission make it an easy and relaxing companion. Compared with the futuristic style of many rival EVs, the unassuming but aerodynamic Ioniq looks quite conventional. This feeling is enhanced on post-2019, facelifted cars, Yet for many buyers taking their first steps when it comes to with a larger 38.3kWh battery (up from 28kWh) that can electrification, this familiarity will be reassuring. It’s a similar manage a range anxiety-busting 194 miles between charges. story inside, where the Hyundai looks and feels like many of And thanks to 50kW rapid charging you’ll be able to top the the brand’s ICE models. And while some of the plastics battery up to 80 per cent in under an hour. aren’t up to premium standards, it all feels solidly built. AUSWEDACRADRS It’s a family-friendly choice, too, with five-door versatility and room for five adults at a pinch. You also benefit from WINNER 2022 loads of storage and a decent 350-litre boot. Better still, most used examples are in lavishly equipped Premium trim, BHEYSUTNELDEACITIROICNICQAERLECTRIC which means climate control, heated seats and a reversing CHARGING You can top up the battery on facelifted, post- 2019 cars to 80 per cent capacity in less than 30 minutes PRACTICALITY Ioniq’s hatchback opens to reveal a decent 350-litre boot, while rear seats take three adults at a pinch Special Issue 69

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 FBEoSTrUdSEDTVrANansit Custom OUR PICK 2.0 TDCi 105 L1 (2018/18, 60k miles, £13,948) COMMENDED ORONATDHE VW Transporter The plug-in hybrid version THE VW Transporter is almost as familiar a sight has a 27-mile on UK roads as the Transit. But while the Ford electric range, spends most of its time getting its hands dirty, ideal for use in the desirable and fashionable German wagon urban areas is as likely to be used as a family-friendly MPV, a chilled-out surf wagon or cool camper van as it is a hard-working business tool. LEFT-FIELD Toyota Hilux IT’S one of the most popular pick-up trucks ever – and it’s not hard to see why. Not only is the Hilux built to last, the Toyota has a large load bed, four-wheel-drive ability and a surprisingly car-like driving experience. The latest, Mk8 version offers the strongest blend of durability, practicality, comfort and tech. 70 Special Issue

VANS FROM £8,000 FINANCE OPTIONS INTERIOR THE Transit Custom is plentiful Later models and great value as a used get the SYNC 3 vehicle. Around £16,000 should infotainment be enough for a three or four- system for better year-old L1 model with 60,000 smartphone miles or so on the clock. That connectivity equates to monthly payments of £243 on a four-year hire purchase deal with a £3,000 deposit. Given that you’ll own the van once the final monthly payment has been made, you’ll be free to keep it, trade it in or sell it at the end of the contract. In association with IF Porsche made a van, then it’s very likely it would expect from a Ford. Accurate steering, composed handing turn out to be something very like the Transit Custom. and beautifully weighted controls mean that this is one of In fact, as with the German firm’s iconic 911, the famous the best vans for those that enjoy driving. It’s easy to drive, Ford has been over a half a century in the making. Honed too, thanks to excellent visibility, a high-set driving position to be the ultimate business asset, the tough, dependable and dimensions that allow it to slip down most narrow and versatile Blue Oval machine is the perfect choice for streets and slot into normal car-sized parking spaces. owners who need to work hard and play hard. This particular version, the Transit Custom, launched in If your budget stretches, then seek out post-2016 2012, and has proved to be one of Ford’s biggest sellers, models, which come with a classier cab, including Ford’s its blend of value and space being hard to beat. You can neat SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment system. It has choose long and short-wheelbase models, as well as low seamless connectivity for your smartphone, allowing and high-roof configurations, plus the option of crew cab you to keep working even when you’re on the move. or minibus seating layouts, so there’s something for everyone. Better still, with prices starting at £8,000, it Regardless of which version you chose, you’ll be getting won’t plunge the company accounts into the red. one of the hardest-working heroes on the high street that’ll The same is true of running costs, with the venerable prove to be one of your biggest business assets. 2.2-litre TDCi diesel serving up a compelling blend of load- AUSWEDACRADRS lugging muscle and efficiency, particularly in 125bhp guise. Later cars get a mild-hybrid-assisted 2.0-litre unit, while WINNER 2022 there’s even a petrol-electric plug-in range extender. Yet there’s more to the Transit Custom than hard work, BFOESRTDVATRNANSIT CUSTOM because it also drives with the poise and precision you’d PRACTICALITY As you’d expect, loadspace is excellent, with the smallest Transit Custom taking 6m3 (6,000 litres) SEATS Most versions have seating for three, with storage underneath, a large glovebox and numerous cubbyholes Special Issue 71

BRITAIN’S BEST USED CARS 2022 USED CAR OF THE YEAR Skoda Karoq WHY IT’S A WINNER It’s no surprise that a Skoda is great value, but it’s the added space, practicality and class that make the Karoq our used car champion GOLD WINNER www.autoexpress.co.uk NO matter how you look at it, the Karoq has something for everyone. Whether you want practicality, value, style, low running costs or driving satisfaction, this SUV delivers. The recent rise in used car prices means that bargains are increasingly hard to come by, but even so the Skoda is a lot of car for your cash. In fact, it’s deceptively spacious, with a sharply styled exterior hiding an interior packed with clever features and the neat packaging that we’ve come to expect from the brand. Yet the Karoq combines all this with real premium appeal. Not only is the cabin smartly designed, it’s also solidly constructed and full of top-notch materials. This is a feeling that’s enhanced by the advanced tech, plus you benefit from confidence-inspiring safety aids. On the move, the Skoda serves up a superb balance of ride and handling. Its compact size means it feels at home in the city, and it’s a relaxing companion on the motorway. There’s no weak link in the engine line-up either, although the 113bhp 1.0-litre petrol’s punch and economy make it a top choice. And unlike some SUV-shaped rivals, there’s even the option of four-wheel drive in the Karoq. Find a clean, well cared-for example and the Skoda will have all your bases covered. So, hats off to the Karoq, our thoroughly deserving Used Car of the Year 2022. “Its sharply styled exterior hides an interior packed with clever features and the neat packaging we expect from a Skoda” AUSWEDACRADRS WINNER 2022 CSKAORDOAF KTAHREOYQEAR GOLD 72 Special Issue

USED CAR OF THE YEAR SILVER WINNER “Find a clean, well cared-for example and the Skoda will have all your bases covered” Citroen C3 Aircross LAST year’s winner takes the runner-up spot this time. Its quirky styling, practical cabin and focus on comfort make the C3 Aircross a talented second-hand small SUV. And of course it still represents impressive value. The exterior oozes French flair, but it’s the interior that’s the real highlight. Its blend of funky design and family-friendly versatility makes it the sort of car that can deal with anything you throw at it. From its sliding rear bench to the numerous cubbyholes, the Citroen feels like it’s been designed from the inside out. True, it’s not as fun to drive as some, but the soft suspension, light controls and decent refinement mean that few rivals are as relaxing. Factor in a range of eager and efficient engines and it’s not hard to see why the distinctive C3 Aircross makes such a sensible and stylish choice. Vive la différence, as they say in France. BRONZE WINNER www.autoexpress.co.uk Volvo S90 WITH three Used Executive Car wins on the trot, the S90 is something of a phenomenon, and it remains one of the second-hand bargains of the decade. Yet with its sleek looks, top-notch quality and comfort, the Swede doesn’t feel like a cut-price option. In fact, thanks to the cool minimalism of its interior, the S90 feels a cut above its German rivals. There’s more space than most as well, with those in the back enjoying near-limousine luxury. It’s an incredibly relaxing car, too, due to its hugely supportive seats, supple ride and excellent refinement. But that’s not to say the Volvo is dull to drive. With its accurate steering, strong grip and decent body control, it feels surprisingly agile when hustled through a series of corners. Then there’s the smooth and punchy four- cylinder engines, plus the powerful and frugal plug-in hybrid. Factor in prices starting at just £12,500, and it’s hard to find a chink in the S90’s armour. Special Issue 73

