Auto Express Special Issue No. 1724, April 13 3 May, 2022

towcars - Best towcars WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “Lively performance from a willing petrol engine with plenty of pulling power, while remaining composed when driving at speed.” www.autoexpress.co.uk SEAT Leon Estate FR 1.5 TSI 150PS DSG OVERALL TOWCAR OF THE YEAR 2022 & CLASS WINNER: Caravan Weight 1,100-1,200kg Kerbweight: 1,410kg Gross vehicle: 2,000kg Noseweight: 80kg Towing capacity (braked): 1,700kg Price: from £29,575 WHAT WE SAY: EVEN in practical estate form, the Leon retains plenty of its handling sharpness, lots of style and a fairly cavernous boot to make this the C-segment estate to beat. The Caravan and Motorhome Club judges found the car offered sprightly performance, and we agree: its 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine produces a solid 249Nm of torque from as low as 1,500rpm to deliver convincing all-round performance via the smooth-shifting seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Its 620-litre boot is very impressive for a mid-sized car, thanks in part to a longer wheelbase than its predecessor and improved packaging. The sporty FR looks great, but its slightly firmer suspension makes it a case of try before you buy. The tech is great, apart from the tricky touch-sensitive heater controls. Customisable digital dials, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the FR. As the judges said when crowning it the 2022 Towcar of the Year, the Leon makes for a great all-round family estate. SpecialIssue 51

Ultimate guide to caravans and MCHOOTOOSRIHNOGMAE Richard Ingram We spoke to Autovia boss Rich@[email protected] and motorhome fan Nicola SOyou’ve decidedyou’re readyto take the plunge Bates to get some tips on and buy your own motorhome. But where do you even buying the right van for you start? What kind of camper, conversion or van do you need, and making the most of and what should you look out for if buying used? The market your mobile holiday home can be a minefield, but Auto Express is here to help with some wise words from our very own CEO. CASE STUDY pDaocykoeuvfeinrydtihtifnrgusutprattoinggotaonhyawvheetroe? Q&A Nicola Bates CEO Autovia ORDINARILY, if we’re not too far from home, we’ll take a aWnhdawt thyypdeidofyvoaunbduoyyito?u have car and use that. But because fuel is astronomical at the minute, if it’s only an hour and a half away, we ask: ‘do WE’VE got an Adria Supreme SL. We went through we indulge in taking two vehicles?’ If it’s further, we’ll phases of working out what we needed and decided take the bikes; we’ve got electric mountain bikes. that this particular van was going to be perfect. You get into your routine when you’re away. We just get How often do you use your van? up and go, [my husband] does that, I do this. The biggest thing is making sure everything is secure and it’s not going WE’RE away all the time – even in winter. We’ve used to rattle around when we’re driving. My top tip is having it in November, December and February, and we went plenty of towels in your crockery cupboards! to Yorkshire a couple of weeks ago. What could you not live without? Wtenhdattokidnodionftthriepvsadno?you THE toilet! But also there are USB ports everywhere so you IT’S mainly weekends. Ordinarily you say: ‘shall we go can plug in and keep your phones charged. A lot of people away for a weekend?’ You book into a hotel and before you have proper ovens; we just have a gas hob. But then we know it, with dinner, you’ve dropped £600-£700. But with tend to have barbecues outside, or tapas. the motorhome it costs £25 for most places that we stay. Any big plans for the summer? You either love it or you don’t, but to wake up in a different place each time? There was one place on the WE want to do Norway. My husband has done that on a Isle of Skye with a view over the loch with otters bobbing motorbike and thinks it’d be amazing in the van. Also the up and we just thought: ‘this is pretty special’. south of France, but it’s just finding the time to do that. There are plenty of places closer to home which are good for popping away to when you want a change of scenery. HOME FROM HOME www.autoexpress.co.uk Nicola’s van can sleep two people inside and has mod-cons, such as a toilet and a gas hob to rustle up hot food 52 SpecialIssue

towcars - Motorhomes A PLACE IN THE COUNTRY Motorhome buying guide A motorhome is ideal for What to lookfor weekend getaways or longer holidays, as Autovia CEO IF you’re buying new, you’ll want to consider things such as interior layout and storage – particularly if Nicola Bates has discovered you’re planning on taking bikes or other bulky kit – but OPTIONS A motorhome gives buying a used motorhome requires a bit more thought. Nicola the chance to explore Perhaps the most obvious is the condition of the the UK, although she and her van. People often live in them for weeks on end, and husband are planning a trip that can take its toll. Make sure all the specified kit is present and correct, be that cushions or mattresses, to Europe this summer or even discs for factory-fitted navigation systems. Many vans have removable gas tanks. These aren’t always expensive to fill, but the canisters are sold on a deposit basis, so you’ll need one to hand back to avoid paying twice. Ensure these are where they should be, and knock some cash off the price if they’re not. Finally, many vans will be left standing during the winter, which isn’t great for any vehicle. Make sure the tyres are in good condition (many need special rubber, rather than normal road-car tyres) and the water tank is clean and free from mould. The same goes for the cabin; conversions are particularly susceptible to condensation, which can result in unwanted smells. Is bigger always better? BIGGER vans often have more amenities and bigger beds, even toilets and showers. But they also have their limitations. Sheer size can influence route choice, because narrow roads and rural camping spots can be a no-go for the biggest vans. Larger vehicles, especially those over 3,500kg, may need extra licence categories or more confidence to drive, too. Many will also be speed-limited, making longer trips more of a chore. The space and practicality of smaller models might surprise you. Many have foldaway beds to maximise interior room during the day, and flip-up tables or pop- out chairs that can be hidden away when not in use. Factory build or conversion? THERE’S no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between a factory-built camper or converted motorhome. A conversion allows you greater input into the van’s design or features, but what appeals to you may not interest used buyers when it comes to selling. While opting for a factory build will likely be more expensive, quality is often superior, with warranties similar to those when buying a new car. And with competitive finance, it may be cheaper than you think. Rent before you buy YOU can rent vans and motorhomes for the weekend, month or more from around £40 per day (off season). It’s a great way to see what vehicle best suits your needs. Just book early to avoid the summer rush. In fact, Nicola is a shining example of how renting a camper could even save your marriage. She and her husband knew they didn’t want a massive motorhome, so they borrowed a Volkswagen with a pop-up roof. “We came very close to divorce one night trying to get the bed set up!” she told us. “We realised what we needed was a [boot] that was big enough for a scooter or bikes, and enough storage to be self- sufficient. We wanted fixed beds, too, so there was none of the faff of making the beds each night.” Five top motorhomes tobuy SpecialIssue 53

Ultimate guide to caravans and RAISING THE ROOF Adria Twin Sports 640 SG Adria’s pop-up roof creates space From: £65,495 Berths: 4 for two people to sleep, with another pair inside the van ADRIA virtually invented the active lifestyle van conversion more than a decade ago, and its Twin range offers an unbeatable combination of flexibility and practicality in a cleverly packaged compact campervan that could double as a daily driver. Built on the 6.4-metre Fiat Ducato platform, the Twin includes four belted travel seats and four berths – two at the back of the van and another PROS: Smart packaging two in the rising ‘pop-top’ creates room for four roof extension. people and their outdoor It’s always going to be adventure kit. Intelligent cosy with four on board, use of space for kit storage. but these vans are aimed Clever washroom. Daily at young, active families driver potential. wanting to spend most of their time exploring the CONS: Space to sprawl great outdoors. A clever after a day’s mountain compact washroom and biking or kayaking is basic kitchen are part of limited. Mattresses are the package, offering a little on the thin side. much more civilised More expensive than accommodation than the many compact coach- traditional ‘camper’ for built motorhomes. GUIDE TO MOTORHOMESaroundthesameprice. In the market for a new motorhome? Here are our top-five recommendations Mark Sutcliffe Auto-Trail V-Line 635 Sport MOTORHOME sales have rocketed over the past From £65,110 Berths: 2 two years as global travel restrictions curtailed the THE 635 is a space-efficient couples’ tourer that includes holiday dreams of millions of Brits. the creature comforts you’d expect for both weekends away and longer trips on the continent. The U-shaped rear lounge Facing sky-high rates, savvy holidaymakers cashed is roomy enough for cosy nights in front of the TV (which is in the savings on peak-season flights and all-inclusive included as standard) and converts to a huge double package holidaysfor a downpaymenton a motorhome bed, or two singles. and a road trip in their very own home on wheels. Thousands of people discovered the flexibility of a Standard kit includes PROS: Comfortable motorhome holiday for the first time, and many a reversing camera, a and space-efficient enjoyed it so much that they became instant converts. panoramic cab rooflight, accommodation with pretty sat-nav and a comfortable much everything you need A new motorhome doesn’t come cheap, but there washroom and kitchen. On included as standard. Daily are plenty of used options around, although like summer nights, there’s a driver potential. everything else with four wheels, prices have risen roller awning to sit beneath in the past 12 months. The cost of entry is around and a gas point for a CONS: Strictly couples only £35,000 for a brand-new but pretty spartan barbecue, while the grade- – zero flexibility for families campervan, and this rises to £45,000 for a no-frills three insulation, blown-air or taking the grandchildren coach-built model. For around the same price as a heating and a fixed roof away for a weekend treat. prestige SUV, you can get yourself a boutique hotel mean the Auto-Trail will Hefty price tag compared on wheels for your five-star weekend escapes. keep you snug and cosy with a compact coach- in the depths of winter. built motorhome. The good news is that second-hand motorhome values are traditionally much stronger than they are www.autoexpress.co.uk for cars or vans, so if the nomadic lifestyle isn’t your thing, you should get a decent amount of the new price back when you come to sell. Here we pick five of the best new campervans and motorhomes currently available, from a compact van conversion to a top-spec long-distance tourer. There’s one final piece ofadvice – our larger choices here are likely to require additional licence tests, because they will exceed the 3.5-tonne maximum you’re allowed to drive on a post-1997 car licence. Always check that you’re qualified to get behind the wheel, and take additional exams if necessary. 54 SpecialIssue

towcars - Motorhomes Carthago Chic C-Line I6.2 XL QB Merc From: £121,280 Berths: 4 CARTHAGO’S design philosophy echoes PROS: More luxurious than a the ambience of a luxury yacht, with typical hotel room. Outstanding beautifully finished cabinets and pleasing build quality and finish. Cachet detailing that evokes a bygone age of of Mercedes underpinnings. genteel grand touring. Based on a Mercedes Sprinter large van, this twin-axle CONS: Standard kit is limited; 8.8-metre behemoth is a wonderful space adding a few modest options to spend some quality time. makes the price even more stratospheric and may require Whether it’s pitched up paddock-side at a chassis weight upgrade to the Grand Prix, owning the VIP glampsite at maintain an ad load Glastonbury or wafting along the Croisette at Cannes, the Carthago is in its The Chic has class by the bucketload. Boasting a fixed island bed, en-suite washroom, comfortable front lounge and a drop-down double bed for when friends stop by, the Carthago is the final word in elegance. Chausson 660 Exclusiv e From: £60,490 Berths: 4 MEET the van reinvented as a funky, modern PROS: Potentially game- apartment. This award-winning coach-built changing design for those motorhome from Chausson rips up the looking for an Airbnb on design rule book, featuring a designer wheels. Brilliantly designed interior with innovation in every corner. kit and storage space. There’s huge storage at the back with an Realistic payload for four and integrated wardrobe, plus lots of additional excellent value for money. stowage and a swing-wall washroom to keep the wet and dry bits separate. CONS: Some of the open-plan The roomy eight-seater lounge turns into storage will be impractical on a comfortable double second double desc from the roof. There’s lots of prep space in the kitchen and an externalgaspoint for a barbecue – and even an outside shower for alfresco ablutions. Bailey Autogr PROS: Spacious multi-berth flexibility and the potential for From: £75,999 Berths: 6 shared multi-generational BAILEY is a family-owned British maker ownership to spread the costs. with a deserved reputation for building Heaps of living and lounging practical motorhomes, and the Autograph space. Punchy engine. is a firm favourite with family buyers. Built CONS: Too long to keep on your on an eight-metre Peugeot platform with drive and a chore to negotiate an uprated 4,250kg payload, the six-berth 81-6 also features six travelling seats, ti car parks. Front offering the potential for extended families bed is or larger groups to holiday together. ow. The twin-lounge l out creates the extra flexibility for separat and grown-ups’ ar 165bhp 2.2-litre die more than a match the extra payload, a sat-nav and a rever camera are standar alIssue 55

Ultimate guide to caravans and STUNNING CUMBRIA The beautiful Lake District provides an ideal mix of lakeside, woodland and mountain walks WHERE TO STAY FOLKESTONE gStrreuagtgsliitnegs taocrcohsosotshee? UWKet’voesruoituanldlepdreufper2e0nces GETTING THERE Matt Robinson end of the spectrum are luxury hard-standing pitches that WHILE you can simply enter your destination on could have dedicated features, including a water outlet, Google Maps or a car-specific sat-nav system, it’s vital YOU have your caravan or motorhome, as well as chemical waste disposal or even a barbecue stand. to check the given route is suitable for the motorhome all the equipment you might need, so now there’s only you’re driving or the caravan you’re towing. Bespoke one thing left to do – choose somewhere to go! Doing For most, something in the middle – perhaps a caravan and campervan-specific navigation units and so means thinking about what it is you want from a hard-standing pitch with an electrical hook-up and apps help take the hassle out of this. Some of these campsite itself, as well as the local area. space for an awning – will be sufficient. systems let you enter details of your setup (weight, for example), providing an ideal route to suit. SITE FACILITIES SITE LOCATION TOWING A CARAVAN ABROAD FACILITIES offered can vary wildly. At the most basic end WITH thousands of campsites in the UK alone, it’ll be easy IF you’d rather go further afield, there’s always the of the scale are remote ‘wild camping’ sites, that offer enough to find one in the kind of location that suits your option of taking your motorhome or caravan across the somewhere to park your caravan or motorhome, and very holiday needs. Perhaps you want something coastal that’s a Channel via a ferry or the EuroTunnel. However, there little else. At most, there might be somewhere to empty short walk to the beach, or somewhere rural with access to are a few things to know, particularly in light of Brexit. the chemical toilet and a tap for drinking water. great walks? Woodland sites are great for mountain biking and other adventurous activities, or perhaps you’d rather Firstly, be sure to buy the right ferry or Eurotunnel For some, there’s an appeal to this ‘back to basics’ stay on the edge of a bustling town or city. tickets for your vehicle. Secondly, you’ll need a ‘green approach to camping, but if that’s not you, don’t worry, NORTHUMBERLAND card’ proof of insurance for both your vehicle and the because most sites are much better equipped. At the very caravan you’re towing. Thirdly, checkyour breakdown least, you should expect a clean toilet and shower block, recovery provider covers travel abroad. Finally, there plus facilities for doing the washing up. Laundry facilities are speed limits for motorhomes and vehicles towing are reasonably common, as are play areas at more family- caravans across Europe; often dependent on weight. friendly establishments. Larger sites can be equipped with leisure facilities, such as swimming pools or golf courses. PITCH TYPES ONCE you’ve settled on the sort of facilities you’re looking for, it’s important to look at the kind of touring pitches on offer. Again, there’s a sliding scale here; starting at basic grass pitches without an electrical hook-up. At the other 56 SpecialIssue