ROAD TESTS Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives T-RocFor those about VW’s compact SUV has had a makeover to help keep sales surging, but is the Mazda CX-30 a more convincing prospect? Pictures: Pete Gibson 74 Special Issue

THE Volkswagen T-Roc has been something of a smash hit for the brand. Since the compact SUV was launched in 2017, production numbers have breezed past the one million mark and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Indeed, in July this year it was the fourth best-selling car in the UK. Not bad, considering that result not only put it ahead of all the other SUVs in Volkswagen’s current eight-strong line-up, but ahead of its iconic Golf, too. Now the T-Roc has been treated to a mid-life refresh. The updated model offers the potential to, at the very least, maintain the car’s huge appeal for another few years. The changes include subtly revised styling, some interior tweaks and a host of tech updates – all of which we’ll put through the Auto Express road test. In contrast, Mazda’s CX-30 hasn’t enjoyed the same success. UK sales for the Japanese brand’s entire model line-up in July totalled 2,252 – only 31 cars more than VW registered T-Rocs over the same period. So is that vast difference in sales success justified? We’ve assembled the pair in two of their highest-spec trims to explore if the VW’s popularity is deserved, or if Mazda’s rival can hold a candle to the new T-Roc. 1V.o5lTkSswI 1a5g0eDnSTG-RRo-cLine Price: £33,095 Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl turbo, 148bhp 0-62mph: 8.4 seconds Test economy: 46.7mpg/10.3mpl CO2: 135g/km Annual road tax: £165 2M.0azed-aSkCyXa-c3t0iv X GT Sport Price: £32,955 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl MHEV, 183bhp 0-62mph: 8.7 seconds Test economy: 46.5mpg/10.2mpl CO2: 128g/km Annual road tax: £155 Testers’ notes “The compact crossover class is fiercely competitive, and with so many rivals to choose from, these cars must score strongly on practicality, comfort, performance and price. This pair are in high- ranking specs – it’ll be interesting to see if the cost is justified.” Sean Carson Associate editor Special Issue 75

ROAD TESTS Volkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 MODEL TESTED: Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 TSI DSG R-Line PRICE: £33,095 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl turbo, 148bhp THE newly refreshed T-Roc is tested here in � Running costs R-Line trim and with a 1.5 TSI engine paired � with a DSG auto gearbox. Prices start at £33,095, but 46.7mpg (on test) the options fitted to this test car, which include a £92 fill-up/£155 or 32% tax panoramic sunroof (£1,150) adaptive dampers (£1,065) and matrix LED headlights (£1,650) Practicality among others, add £4,985 to that figure. Boot (seats up/down) Design & 4sco.r0e 445/1,290 litres engineering FOR 2022, Volkswagen has Performance introduced a range of updates to the T-Roc package. With buyers still flocking to this 0-62mph/top speed crossover in their droves, the exterior styling 8.4 seconds/129mph changes are understandably subtle; there’s an illuminated LED light bar in the grille that joins Detail tweaked headlight units – now with LED tech throughout the range. The bumpers have been Fake exhaust given a slight nip and tuck, while the tail-lights trims won’t be to get scrolling indicators, too. everyone’s taste, but the wheels Compared with the previous model, cabin quality look sharp has taken a step in the right direction, although details such as the un-carpeted door bins show Volkswagen T-Ro there’s the same lack of attention to detail found in other VW models. Unfortunately, the ergonomics Facelift brings styling tweaks and a boost for interior have taken a step back. The touch-sensitive sliders quality in an effort to continue its sales chart success for the temperature controls are mounted low down and are fiddly to use; the old layout was better. www.autoexpress.co.uk SUVs have a reputation for taking up too much space on the road and for being heavy, hurting efficiency. Not so the T-Roc. Against the tape measure it’s 48mm shorter than a Golf and only 30mm wider. At 1,358kg, it’s barely a few kilos heavier with the same engine and gearbox, too. In this case, that engine is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit. It produces 148bhp and a solid 250Nm of torque that arrives from 1,500rpm and is sustained to 3,500rpm. Unlike the latest versions fitted to the Golf, there’s no mild-hybrid set-up here, though – an odd omission given that it boosts fuel economy and makes the power delivery smoother. Driving 3sco.r9e HOW the T-Roc performs and drives is just fine from behind the steering wheel. It’s easy to familiarise yourself with the controls, which are all fairly light, fairly precise, and fairly well positioned. It’s simple to drive around town; visibility is great and the raised driving position gives a decent view ahead. It’s comfortable, too. Bumps are isolated well from the cabin, as are noises coming from the suspension; the adaptive dampers play a part here, doing a better job than the standard set-up. Whether the dampers are in Comfort or Sport mode, the T-Roc stays stable and composed in corners and offers up plenty of grip. The brakes are powerful and easy enough to modulate at lower speeds. It’s not fun as such, but it gets the job done. The T-Roc impresses more in other areas. Motorway stability is first rate which, combined with the general comfort and refinement, means you’ll be feeling fresh even after a long drive. The engine is a highlight, too. The 1.5-litre turbocharged motor moves the car along keenly; the 0-62mph dash is dispatched in 8.4 seconds, and that performance is delivered with a constant, 76 Special Issue

ROAD TESTSVolkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 Performance A 1.5-litre turbo engine helps the T-Roc get from 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds. It’s a shame there’s no mild-hybrid tech, though c

ROAD TESTS Volkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 smooth torque curve that makes it feel effortless. � The seven-speed DSG gearbox is mostly slick, only occasionally jerking at low speed. � � Practicality 4sco.r2e FOR a car that has a similar physical footprint to a Golf hatchback, the T-Roc is impressively spacious inside. It’s most obvious when it comes to luggage room, where the 445-litre boot tops the Mazda’s by 23 litres. There are tethers and hanging hooks to improve versatility, while a false floor means there’s hardly any load lip to overcome. It also allows for a completely level space when the back seats are folded. With them down, cargo capacity grows to a healthy 1,290 litres, although the Mazda provides a more impressive 1,398 litres of total volume. The T-Roc’s impressive storage continues in the Interior front. Beyond the now-obligatory cup-holders, the door bins are cavernous, the glovebox is roomy Revised interior enough and there’s a useful bin beneath the central takes a small step armrest. Rear-seat occupants also get some roomy up in quality over door bins, a pair of air vents and two USB-C ports earlier T-Rocs; to keep mobile devices topped up. driving position has plenty of Ownership 3sco.r9e adjustment BOTH of these crossovers were www.autoexpress.co.uk assessed by crash safety experts Euro NCAP in 2019, and both were awarded maximum five-star ratings. The CX-30 in particular was excellent: its 99 per cent score in the adult occupant protection category was the best of any car tested that year, helped by solid safety kit. As standard, the T-Roc R-Line gets a lane-keeping aid, driver fatigue detection and autonomous emergency braking. Running costs 4sco.r1e THE Volkswagen’s fuel economy of 46.7mpg on test was impressive and means running costs should be relatively affordable at a time when fuel prices have spiralled. But for all the theory behind a smaller, turbocharged engine, the CX-30’s engine runs it extremely close. Our figure of 46.5mpg is for a manual model, so expect the automatic to sacrifice a few mpg, but this shows that the mix of Mazda’s compression-ignition tech and mild-hybrid system achieves a very similar result in the real world. With official CO2 emissions of 138g/km for the Boot CX-30 and 135g/km for the T-Roc, this pair sit in the 32 per cent Benefit in Kind band for company At 445 litres, car calculations. The difference is negligible; it’s bigger than deductions total £4,182 for the Mazda and £4,200 CX-30’s with the for the T-Roc. However, fully electric crossovers rear seats up. such as the Peugeot e-2008 (see page 85) will make The load space is much more financial sense than the Mazda or square and gets Volkswagen to a company car driver. tethering hooks Testers’ notes “The T-Roc offers plenty of scope for customisation. There’s a choice of 14 alloy wheel designs, nine body colours and three contrasting roof shades.” Alex Ingram Chief reviewer 78 Special Issue