towcars - Campsites CENTRAL ENGLAND West Runton Camping and electrical hook-ups available, 41 of which incredible feature is built up of 40,000 Caravanning Club Site are grass. A shop and laundry complements interlocking basalt columns, formed by a Barn Farm Camping, Derbyshire 01263 837544 a children’s play area and pitch and putt. prehistoric volcanic fissure eruption. barnfarmcamping.com YOU’LL find this site at a fishing village on The campsite has only 12 serviced hard- LOCATED on the edge of the Peak District the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Brighton Caravan and Motorhome standing pitches, so it’s advisable to book and around three miles from Matlock, Barn Natural Beauty, right near the West Runton Club Campsite, Sussex well in advance to avoid missing out. Farm is well placed for access to this beach, known for its extensive rock pools 01273 626546 There’s a small shop on-site, while in popular national park’s attractions. The that are exposed at low tide. It’s a THIS site is less than a mile from the beach, nearby Portrush you’ll find numerous dining majority of the pitches are for tents and reasonably large site with 163 pitches. and two miles away from Brighton. There options and several golf courses. trailer tents only, so prompt booking is Most of these have electrical hook-up are 152 touring pitches, and work is under advised to secure one of the 13 electrical and 34 are hard standing. Facility way to create a further seven pitches. There SCOTLAND hard-standing pitches available. On site highlights include a laundry, a shop is a laundry, a motorhome drive-over waste there is a laundry, shop and games room. and a children’s play area. disposal and chargeable WiFi. Dalraddy Holiday Park, Cairngorms Chapel Fields Holiday NORTHERN ENGLAND Folkestone Camping and campinginaviemore.co.uk Park, Lincolnshire Caravanning Club Site, Kent LOCATED on a vast family-owned estate to chapel-fields.co.uk Bay Ness Farm, Yorkshire 01303 255093 the north of the Scottish Highlands’ striking CHAPEL Fields is one of several caravan baynessfarm.co.uk A CLIFFTOP location here offers fabulous Cairngorms, Dalraddy has lots going on. parks clustered on the outskirts of Chapel OPEN from mid-April to late September, views, and there’s a 1.5-mile coastal There’s an on-site café serving food made St Leonards. There’s a sandy beach Bay Ness Farm offers a stunning panoramic walk for accessing Folkestone harbour. with ingredients foraged from the grounds, less than a mile from the site exit, or if sea view on the North Yorkshire Moors The site offers 40 pitches for motorhomes and various activities, including clay pigeon preferred, Skegness is 15 minutes down coast. The charming seaside town of only – towed caravans are not permitted shooting, quad-biking and a 1.2-mile zip the coast. There are four fishing lakes Robin Hood’s Bay is only a 30-minute due to the tricky access road, but line. There are 20 hard-standing touring on-site, plus a modern shower block walk away, while the tourist destination there are plenty of suitable pitches with electrical hook-up. with disabled access and a shop. Whitby is 10 minutes by car. For camper alternatives located nearby. Edinburgh Caravan vans and caravans, there are simple Club Site, Edinburgh Forest of DeanBracelands, grass pitches with electrical hook-up. Heathfield Farm Camping, 0131 312 6874 Gloucestershire It isn’t possible to pay on arrival, so Isle of Wight LYING on the edge of the Scottish capital, campingintheforest.co.uk early pre-booking is advised. heathfieldcamping.co.uk this site includes a handy minibus service THIS vast forest in Gloucestershire is an THIS nine-acre site near Freshwater to the to whiskyou into the city centre for a excellent hub for adventure sports, including Castlerigg Hall Caravan and west of the island offers a great view of the day of sightseeing. If you’d rather stay mountain biking and kayaking. All of this is Camping Park, Cumbria Solent with 81 grass pitches, 67 of which closer to ‘home’, there are some lovely within easy reach of Camping in the Forest’s castlerigg.co.uk have electrical hook-up. There’s a large scenic walks along the expansive Firth of spacious and woodland-set Bracelands THE Lake District has no shortage of playing field, a laundry, WiFi and a Forth estuary. There are 146 touring pitches site. There are 520 pitches – a mix of grass campsites, but Castlerigg Hall stands out communal barbecue area. There’s plenty to available, almost all of which are hard and hard standing. There’s a shop, laundry, thanks in part to the fabulous views over do in the local area, including fishing, golf, standing. There’s a shower block, a and a leisure battery charging point. Derwentwater available from many of its horse riding and various watersports. laundry and a golf course. pitches. A decent number of hard-standing Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire touring pitches are available, ranging from a St Agnes Beacon Caravan WALES fotheringhaycastlefarm.co.uk basic set-up with no electrical hook-up to Club Site, Cornwall FOR a taste of wild camping in an easy-to- fully-serviced ‘superior’ spots. The market 01872 552543 Bryn Gloch Caravan and access location, look no further than town of Keswick is nearby, while on-site THE St. Agnes Heritage Coast is the setting Camping Park, Snowdonia Fotheringhay. It’s only a 20-minute drive there’s a shop, café and laundry. for this slightly sloped site, affording a great northwalescamping.co.uk from the city of Peterborough, but you vantage point over some of Cornwall’s SITTING at the foot of Mount Snowdon on wouldn’t know it, with a peaceful location Coast and Castles Camping, rugged shoreline. Enjoy walking, surfing the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, overlooked by the ruins of Fotheringhay Northumberland and beach days nearby. There are 88 grass Bryn Gloch offers great views and easy Castle. There’s no electrical hook-up, coastandcastles.com pitches, all of which have electrical hook-up. access to many outdoor activities. There are though, and the only facilities are a portaloo SET in the Northumberland Coast Area of 114 pitches available for touring hire, 48 of and a tap. However, if you feel the need to Natural beauty, this site is great for anyone Stowford Village which are all-weather ‘super pitches’. There get back to civilisation, the highly-rated looking for back-to-basics camping. royaleresorts.co.uk are a further 112 seasonal pitches for long- Falcon Inn pub is only a short walk away. Facilities are limited to toilets, changing LOCATED near the North Devon coastline, term rental. On-site facilities are plentiful, facilities and gas-powered showers, this large site provides 300 touring pitches, and there’s an accessible bathroom, should Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire because there’s no electricity. There’s a 100 of which are hard standing. Nearby is a you fancy a soak after a hard day’s hiking. campingintheforest.co.uk beach less than a mile away, and the swimming pool, crazy golf, a go-kart track SHERWOOD’s 150-pitch facility feels new St Oswald’s Way ancient walking route is and a petting zoo. There are several Cwmdu Campsite, Powys and fresh, having only been completed in nearby. There are only 28 pitches available facilities blocks, with a disabled and family campingbreconbeacons.com 2021. This forest park is located in for touring, so early booking is advised. unit placed near the reception area. THE Brecon Beacons are home to some of Mansfield and is the largest park in the East the UK’s most stunning scenery, and this Midlands. It was once part of the ancient SOUTHERN ENGLAND NORTHERN IRELAND site is an ideal place to base yourself for Sherwood forest of the Robin Hood legend exploration. There are various walks and features multiple dedicated trails a Golden Cap Holiday Park, Dorset Highview Holiday Park, starting from the Cwmdu itself, and further few hundred metres from the camp’s exit. wdlh.co.uk Northern Ireland afield, the Black Mountains. Five minutes It’s popular with mountain bikers. Dog FOR exploring the Jurassic Coast, the highviewholidaypark.co.uk away is the town of Crickhowell should you owners are well-served too, with an on-site Golden Cap Holiday Park is a great option. THIS County Antrim park is close to both the want to stop for some local produce. The wash for pooches only. Grass, hard- The village of Seatown and its sandy beach White Rocks beach and the Giant’s site has 47 electrical hook-up pitches, standing and luxury ‘hard-standing select’ lie less than 150 metres away, while inland Causeway UNESCO World Heritage site. This some of which are hard standing. pitches are available. Additional facilities there’s a vast expanse of National Trust include WiFi and a laundry. land to explore. There are 69 pitches with SpecialIssue 57 www.autoexpress.co.uk

Ultimate guide to caravans and ESSENTIAL CAMPING KIT Tllriiovfheuiennagrdilgo-ouhntpttehgoaeefsaitrerhoreawwdbi.lhleHemsentarieykto’eesumo’rsuer TOILET CHEMICALS ‘BLUE’ toilet chemicals sit in the septic tank and MIRROR EXTENSIONS Matt Robinson help break down biological waste while killing germs. IT’S a legal requirement to see 20 metres behind and ‘Green’ chemicals do the same job, but are kinder to four metres on either side of whatever you’re towing, BUYING a caravan or motorhome is just the start the environment, doing without harsh chemicals such so for caravan users mirror extensions are vital. – next, you need to kit it out appropriately. There’s a as formaldehyde. ‘Pink’ chemicals include a fragranced Mounting options include clamps, suction cups and dizzying array of caravan accessories out there, some additive that lines the bowl during the flush cycle. cords. Numerous shapes and sizes are available more useful than others. The items you see on this Thetford Aqua Kem Blue concentrated to suit different types of vehicles. spread are ones we’d consider must-haves for most Milenco Aero Mirror 4 caravan and motorhome holidays – and once you’ve From: £16.99 Contact: thetford-europe.com ticked off these items, you can think about using your From: £61.61 Contact: milenco.com remaining budget for the luxuries. GAS CYLINDER FOR keeping the heating, oven and so on going, Some of these basics will involve the purchase you’ll need some gas – either butane or propane. of touring-specific products, but at other times – for The appropriate size will depend on your set-up, but instance for certain tools – this isn’t mandatory. The 6kg is generally accepted as about right for most popularity of touring means there’s an abundance of tourers. You’ll often pay a refundable cylinder charge choice out there when it comes to the equipment and and swap the cylinder for a full one when empty. where to buy it from. There are many online options, Flogas 6kg propane gas cylinder plus numerous bricks-and-mortar retailers, making it easy to shop around to get the most for your money. From: £25.75 (plus £38.50 non-refundable 58 SpecialIssue cylinder charge) Contact: flogas.co.uk

towcars - Essential kit ELECTRICAL HOOKUP CABLE AWNING RAMPS, CHOCKS AND BLOCKS YOUR caravan or motorhome should have one WE’RE stretching the term ‘essential’ for this one, ONCE parked up, your campervan or motorhome must of these already, but if not – or if the existing unit but since some types of awning can double the living be made secure in its position. This is where wheel needs replacing – you’ll require a long cable with space of your caravan or motorhome, we reckon they’re chocks come in, since they will prevent any movement. the large, blue, three-pin adaptors on either end. a no-brainer. Awnings have come a long way over the Blocks and ramps, meanwhile, can be used under the At some sites, you may need an extension, best years, with lightweight fabrics and frames making for corner steadies and wheels respectively, in order to connected via a weatherproof coupler safebox. easy use and storage. There are even versions with keep your caravan level when the pitch isn’t. Crusader 25-metre inflatable structures for near-hassle-free assembly. Thule Levelers electrical hook-up cable Outdoor Revolution Eden Air 390 From: £29.98 Contact: thule.com From: £32.95 Contact: towsure.com From: £599 Contact: outdoor-revolution.com TOOL KIT SAFETY GEAR LIVING EQUIPMENT GATHER all the usual toolbox staples, such as a IT’S important to be prepared for the possibility WHEN it comes to points such as bedding, regular range of screwdrivers, adjustable spanner, small of your camping trip going south. Your campervan domestic items may be suitable when you’re on the socket set, hammer and mallet. It’s also handy to or caravan should have a well stocked and in-date move – but there are also caravan-specific products have some cable ties and disposable gloves – and first-aid kit featuring essentials such as plasters, that can be handy for more compact sleeping a cordless drill for unwinding corner steadies. bandages and antiseptics. A fire extinguisher, arrangements. You’ll also want to go for plastic cutlery Draper Ratcheting Screwdriver, fire blanket, carbon-monoxide and smoke alarms and melamine crockery to avoid the risk of breakages Socket and Bit Set are absolute must-haves as well. both on the move and after arrival. Lifesystems Camping First-Aid Kit Lakeland Hazy Days From: £31.55 Contact: drapertools.com melamine dining kit From: £34.99 Contact: lifesystems.co.uk From: £3.49 Contact: lakeland.co.uk WATER SUPPLIES SpecialIssue 59 A CARRIER to collect fresh water is attached to the ’van’s inlet via a hose and pump. To collect ‘grey’ water from the sink drains, you’ll also need a waste-water carrier. Hitchman Aquaroll and Wastemaster bundle From: £94.20 Contact: aquaroll.com www.autoexpress.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE ESTSASYECNATTIAIOLNS Must-have gifts for Auto Express readers and their car Defender Security Products Price: From £14.95 | Contact: defendersecurityproducts.co.uk FALLING victim to theft is a surefire way to have Defender Smart Plug your holiday ruined, but thankfully Defender AVAILABLE individually or in packs of four, the S Security Products has a range of ways to keep your Plug provides great peace of mind when away fro possessions - both what you’ve brought along and home by allowing you to remotely turn electrical left at home - well-protected. appliances on and off via a smartphone. Defender Plug In Simulated TV Impact Personal Alarm Torch THIS clever device mimics the light of a television, TO protect yourself on the move, the Impact Pers which should make would-be thieves think Alarm Torch with its 300 lumens LED includes torch someone’s in when there isn’t. A great deterrent. 130dB siren and strobe light functions. Defender Shock/Contact Alarm Free Defender Signal Blocker SHEDS are, sadly, an easy target for criminals. AS a bonus, it’s possible to bag a Defender Signal Should someone attempt to break into yours, the Blocker for free when buying any of these and usin Defender Shock/Contact Alarm is able to sound a the code ‘AUTOGIFT’ at checkout. This device helps powerful and attention-grabbing 130dB siren. protect your key fobs from relay theft. The Roof Box Company Yakima SkyRise HD tent Price: Various Price: £1,374.95 Contact: roofbox.co.uk, 01539 621884 Contact: roofbox.co.uk, 01539 621884 CAMPING trips often require additional luggage space for living ROOF tents offer a hassle-free take on camping, with no and leisure equipment. To that end, the Roof Box Company need to worry about finding a level, stone-free surface for offers a huge range of different roof boxes to suit various pitching. The Yakima SkyRise HD can be set up in a matter budgets, all of which can be bundled with roof bars in package of minutes after parking up to camp (where allowed), giving deals. Cyclists are well catered for, too, with a large assortment great views through its large windows. of roof, tow bar and rear-mount bike racks available.

Leatherman Bond™ EDC Multi-tool ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Autoglym QuikRefresh Price: £69.95 Contact: leatherman.co.uk Price: From £14.99 WITH 14 tools packed into a light and compact body, including Contact: autoglym.com/products a 2.9-inch non-locking 420HC steel knife blade, needlenose AUTOGLYM’s QuikRefresh is a simple pliers, a can opener and three screwdrivers, the Leatherman wipe-on, wipe-off treatment to be Bond is a versatile companion for your camping trips. It’s used between full washes. It’s perfect made from stainless steel and includes a 25-year warranty, for giving your caravan or motorhome so you know it’ll last for many holidays to come. Plus, it’s EDC a speedy clean-up before you leave, compliant, meaning it’s legal to carry in the UK. and after you’ve arrived. It works with any already applied protection KENWOOD Dashcams products like polish and wax. Price: £199.95 Overland Jump Starters Contact: kenwoodshop.co.uk IT’S well worth protecting the money you’ve invested in your Price: £79.95 (Overland), £109.95 (Ov camper or motorhome with a dashcam like the KENWOOD Contact: mobilesolarchar DRV-A501W, bundled here with the KCA-R100 rear-view WINNER of four Auto camera and an SD memory card. Its anti-glare polarised Overland jump starte filter lens will ensure great quality recording on the way to up to two litres and can your destination even on bright summer days, and once and 12V devices. For dies you’re on site, the hardwire kit provides a permanent power or those larger than two supply to enable smart parking mode. This activates the Overland + is available. You dash cam for 30 seconds if a collision is detected. good hands here as Mobile Chargers has specialised in for expeditions and travel for n Selk’bag Lite 6G Wearable Sleeping Bag Suit Price: £99.99 Contact: selkbag.co.uk A SLEEPING bag that can be used for more than just catching 40 winks, the Selk’bag Lite 6G can be worn indoors, and outdoors in spring and summer in the UK. Designed to blend comfort, warmth and freedom of movement, you can wear it while walking around with your own shoes or switch to removable zip-off booties with nylon soles for sleeping. You might even find yourself wearing the Selk’bag around the house once your holiday is over.

ROADTESTS Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives EVvs PHEVvsCOMPANYCARSTESTED Diesel is no longer king in the company car park, with EVs and plug-in hybrids increasingly pop Pictures: Nathan Morgan H7P3ryekumWndihuaRmiWIoDniq Price: £43,090 Powertrain: 73kWh battery 0-62mph: 7.4 seconds Test economy: 3.4mi/kWh CO2: 0g/km Annual road tax: £0 notes d out three of the finest examples to represent EV, mbustion power here. So while we’re going to judge ts own merits, it’ll also be fascinating to discover s stack up for each type of powertrain, too.” an Carson Associate editor 62 SpecialIssue

Diesel COMPANY cars are big business. offer appeal? Not only in the desirability According to the most recent figures stakes, but on the financial front, too? ular. We put the three powertrains to the test from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 56.5 per cent of new-car Less than a decade ago, electric vehicles SCMpe2or2cr0tedEdsetsate registrations last year went to the fleet were outliers in the market, but huge leaps market. That means that for more than half forward in range, purchase cost and Price: £44,835 of the new-car-buying population, Benefit- desirability – not to mention low company Powertrain: 2.0-litre 4cyl tu , in-Kind (BiK) tax will play a significant part car tax rates – have seen EVs become a 0-62mph: 7.4 seconds in their decision-making process. mainstream option. Few have as much Test economy: 70.5mpg/15.5mpl But no longer is that segment made up appeal as the Hyundai Ioniq 5; the striking CO2: 129g/km Annual road tax: £155 of diesel three-box saloons; company cars Korean five-door has genuine talent, too. have become more aspirational and started to make use of lower or zero-emission Indeed, EVs have overtaken plug-in powertrains. However, some exec models hybrids in terms of popularity. The BMW continue down the traditional route; the 330e is one such petrol/electric option for new Mercedes C 220 d is one of the latest those company car drivers who still want diesels to join the market, but does it still the flexibility that a petrol engine brings, but is there sufficient appeal across the board for this halfway-house technology? xBPDrMorWiTvoe3u3Mr0inSegport Price: £50,985 Powertrain: 2.0-litre 4cyl pl , 0-62mph: 5.9 seconds Test economy: 54.1mpg/12.2mpl CO2: 37g/km Annual road tax: £155 SpecialIssue 63

ROAD TESTS Companycarstested Testers’ notes MODELTESTED: Mercedes C 220 d Sport Estate “The C-Class should prove to be a draw to music fans, because Spotify, Apple PRICE: £44,835 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl MHEV, 197bhp Music and Amazon Music are all fully integrated into its infotainment set-up.” THEfifthgenerationof theC-Classispacked xf reInvigewraemr with more tech than ever, and as we’ll see with thisdieselmodel,Mercedeshasn’tgivenupon this formof propulsionjustyet.HerewehavetheC220d Running costs inEstateformandentry-levelSporttrim. Withthis 70.5mpg (on test) test car’s optional metallic paint (£685) and trailer £117 fill-up/£155 or 29% tax coupling(£750),itspricecomestoatotalof £46,270. Practicality eDnegsiingnee&ring 4.4 score WHEN you first set eyes on the latest Boot (seats up/down) C-Class Estate, it really doesn’t seem like 490/1,510 litres aradicaldeparturefromits predecessor.Andthere’s a reason for that: under the skin, the latest model Performance is based on a platform derived from the outgoing C-Class, and the new version’s overall proportions 0-62mph/top speed remain largely similar as a result. 7.4 seconds/150mph Thatshapedoesbringonebenefit whenitcomes toefficiency;eveninestate form,theC-Classboasts adragcoefficientof just0.27Cd.However,the underpinnings aren’t completely identical to the previous model’s, and have been extensively updated byMercedesto accommodateimprovedin-carand safety tech, and also the brand’s latest powertrains. The entire range now features electrification, be it the C 300 e plug-in hybrid, or the mild-hybrid systemfittedtothisC220d.This technology features on a diesel C-Class for the first time and allowsforengine-off coasting,plusanenergy recovery system that powers a 20bhp motor totakeloadoff theregularengine. Proving that Mercedes hasn’t abandoned diesel justyet,thefour-cylinder unitisasignificant evolutionof thepowerplantusedbytheprevious C-Class. Among the changes are a revised crankshaft, increased fuel pressure, and better piston cooling to provide a more consistent – and therefore efficient DIESEL – temperature throughout the combustion process. While the 197bhp output is the lowest here, the Mercedes C 220 diesel unit has the most torque, at 440Nm. Driving 4.4 PRODthestarterbuttonandthe Lyaette.WsteCfi-nCdlaossupt rifoivt’essatmhearetc’shliffoeriintsdeielescetlrpifioewderrivtraalsins score Economy C220 dseamlesslymumblesintolife. The mild-hybrid generator also works Diesel was the as a starter, and is much quicker and fuel of choice quieter than typical non-hybrid units. for exec cars for While a combustion engine will never match the manyyears due smoothnessandsilenceof anelectricmotor,this to its economy. diesel unit is remarkably refined; there’s barely a The latest diesel hintof vibrationthatentersthecabin,andonthe engine in our occasions that the BMW’s engine is running, it’s C-Class returned a little more audible than the Mercedes unit. 70.5mpg on test The same ‘by piston-powered standards’ proviso appliestothedrivingexperience.If you’reusedto mostpetrolordieselcars,thesmoothnessof the C220 d’snine-speedautomaticgearbox–assisted by that gentle electric push – is superb. However, it can’t quite compete with either the response ortherefinementof theall-electricHyundai. Where it does gain back ground on the Ioniq 5, however, is at higher speeds. On the motorway, that healthy peak torque – available from just 1,800rpm – means the C-Class hardly ever feels like it’s breaking a sweat. Combined with minimal wind noise and only a mild road rumble, it’s fantastically relaxing. It’s also aided by the chassis, which is set up 64 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSCompanycarstested d Estate Performance Torquey diesel unit gives strong real-world performance.Auto gearbox is brilliant, too SpecialIssue 65

ROAD TESTS Companycarstested for comfort rather than fun. The ride soaks up larger bumps with ease, and around town the smaller 17-inch wheels on our test car help the suspension doagreatjobof ironingoutpotholedroads. Of course,if youmoveuptoAMGLinetrim, where 18-inch wheels are standard and 19-inch items optional, combined with a firmer sports suspension, it might become slightly less forgiving. 4L Our test car was a comfortable place to be, though. Practicality 4sco.0re Entry-level Sport trim has 17-inch alloys as standard;AMG Line models get 18-inch rims MERCEDEShasmade aconcerted effort to improve both passenger and storage space in the latest C-Class when compared with its predecessor. Back-seat occupants get 35mm more kneeroom than before, 15mm more elbow room and 11mm moreheadroom.Inrealterms thismeansthatthe Mercedes is more spacious than the BMW 3 Series, if notas roomyastheIoniq5. The 490-litre boot is slightly down on the Hyundai’s for overall volume and better than the BMW’s. The Mercedes’ space is the most usable, however, with its lower opening and floor meaning thatitcanhandlebulkyitemswithease.The seats All three cars on test have digital dials.The fold in a three-way split to reveal a completely flat C-Class’ display is sharp and easy to read loading area, at which point the volume grows to L 1,510 litres – again splitting its two rivals here. Ownership score 4.1THE previous C-Class was awarded a five-star safety rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2014. However, standards were different back then. Blind-spot detection, lane-keep assist and autonomous emergency braking with a swerving function to avoid and mitigate impacts are among Column gear selector frees up space for the standard equipment on the Mercedes. storage in the Mercedes’ centre console The Ioniq 5 achieved the maximum score when it was assessed in 2021; Euro NCAP’s tests have become much tougher over the last eight years. The BMW 3 Series achieved similar high marks when it was tested in 2019, with a 97 per cent score in the Adult Occupant category the highlight. L4sco.r3e In numbers: Practicality Running costs 1,025 miles Wide and low THE standout figure for boot opening DIESEL cars have long found favour with company the Mercedes C 220 d is makes loading car drivers because of their ability to return great fuel consumption figures on longer journeys. luggage or The C 220 d recorded some astounding numbers in undoubtedly its range. shopping easy, our hands. Combine the slippery body shape, its mild-hybrid tech Should you match our while side nets – which in Eco mode allows for engine-off coasting for extended test figures, more than and tethering periods where possible, ideal on a downhill stretch of motorway 1,000 miles should be – and the fact that at 70mph it’s pulling roughly 1,300rpm in possible between refills points are ninth gear, we saw a best of 78mpg on a 200-mile motorway run. ofthe 66-litre tank. Of useful touches In mixed driving, that figure dropped, although an average of course, nobody can 70.5mpg means that BMW 330e drivers will have to cover plenty coversuch a distance of short journeys and recharge religiously in order to get anywhere in one go, but it means near that figure. Even with diesel at its current record-high prices, that refuelling will be based on this efficiency the C-Class will cost £2,544 in fuel over infrequent. 20,000 miles. That’s £453 less than the BMW will cost in petrol over the same distance, and that’s before variable electricity costs. It’s worth noting that, just as with electric vehicles, temperature appears to influence the potential returns from the C 220 d. On our encounter with the saloon towards the end of 2021, we achieved 53.6mpg in conditions just above freezing. The circa- 70mpg figure on this occasion was achieved with mild spring temperatures of between 15-20 degrees Celsius. 66 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSCompanycarstested sserp ot gniog fo emit ta tcerroc secirp ecnanif dna sreffo llA THROUGHTHE RANGE Which trim level might suit you? THE C 220 d is available in four trim levels. These kick off with the Sport model we tested, which includes 17-inch alloys, the large infotainment set-up, wireless charging and heated seats as standard. Based on a three-year business lease with six months’ rental paid up front, we found a best offer of £494 per month. Of the current lease deals we found, the AMG Line proved to be the cheapest of the range, at £489 per month on the same terms. Beyond the Sport, it adds 18-inch wheels, sports suspension, a new steering wheel and aluminium pedals. The AMG Line Premium adds electric front seats, augmented-reality navigation and a 360-degree parking camera for £533 a month. The line-up tops out with the Premium Plus; the price of a Burmester sound system, a panoramic glass roof, a head-up display and four-zone climate control is monthly payments of £575. AOMuGr cLhinoeice: NEXT CAR 2 MCOOMREPATNOYPCICAERS Diesel alternatives to the C-Class Interior AudiA4Avant 35TDI Cabin is dominated THE entry-level Technik model makes by the large, 11.9-inch 161bhp, 36bhp less than the C 220 d. portrait touchscreen. But it’s much cheaper to buy than the Merc, with a starting price of £37,300 Quality is excellent, going a long way to offset the higher and it feels like a Benefit-in-Kind rates for diesels. special place to be www.autoexpress.co.uk Skoda Octavia 2.0TDI SE ANOTHER car that delivers strong fuel economy, the Octavia is incredibly practical, has solid in-car tech, and is great value for money. Like the Mercedes,a more BiK-friendlyplug-in hybrid option is available, too. SpecialIssue 67

ROAD TESTS Companycarstested Testers’ notes MODELTESTED: BMW 330e xDrive M Sport Pro Touring “The 330e’s full 292bhp can be accessed in XtraBoost mode through PRICE: £50,985 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl PHEV, 288bhp the drive mode settings. The rest of or runs at a less e efficient) output.” LAST time the BMW 3 Series took on the latest Gibson Mercedes C-Class, they were both in four-door diesel form. On that occasion, the BMW narrowly test editor scraped a win, but will things be any different with Running costs this plug-in hybrid powertrain? 54.1mpg (on test) Here we have the 330e xDrive Touring in £65 fill-up/£145 or 12% tax M Sport Pro trim. Prices for this top-spec variant start from £50,985, but our car’s options, including Practicality the£1,900TechPack and£1,950ComfortPlus  Pack, bump the total up to 56,675. Boot (seats up/down) 410/1,420 litres Denegsiingnee&ring 4sco.r3e WITH a plug-in hybrid powertrain, Performance the BMW 330e has the most complicateddrivesystemof thethreecarsin 0-62mph/top speed this group. By integrating both electric and petrol 5.9 seconds/139mph power,itaimstogivethelowemissionsof the former on short journeys, and the range and flexibilityof thelatteroverlongerdistances. Here, BMW has achieved this by combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 181bhp with a 111bhp electric motor, which is integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. The 11.1kWh battery is positioned beneath the back seats and boot, helping BMW to keep close to the 50:50 weight distribution that it champions for engaging driving dynamics. That is further enhanced in this M Sport Pro model by theinclusionof adaptivedamping,whichcanbe adjustedaccordingto thedrivingmodeselected. Charging is accessed through a port on the nearside front wing. It takes six hours to top up the battery using a standard three-pin plug, or three hours and 36 minutes with a home wallbox. Inside, there’s little to suggest that the 330e is any different from the petrol and diesel 3 Series models. PHEV The driving position remains low and sporty, the switchgear arrangements are all logical, and BMW 330e theGermansaloon’sbuildqualityis fabulous. The few tell-tale signs that this is a plug-in hybrid dPliuegse-linMheyrbceridde3sSaenrdieesliesctthreichHaylfuwnadyahi.oIsuisteyobuertwbeesetnbtehte? modelcomefromtheuniquedisplayon itsdigital instrumentpanel.This includespredictedranges Handling for both fuel tank and battery, and the driving mode select buttons, which add a switch to hold the car in The 330e’s full EV mode, and another to preserve the battery extra weight charge.Thelatterisidealif youknowyou’llbe  compared with entering a low-emission zone at a later point. other 3 Series models might Driving 4.4IFyou’relookingforacompanycar score dull its agility, but it’s still with entertaining handling, look no great to drive furtherthantheBMW. Whiletheextra weightof thebatterydullsthe330e’sresponses compared with a pure petrol or diesel 3 Series, in this company it serves up the best body control, the keenest turn-in response, and the most neutral balance. Few everyday, practical family cars are quite as much fun to drive as this. Intermsof outrightperformance,the330eisthe fastest car here by some margin. Officially, it will accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds; that’s 1.5 seconds quicker than both its test competitors. However, as long as there’s enough charge left in the battery, the 330e will default to electric mode from start-up. Here, it’s as smooth and refined as the Hyundai, although the less-potent electric 68 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSCompanycarstested Performance DLOEOALKOINNGAFBOMRWA F3A3N0TeA? STIC BMW is easily Scan the QR code, enteryour details, the quickest car and a BMW dealer will be in touch. here, but you need to engage IN PARTNERSHIPWITH BMW the petrol engine to get the best SpecialIssue 69 out of it