ROAD TESTSVolkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 THROUGH THE RANGE Which trim level might suit you? THREE trim levels are offered in the T-Roc, All offers and finance prices correct at time of going to press and they follow the ‘Y structure’ that VW employs in much of its range, with the base Life trim sitting below the sporty R-Line trim to one side, and the more luxury-focused Style on the other. Every version gets a digital dash as standard (eight-inch in the Life and 10.25-inch on the other two) while the base version also features 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors and climate control. Place a £3,000 deposit on a three-year PCP agreement with a 10,000-mile annual limit, and Life comes to £403 per month. R-Line costs £478 per month on matching terms and adds 17-inch wheels, sat-nav, a bodykit, privacy glass and a drive mode select switch. Style is expected to be the most popular trim of the three. It also gets 17-inch wheels, tinted windows and nav, plus more advanced LED headlights. It’s priced from £450 per month. OR-uLrincehoice: NEXT CAR Virtual Cockpit digital dials are clear, sharp and customisable, with several layouts Practicality New touch-sensitive climate control layout is fiddly to use, especially on the move There’s plenty of space in the back of the T-Roc; the centre seat is wide but there is a large hump in the floor VW’s part-opening panoramic glass sunroof floods the cabin with light, but it costs £1,150 Special Issue 79

ROAD TESTS Volkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 MODEL TESTED: Mazda CX-30 2.0 e-Skyactiv X GT Sport PRICE: £32,955 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl mhev, 183bhp ALTHOUGH the CX-30 pictured here is � Running costs equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, � we’re testing it against the T-Roc as a six-speed 46.5mpg (on test) automatic. In Sport Tech trim, it costs £32,955, £94 fill-up/£155 or 30% tax but unlike its rival, the Mazda’s only cost extra here is the metallic paint, which adds £570 . Practicality Design & 4sco.r1e Boot (seats up/down) engineering 422/1,398 litres ON the face of it, the CX-30 appears to be a fairly standard – if striking – Performance challenger to the T-Roc. It’s slightly longer and taller than its rival, but it has five seats, plenty of 0-62mph/top speed standard kit, and a layout derived from a family 8.3 seconds/127mph hatchback – in this case the Mazda 3. Detail But Mazda has never been a brand to follow convention, and nowhere is this clearer than with Twin tailpipes its engines. The brand ploughed on with rotary and 18-inch engines as others tried and then abandoned the wheels add to tech. Even now, at a time when so many other the sporty manufacturers are moving away from large appeal engines and diesel, a new six-cylinder diesel engine has been announced for the new CX-60 Mazda CX-30 luxury SUV, alongside a plug-in hybrid. Advanced engine tech, focused driving manners and It’s no different in the CX-30. In a segment where a high-quality interior could upset the apple cart for VW downsized turbocharged engines are pretty much the default choice, the CX-30 stands alone with a www.autoexpress.co.uk naturally aspirated 2.0-litre unit. That’s not to say it’s less clever; the e-Skyactiv X engine features what’s called Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI). This combines a lean mix of fuel and air at a very high pressure – similar in principle to a diesel engine’s combustion. Mazda reckons this allows for performance of a petrol with diesel-like fuel consumption. What SPCCI can’t replicate is a turbocharged engine’s torque. Despite the extra capacity, the CX-30’s engine is 10Nm down on the Volkswagen’s 1.5-litre unit, but more crucially that maximum is produced at 4,000rpm, while the T-Roc’s engine comes on song at just 1,500pm. A mild-hybrid boost in the Mazda aims to reduce load and boost fuel economy, though. While the VW’s cabin feels a little more luxurious than it did previously, it still isn’t up to the standard of the class leaders, and the CX-30 sits among these; the design looks and feels fantastic – not only unique in appearance, but also making use of leather and other soft-touch materials to rival that of many premium brands. The driving position has a wide range of adjustment, while the relatively slim steering wheel rim is lovely to hold. Driving 4sco.r3e IN isolation, the Volkswagen’s basic control weights feel great: well judged, slick and easy. The Mazda’s, however, are even better. It starts with the steering; ever so slightly heavier than the T-Roc’s around the straight ahead, it feels so precise and so natural that it gives the driver plenty of confidence whether making low-speed manoeuvres or winding along a B-road. We know Mazda’s manual gearbox is great, but the auto isn’t quite as good. It’s smooth and refined but not as fast to shift as the VW’s unit. However, it is much slicker at low speed. The weights of every control feel so well matched to one another; this means that, even travelling at 80 Special Issue

ROAD TESTSVolkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 Performance Clever e-Skyactiv X engine needs plenty of revs to get going, but CX-30’s chassis has a terrific ride and handling balance

ROAD TESTS Volkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 slow speeds, it feels satisfying to drive. Up the pace � and the CX-30 demonstrates an excellent trade-off between ride comfort and handling sharpness. � There’s slightly more body movement here than in � the T-Roc, but it’s keener to respond – yet it manages to achieve this with a supple suspension set-up that’s better at isolating knocks than the VW’s. It’s clear that the engineers behind the MX-5 sports car worked their magic here, too. That engine is certainly clever on paper, but those used to any of its contemporaries will miss the turbocharged shove. Below 2,000rpm it struggles to shift, forcing the auto ’box to kick down. Once some revs are on the clock, performance is great, but it means that progress is less serene than in the VW. Practicality 4sco.r1e Interior THERE are pros and cons to sitting in CX-30’s cabin easily the back of the CX-30. There’s slightly has the Volkswagen more headroom than in the T-Roc, but on – and indeed most the other hand, knee room is also a little tighter. other rivals – There’s not much in it in either direction, though. beaten for quality The middle seat isn’t very comfy, because the backrest – which doubles as a fold down armrest Boot when not in use – is very hard. Despite the black and brown upholstery, the light roof lining makes 422-litre boot the CX-30’s cabin feel quite airy and spacious. Our doesn’t have car also had a conventional sunroof as standard. many features, Like the T-Roc, child seats are easy to install in but the bumper the CX-30 because Mazda has located the mounts is shallow, so within chunky plastic housings. The T-Roc adds a loading is easy third Isofix point on the front passenger seat. Ownership 4sco.r3e MAZDA might not shift as many units as Volkswagen, but those that do find homes tend to satisfy their owners more. In our most recent Driver Power satisfaction survey, the Japanese maker finished seventh out of the 29 brands in the survey. Volkswagen ended up eleven places further behind in 18th. In the T-Roc’s defence, however, it was the highest-scoring VW in the individual car rankings, taking 34th place out of 75 cars, with buyers impressed with its safety features. Running costs 4sco.r2e OF all of the cars in the segment, very few hold onto their value as well as the CX-30. After three years and 36,000 miles, the GT Sport model we’re testing is predicted to cling onto almost 58 per cent of its original value. The T-Roc is also above average for the segment in this area, but can’t quite match the Mazda; it should be worth just under 53 per cent of its new cost over the same period. That’s the difference between the CX-30 being worth £19,051 and the T-Roc £17,524 – quite a change considering the £140 difference when new, before you factor in options. Testers’ notes “Mazda doesn’t offer as much personalisation, but sharp styling and a modern colour palette mean it’s still every inch a fashionable crossover choice.” Alex Ingram Chief reviewer 82 Special Issue www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSVolkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 THROUGH THE RANGE Which trim level might suit you? THE e-Skyactiv X engine is offered on all All offers and finance prices correct at time of going to press but the base SE-L, so there are four trims to choose from. SE-L Lux kicks things off with standard 16-inch wheels, air-con, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Match the three-year PCP terms of the VW, and it’s cheaper – prices start at £381 per month. An extra £27 per month brings the Sport Lux into range, with 18-inch wheels, privacy glass, adaptive LED headlights and a powered tailgate. The range is topped by the GT Sport and GT Sport Tech. Both add leather upholstery, a Bose sound system, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and a heated steering wheel, while the Tech brings a 360-degree parking camera and a host of safety systems including Front Cross Traffic Alert and an adaptive cruise control system that can also steer the car. These two models come to £446 and £469 a month respectively. OSpuorrcthLouixce: NEXT CAR No digital dials in Mazda, but the traditional analogue white-on-black clarity is superb Practicality Bose sound system is fitted as standard on GT Sport versions of CX-30; it sounds great There’s little to separate this pair when it comes to rear-seat space. CX-30 holds a slight edge for headroom Unlike the VW, there’s no panoramic glass roof option here – only a regular sunroof Special Issue 83