ROAD TESTS Companycarstested motor means that it’s only able to cope with fairly 4L relaxed acceleration before the car’s petrol engine is once again called into action. Practicality score 4.1WITH THE need to package not only a combustion engine, but also an electric motor with a fairly sizable battery within the 3 Series Touring’s chassis, some compromises have been made when it comes to practicality. That’s most obvious in the boot, where the Black 19-inch alloy wheels are fitted to the 3 Series Touring’s usual 500-litre volume has shrunk 3 Series as part of the M Sport Pro Pack to 410 litres, making it the smallest in this group. That reduction is slightly clumsy, too, with a pronouncedsteppresentinsteadof thelevelboot floortypicalof thenon-PHEV3Series. Fold the three-way split seats flat, and the overall capacitygrowsto1,420 litres,whichis167litres behind the Hyundai’s. Large bottle holders in each door pocket and a covered smartphone storage point are useful, but cabin cubbies aren’t as plentiful as L those scattered about the Ioniq 5’s cabin. Ownership score Digital dials can be customised to show a 4.0THE ownership experience for BMW range of info in between the outer gauges buyersmightprovetobeabitof amixed bag, based on the data from our 2021 Driver Power satisfaction survey. As a manufacturer, thebrandfinished21stoutof 29,droppingbehind both Mercedes (13th) and Hyundai (16th). The service provided by BMW’s dealerships fared slightlybetter,withan11th-placeresultoutof 21 brands. Mercedes was better again in ninth, but Hyundai’snetwork disappointedsomewhatin15th. On the plus side, the Hyundai boasts an excellent five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which beats both the Mercedes and BMW’s three-year packages. Clickwheel means the BMW’s infotainment It’s also worth noting that every Mercedes comes remains one of the most intuitive to use withthreeyearsof breakdowncoverincluded. While such a long period won’t matter too much to the average business lease customer, what is worth considering is the fact that the Hyundai’s roadside assistance lasts just 12 months, and the BMW’s only two years. L4sco.r5e In numbers: Practicality Running costs 80g/km Plug-in model’s THE numberabove battery has to go IF you intend to run a plug-in hybrid, the ability to somewhere, and charge at home is pretty much vital to minimising boot space takes running costs. Having run a 330e on our test fleet highlights the difference for an extended period, but without universal access between theWLTP- a hit, with the to off-street parking (and charging), we’ve achieved 54.1mpg, coefr4t1igfi/ekdmC,Oa2nedmthisesions 3 Series’ boot with 34 per cent of journeys covered on electric power alone. volume 410 litres If you mainly take short, urban journeys and charge religiously, calculated 121g/km with the seats up you’re in with a fairly decent chance of beating our figure. But if figure we achieved and 1,420 litres you do the sort of long-distance journeys where the Mercedes based on ourfuel usage. when they are stars, then fuel consumption in the mid-thirties is likely to be It just goes to highlight folded.That’s the a more realistic hope. At that point the savings you make in just how much a PHEV’s smallest capacity Benefit-in-Kind bills relative to the C-Class are almost completely running costs might vary of this trio of cars offset by the difference in fuel consumption. according to the way For those who will choose to buy privately, depreciation will that it’s used. also play a part in how much each of these cars costs to run. The BMW 330e Touring holds on to just over 50 per cent of its value after three years, meaning that it will lose an estimated £25,411 in that period. The C-Class is expected to depreciate marginally quicker, maintaining 49.2 per cent of its retail price. The Ioniq 5 has the strongest residuals of the three, though. Given that it’s also the cheapest to start with, retaining 54.5 per cent of its value means that it should lose only £19,627 over the same period. 70 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSCompanycarstested sserp ot gniog fo emit ta tcerroc secirp ecnanif dna sreffo llA THROUGHTHE RANGE Which trim level might suit you? LEASE deals can vary drastically, and on the 330e xDrive Touring, the strong residual values of M Sport and M Sport Pro trims mean they come in at much better value than lesser models in the range. Based on the same terms as the Mercedes, the best price we found for the entry-level SE Pro was £562 per month, while the Sport Pro only adds a handful of cosmetic tweaks for £580 per month. We found a deal for the 330e xDrive Touring in M Sport specification for £487 per month, just undercutting the C-Class. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a bodykit, an M Sport steering wheel and aluminium-effect interior trim. The M Sport Pro we tested costs £565 a month, but does add 19-inch alloy wheels, a choice of three BMW Individual paint shades and a black exterior styling pack. It also gains adaptive dampers, a rear spoiler and an uprated braking system. MOuSrpcohrtoice: NEXT CAR 2 MCOOMREPATNOYPCPAHRESV Lexus and Volvo’s food for thought Interior Lexus NX 450h+ Low driving position THE new Lexus NX is a vast gives a sporty feel to improvement overits predecessor, the 3 Series, while the and is at its best in plug-in hybrid form.A 43-mile electric range means build and material eight per cent BiK, so despite a £60k quality are high price tag, tax costs match the BMW’s. www.autoexpress.co.uk VolvoV60T6 Recharge SWEDISH firm’s handsome V60 gives the BMW a run for its money, not just thanks to its hefty 335bhp output, but also an impressive electric-only range of up to 54 miles. It should achieve strong real-world fuel economy. PAGE 98: Volvo V60 buyer’s guide SpecialIssue 71

ROAD TESTS Companycarstested Testers’ notes MODELTESTED: Hyundai Ioniq 5 73kWh RWD Premium “The Ioniq 5 doesn’t have a rear windscreen wiper. It takes only a PRICE: £43,090 POWERTRAIN: 73kWh battery, e-motor, 215bhp short drive on wet, grimy roads to prove that it really needs one.” OUR2021Carof the Yearhasseenoff arangeof fxreIvniegwrearm fully electric rivals, but does it have the quality to compete with combustion-powered competition from prestige manufacturers? Here we’re testing the Running costs Ioniq 5 in Premium trim; at £43,090 before options, 3.4mi/kWh (on test) it’s the most affordable car in this test. £20 recharge/£0 or 2% tax Denegsiingnee&ring 4.5 score Practicality THEIoniq5wasthefirstcar inthe Hyundaigrouptomakeuseof the Boot (seats up/down) brand’s E-GMP platform that’s designed exclusively 527/1,587 litres for electric vehicles; the technology has since been usedbyboththeKia EV6andGenesisGV60. Performance Itallowsforarangeof motorconfigurationsand batterysizes.Therangekicksoff withasingle-motor, 0-62mph/top speed rear-wheel-drive model with 168bhp and a 58kWh 7.4 seconds/115mph battery that’s good for a claimed 238-mile range basedonofficial WLTPfigures.Thecarwe’retesting has a larger 73kWh unit and 215bhp in total. Compared with its premium rivals here, some interior switchgear doesn’t quite meet the standards found in the BMW or Mercedes, but the Ioniq 5’s clean,contemporarydesignstrikesagreat balance between style and ergonomics. The high driving position,andparticularlytheopen-plan footwell between the front seats, means that even up front the Ioniq’s cabin feels very spacious. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that you should be careful about placing items in the passenger footwell, because they can slide and roll towards the driver’s sideif theyarenotsecuredproperly. While the Ioniq 5 has proportions similar to thoseof atypicalfive-doorhatchback,inthemetal itappearsscaleduptothesizeof afamilySUV.It’s by no means a giant; at 4,635mm long, it’s actually 116mm shorter than the Mercedes, although it is  HEVyundai Ioniq 5 marginally wider and 151mm taller. Electric model represents the future of company cars. Driving 4sco.r2e How well does Hyundai’s EV stack up today, though? WHILE it undoubtedly has the Handling most advanced powertrain in this company, from a ride and handling Hyundai’s chassis pointof view,theIoniq5feelstheleast set-up feels less sophisticated. At higher speeds, it offers a relaxing sophisticated andsoftdampingsimilarto theMercedes,butat than the other lowerspeedsitfeelsmorebrittle, fidgetingover two, and it’s not bumps that the C-Class shrugs off. as agile as its There’s less control through the corners, too, rivals, either with the Hyundai’s body movements the most pronouncedof thethree,whichcouldalsobedown toitshigherkerbweight. Whilegripisfine,offering secure handling, it’s the least fun behind the wheel. However, the steering has a consistent, predictable weightthatmakesthecar easyto drive. The Ioniq 5’s electric powertrain has its advantages,notonlyintermsof refinement,where the car is smooth and near-silent, but in terms of performance,too. Whileitson-paperfiguresseeit lag behind the BMW, at lower speeds the Hyundai isthekeenestof thistriotorespondtothedriver’s throttleinputs. Withno gearboxlagordelaywhile a combustion engine ramps up towards its power band, the Korean model feels the most confidence- inspiring model to drive around town. If there’sonedownsidetotheIoniq5experience, it’s that the model’s turning circle feels large in this 72 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSCompanycarstested Performance Electric motor’s 350Nm of instant torque gives Ioniq lively acceleration, matching the C-Class from 0-62mph SpecialIssue 73

ROAD TESTS Companycarstested company. It means that reversing into tight 4L spots might take a little more effort than you might initially think. Practicality score 4.6ONE benefit of the Ioniq 5’s electric- only drivetrain is that Hyundai has been able to maximise packaging; with no engine up front, there’s no need for a long bonnet. Asaresult,thecabinis simplyvastcomparedwith its rivals here, despite the car’s shorter footprint. Aerodynamic 19-inch alloy wheels help to Rear kneeroom is approaching what you’d disguise the Ioniq 5’s upscaled proportions expect to find in a full-size luxury saloon, while the completely flat floor and large windows make it feel incredibly light and airy. Headroom isn’t remarkably different from the C-Class, but that means even tall adults will have few complaints. At 527 litres, the Ioniq’s boot is larger than the C-Class’s, too. However, for bulky objects it might be less usable; there is a big floor area, but it’s set quite high, so the overall space is shallow. However, the capacity can be increased further thanks to a sliding rearbench,whichtakesawaysomeof thatsurplus L Large digital display blends driving and rear legroom, providing more load space instead. driver-assistance information seamlessly Ownership 4sco.r4e LIVING with an Ioniq 5 means that charging will play a big part in the ownership process. Find a public charger fast enough, and the Hyundai’s 800-volt technology makesitoneof thequickestEVstoreplenish. Although 350kW rapid chargers are still rare, if the Hyundai is plugged into such a device, a 10-80 per cent charge only takes 18 minutes. To put that another way, that’s the same as adding 69 miles of rangeinfiveminutes. Whileit’snot quiteasquick asfillingupwithpetrol ordiesel,planningyour EV drive selector is on the steering column, charges differently – around lunch or a supermarket much like that on the Mercedes C-Class shop, for example – means this could take place when the car is parked doing nothing. Of course,it’salsopossibletochargetheIoniq5 when you’re at home; plug into a 7.4kW wallbox and the Hyundai takes 11 hours and 45 minutes to replenish from empty to fully charged. Running costsCURRENT companycar taxregulationsare based score In numbers: 4.5 LosintsCiOn2tehmeilsoswioensts.bTahnedIaovnaiqila5belem.iFtosrntohtehi2n0g2,2s/o2i3t £275 Practicality THE Ioniq 5 and other EVs have fewermoving Boot is large, financial year, each band has been bumped up by one parts than combustion- but shallow. per cent, which means it’s in the two per cent band. For a engined cars, and less Rear legroom higher-rate income taxpayer, the Ioniq 5 will be subject to maintenance at each is fantastic, but Benefit-in-Kind deductions of just £344 per year. service.This plays a part centre seat’s theB2y9copnetrracesnt,ttbhaenMd.eIrtcmedeeasnesmthitast1in29jugs/tkomneofyCeaOr2,,tphloasceinwghiot igno in a three-yearservice backrest is firm plan cost that starts for the C 220 d will face deductions of almost £5,000 more than from £275, compared the Ioniq 5. As a sort of halfway house, the 330e’s plug-in hybrid with £900 and £1,260 for powertrain falls between the two. It sits in the 12 per cent band, the BMWand Mercedes which means deductions of £2,349 per year. respectively. Of course, electricity costs vary vastly depending on whether you can charge at home, or if you use the UK’s public network of rapid chargers. Even with the rise in domestic electricity bill caps, the Ioniq will be the cheapest to fuel if you can do the former. Over 20,000 miles at a maximum cap of 28p per kilowatt hour, the bills should total £1,647 at most, still £649 less than the Mercedes. Through Hyundai’s Bluelink smartphone app, it’s possible to schedule the car’s charge times, so that top-ups can take place when energy costs are cheapest, depending on your tariff. 74 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSCompanycarstested sserp ot gniog fo emit ta tcerroc secirp ecnanif dna sreffo llA THROUGHTHE RANGE Which trim level might suit you? THE Ioniq 5 is available in three trim levels, two of which can be paired with the long- range battery we’re testing here. The Premium is the model we’d go for, because equipment levels are still brilliant. As standard, you get 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, a pair of 12.3-inch displays, climate control, and semi-autonomous lane-follow assist (which steers the car itself within a lane for short periods). Match the three-year business lease terms to those of the Mercedes, and the Ioniq 5 comes in slightly lower, at £461 per month. Jumping to Ultimate trim bumps this up to £498 per month. For the extra cash, you get 20-inch wheels, a head-up display, a Bose sound system, electric front seats that are heated and ventilated, heated rear seats and leather upholstery. There are also cosmetic add-ons thrown in, such as ambient lighting and alloy pedals. OPruemr ciuhmoice: INFOTAINMENT, FIGURESANDVERDICT 2 CMOOMREPATNOYPCEAVRS Consider these electric options Interior Kia EV6 Upright driving KIA’S take on the E-GMP platform position is almost SUV- used by the Ioniq 5 gets a unique style all round. Firmer suspension like compared with means it’s a little more engaging rivals here, while some through the corners, but slightly less relaxing to drive in town. materials can’t quite match the quality of the German brands www.autoexpress.co.uk Volkswagen ID.3 VW’s ground-up EV sits slightly below the Ioniq 5 in terms of performance, size and price. For a car that’s slightly shorter than a Golf, it’s impressively spacious inside, and it’s more energy- efficient than the Hyundai, too. SpecialIssue 75