ROAD TESTS Volkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 Infotainment Which multimedia system is best for music, sat-nav & connectivity? Volkswagen 844L4sco.r2e T-Roc Discover Media Key features: Wireless app connect VW’S Discover Media system is standard on R-Line Display The T-Roc’s trim, but isn’t the most feature-laden option in the T-Roc range. For that, you need to step up to the screen is responsive, Discover Pro system, which costs an extra £1,045. bright and presents the Most buyers will find the standard system absolutely information clearly. The fine – and in some ways better. main menu shows the functions arranged in This is because the touchscreen is surrounded by two rows of tiles touch-sensitive shortcuts for all the key functions, but there are two physical dials – one for the volume, and another that can be used to zoom in and out on the map screen. Loading times, especially when route planning, are impressively quick, and the Volkswagen’s map screen shows the route in a little more detail than the Mazda’s tech. The system features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless charging is a £360 option – so you have to have a cable handy, regardless. FOR AND AGAINST Bright screen, fast loading times, physical volume and zoom dials Larger screen an expensive option, wireless charging costs extra Mazda 4sco.r0e CX-30 80L4Mazda Connect infotainment Key features: Five-years’ European maps THE Mazda’s screen misses out on a key feature of Display Mapping the rest of its rivals (including the VW): there’s no touchscreen. Instead, it gets a clickwheel control display is minimalist, similar to BMW’s iDrive controller; the main dial is so route guidance is surrounded by shortcut keys. Rotating the dial presented clearly. The replicates a similar scrolling effect with the main sub-menus’ white text menu functions. It’s fairly simple to use and subtle on a black background is adjustments can be made on the move. less distracting at night However, the lack of a touchscreen really hampers www.autoexpress.co.uk input speed in some areas. Entering an address is a long, drawn-out process, which involves twirling the dial around to your desired letter or number, where quick prods achieve the same on the T-Roc’s system. The 8.8-inch ultra-widescreen display looks sharp, and isn’t cluttered by unnecessary information or graphics. The same is true of the driver’s instruments, because the analogue clocks are clear and easy to read. FOR AND AGAINST Clear graphics, neat menus, logical clickwheel No touchscreen makes some processes slow, loading times lag behind the VW’s 84 Special Issue

ROAD TESTSVolkswagen T-Roc vs Mazda CX-30 Figures Mazda CX-30 INSURANCE Volkswagen SERVICING headHead to 2.0 e-Skyactiv X MAZDA is ranked T-Roc 1.5 TSI SERVICE plans are On the road price/total as tested GT Sport three insurance DSG R-Line much cheaper for LIGHTS Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) £32,955/£33,525 groups lower than £33,095/£38,080 the VW - one area £19,051/57.8% the T-Roc. £17,524/53.0% where it claws BOTH cars feature interesting Depreciation £13,904 £15,571 back ground on lighting tech. The T-Roc is Annual tax liability std/higher rate £2,091/£4,182 TOWING £2,100/£4,200 the running costs. available with optional matrix £2,164/£3,607 AT 1,300kg, the £2,155/£3,592 LED units at the front, which Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) 20/£530/£155 CX-30 can’t quite 23/£511/£165 TURNING CIRCLE have 27 separate LEDs for Insurance group/quote/VED £799 (3 years) haul as much as £386 (2 years) VW can perform a each main beam. They turn Service costs 4,395/2,655mm the torquier, more 4,236/2,590mm U-turn in a space on and off individually to Length/wheelbase 1,540/1,795mm flexible T-Roc. 1,491/1,819mm 50cm tighter than maximise illumination ahead Height/width 4cyl in-line/1,998cc 4cyl in-line/1,498cc the Mazda. while vastly reducing glare for Engine 183/6,000 bhp/rpm WARRANTY 148/3,500 bhp/rpm oncoming road users. The Peak power 240/4,000 Nm/rpm NOTHING to 250/1,500 Nm/rpm EFFICIENCY Mazda also features LED Peak torque 6-spd auto/fwd separate this pair 7-spd man/fwd T-ROC’S mpg is lighting, but in contrast to the Transmission 51 litres/repair kit in terms of cover - 50 litres/repair kit boosted by a T-Roc’s scrolling indicators, 422/1,398 litres both get a three- 445/1,290 litres system that shuts the CX-30’s pulse gently. Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel 1,565/400/1,300kg year warranty 1,358/496/1,400kg down two of the Boot capacity (seats up/down) 11.4 metres from new. 10.9 metres four cylinders SEATS Kerbweight/payload/towing weight 3yrs (60,000)/1yr 3yrs (60,000)/1yr between 1,400- 7th/N/A EQUIPMENT 18th/10th 4,000rpm when SEAT comfort is a very Turning circle 99/86/80/77/4 (’19) STANDARD kit list 95/89/76/78/5 (’17) cruising. subjective thing, but to Basic warranty (miles)/recovery 8.7 secs/127mph is excellent - the 8.4 secs/129mph our testers, this pair managed Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. 46.5/10.2/522 miles only way to boost 46.7/10.3/514 miles to offer front seats with plenty NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars 46.3mpg the features of the 47.1mpg of support and adjustment. 10.2mpl CX-30 is to go for 10.3mpl The Mazda wins for features, 0-62mph/top speed 140/138g/km/32% the GT Sport Tech 140/135g/km/32% though. Not only are the seats Auto Express econ. (mpg/mpl)/range 7/yes/f&r/yes trim level. 6/yes/f&r/yes electrically adjustable as Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes standard, but they’re leather- WLTP mpg Yes/yes Yes/adaptive trimmed, too – you’ll need WLTP mpl Yes/yes £2,250/yes to fork out a hefty £2,250 for Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket £575/yes £685/yes the same level of luxury in Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors/cam Yes/yes £425/no the T-Roc. The CX-30 also Auto ’box/lane keep/blindspot/AEB Yes/yes Yes/yes comes with leather accents Climate control/cruise control Yes/yes Yes/yes finished in dark brown. Leather/heated seats No £360 Metallic paint/LED lights Yes/yes Yes/yes Keyless entry & go/powered tailgate Sat-nav/digital dashboard DAB/connected services Wireless charging Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Results 1stMAZDA VW 2nd ROAD TEST IN many areas, the CX-30 THE T-Roc might have ranks among the best been updated for 2022, MCAXZ-3D0A crossovers in the class. It offers but beyond the cosmetic tweaks, the up fantastic ride and handling, it’s changes are so small that it’s stood AUG 2022 reasonably spacious both for people still – or taken a step back. It’s still and cargo, and it has one of the finest decent to drive, spacious, practical interiors for the money. We’d certainly and frugal, but the touch-sensitive try before you buy, though – even climate control panel is frustrating to though it’s frugal, the e-Skyactiv X use. The as-tested price of this test car engine won’t be to everyone’s taste, also shows that costs can climb very and could even be a deal-breaker. high if you’re keen with the options. AEB = Autonomous Emergency Braking. *Joint options. In red = equipment fitted to our test car. Insurance quotes for a 42-year-old living in Banbury, Oxon, with three penalty points. Residual values provided by CDL VIP Data. Rivals Ford Puma EcoBoost 155 ST-Line Peugeot 2008 1.2 PureTech 130 GT Other options in PRICE: £26,925 PRICE: £27,885 this category... ENGINE: 1.0-litre petrol turbo, 3cyl, 153bhp ENGINE: 1.2-litre petrol turbo, 3cyl, 129bhp THE Puma is the sharpest-handling THE 2008 is one of the few cars in car in the class. It’s also practical, this segment that can match the with its hose-down MegaBox CX-30 for interior quality, and it boot cavity, and is great value drives pretty well, too. It’s also for money, undercutting both available with petrol, diesel of these rivals on price. and fully electric powertrains. www.autoexpress.co.uk Special Issue 85

OUR CARS Living with a Ford Ranger Ford Ranger FINAL REPORT Pick-up truck shows its worth as it signs off from our fleet Kim Adams miles late by the time I had returned home waste. They could be loaded in the pick-up anything I have left in the load bed will still from the Isle of Man. Two visits to the dealer bed and left for a day or so before the trip be there when I return to the Ford. [email protected] in just about as many weeks wasn’t ideal, but to the recycling centre. Yes, there was an to their credit, the staff at Gates apologised unpleasant smell as the tailgate was opened, I’ve run a succession of pick-ups, but this NO-one could accuse the long-term for not doing both at the same time and but the cabin was untouched. In an SUV the Ranger has easily been my favourite, thanks assessment of the Ford Ranger on our deducted the £97.50 cost of the check from whiff would have hung around for days. to its compliant ride, more than adequate fleet of being superficial, because I racked the service, leaving me with £230 to pay. power and well equipped cabin. The gearbox up just shy of 14,000 miles in little under One downside to the pick-up truck is could be smoother, but that’s a small niggle. a year with our pick-up of choice. It’s not always that we get to experience that I now have to book it into the recycling And it was not time spent on the school the service operation with a long-term loan, centre in advance, because it’s classed as a During my time with the Ford I used just or supermarket runs. Instead, I exploited and overall Gates handled it well. Despite commercial vehicle, along with vans and over 2,250 litres of diesel (plus 45 litres of its commercial roots with lengthy road the minor issue mentioned above, I was large trailers. It only means a little time AdBlue), giving me an overall consumption trips loaded with tyres, tools and spares, and generally impressed with the service and online and planning trips ahead rather of 27.6mpg. That’s not great at the moment even with a track car on a trailer in tow. the work was carried out efficiently. Online than just turning up at the recycling centre. when the final fill topped £140, but I’d run I finished my time with the Ranger with booking was available and the work was another Ranger in a heartbeat, so I’m hoping a trip to the Isle of Man for the Manx Classic done while I waited both times. I also All this load hauling has confirmed my the all-new model will be as good as this one. hillclimbs, where the big Ford again proved appreciated the video e-mailed to me after preference for a hard-top over the regular to be the perfect companion, with all the the visual check so I could see what the pick-up bed. You can get more packed in www.autoexpress.co.uk dirty, smelly bits required kept away from technician had found. without having to worry about losing it luggage, clothes and food in the cabin. on the move, plus valuable items such as While the Ranger did its job of lugging us My track activity took a backseat for a few tools are more secure. The bed bulkhead is around highly competently, we had a few weeks while I moved house and the Ranger harder to reach, but I reckon the canopies anxious moments when the service light was the right tool for the job. It’s only after should come with a broom, which is came on at the start of the week-long trip. I packed crates, boxes and bags into both essential kit for packing and retrieving That wasn’t unusual given that the mileage the Ranger and my family’s large SUV that items without clambering inside. had clicked over 12,000, but it was a bit of a I appreciated just how much easier it is in concern because we had the required visual the pick-up. It can take a lot more kit without The ribbed liner does a great job of check carried out a few days before leaving. the need to fiddle with seat latches and protecting the bed, but is hell on the knees. The Ranger was booked in again at Gates cover everything in protective blankets. A hard-top may make the Ranger look more in Bishops Stortford, but the trip meant the like an SUV and you lose that iconic US 12,500-mile service was a few hundred Once we’d moved in, I needed to tackle truck styling, but I don’t need gun racks the neglected garden and, yet again, the in the back window in this country. I also 86 Special Issue Ranger was the way to remove the bags of like to know there’s a good chance that

OUR CARSLiving with a Ford Ranger Essentials Fleetwatch Ford Ranger Dacia 2.0 EcoBlue Jogger Wildtrak auto CREATIVE director Darren Wilson On fleet since: July 2021 had the perfect opportunity to test Price new: £43,050 (incl. VAT) out the practicality of the Auto Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, twin- Express Family Car of the Year when turbo diesel, 210bhp he collected the latest member of CO2/tax: 242g/km/£275 his own expanding family. New Options: Sea Grey metallic paint granddaughter Hope Wilson was born on Britain’s hottest day and needed (£600), Boulder Grey alloy wheels (£120), to be collected from hospital, along Driver Assistance Pack with Park (£1,380), with her mum and dad. Thanks to Load Box Hard Top Canopy (£1,920), the flexible seating arrangements Trailer Tow Pack (£480) provided by his seven-seat Jogger, Darren was able to take his excited Insurance*: Group: 42 Quote: £573 wife Dawn along with grandson Zack Mileage/mpg: 13,702/27.6mpg to meet the new baby. Any problems? None Darren had to connect the central seatbelt so *Insurance quote for a 42-year-old mum Lucie could squeeze between her two children in Banbury, Oxon, with three points in their car seats in the middle row. It was a bit tight, but comfortable enough for the short trip. New-dad George climbed into the very rear seat. With Doubling up hindsight Darren might have unclipped and removed the other rear seat to free up some extra space, but Darren’s it folded forward and gave enough room for Lucie’s grandchildren overnight bag on top of Zack’s buggy. The Dacia’s now travel in the air-con cooled the excited family on the way home. centre seats with a baby bag. Their mum and dad sit in the Dacia’s back row with a little more room All smiles Steve is already smitten WE LIKE The Ranger’s load- OINurDfleEetX lugging ability, smooth, but gruff engine, well specified cabin and safety equipment impressed us Essential viewing WE DON’T Gearbox is not the Alpine A110 Alfa Romeo Giulia Issue 1,728, 1,738 Gates sent Kim a video smoothest, useful adaptive cruise THE A110 GT is a lovely sports car to drive, we Alpine A110 of the visual inspection could be quicker-witted, steering know that. But since it was reborn a few years New arrival lock is restrictive in tight spaces ago, Alpine says it has tickled the car in quite a BMW iX3 with the technician few areas to make it quicker and a fair bit more Issue 1,731 talking him through usable in the real world. But the fundamental Citroen e-Dispatch question remains: could you live with one as Issue 1,733 what was found an everyday driver, or is it still just a weekend Dacia Jogger toy? Well, that’s what special contributor Steve Issue 1,739 Instruments A pair of digital displays sit Verdict Sutcliffe is aiming to find out. Ford Focus Estate New arrival either side of central analogue dial on dash THE Ranger is a winning combination Is there enough luggage space in the A110 Ford Ranger of powerful engine and a ride that GT to make it usable with a bit of imagination? Issues 1,694, 1,701, 1,713, www.autoexpress.co.uk deals well with the limitations of Is the ride still smooth enough to live with since 1,721, 1,728 a pick-up truck. The Ford’s cabin is the suspension has been stiffened in the name of Honda HR-V eCVT also a great place to be when you’re extra body control? Is the cabin practical enough, Issue 1,732 driving long distances. does the comms package work properly, and Jaguar F-Pace what are the compromises one has to put up New arrival with? Steve has six months to work it all out, Kia Niro Hybrid but having done 1,000 miles already, he’s New arrival well and truly smitten with the Alpine. Land Rover Defender Issue 1,735 Your ultimate Lexus NX guide to buying New arrival and owning an Mazda CX-5 electric car Issues 1,726, 1,733, 1,741 Nissan Qashqai Issues 1,707, 1,716, 1,724 Porsche Taycan CT Issues 1,730, 1.740 Skoda Fabia Issue 1,735 ToyotaYaris Cross Issues 1,730, 1.740 Special Issue 87