ROAD TESTS Companycarstested InfotainmentCM-CelracsesdEesstate 4sco.r6e 4L L LMBUX Which multimedia system is best for music, sat-nav & connectivity? B3MSeWries Touring 4sco.r7e HIoynuiqnd5ai 4sco.r5e 10.25-inch central info display 12.3-inch screen Navand Media Keyfeatures: Over-the-air updates Keyfeatures: My BMWApp Keyfeatures: Preset Sounds of Nature THE latest MBUX set-up in the C-Class borrows tech SINCE the 3 Series was released, some BMW models – PLACED alongside most mainstream manufacturers, from the S-Class limousine and even in this company, mainly its electric line-up – have moved to the brand’s Hyundai’s infotainment systems always stand out for it feels incredibly slick. The 11.9-inch portrait display latest infotainment tech. So while the 330e isn’t going their friendly interface and clear, simple layouts. is standard on all models and it looks fantastic. into battle with the most up-to-date system, few manufacturers can rival iDrive for its simplicity, While those qualities remain against its premium Functions are displayed three at a time on the intuitive functionalityandrangeof inputmethods. rivals here, some areas aren’t quite on the same level. main menu, with further options available by swiping Thefirstrelatestothegraphics. Whiletheside-by-side left or right on the responsive touchscreen. Sat-nav The touchscreen is great to use; navigation routes can 12.3-inch displays look impressive, their resolutions destinations are easy to input thanks to a large on-screen be entered via the on-screen keyboard which, although can’tquitematchthoseof theBMWorMercedes.The keyboard, and routes load faster than in either rival. slightly smaller than the layout on the Mercedes, is still screenitself isn’tquiteasresponsive,either. While there aren’t any physical climate controls, the large fine. WheretheBMWreallygainsgroundiswithits on-screen keys are easy to read, so it’s less fiddly to use physical click wheel controller and shortcut buttons. But these are only minor flaws, and we remain great than Hyundai’s separate touch-sensitive climate panel. fansof thesystem.Plottingarouteiseasythankstoa Once you’ve mastered the menu structures, you can large on-screen keyboard, while the main menu is neatly If yougetlostinadeepsub-menu,thehomepage make changes on the move simply by learning which laidoutwith12iconsarrangedintworows of six. shortcut remains on screen, so it’s easy to get back out. buttoncombinationsto press,allwithoutneedingto Functions on the digital dials are easy to scroll through Adriving-assistbuttonisoneof fewphysicalkeys,so takeyoureyesoff theroad.Thegraphicsaregreaton via steering wheel buttons, and the colour scheme subtly you can toggle between various systems quickly. both the main screen and the standard digital dash, too. alters between the Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes. Display Screen resolution is fantastic. Home page shortcut is always present on-screen, as are the climate controls FOR AND AGAINST Panel It’s smaller than its rivals’displays, Screen Mapping is clearenough, but the Hi-res displays look great, responsive but BMW’s touchscreen is well thought out reversing camera lacks rival’s razor-sharp touchscreen, rapid loading times and easy to use. Both Apple CarPlay and resolution. Presses and swipes across the Lack of physical shortcut buttons Android Auto are available screen only register after a brief delay will irritate some people 76 SpecialIssue FOR AND AGAINST FOR AND AGAINST Wide range of input methods, including Logical menu layouts, large and physical controls, slick menu structures bright displays, big on-screen keys Displays look slightly smaller System’s graphics and loading times than those of its rivals’ lag slightly behind C-Class and 3 Series www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSCompanycarstested Figures RHIoWynuiDqndP5ar7ei3mkWiumh TBMoMSuWprion3rg3t0PeroxDriv CSMpe2or2cr0tedEdsetsate £43,090/£44,040 £44,835/£46,270 On the road price/total as tested £23,463/54.5% SERVICING £50,985/£56,675 £22,072/49.2% INSURANCE Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) £19,627 SERVICE costs are £24,797/50.2% £22,763 C 220 d’s quoted £172/£344 cheaper for the £25,411 £2,671/£5,341 cover cost based Depreciation £988/£1,647 Hyundai, but the £1,174/£2,349 £1,377/£2,296 on our typical Annual tax liability std/higher rate 34/£590/£0 intervals remain £1,650/£2,749 39/£1,098/£510 driver is very high Annual fuel cost (12k/20kmiles) £275 (3 years) at a fairly regular 35/£995/£510 £1,260 (3 years) in this company. 4,635/3,000mm 10,000 miles, the £900 (3 years) 4,755/2,865mm LENGTH Insurnce group/quote/VED 1,605/1,890mm same as the BMW. 1,494/1,820mm C-CLASS Estate Service costs Single e-motor TOWING 4,709/2,851mm FUEL TANK 4cyl in-line/1,993cc is longer than its 215bhp SOME EVs aren’t 1,442/1,827mm THE need to 20bhp rivals here; worth Length/wheelbase 215bhp rated to tow, 4cyl in-line/1,998cc house that battery 197bhp bearing in mind Height/width 350Nm so the decent 111bhp means that the 440Nm when you need to Powertrain Single-speed/rwd 1,600kg rating for 288bhp petrol tank is 9-speed auto/rwd park in tight spots. E-motor power N/A/repair kit the Hyundai adds 420Nm a little smaller 66 litres/repair kit System power 73/72kWh to its appeal. 8-speed auto/4wd than on other N/A Peak torque 527/1,587 litres 40 litres/repair kit 3 Series models. 490/1,510 litres Transmission 1,910/520/1,600kg N/A WEIGHT 1,815/585/1,800kg 12.0 metres 410/1,420 litres COMBINATION of 11.1 metres Fuel tankcapacity/spare wheel 5yrs (unlimited)/1yr 1,965/535/1,500kg two powertrains 3yrs (unltd)/30yrs Battery capacity/usable 16th/15th 11.4 metres makes the BMW 13th/9th 88/86/63/88/5 (2021) 3yrs (60,000)/2yrs the heaviest car N/A Boot capacity (seats up/down) 21st/11th of the bunch. Kerbweight/payload/towing weight 97/87/87/76/5 (2019) Turning circle Basic warranty (miles)/recovery Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars 0-62mph/top speed 7.4 secs/115mph 5.9 secs/139mph WIRELESS 7.4 secs/150mph Auto Express econ. (mpg/mpl)/range 3.4 mi/kWh/245 miles 54.1/11.9/510 miles* CHARGING 70.5/15.5/1,024 miles N/A 55.7mpg IT’S a bit mean 60.1mpg WLTP mpg/mpl 298 miles 34 miles that BMW N/A WLTP range (EV) 0/0g/km/2% 121/41g/km/12% bundles wireless 107/129g/km/29% Actual/claimCehdaCrgOi2n/gtacxabbarabciklietyt 3.7kW/11kW/232kW 1.6kW/3.7kW smartphone Brake regen only Charging time 23h 15m/7h 45m/18m 6h/3h 36m charging into N/A Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera Yes/yes/f&r/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes the expensive Auto box/lane keep/blindspot/AEB Yes/yes/yes/yes UPHOLSTERY Yes/yes/no/yes Tech Pack. Yes/yes/f&r/yes SMARTPHONE Climate ctrl/cruise/leather/heat seats Yes/yes/no/yes NO leather in the Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes APPLE CarPlay Metallic paint/LED headlights £585/yes Ioniq 5, but the £695/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes and Android Auto Keyless entry & go/power tailgate Yes/yes fabric trim still Yes/£990^ £715/yes integrate more Nav/digital dash/DAB/connectivity Yes/yes/yes/yes feels sumptuous Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes neatly into portrait Wireless charge/CarPlay/Android Auto Yes/yes/yes enough. £1,900^/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes touchscreen than Yes/yes/yes landscape screens of its rivals. Results 1stHYUNDAI 2ndBMW 3rdMERCEDES ROADTEST THE fact the Ioniq 5 can A SECOND-PLACE finish FOR the convenience be compared with two of for BMW – and plug-in and the potential for HAIOYPURNN2IQ0D2A25I Germany’s finest compact executive hybrid technology in general – comes impressive efficiency, the C 220 d estates is high praise, but its EV with a caveat. If you can’t maximise is a brilliant option for private buyers, powertrain helps it beat them, too. range through constant charging, helped by great comfort and tech, too. Ignore running costs and it still has then the cost benefits over a modern For company car users, however, tax enough to stand its ground, with diesel are very small. Practicality rates have swung firmly against brilliant practicality, great refinement compromises aside, the 3 Series diesel, putting these cars out of and strong value for money. Ride remains as brilliant as ever, with favour. We’re looking forward to and handling are sufficient, but it’s sharp handling, greattechnologyand trying the new C 300 e PHEV in the the impressively low running costs fantastic build quality. It marginally UK; its on-paper statistics suggest that help the Hyundai seal the win. edges ahead of the C-Class overall. it might have the BMW beaten.    AInEsBur=anAcuetoqnuoomteosufsroEmmAeArg(eTnecly0B8r0a0ki1n0g7. *0In6c8l0udoerswWwLwT.PthEeVArAa.ncogem.)^fPoarrat4of2a-ypeaarc-ko.ldInlirveidng=ineqBuainpbmuerny,tOfitxtoend,twoiothurthteresetcpaern. altypoints. Residualvaluesprovided byCDLVIP Data. Csooomning Volkswagen ID.5 Ifsoirttwhiosrmthowdaeilt?ing Due: Summer Price: £52,185 Batt/power: 77kWh/172bhp www.autoexpress.co.uk VW’S closest competition to the Ioniq 5 is available to order now, in the form of the ID.5.The coupé- SUVversion of the ID.4 should be efficient, and is wrapped up in a sporty – yet still spacious - package. SpecialIssue 77

OUR CARS LivingwithaNissanQashqai Nissan Qashqai THIRD REPORT We get the verdict on latest SUV from a Mk2 owner Comparison There’s clear evolution in the design of the Qashqai’s interior. Split-level boot makes a welcome return (below) Pete Baiden thattheysticktothesameformula–andit’s alsoprovideaflatsurface Pete@[email protected] onethatsellsinlargenumbersintheUK. toeasilyslidebuggiesand “Fromtheoutsideit’squitehardtotell otherheavyitemsout. WHENIfirstfoundoutthatIwould thedifference,”saidIan.“Theheadlightsare “Istoresomeoldsheets begettinganewNissanQashqaito slimmer,buttheoveralllookisn’tamassive underneaththatIcanuse testforanextendedperiod,therewasone change. Youcantellit’saQashqai.” as covers for whenever I person I immediately thought would be Lookingattheinterior,hesaid,“The needtogotothetip,”Ian interested:IanJebson. Who? Well,Ianis biggestdifferenceisaroundthegearstick. added.“Thesplitlevel mynext-doorneighbour,andhecurrently That’sverydifferentfromhowitlooksin meansIcanjustleavestuff drives a second-generation Qashqai. mine.Thescreenisslightlylargerandthe there,freeinguptheboot my choice. Infact,he’saserialMk2owner,having buttonsnowlineupacrossthebottom,as foranythingelse.” The saving runonebeforetradingitinforaRenault opposedtodowntheside,buttheoverall Overall,Ianwas impressed I made – I just Kadjar,acarthatsharesitsrunninggear lookisn’tasurprise.Eventhedigitalscreen withthelook of thenewcar,but couldn’t say no to withtheQashqai.Iannowhasa21-plate inplaceof thedialsinminehasthesame doeshewishhehadwaitedand that, so I’m happy.” versionof theNissan,andIwasinterested generallook.Idolikehowyou canconnect boughtthelatestmodelinstead? He’s got no complaints toseewhathethoughtaboutournewmodel. yourmobilephonewirelessly,though.” “I’m happy with my decision,” he said. with the way his Qashqai drives, but I still Ian’s Qashqai is an N-Motion DCT, a As I’ve mentioned in my previous “It’s clear there are a few more modern findittobethenewmodel’s biggest specialeditionthatwas‘limited’to2,000 reports,IfeeltheQashqaireallyexcelswhen touches,butnotenoughtomakemeregret weakness. The firm ride around town – examples. Nissan offered him a great deal it comes to practicality. I recently loaded the whichisn’thelpedby the20-inchwheels onit,too,withmorethan£10,000off the on our Tekna+ model – is jarring. I listprice.Soinsteadof waitingforthe “The 479-litre bootbootupwithsomebrokenfencepanelsand wouldn’tgoasfarasto callitunpleasant, imminentarrivalof thenewQashqai, but it’s not so enjoyable to drive. it was able to take the lot with ease. In fact, Soon we’re going to swap our Qashqai for a Tekna model with a manual gearbox for a is actually 49 litresthenewmodel’s479-litrebootis49litres month, and I’m hoping the smaller 19-inch larger than theComparinghiscarwithours,Ianwas thesplit-floorlayoutremainsthesameand wheels will improve the ride quality, but Ian made a huge saving. larger than the previous car’s. However, we shall have to wait and see. previous car’s”Qashqaisareinsideandout.Sure,thereare Beingabletostoreitemsunderneaththe www.autoexpress.co.uk initiallysurprisedwithhowsimilarthetwo thisissomethingbothIanandIreallylike. somesubtledifferences,butit’seasytotell floorisuseful,whiletheluggageboards 78 SpecialIssue