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PRODUCTS Visit autoexpress.co.uk for our extensive product archive NEW PRODUCT AdaKimms Bo M electric scooter Got a query? Price: £1,995 Contact: bo.world [email protected] THE role of e-scooters on our roads may still be uncertain, but that hasn’t stopped the steady flow of new machines to the UK. Now the latest arrival promises to overcome some of their major shortcomings. The bo M is the creation of former Jaguar Land Rover and Williams F1 Advanced Engineering designers. It has Safesteer, which they say provides “active riding stabilisation” to smooth the ride across bumps and potholes, keeping the rider in control. This is combined with 580mm-wide handlebars and a long 930mm wheelbase that is designed to give riders confidence. It has daytime running lights and a secondary headlamp, while the rear light flashes when the rider brakes. The Airdeck has the same material used in running shoes, which is tuned to smooth out vibrations and remove the need for suspension. The scooter also has tubeless Q Was my wash-wax tested? pneumatic tyres, designed to eliminate pinch punctures while maximising grip. A IN the Product Awards 2022 (Issue 1,730) you Bo found customers rarely fold their gave results for the top wash waxes. Is there any e-scooters so this feature has not been THHOISWTEKEKI’ST way I can see how all the products performed? included in the Monocurve chassis. It has For some time I have used Turtle Wax Extreme a luggage hook, which can also be used Nano-Tech Wash & Wax. Was this tested? to secure the machine, plus GPS tracking, Alexander McMaster motor locking and anti-tamper alarms. THE Extreme Nano-Tech line-up is one of Turtle HI-TECH BO M REFINES Wax’s older ranges and it sent Ceramic Wet Wax THE E-SCOOTER DESIGN for our test. While we tested 16 products, the results are not in a format we can share. Sonax Xtreme Spray + Seal (above) and Autobead Lance Sealant were the standout performers. “The bo M is the Q Voltage safety concerns creation of former Jaguar Land Rover A YOU say in your plier sets test (Issue 1,736) that and Williams F1 the Silverline VDE Expert Pliers Set is approved Advanced Engineering to work with electrics up to 10,000V. Although designers” tested to 10,000V, they’re only approved for use on voltages up to a maximum 1,000V AC. Cutting edge Tony Potts New e-scooter is YOU’RE right. We should have been more on sale now, with precise. In practice, when working on cars it deliveries starting makes little difference whether it’s 1,000V or 10,000V, because great care should always in spring 2023 be taken when working near high voltages. Q Under cover in Portugal A I’VE exported my Mazda CX-3 to Portugal, to use when I’m there. I’m looking for a high-quality car cover, because the CX-3 will be outside my house for up to two months at a time. I don’t want to leave it exposed to the elements. Stuart Middleton CAR Cover Shop (carcovershop.co.uk) told us high UV levels will destroy cheaper covers that are spray-coated or the dimple/golf ball-texture versions in one or two summers. Premium waterproof and breathable neoprene designs will fade, but should last four to six years. Make sure you get one that will cover the CX-3 fully. www.autoexpress.co.uk Special Issue 91

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PRODUCTSNew on the shelves Building new Lego Ferrari nedveeewanlsst,&s Daytona kit is child’s play Flâneur is all Wight FIRST TEST Detail for motoring books Lego Technic Ferrari 59cm-long A NEW automotive bookshop has Daytona SP3 kit contains opened on the Isle of Wight. Called almost 3,800 Flâneur (above), it features a huge range Price: £349.99 pieces of Lego of new and collectible motoring books, Rating: focusing on the 1960s to the 1990s. Contact: lego.com Proprietor Warren Whyte formerly ELEVEN-year-old eyes were popping when worked for a Ford garage as well as the latest masterpiece from Lego Technic Mercedes-Benz, and also runs the Car arrived on my desk, writes consumer editor Marketing Archive – a Twitter feed for Chris Rosamond. Like many kids his age, automotive advertising through the my son is obsessed with the stuff. years. If you’d like to visit, head to Avenue Road, Freshwater, where Flâneur The young master builder was forced to is open on Tuesdays and Fridays. Follow wait impatiently while I ogled the packaging, the store on Twitter or Facebook to find which made a great start towards justifying out more – its handle is @flaneurUK. the £350 asking price with its triple-drawer design. I reckoned it looked like a Ferrari Falken in race to pick tool chest, but my son soon pointed out up second film award the graphics in fact mimic the Daytona’s twin-exhaust rear end. TYRE brand Falken has been nominated for a gong at the International Motor Nestled inside the top drawer was a Film Awards 2022. After winning Best very tastefully produced softback book Event Film last year, the brand hopes its outlining the design story of the Lego recently released short, A Declaration of subject, along with a thick build manual Love, celebrating fans of the Nürburgring, – the drawers contain 3,778 pieces. will be in line for the top honours. With the kit having a recommended age It joins a line-up of nominees that of 18-plus, I was concerned that such a includes the most recent Bond movie, complex build might faze a youngster, but No Time To Die, and Michael Bay’s my son managed to motor through the Ambulance. The awards ceremony will whole thing over four nights after school. take place on 21 September in London. A methodical approach and the clarity of the illustrated step-by-step instructions Suffolk classics on meant the Lego V12 engine with moving show in September pistons and a working transmission all came together without a hitch. HEAD over to Glemham Hall in Suffolk on 4 September for Classics at Glemham, a As the bodywork began to appear on popular classic car show with more than this huge, 59cm nose-to-tail Ferrari, the 1,000 vehicles expected. In addition to scale of Lego’s achievement became clear the classics, you’ll find car club stands, – as did the reason for that 18+ rating. military vehicles, commercial vehicles Unlike the company’s Ninjago sets, the end and motorcycles on display, along with result feels much too special to play with! the usual assortment of live music, food and trade stands plus an autojumble. “The packaging went some way to justifying The 2022 show supports St Elizabeth the £350 asking price” Hospice with its profits. Tickets for a visitor cost just £6 but must be booked NEW PRODUCT All-rounder in advance at classicsglemham.co.uk. Continental PremiumContact 7 Tyre can be used Know an event coming soon? Price: TBC Contact: continental-tyres.co.uk with ICE, electric Contact [email protected] and hybrid cars CONTINENTAL has revealed that the successor to its Special Issue 93 PremiumContact 6 – an Auto Express tyre test winner back in 2018 – will be available in some sizes from this autumn. The German tyre maker says the new PremiumContact 7 has technologies built in to improve handling, braking and ride comfort over the outgoing tyre. The company has also followed Goodyear’s Asymmetric 6 and designed an all- rounder tyre, which works with not only internal combustion engines, but also electric and hybrid-powered vehicles. The new tyre will be available in 50 sizes by the end of the year for a range of vehicle types. The current PremiumContact line-up covers 15-22-inch wheels. www.autoexpress.co.uk

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PRODUCTSPressure washers Mini test bgaomokess, & apps NEW PRODUCT 300 Great Grand Nilfisk Core 150-10 Prix Facts For Motorsport Fans Price: £263.98 Flow: 7.8 litres/min Rating: (Utopia Press, amazon.co.uk) Contact: machinemart.co.uk Price: £6.99 Rating: WHILE we really liked using this machine, it’s when it came to WE’RE not sure who this book’s tidying away that we really appreciated the thoughtful design. aimed at – the big, quirky print The massive 10-metre hose can be simply reeled away, and would suggest kids, but there are the nozzles for snow foam, adjustable fan and the more plenty of entries that’ll inspire more powerful pin jets all have a neat home on the body of the questions than they answer. We’d machine. The transport handle can be folded down too, so suggest that, for young F1 fans, a it will fit on a shelf or under a workbench. The only strange more grown-up book and some oversight is the power cable, which has to be awkwardly adult help would be better. bunched together and bungeed into place. Essential Buyer’s When you’re using it, the Core 150 has plenty of power Guide: Mazda MX-5 and the fittings are easier to use than the awkward Kärcher Miata Mk3, 3.5, 3.75 connections. The hose is more pliable too, and the lighter lance is a relief if you are cleaning a driveway or larger vehicle. Oliver Wild (Veloce, veloce.co.uk) Price: £14.99 Rating: But while the Nilfisk performs well and has a decent five- year warranty, it just doesn’t look or feel like a machine that EARLY Mazda MX-5s are getting is worth substantially more than the Kärcher and almost four on a bit, but they make great times more than our multitest-winning Titan. used convertibles for not much money. This book helps you Nilfisk washer aims to avoid some more common blast away Kärcher rival mistakes in buying one, pointing out potential pitfalls Tom Barnard is priced at £263.98. It might not look “A sub-£70 and problem areas before you quite as advanced or powerful as the machine may not commit to a purchase. A PRESSURE washer is one of any Kärcher K5 Full Control Plus, but it has suit the serious car enthusiast’s favourite tools. While practical features you’ll appreciate. DIYer who wants Racing Xtreme 2 the cheapest can cost less than £50, the a bit more punch” keener cleaner may be willing to invest The two are evenly matched, with Available for: iOS, Android a bit more. Our Best Buy in a recent the Kärcher having more power and Price: Free Rating: multitest was the Titan TTB1800PRW, clever tech to make it easier to use, but but this sub-£70 machine might not be the Nilfisk fights back with better storage, ALTHOUGH the graphics are good and the trucks what the serious DIYer wants if they’re a more compact size and a longer hose. varied, you don’t really do anything in this game. looking for a little more punch. With the scores so close on performance, Your sole responsibility is to press a button before it comes down to price, and following a a jump and again after Nilfisk has just launched its new recent cut the Kärcher comes out on top. it – and it even tells contender, the Core 150-10, which you when to do that. The fun only lasts for RECOMMENDED BUY about two races, Kärcher K5 Full Control Plus after which you’ll want something Price: £208.50 Flow: 8.3 litres/min more involved. Rating: Contact: diy.com App of the week THE K5 took a podium place in our most recent multitest and Fiat Link & Drive was the highest rated of the premium washers. Since then it has benefited from a substantial price cut, yet it still looks like Available for: iOS, Android an expensive product, with technology which will please the Price: Free Rating: gadget-loving car washer. The most ingenious gizmo is the electronic 3-in-1 Multi Jet lance, which incorporates an LCD YOU’LL need this if you have display and control buttons to adjust the jet from a driveway a base-spec electric Fiat 500, blaster to a low-power splurge for applying detergent. which doesn’t come with an infotainment screen. This app It’s much easier to use than the Nilfisk’s adjustment knob, gives you access to your maps, but snow foaming relies on Kärcher’s own (expensive) fluid or media and car information. It a separate bottle, which isn’t included. works well, with clear readouts. The K5’s hose is shorter and more difficult to manage than Special Issue 95 the Nilfisk’s, too, which means packing everything away is a little bit more of a chore. But we can’t overlook the difference in price, high-quality feel and technology. Although we ultimately preferred using the Nilfisk, the margin wasn’t big enough to outweigh the saving you’d make by choosing the K5. www.autoexpress.co.uk

PRODUCTS Spannersets Halfords Advanced 12-piece Combination Spanner Set 8-19mm Rating: Price: £35 Sizes: 8-19mm Contact: halfords.com BEST BUY THERE’S a high-quality feel to this Halfords set from 2022 the moment you slide your fingers into the foam tray. There’s lots of room to remove each tool and finding what you want is easy, because the sizes are marked on the tray, which is designed to go in a tool chest. The edges are a little more comfortable than rival spanners and the finish feels good. It aced our tests, with only a marginally oversized open end on the 10mm to complain about. Not the cheapest, but the best combination of price and quality. ClarkePro12-piece FullPolish SPANSNEETRS Combination Wrench Set PRO20 Which product turned our Rating: Price: £35.98 Sizes: 6-15, 17, 19mm heads in the workshop? Contact: machinemart.co.uk PRODUCTGROUP TEST RECOMMENDED A RETURN to the podium for the PRO20, 2022 17 | 8 | 2022 which also took the runner-up spot in our last test, back in Every week, we extensively test all the 2015. The price may have increased by more than a tenner latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to look since then, but much is the same. The spanners are more comfortable than most test rivals and appreciably heavier. through our huge online test archive The set breezed through our tests with no problems, and is the one to pick if there are lots of small fasteners on your car, because sizes start from 6mm. But like last time, the storage rack doesn’t grip the tools, which is irritating. It was close, but the Halfords just takes the verdict on price. Silverline Combination 2022 Kim Adams Spanner Set 12-piece SP1236 ALONGSIDE a socket set, spanners Rating: Price: £13.57 Sizes: 8-19mm are at the heart of a car tool kit for Contact: silverlinetools.com anyone aiming to do more than topping up fluid levels. While screwdrivers and RECOMMENDED IF your tools budget is shrinking by the pliers bought for home DIY use can double up on a car, you will need to day then this is a great option that’s available for less than invest in spanners for automotive £15. The finish is no match for more expensive rivals and work, and a metric combination set is there are longer tools here, but this set will absolutely do the best place to start for most drivers. the job. It sailed through our size and torque tests without problem, which wasn’t true of every set here. You have to Older British cars may need imperial sizes, most commonly AF, but a metric ask why sizes are only on one side of each tool, but they are set that offers open and ring sizes will visible in the rack and at this price you can probably live with it. enable a wide range of repairs and maintenance jobs to be tackled. So, which is the set that turned our heads? We got busy in the workshop with eight collections to find out. Sealey Premier 16 -piece Cold Stamped Combination Spanner Set AK63255 Price: £29.12 Sizes: 6-19, 21, 22mm Rating: Contact: sealey.co.uk A TOP performer in previous spanner set tests, Sealey just misses out on a podium position this time. The set gets a lot of things right, with the range starting at 6mm and rising to 22mm, all contained in an EVA (ethylene and vinyl acetate) foam tray for tool cabinets. But it’s a shame that the finger holes are on the small side and there are no size markings on the tray, while tools sizes aren’t visible when stored. It only tripped up once in our tests, where the 17mm ring was just oversize after the torque test. A good option if you need a larger range. 96 Special Issue www.autoexpress.co.uk

Spannersets PRODUCTS Draper Expert 12-piece Contact: drapertools.com Spanner Set 47044 Price: £18.44 Sizes: 18-19mm Rating: DRAPER is a two-time winner of this test, but struggled to match the best with these sets. The tools come in a neat rack and the size markings are easily visible. The tools are good to use thanks to their smooth finish. But the 10mm spanner was marginally oversize and the 13mm started to bend in the torque-misuse test. While it remained fine for further use, it didn’t help the Draper’s bid for the win in such a closely matched field. Draper Expert 14-piece Combination Spanner Set 29547 Price: £54.06 Sizes: 8-14, 17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32mm Rating: Contact: drapertools.com How we THIS is the most expensive set on test, but you do get a lot for tested them your money, not just in terms of the number of tools, but also their size. All our essentials are present, but if you work on WITH the help of Draper’s Quality larger vehicles, there are also common sizes up to 32mm. The Assurance department, we checked both spanners are packaged in a neat, marked tool roll that can also ends of the 10, 13 and 17mm spanners be hung on a wall. The tools are good to use, but the smaller for size. We then used Draper’s test rig ones are the same as in Draper’s 47044 set (above), and had the to apply the DIN899 standard required same size and torque test problems, which hurt the overall score. torque, plus 20 per cent to simulate misuse to both the 13 and 17mm open QUICK LINK TO BUY and ring ends. We also checked the size for any distortion following the test. BY following this affiliate link to Amazon, Auto Express will receive a small percentage of the Away from the specialist equipment money you spend if you choose to buy that we checked comfort, length and looked product or, in some cases, other products from for clear size markings, a case or holder, the site soon afterwards. The commission is plus the inclusion of our essential eight, paid by the retailer, not by you as a consumer. 10, 12, 13, 17 and 19mm spanners. This does not affect our impartiality in any way. The final factor considered was price Hilka 32-pc Spanner Set 16213203 from online sources at the time of writing. Price: £53.99 Sizes: 10x metric, 10x AF, 6x metric stubby, 6x AF stubby Verdict Rating: Contact: screwfix.com THE result was extremely close throughout the field, but Halfords IT might be one of the more expensive sets here, but as with the narrowly takes the win from the Draper 29547 (above), you get a lot for your money, this time in Clarke PRO20 set. For motorists the number of tools. These are split between conventional and who are on a tight budget, the stubby, and imperial and metric, making them ideal if you work cost-effective Silverline set on both modern and classic cars. They’re comfortable to use completes the podium. and the heaviest on test. Not so good were the three spanners 1. Halfords Advanced 12-piece (we tested only the conventional sizes) that were marginally Combination Spanner Set 8-19mm oversize. But it’s a versatile set and ideal if you need the range. 2. Clarke Pro 12-piece Full Polish Combination Wrench Set PRO20 Kamasa 14-piece Combination 3. Silverline Combination Spanner Spanner Set SP2414 Set 12-piece SP1236 Price: £29.94 Sizes: 10-14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32mm www.autoexpress.co.uk Rating: Contact: kamasa.co.uk IF you want the bigger sizes without stretching to the Draper 29547 set (above), this collection could be an option. You’ll need to carefully check what sizes you need, because there are gaps in the line-up. It starts at 10mm, so was the only set not to include our essential 8mm size. The smooth chrome finish means the spanners feel good, but they have thin shaft edges, as with some others here. A cost-effective set for the bigger tools, but there were size problems for the 13mm, plus after the torque test for the 17mm, which was a tad too big. Special Issue 97