OUR CARSLivingwithaNissanQashqai Essentials Fleetwatch Niche 1NT.e3iskDsnaIaGn+-QTXat1rs5oh8nqiaci Plug-in hybrid DS 7 On fleet since: October 2021 E-Tense is a Price new: £37,175 premium Engine: M1.H3-EliVt,re1546cyblhtpurbo petrol SUV that has CO2/tax: 153g/km/£165 comfort on Options: Ceramic Grey Pearlescent its side pwaitihntc(o£n7t4ra5s)t,btwlaoc-ktone pearl roof (£400) DS 7 Crossback E-Tense Insurance*: Group: 16 Quote: £497 Mileage/mpg: 10,083/35.1mpg Any problems? None so far 4*I2n-syueraarn-ocledqiunoBtaenfbroumryA, OAx(o0n8,0w0i1th07th0re6e80p)ofinortsa. THE DS 7 Crossback is a car that requires some introduction. It’s easy for SUVs to slip under the public’s radar these days, with manufacturers launching multiple new models – especially when the car in question isn’t the easiest to pigeonhole. Now on our test fleet is a plug-in hybrid E-Tense version of the largest SUV offered by premium French brand DS. It goes up against the likes of the Jaguar E-Pace, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3 in terms of size, but it’s at the larger end of that premium compact SUV spectrum, with a 555-litre boot and a decent amount of space in the back. Our car is in Rivoli trim, and with Pearl White pearlescent paint the only option (£795), it weighs in at £51,395. That means it’s directly locking horns on price with premium rivals that also have plug-in hybrid powertrains. There’s certainly plenty of technology on board, including Active Scan Suspension that automatically adjusts the ride by reading the road surface ahead. We’ll be bringing you the full report on our formal introduction to the DS 7 Crossback soon. WE LIKE Increased boot space Lottery Public is a welcome improvement in the latest Qashqai. Pete found charging issues are it a cinch to move broken fence still to be resolved panels and household trash OINurDfleEetX Alfa Romeo Giulia New arrival AIssuudeisQ1,4711e, 1-,7t1r7on Neighbour’s view Lexus UX 300e IBssMuWe 13,72S3eries CIssitureoe1,7n18e-Berlingo Ian (top,right) doesn’t PICTURE editor Dawn Grant has been living with CNietwroaernrivea-lDispatch see big changes in the her Lexus UX 300e for five months now, and her NDeSw7 Carrroivsaslback new Qashqai,but likes confidence in the battery range reading has IFsos.r1d,69R4a,n1,7g0e1,r1,713, 1,721 grown over time. If only the same could be HIssyuuensd1,a71i0Io, 1n,71i5q, 51,720 the wireless phone said for the motorway charging network! ILsesuxeuss1U,7X13,31,07109e charging feature MNeawzdaarrCivXa-l 5 A recent weekend trip was a prime example NIssisuseasn1,7Q0a7,s1,h71q6ai Second opinion of the good and bad of EV driving. Dawn and IPsseuueg1e,7o14t 508 SW husband Dave needed to stop for food, and it IPssoulees1t,7a19r2 “I’m with Ian and feel the new Qashqai is always makes sense to charge at the same time. a missed opportunity to install some new WE DON’T After 10,000 miles The first attempt was at Fleet Services on the infotainment tech. The upgraded set-up is better the Qashqai is starting to feel the M3, with two Gridserve fast chargers, but only than the Mk2 model’s, but it’s still not a patch on strain.The controls on the driver’s one CHAdeMO cable, which wasn’t working. door now creak and the seal has his fiercely competitive class.” come away from the frame Next was RownhamsServices on the M27; the single rapid charger was also out of order. She hn McIlroy Deputy editor Verdict plugged into a 22kWpoint, which added sixmiles www.autoexpress.co.uk during a 30-minute break.The return journey was THE new Qashqai isn’t a massive a breeze, though. Setting off with a reading of leap ahead of the model it has 173 miles, after the 100-mile trip there was still replaced, but that’s not necessarily 71 miles left, and a total lack of range anxiety. a bad thing. Practicality remains at its core. I just wish it was a bit more PNoerwscahrreivTaalcanCross pleasant to drive, and I’m starting IRsseuneasu1l,t70C5a,p1,7t1u2r, 1e,7-2T0ech to question the interior quality. gYaenolueudicdrtoeruwitcltonicmibanuragyteainng NToeywotaarrYivaarlisCross Vauxhall Mokka-e  Issues 1,696,1,706 SpecialIssue 79

S6UIBSSCSRUIBEESTOFDOAYRW£ITH1 SAVE 43% ON THE SHOP PRICE After your initial 6 issue trial, your subscription will continue at £26.99 every 13 issues representing a saving of 43% on the shop price. FREE DELIVERY Never miss an issue with every copy delivered straight to your doorstep. FULLY FLEXIBLE You are able to cancel at any time using a dedicated customer portal or by getting in touch.

There are more options than ever to subscribe to Auto Express with both print and digital versions available, or perhaps you’d like a combination of both, the choice is yours HOOKWI’MDOINI!SUBSCRIBE? 1 ORDER ONLINE AT autoexpress.co.uk/subscribe (or call 0330 333 9491 if you prefer the human touch). 2 ENTER THE OFFER CODE DAPR22 and select the offer you’d like to take. 3 CHECK OUT QUICKLY AND SECURELY then sit back and wait for your first issue to arrive. Scan me with your smartphone’s camera to go straight to our secure online store hassle free Calls to 03 numbers will be charged at your standard local rate. Any gifts are limited to first 60 orders. Please allow 28 days for delivery. UK only. This offer is limited to one per household. Alternative gift may be supplied.



88PRTOESDTUECDTS FEATURING ••••••SLWceGrSaahltDntathehoceseeeshwtlarpccricfelrlleoiolenmeaasaganmonpnewve9erpeir4rtpr8hpp9p48819793 SPCEACRIACLA2R0E22 How to get your car sparkling for spring WE’VE just had one of the mildest winters those tempting long spring breaks and on record, but one look around a road trips for the Easter holidays. Over supermarket car park reveals that there the next eight pages we reveal the top were enough wet days for grime to products for your car’s spring clean. build up on neglected cars. As life slowly gets back to something While temperatures didn’t hit new lows, like the way it was before Covid-19, it has been chilly enough to send many of that spruce-up could be needed more us heading for the local car wash rather than ever, because that extra time at home than donning the rubber gloves and that allowed us to spend longer caring digging out the hose and bucket ourselves. for our cars is now starting to fill up with So as temperatures rise and the other activities in sunny days ahead. optimistic among us start to think of We’ve been working hard since the dining al fresco and uncovering the turn of the year to ensure when you do barbecue, it’s time to make sure the winter tackle that winter grime you won’t be dirt is banished and your car is ready for wasting your time or money. www.autoexpress.co.uk SpecialIssue 83

fSonaomw BESTBUY Lweitnatebrlgarnikmeet oanfdfoparmotsehcitftyothuer paint ASoctniafoxaPmroEfnileinrgey Price: £15.99 Size: 1,000ml Contact: sonax.co.uk Rating:  SONAX continues its impressive return to our SNOW foams are one of the more active car care tests with victory in our heavily revised snow categories, with new products hitting the market foam test. It can be diluted up to 1:10 – the ratio and more producers including one in their range. we used – and it romped both tests. It was a These foams were once primarily used by enthusiast pacesetter with Alchemy when applied detailers and professionals, but household names now with the lance and was among the leaders include a snow foam, and lances cost well under £20. in the pour test. It cost a competitive Our test has changed to match developments. What was £1.46 per wash and, usefully, it can be once a test of shampoos used with a pressure washer has applied by mitt or through a foam sprayer. now morphed into being solely for snow foam, although A great performance, which does just some can be used by hand or through a pump sprayer. what a snow foam is intended to do. The appeal of snow foam is that it reduces the risk of 2022 damaging paint by removing as much grit as possible with a pressure washer before you even touch the car. Spray on, leave to dwell, then power wash off. Our test has been revamped to reflect the changes, with the focus firmly on how much dirt the foams remove. We mixed each to the recommended dilution, poured 100ml on to paintwork covered in winter grime, left it on for the specified time, then power washed off. This sees a stronger mix on the car because it’s not diluted by the lance and effectiveness was assessed. The process was repeated with the dilutions applied through a lance. Final consideration was the cost of filling a one-litre snow foam lance reservoir. We noted foam thickness and cling, but it counted for nothing if it didn’t shift the grime. “Our test focuses firmly on how much dirt the snow foams can remove” RECOMMENDED STunrotwleFWoaamx HWaalsfohredrsSPhraemsspuoroe AFansgtefolwamax Price: £16.50 Size: 5,000ml Price: £12 Size: 5,000ml Contact: turtlewax.co.uk Rating:  Contact: halfords.com Rating:  Price: £24.76 Size: 5,000ml AS the name suggests, this Contact: angelwax.co.uk Rating:  THERE’S a strong but pleasant isn’t a snow foam, but it’s A FAVOURITE in our previous whiff of cherries when pouring designed to be poured into a tests and it again scores highly this foam from US producer pressure washer reservoir and in this revised version. This is Turtle Wax. Just like Angelwax, applied via the lance. It can one of the most cost-effective, this is another top performer even be used with a suction drawing a good balance that coped well with our pipe dropped in the bottle. between performance and revised test and offered the It was no surprise that the price. It needs to be left next best cleaning result coating was thin and ran to rest for 10 minutes, after our winner. off quickly, but the cleaning but it’s worth the However, since the was among the best, wait because the solution is used particularly in the pour test. results are very neat in the lance, it A keen price isn’t quite as impressive. At 50 is more than twice good as it appears, because pence per wash, as expensive as this shampoo is used neat. this is the one for our winner. 2022 www.autoexpress.co.uk those on a budget. 2022 84 Special Issue

CARCARE SPECSInAoLw2fo0a2m2 BToilut-cHha-Lmebsser ALSO TESTED AAvuatolaFnicnheesse Price: £22.95 Size: 5,000ml Autoglym Polar Wash Price: £10 Size: 500ml Contact: bilthamber.com Rating:  Simoniz 2 in 1 Shampoo & Snow Foam Contact: autofinesse.co.uk Rating:  SERIAL test winner Bilt-Hamber has several pre-wash solutions FGoyaemon Q2M THERE are vague dilution rates and is a former champion with for this Auto Finesse pre-wash its Surfex HD. This time we Price: £17 Size: 1,000ml solution, because it specifies tried the sugar-based Touch- Contact: cleanandshiny.co.uk Rating:  “1-2 inches” in your snow Less, which can also be used IF you’re concerned that a foam lance bottle, which can through a hand pump or snow foam will strip away any vary greatly depending on trigger spray. For foam lances coatings that you may have the design of lance bottle you need to work out how previously applied, then you’re using. Trial and error much water is being delivered Gyeon’s pH-neutral product will firm up the solution, but alongside the solution. Cling is the one to look out for. It’s this isn’t a great start. We and thickness were among mixed 1:5, which puts it in reckoned about 300ml for the best and cleaning was the middle of our price range, our bottle, which gave a thick, above average, with decent but its cleaning results were clingy foam and good results results in both tests. towards the top end. It in both tests. A small favoured the pour test most bottle means price hurt www.autoexpress.co.uk of all, but the results with its overall chances here. the lance were also good – although cling and thickness DProedsosuJrueicSequash were a step off the very best. Price: £28 Size: 5,000ml CNaor1PSlaunper Snow Contact: dodojuice.com Rating:  Price: £12.99 Size: 2,000ml THIS isn’t a dedicated snow Contact: tetrosyl.com Rating:  foam, but rather an all-purpose ANOTHER for those on a tight cleaner, which can be used budget, because you need just through the pressure washer 100ml per one-litre foam lance or a wet vacuum for cleaning bottle, making each wash 65p. fabrics. It still scored well in It’s also another that won’t the pour test, although it strip off any existing waxes or had problems using the lance protective coatings, thanks to because the relatively thin its pH-neutral formula. It needs foam runs off rapidly. For to dwell for five minutes to a one-stop pre-wash and work, although there was little interior cleaner it works well, left by the end. It was pretty but having one of the highest thin, but cleaning was good, prices here puts it behind particularly through the snow specialist foams. lance, although it struggled a bit with the pour test. WAlhchiteemwyash Price: £12.95 Size: 1,000ml Contact: alchemycarcare.co.uk Rating:  GET the tape measure out for this one, because it requires “an inch” in the lance bottle, with all the variation that can bring to the concentration. We guessed around 150ml, which gave a good thick foam with a useful cling. It also made for a competitive price, but cleaning in the pour test was only mid- range, although it was among the best when delivered through a foam lance. It’s also got a pH-neutral formula, so won’t harm any wax or coating. SpecialIssue 85

MARKETPLACE Loads to carry? ✔ Expert Advice ✔ Huge Choice ✔ Fast UK Delivery UK’s biggest range of roof boxes and roof bars Wake up to the best views in a Full range of roof, rear and tow bar Yakima SkyRise HD rooftop tent mounting bike carriers 5% discount for Auto Express readers! Web: roofbox.co.uk/aex Call: 01539 621 884 osram.co.uk/nightbreaker-200 See and be seen with stnemeriuqer 73R/211R ECE muminim ot derapmoC 1 NIGHT BREAKER® 200 NIGHT BREAKER® 200 is OSRAM’s brightest halogen headlight bulb ever. With up to 200% more brightness1 to guide your way, this high-performance halogen bulb range enhances your ability to drive safer at night. Globally approved for road use, this eye catching upgrade headlamp bulb provides a modern look with up to 20% whiter light that is sure to impress. With up to 150m light beam, you can see farther and detect signs and obstacles sooner. Wherever your journey takes you, don’t be left in the dark! Insist on OSRAM – the No.1 in Automotive Lighting. Available now from OSRAM Approved Partners. 86 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk

CARCARE SPECIAL2022 cWlehaeneelr Swhitifhttbhaekseeds-poencbiaralikset fdourmstuwlaitsh ease IT was a decade ago when we first tested a wheel BESTBUY cleaner that changed colour as it worked shifting brake dust. It was visually startling, and so was its Bilt-Hamber Auto-Wheel performance. These ‘red’ cleaners have won every test since. Some years, these formulas have locked out the Price: £14.95 Size: 1,000ml top-four finishers, with just a few acid or alkaline- Contact: bilthamber.com based cleaners making it through. We tested 21 Rating:  in 2022, and all but five changed colour. The technology has since been developed to work AUTO-Wheel was the product that broke new on paintwork, where it performs much like a chemical ground back in 2012 when it became the clay bar, lifting away metal particles. Some products first cleaner that could be used on all surfaces double up and can be used on wheels and bodywork. to take the test win. It hasn’t lost since, To see who has developed the technology the best, although some rivals have come close. we grabbed a pile of wheel trims from a breakers yard, Care now needs to be taken with centre so that several cleaners could be used on identical caps but the cleaning power is still levels of grime. Using multiple tests and taking the there. Even a recent price rise couldn’t best on to compete against other top performers on stop Auto-Wheel securing the win another trim, we found our favourites. yet again. A class act that shows To ensure we tested the cleaner, not the blast from little sign of losing its crown. 2022 a pressure washer or the scrubbing of a brush, we applied each, left for the specified time and then WSimheoenliCzlUelatnraecrare WSohneaexlBCeleaastner rinsed with a low-pressure spray from a hose. We also saw how each performed with light agitation using a Price: £5 Size: 500ml Price: £17.99 Size: 1,000ml wheel brush weighted with a socket to ensure consistent Contact: holtsauto.com Rating:  Contact: sonax.co.uk Rating:  pressure. We also took into account price, accessories and whether it could be used on all surfaces. RECOMMENDED 4Detailer Hummer Iron Price: £9.99 Size: 1,000ml Contact: morethanpolish.com Rating:  HUMMER Iron is from the Auto- THIS long-running cleaner from WE’VE not tested Sonax for a Wheel school of cleaners with Simoniz has been hovering few years, but now it’s back in a big litre pack, but at an even around the top of our wheel the UK with a bang. Previously keener price. It finished just cleaner test results for a the German producer’s range behind our winner in the decade. It’s non-acidic, but has was sound if not spectacular, cleaning tests, but that yet to opt for a colour-change but this new line-up has cracking price wasn’t enough formula. Crucially it can be used seen a big step forward in to overcome the gap and the on all wheel types, including performance. In this test the fact Bilt-Hamber’s cleaner chrome. It couldn’t quite Beast was only beaten by comes with a brush. match our top two Bilt-Hamber and 4Detailer says its on cleaning power, 4Detailer with its cleaner’s natural but it did well ‘red’ formula that’s scent distinguishes enough at a good for painted it from its rivals – it great price to wheels as well as certainly does, but secure another chrome, matt and not in a good way. 2022 top-four finish. 2022 polished surfaces. 2022 TAELSSTEOD Aenso iSERN Wheel Cleaner Diamondbrite Ruby Red Wheel Clean Meguiar’s Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner Alchemy Supreme Wheel Cleaner Dodo Juice Deep Purple | Duel Axis Shelby Alloy Wheel Cleaner www.autoexpress.co.uk Angelwax Revelation Gtechniq W6 Iron and General Fallout Cleaner Soft99 Iron Terminator Armor All Wheel & Tire Cleaner Gyeon Q2M Iron WheelCleaner Turtle Wax Redline Wheel Cleaner Autobead Alloy Cleaner | Autoglym Magma Kärcher Bring Back the Wow Wonder Wheel Colour Active Wheel Cleaner SpecialIssue 87



CARCARE SPECIAL2022 Lcleeaatnheerr lToreveatuysoinugr cthare’sbleesattchleerawneitrhs EVERYONE wants a leather interior – it looks BESTBUY good, feels great and has a premium image. But not everyone wants to look after it properly and invest LDeoadtoheJur iCcleeSaunperernatural in the correct products to maintain it. Our test focuses Price: £9.95 Size: 500ml on cleaning, but also looks at how well each leaves Contact: dodojuice.com the surface protected from spills and marks. Rating:  While an all-purpose cleaner can work, some can be aggressive and damage the protective top coat DODO Juice takes its fifth win on the trot despite that seals the coloured layer underneath. the toughened-up test. As expected, the curry A specialist product should be sufficiently powerful paste on light-coloured leather was very difficult to get the job done, but have a pH level that will to shift, but our reigning champion was not harm the hide. How much you preserve any among the best at reducing the stain. As protective surface is also affected by the way you we’ve seen before, it really lifts ink like clean. A microfibre cloth can work well, but a specialist no other here. This is pure cleaner with brush should provide the correct level of abrasion and no claim to leave a coating, making it get into the seams to pry out ground-in dirt. ideal for newer leather, but it easily Some cleaners also claim to condition the leather, topped 90 minutes in the water test. which we measure by timing how long a water droplet A great cleaner and a great buy. 2022 will remain on the surface. This is vital for interiors more than two years old, where the protective layer ALeuattohbeeraCdleaner GLeyaetohnerQC2lMeaner Strong has worn away and the leather pores have been exposed, potentially trapping grime. Price: £9.95 Size: 500ml Price: £13 Size: 500ml We toughened our test this year with curry sauce, Contact: autobead.co.uk Rating:  Contact: cleanandshiny.co.uk Rating:  chilli oil, ketchup and pen ink applied to the leather. Two cleaning attempts were made with limited passes each time, and we factored in cost to get our result. RECOMMENDED HAnegaveelwnafxor Leather Price: £8.99 Size: 500ml Contact: angelwax.co.uk Rating:  IF you want the distinctive AUTOBEAD has been around SOUTH Korean brand Gyeon is aroma of leather, then look no for a while, but recently had back for a second time in our further than this cleanser from a major revamp with new leather cleaner test, securing Scottish producer Angelwax. Its formulas and a mix of another top-four spot. It’s the pleasant soapy leather smell is professional and DIY products. stronger of two cleaners in the part of a rounded package with This leather product is Gyeon line-up and took the effective cleaning, coupled designed to clean, condition fight to our winner on the with a top result in the water- and leave a pleasant aroma. tough curry and ink stains. repelling tests. Angelwax says It might have had to give best However, Supernatural just Heaven for Leather in the cleaning to had the edge on not only cleans but Gyeon and Dodo the tough pen ink. also nourishes the Juice, but a good As a pure cleaner, hide, and our test bead test and without protective supports this competitive price ingredients, it put claim. It’s keenly secures it a top- up little resistance priced, too. 2022 four place. 2022 in the water test. 2022 TAELSSTEOD 303 Leather Cleaner Diamondbrite Leather Feed Simoniz Conditioning Leather Cleaner Armor All Shield + Ceramic Leather Wipes Farécla G3 Pro Leather Cleaner Soft99 Luxury Leather www.autoexpress.co.uk Autoglym Interior Cleaner & Sanitiser Meguiar’s Ultimate Leather Cleaner Sonax Profiline Leather Cleaner Auto Finesse Hide Pure Definition Leather Care Restorer Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Leather Mist CarPlan Leather Wipes Shelby Leather Cleaner ValetPRO Leather Soap SpecialIssue 89

MARKETPLACE Gliptone - Trusted around the world since 1947 gliptoneeurope.com INTRODUCING GLIPTONE HYBRID 2020 2020 Simply enter your reg number to find F2RbwElahEdeensPyooOrumSboTuryeA!GE the widest choice of replacement wiper blades guaranteed to fit your vehicle. OTFHEBLBAIGDGEESSITN RTAHNEGUEK TQHUEALBIITGYGEASLTTEBRRNAANTDIVSES& DISCOTUHNETBSIG&GSESATVINGS SYUOPUERR BELAASDYETSOOSNELLIENCET SDUEPLEIVREFRAYSATVNAEIXLATBDLAEY www.autoexpress.co.uk 90 SpecialIssue clearly better value.

CARCARE SPECIAL2022 Gclleaasnser hSmereeawr-iftrheethceasrewtoinpdpoewrsfosrtmaretrs WHENEVER you’re giving your car a full valet, BESTBUY 2022 don’t pick up the glass cleaner until all the other jobs have been done. Given that it’s used both inside 4CDryesttaailleGrlass and outside the car, the application of any other cleaner to cabin, paintwork or trim could end up Price: £5.99 Size: 1,000ml smudging or coating your newly cleaned glass. Contact: morethanpolish.com You can prevent the glass cleaner doing the Rating:  same to just-waxed paint or buffed trim by spraying it directly on to a microfibre towel. Then use a second, AN impressive test debut for Polish car dry cloth to buff the window. care brand 4Detailer, which is part of the Don’t forget to drop sliding windows an inch or two Morethanpolish range. In a test where to get to the unseen section held in the frame, and the performance gaps are small, it always make sure wet streaks haven’t been created at their helps to have the cost benefits of a bases by the seals when they’re closed. Using the bigger pack. As well as coming in a back of the hand on a microfibre cloth can make one-litre bottle, Crystal Glass was also tackling front and rear windscreens easier. For narrow among the front runners in our multiple gaps at the base of the windscreen, a wooden kitchen tests. It was a touch behind pacesetter spatula wrapped in a microfibre cloth can work well. Sonax, but add in the cheapest price Glass cleaners are one of the trickier products to and you have our winner. test, because performances are hard to separate. Our focus is on lifting away oil to mimic the smeary film SGolansasxCXletraerme DCloedaorlJyuMiceenthol found on interior glass. We used a light spray of oil on a side window and then conducted a series of Price: £9.99 Size: 500ml Price: £9 Size: 500ml tests using limited wiping and then checking for Contact: sonax.co.uk Rating:  Contact: dodojuice.com Rating:  any residue left. We took price into account, but cleaning was the main factor in the overall rating. RECOMMENDED GArlamsosrCAlellaner Price: £5 Size: 500ml Contact: armorall.eu Rating:  FORMER winner and serial top- THE German brand has been ANOTHER former winner and four finisher from US favourite absent from our annual car- multiple top-four finisher, Armor All has to settle for the cleaning tests for a few years Clearly Menthol has a new look runner-up spot this time, but now, but it’s back with a bang. for this test. It is also ready to there was little to choose In its absence, there has been use with the concentrated between it and the Polish a noticeable improvement in version now gone. It still packs a newcomer. It couldn’t match performance, not just in this punch though, with the solvent- 4Detailer’s super-low price, but test, but also in others which based formula lifting away our it was among the most cost- are still under way. Sonax oily smears and matching our effective on test. It says this has pure winner in a close had the narrowest water technology finish. There is a of edges over to improve wetting. whiff of menthol Crystal Glass but All we know is in it, but it’s not it wasn’t enough the formula works something you’d to overcome that and it secured a want to clear the price difference. 2022 podium place. 2022 sinuses with. 2022 TAELSSTEOD Aenso Pureview Detailers United Windscreen Wonderlust Halfords Glass Cleaner Alchemy Cosmos Diamondbrite Ultra Glass Meguiar’s Perfect Clarity Glass www.autoexpress.co.uk Autobead Glass Cleaner Duel Optical Shelby Glass Cleaner Autoglym Fast Glass Go Glass Simoniz Mixra Glass Cleaner CarPlan No1 Super Glass Gtechniq G6 Perfect Glass Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Mist SpecialIssue 91

UULLTTRRAA PGRLOOSTSE,CTION INTRODUCING CRYSTAL SERUM ULTRA PAHARBRORDATLESAYCIOETRNS &AGCAHIENMSTICALS on y ava ab e rom gtechn q Accredited Detailers PPTRRHOOEFETFSEISRCIOSTNTIAO1L0NFHINIPSHAINT service.gtechniq.com &TPHRFEOIBNDEISUSTHCATVAPILEARBLFEORMANCE LEADING THE WAY IN AUTOMOTIVE DETAILING TECHNOLOGY Crystal Serum Ultra is the best paint protection available, it keeps your car looking glossy and new, prolonging the life of your paintworks perfect finish. The molecular structure of the hard top layer is exceptionally chemical resistant. Crystal Serum Ultra can withstand even the strongest wash chemicals and bird droppings.

CARCARE SPECIAL2022 Srecmraotcvher BESTBUY bGleetmyiosuhr-fpraeienwtwitohrkouspratorkplicnhgoaicneds Angelwax Regenerate AS you clean your car after the rigours of winter, Price: £15.95 Size: 500ml it won’t take much sunlight to reveal any Contact: angelwax.co.uk imperfections in the paintwork. On a dull day an Rating:  LED work lamp can make the tiny swirls and marks in the clearcoat all too visible. Professionals use a THERE has been something of a shake-up among specialised range of compounds and machine our scratch removers with new contenders polishing pads to get the right degree of cut to shift making our top four, along with others that those marks (see p94). For DIY enthusiasts though, have previously not fared too well. Certainly, the range of options is not always as obvious. our bonnet was in worse condition than Heavy-duty scratch removers are most often at the before and we focused on the finish that more abrasive end of the scale before you need to each product left. The test favoured move on to a machine polisher. A polisher massively Regenerate, which is designed to be speeds up correcting paint, but can also lead to used with a machine polisher, although damage in novice hands, so it pays to practice on it can be applied by hand. It left a great a scrap panel before tackling your pride and joy. finish and comes at a keen price. There is also a potentially high initial outlay, which puts some DIY-ers off, so for this test we focused on 2022 products that can be applied by hand – although some can also work with a polisher. Auto Finesse Tripple SCoofmt9p9ouPnodlishing So which is the one to make your car sparkle this spring? We took a scrapyard bonnet with some very Price: £14 Size: 500ml Price: £15.99 Size: 533ml tired paint, added a light scratch and also marked Contact: autofinesse.com Rating: Contact: soft99store.co.uk Rating: it with a plastic trim tool. Two attempts were made with 20 then 30 passes using a microfibre cloth and we monitored progress on marks and the overall finish after each test. Price was our final consideration. RECOMMENDED CVoalmetpPoRuOndAdvanced Price: £19 Size: 500ml Contact: valetpro.global Rating:  AS with our winner, Advanced TRIPPLE from Auto Finesse was NOW back in the UK after a Compound can be used by a surprise, because products short hiatus, Soft99 supplied hand or with a machine that aim to improve and protect this compound, which is the polisher. Our tired paint paint tend not to perform too middle step in its three-stage certainly suited it, because it well when compared with polishing system. Yet again, marginally topped our test on specialised alternatives. But the former wax test winner says results, but not by enough to Tripple made significant this is designed to be applied overcome Angelwax’s price improvements to the finish, by machine, but this time advantage. It added a great which helped secure its place there’s no mention of shine where rivals here. It couldn’t hand application. failed. Importantly, match our top two It still worked well it wasn’t achieved on the self-inflicted by hand and bymasking damage, marks, but it did matched the finish because it’s filler- enough – and had of our top three, free and doesn’t a competitive price but it fared less use silicone. 2022 – to secure third. 2022 well on scratches. 2022 TAELSSTEOD AutoglymScratchRemovalCompleteKit Menzerna One-Step Polish 3in1 Simoniz Scratch and Swirl Remover Car Gods 54 Prometheus Pure Compound Motul Scratch Remover Sonax Xtreme Polish + Wax 3 Diamondbrite Diamond Cut Meguiar’s ScratchX 2.0 T-Cut Rapid Scratch Remover Farécla G3 Pro All-in-One Polish Pure Definition Pro Cut Compound Turtle WaxScratch Repair & Renew www.autoexpress.co.uk SpecialIssue 93