MARKETPLACE 3 ISSUES FOR JUST £5 EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Fuelingthepassion F e g epas n F e g epas n 223 224 225 GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE Pay £1.66 an issue for your first 3 issues (usual price £5.70) Never miss an issue – FREE delivery direct to your door Money-back guarantee – cancel and we’ll refund your remaining issue Unique subscriber-only covers VISIT octane.co.uk/subscribe AND ENTER OFFER CODE X22P Live outside the UK ? For our best overseas subscription offers visit subscribe.octane-magazine.com/overseas-subscriptions or call +44 (0)330 3 33 9491. Calls to 03 numbers will be charged at your standard local rate. 98 Special Issue www.autoexpress.co.uk

59th ShTarilset-aHnester PLACE Got any car queries? [email protected] Q Can I upgrade my F-Pace’s infotainment system? A MY 2018 Jaguar F-Pace is a great car and I want to hang on to it for a while, especially with a shortage of new cars and high used prices. The only issue is the infotainment, which can be a pain. I know Jaguar has launched a newer system. Can I upgrade? Ian Baker, E-mail WE’VE previously checked this point with Jaguar and, unfortunately, the firm’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system is only available on cars from the 2021 model year or newer. There is no option to retrofit it to an existing car. You could consider upgrading to a newer F-Pace if the system you have is a bother, or perhaps you could look for aftermarket solutions. 2022 Results Q Is there any way of getting around parking restrictions? Audi A3 Factfile A MY partner lives in an urban area where Years: 2020 to present CO2: 128g/km INTERIOR The quality of cabin materials and the Virtual Cockpit’s resident parking permit restrictions are in Fuel economy: 50.4mpg (35 TFSI) force on every street from early morning Best options: Spare wheel, parking instruments get the thumbs-up, while the B&O upgrade is worth having until late at night, even at weekends. Driving sensors, B&O stereo, rear camera there isn’t currently an option because of GOOD NOT SO GOOD this, while public transport links aren’t great USED PRICES: From £20,500 either. Is there anything I can do? “THERE’S a very good amount “NO coat hooks in rear – I’ve Ben J, E-mail 86.069%OVERALL SCORE Bars show where model of acceleration available and never owned a car without finished out of 75 vehicles the gearbox is perfectly them before. In fact, interior IT’S likely that this is a busy area where the in our 2022 new-car survey. smooth. No issues at all.” storage is generally lacking.” council feels parking restrictions are necessary The longer the bar the better “Excellent B&O sound system. “The dealer charges three in order for residents with cars to be able to Fantastic audio quality – it was times more for a service than park. Your partner may be able to apply for a well worth the upgrade.” my local independent.” permit on your behalf, or – as a resident who “Feels like a large boot for a “The connectivity seems to pays council tax – write to the local authority car of this size. Especially good play up whenever I drive into asking for restrictions to be eased. with the back seats down.” a major city for some reason.” Engine and gearbox 75 1 “I regularly achieve between “I’ve had a number of quality Q Do I need to take out GAP Exterior 40 and 50mpg on a mixed issues, such as the door insurance with my new car? range of driving routes.” handle getting jammed.” A Interior and comfort “The quality of the A3’s interior “Infotainment system had to I’M in the process of buying a brand-new car Practicality and space materials is the best that I’ve be replaced under warranty, for the first time and have been told about ever seen in a car.” which was inconvenient.” GAP insurance. I understand the potential Ride and handling “Smoother suspension than “I never use the built-in benefits, but I don’t know if I’m likely to Safety features with my previous A3.” sat-nav – it’s dreadful.” need it. Is it worth having? “Virtual Cockpit technology “The front seats are too RP, E-mail MPG and running costs works extremely well.” hard and uncomfortable.” Reliability and GUARANTEED Asset Protection (GAP) insurance build quality may provide considerable peace of mind for Infotainment, a new car owner. Accidents and thefts do happen and it could be a financial lifesaver in connectivity and the event of a write-off. It makes most sense, electrics however, when a car is leased/financed, Value because you won’t be left with a shortfall if you haven’t finished paying off the car. Don’t WE SAID “The A3 Mk4 polarises opinion. just go with the dealer, though – check online GAP quotes, which could well be cheaper. The interior quality and stereo rate well among owners, but there’s disappointment when it comes to seat comfort and interior storage.” www.autoexpress.co.uk Special Issue 99

In association with Search thousands of new and used cars online Richard Dredge CO2/tax Running costs Performance IT was way back in 1989 that Toyota 100-128g/km 48-54mpg (300h) 0-62mph/top speed launched its Lexus luxury sibling brand, largely for the North American market. £155 £89 fill-up 8.9 seconds/112mph Within a year Lexus had also been BUYER’SGUIDE: Lexus launched in the UK, and while it has never CHECK ON... really set the market alight with its modest Hybrid Whereas the GS was Sensors A few owners have annual sales, Lexus has shown buyers Cameras The Takumi was that very complex, feature-laden luxury cars RWD, the ES is FWD. The ES 300h is a reported the parking sensors not working can be incredibly reliable and good value; offered with the optional Digital Side self-charging hybrid with a small battery properly, usually when it’s raining. A you tend to get much more equipment for View Monitor package, replacing the pack for minimal electric-only driving. warning flashes up on the dashboard. your money than when buying the more door mirrors with cameras. obvious alternatives, and with a higher standard of dealer service. One of the models introduced by Lexus when the brand was launched was the ES executive saloon, but it didn’t reach UK showrooms until it was in its seventh generation. It replaced the GS which, in Mk4 guise, had been on sale since 2012. History ORDERS opened for the Mk7 Lexus ES on 1 October 2018. The ES 300h was the only model offered and came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder non-turbo petrol engine supported by an electric motor and battery pack. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) was the only gearbox option. While the engine was rated at 215bhp, the electric motor added another 118bhp for sprightly performance while retaining the potential for 50mpg economy. The initial three-level trim structure (standard, F Sport and Takumi) was boosted by a high-value Premium Edition in September 2020; sitting above the base model, it brought 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch infotainment display and navigation. At the same time a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert were fitted as standard across the range. A facelift in October 2021 brought design tweaks, recalibrated suspension, updated multimedia with all cars getting a 12.3-inch display, improved LED headlights and extra high-tech safety features. 100 Special Issue DIMENSIONS The boot is one of the smallest in the class, at 545 litres (nearly 100 litres down on the Merc E-Class), and the rear seats are fixed so can’t be folded for extra space www.autoexpress.co.uk