ATOTTDEENTTAIOILN We join a training course to learn about prepping paint Kim Adams imperfections in confined areas if you don’t have [email protected] access to a small polishing machine. AT Auto Express, we tend to focus on the Polishing performance side of car care, by seeking out the products that will make your cleaning THE next step after wet sanding, or the first procedure as easy and cost-effective as possible. if there is no deep damage to remove, is machine But for many people, there’s another side that’s polishing. This is an area where expensive damage driven by the rise of detailing and made possible can easily be done, particularly by the rotary by social media. At its best, it allows like-minded polishers that were used during the course. enthusiasts to share techniques and skills, and has become a key part of any car care producer’s operation. A rotary polisher works faster than oscillating dual- Many companies have expanded from simply action (DA) polishers and can be better because there’s making and selling car care products to establishing less time working a machine for untrained muscles. their own training programmes for customers. The huge difference in the finish achieved with a To see how this element works, we joined detailing machine polisher compared with working it by hand is company Autobead for one of its training sessions. enough to persuade many DIY-ers to take the plunge. While some courses will be aimed at detailing professionals or DIY enthusiasts, Autobead’s are open While the course switches between advice for to both. It also has accreditation courses for pros. pros trying to make a living out of detailing and the The sessions run alongside a social media community the brand has established, which Wet sanding Using grit on sanding blocks to aims to share experiences and advice. Our advanced Detail Like a Pro course focused on improve the damaged area is the first stage machine polishing and took place at Zita Details, a detailing firm set up by Zita Daniels, in Uckfield, East JUSTYNA’S TOP POLISHING Sussex. It attracted mainly professionals – some relatively new, others very experienced – and despite wo✔nhepSrateanyevlubsle.ntMewraeasbeknleeldingeess ss✔achtrr6aiP2ntackdihnaewtwgehaCxeypanfanrindotdmcwsoiall the southern England location, two detailers from p✔adSatnardtcwoimthpaoumneddium p✔helaasTttasikcmetorciarmereqboueniccapkualiysne Scotland attended. The tutor for the day was Justyna ✔ Start at a slow speed com✔aogromgurIrsnepeecoscrsauueintvmadiessoeornsereppeeadededdif Brys from Antwerp, Belgium, who is a detailing ✔jaucsrtoDmsosnotv’hteeutpsheaenpmerleascshuirnee, bgcb✔ooeromfnoMkeperaetonkrubaednnuosdsfwuflhurinneacgseatnnhfudtelly veteran with 26 years of experience. The format o✔onffeDapnoldnac’ttehde–wnmereloltviuenrn is informal and as hands-on as you like. ✔wpainthReely’gosuutleramhrlapynecdrhaetcukrethe Wet sanding THE morning kicks off with instruction on wet sanding, a practice most DIY enthusiasts would shy away from. It’s used for tackling big defects, and the key is to work on as small an area of the clearcoat as possible and not the paint underneath. As with just about any aspect of working on painted surfaces, slow and steady is the best policy. As Justyna says: “Once it’s gone, it’s gone.” Starting with 2000 or 3000-grit paper on small sanding blocks, we spray the surface and abrasive then work the scratch until it’s reduced. There’s no need to make it perfect, because it will be polished afterwards. The small sanding block can also be used to put right “The key is to work on as small an area of the clearcoat as possible” 94 SpecialIssue

CAR CAHRowE tSoPdEeCtaIilAlikLe2a0p2r2o AUTOBEAD is a UK producer that has recently been rebranded and sees creating a valeting community as an important part of its work, with training courses a key part of that. It has six training centres and prices start at £84.95 for a Foundation Day. Our machine-polishing day cost £195, and details can be found at autobead.co.uk. Tools of the trade Ourman Kim checks out amateur, there is some key advice for both groups to ensure they use a rotary polisher correctly. some of the polishing kit with Zita Daniels, owner of Zita Details, who got hands-on during the class (left) After a demonstration, the course tackled an SUV that was in need of attention from multiple machine .autoexpress.co.uk polishers, with Justyna’s help to encourage the correct technique. The last stage was to provide a final finish to the car before handing it back to the trusting owner. While our course tackled using a rotary polisher, both Justyna and Zita advised beginners, who were only going to have one machine, to opt for a DA. These are less likely to damage paint in novice hands, although much of the advice given for rotary polishers also applies to dual-action machines. Used properly, the rotary is safe and can be quicker. What was clear among the students on the course was the enthusiasm to improve not just the paintwork but also their own skills, despite several of them having many years’ experience. If you have more than just a passing interest in keeping your car looking showroom fresh, a course like those run by Autobead and others will be a good investment, alongside joining a like-minded group on social media. SpecialIssue 95

We need your help ssorC deR sdnalrehteN ehT / tiveiK eirA © otohP pMlaillcioentsoocfapllehoopmleeh, abveecanuosseaofef Please give to our Ukraine ongoing violence in Ukraine. Crisis Appeal today. Families are trapped underground; Visit redcross.org.uk/shelter hundreds of thousands of people still have or text SHELTER to 70141 to no food, no water, no medical care, and no heat or electricity. make a £10 donation. Your donation means we can keep getting By texting, you consent to future telephone and critical help to those who urgently need it, SMS marketing contact from British Red Cross. in Ukraine and its bordering countries. Text SHELTER NO to 70141 to give £10 without consenting to calls and texts.* Kdoeneaptienign ionthteoruwchayYso. uYrosuucpapnorcthmanagkeesthaeliwfea-cyhwaengcionngtadciffteyroenucaet taonpyetiompelebiny vcirsisitiisn.gWreedwcrroitsest.oorogu.urks/ukpepeoprintegrisnttoouucphdoartecaylolinugaFbroeuetpthhoenweo0r8k0o0f 2th8e00Br4it9is1h. Red Cross, and how you can help and gPworhioovdauscs,yesesortrvaidcteeemlsiveoerrnoitnuTforhrsemeBravtriiciotiensshy.oRSueodmhaCevtreiomsreessqisuthecissotmemdmeoaitrntetsoduatsodcmporimniviasbctienyrinadgnodtnhawattiiolldnuasstaeorwpseiterhsrvoinincfoaelsrmdwaaettaiopfnroorfvrtoihdmee.prWeulireapbomlesaepyiutabwlsliaocsasconouallrlyecsceetse.ddOaotuarrworetehseecraorllecleghcittaimtllooawbteestputeusrrptuoonstdaeeislorsrwtacenotdmeltmlhyeuonupiceaaobtpoioluentsw: fahonordesxsuaepmrpvopicrleets,utsionoparrmothvooidrseee dpforacivtuaascfeoydrnaaonptidcuercpooosnstlei-neetfhfeaactttrcievoedncwflriocastyss,.awosritghw.uepklrl/eapvsrioivbuaesctlytye.erxmpereestisnegdyporuivranceyepdrsefaenrdentcheesn.eFeodrsfuollfdoethtaeilrssalibkeouytohuo. wHowweeuveser, pweerswoinllanledvaetrad,oouthrilseginalabwasaiystfhoartdinotinrugdseos aonndpyeorsuornparilvparcivyarcigyhatsn,dpwleiallsneotseueseoyuorur FaTnohdremUefokfirrceaieininnetfolyCrmsripsaiestnioAtn,pavpniesyiatslhuwtrtipplllssu:us//pdfuponondratstpewe.roiellpdblceeroiunssaser.doeartgos.uchkue/rlparepunpstelypaarl/efdfpeisacartesetdfeorar-fnaudnnddthroessepopnodtetnotiaoltlyhearffheucmtedaninitatrhiaenfudtiusraestbeyrsthaenycwrishise.reIninthteheevweonrtldth.at we raise more money than can be reasonably *Texts cost £10 +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile, must be 16+. The British Red Cross Society, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949), Scotland (SC037738), Isle of Man (0752) and Jersey (430).

BUYINGCARS New and used buying advice from our team of experts Toyota RAV4 YOUTELLUSLong-runningcompactSUVisa ShTarilset-aHnester solid choice that’s let down by infotainment Gotany carqueries? 2021Results [email protected] RAV4 Factfile Q cSahro’sulsdusMpoeTnshiaovnecsoprorottseiodn? Years: 2018 to present CO2: 126g/km INTERIOR Owners rate the cabin for its comfort and practicality, A USED car I bought a couple of months ago Fuel economy: 48mpg (2.5 Hybrid AWD) supposedly came with a new MoT. But at a Bsuensrtooopf,tiboonost: lJiBnLers, tmeruedo,flpaapnsoramic but the RAV4’s infotainment system and sat-nav come in for criticism service, a mechanic has just found the car has corrosion damage to its suspension. USED PRICES: From £26,000 GOOD NOT SO GOOD Should this have been spotted at the MoT? George Daniels, E-mail 90.30%OVERALL SCORE iTnhfienoBiualsorhrns2eg0dse2hro1otuhwnteeowwbfah7cre5atrhervesemuhbroiecvtdleteeeysrl. “MY RAV4 accelerates very fast “INFOTAINMENT system is when you floor the throttle, clunky to use and has some A YES, but it will be tricky to prove that the Engine and gearbox 75 1 especially in Sport mode. More odd, quirky behaviours. damage was there when you bought the car. Exterior than adequate for my needs.” Updates can be problematic.” You could ask your mechanic to put their “No large blind spots, big “Sat-nav is very awkward to opinion on the age of the corrosion in writing Interior and comfort wing mirrors and a reliable use; it’s hard to input an and take this to the dealer to request Practicality and space monitoring system.” address and is inaccurate.” compensation in some form. The DVSA does investigate questionable MoTs, but these Ride and handling “Plenty of space in the interior “The RAV4 isn’t a driver’s car. need to be reported within 28 days, or three Safety features to store small items and large The gearbox isn’t engaging months for corrosion-related complaints. cupholders all around.” and there’s lots of body roll.” MPG and running costs Q aBllluqeutoieottohngtlihtechmhuassicleffrtointt Rebliuaibldiliqtuyaalnitdy “Very generous boot space “I find the car incredibly I USUALLY stream music from my phone via conInnfeocttaievinlietmyctearnnictds, and rear seats fold fairly flat. uncomfortable on Bluetooth in my 2014 Ford Fiesta, but the Value Load lip is nice and low.” long journeys.” system has now glitched out and won’t let “Extremely satisfied with fuel “Interior trim is cheap and my phone connect. Is there any way to fix economy; I achieve the official of poor quality. Boot floor the issue without visiting a dealership? MPG with little to no effort.” supports have failed twice.” Paul Hallam, E-mail “I’ve found the insurance “Controls are not intuitive; I A IF you haven’t already, you could try deleting reasonable for a car this size.” had to look them all up.” your phone from the infotainment system’s WE SAID“TheToyotaRAV4’sinfotainment memory and pairing it again from scratch. The “I like the shape and styling; “Front suspension is Advanced Settings menu features a Master system isn’t well liked, but almost every other it’s better than the old model.” very hard and jarring.” Reset option that may solve the problem, aspect of the car gets a broadly positive but any stored data will be deleted. If neither response, especially the powertrains.” of these options work or the issue arises repeatedly, it may be easiest to bite the bullet www.autoexpress.co.uk and visit a Ford dealership to see if there’s a software update or other solution. Q Cagaaninmsytfdaaiulegdhdterrivaipnpgetaelst? MY daughter recently failed her practical driving test due to a near-miss that she believes was wholly the other driver’s fault. The car had a dash cam fitted and I actually agree with her. Is there an appeals process? Name withheld, E-mail A IT is possible to appeal a driving test result through the DVSA if you believe the examiner was mistaken in penalising your daughter for the incident that occurred during the test. However, even if the appeal rules in your daughter’s favour, the exam result will not be overturned. The DVSA may offer a free re-test, but increased demand for bookings mean there may still be a considerable wait. SpecialIssue 97

In association with aSneadrucshetdhcoaurssaonndlsinoef new BUYER’S GUIDE: Volvo V60 FROM£20,000 Compact executive estate combines style, luxury and practicality Richard Dredge CO2/tax Running costs Performance 60-62mpg (D4 auto) VOLVO and estate cars are inextricably 119-125g/km £106 fill-up 0-62mph/top speed linked. The Swedish brand (now Chinese- £155 7.9 seconds/137mph owned) led the way with the introduction of the Duett in 1953, and in the intervening CHECK ON... Plug-in FromSeptember Trims Volvo added a ‘Plus’ years, Volvo became the brand of choice for those who wanted a safe Options The Winter Pack 2021, plug-in hybrids had a bigger, to four of the V60’s trim levels, then and supremely practical family car. 18.8kWh battery. It boosted the car’s dropped it. From January 2022, the trims added headlight cleaning plus range from 34 to 56 miles. were renamed Core, Plus and Ultimate. More recently, Volvo discovered its styling heating for the windscreen, washer mojo, with its current crop of cars offering jets and steering wheel. some of the sharpest looks on the road. Even better, the Volvo V60 is as good to high-quality cabin, is offered with front-wheel Interior Contacts drive as it is to look at, and it doesn’t lack drive or quattro four-wheel drive and power Official any of the qualities that have made Volvo comes from some impressive engines. YET another V60 high spot, the cabin features top-quality volvocars.com/uk estates so appealing for so long. materials, is easy to use and has excellent seats. There’s Another German option is the slightly loads of room front and back, and cubby space is also Forums History less prestigious Volkswagen Passat impressive, with plenty of storage around the interior. With volvoforums.org.uk estate, and we’d also suggest putting the back seats in place the boot can hold 529 litres and THE second-generation V60 arrived in the Mazda 6 Tourer on your shortlist. with them folded the capacity is 1,441 litres to the roof, volvoforums.com September 2017. Buyers could choose giving the V60 one of the biggest load bays in its class. volvo-forums.com between 148bhp D3 and 187bhp D4 diesels, Verdict or there was a 246bhp T5 petrol; all of these volvov60.org powerplantswere 2.0-litre four-cylinder units. VOLVO has come a long way in the past decade, and the V60 Mk2 is proof of that. In October 2018, a 187bhp T4 petrol and This is a car that has it all: practicality, build T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid arrived. Four quality, reliability, safety, ready availability months later, the V60 Cross Country came and sensational looks. Even better, while with a 60mm ride height increase, four- you’ll pay a premium for V60 ownership, wheel drive but only the D4 and T5 engines. asking prices compare favourably with the obvious German rivals. In summer 2020, hybrid tech became standard and the range was shaken up. The V60’s talents led to it scooping There were now 161bhp B3 (P), 194bhp B4 Carbuyer’s Compact Executive Car of the Year (P) and 246bhp B5 (P) petrol editions or a in 2019, and when we ran a D3 Momentum 194bhp B4 (D) diesel, and a T6 Recharge on our fleet in the same year, we loved plug-in hybrid joined the existing T8. everything about it. However, when we pitted a V60 against the 3 Series Touring Which one? and C-Class Estate in 2020, the Volvo came second behind the BMW, so be sure to check IF you’re a low-mileage driver, then a petrol out the competition before committing. V60 makes sense; otherwise we’d choose a diesel for its blend of performance, www.autoexpress.co.uk economy and relatively low purchase costs. The plug-in hybrids can be very frugal, but they’re costly to buy and hard to come by. All V60s are well equipped, with the entry-level Momentum Plus featuring LED headlights, a powered tailgate, two-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloys, heated front seats, leather- faced trim, cruise control and a DAB radio. Inscription adds Nappa leather, keyless go, headlight cleaning and hands-free tailgate opening. R-Design (from November 2018 on) adds a sportier look, while additional kit over Momentum includes sports seats, ambient lighting, a head-up display, a black headlining, privacy glass and lowered suspension. Alternatives IT’Sarguable that none of theV60’s rivals are quite as stylish, but they are all as desirable. The obvious alternatives are all German, starting with the BMW 3 Series Touring, which is more engaging to drive than the Volvo and comes with some impressive engines, but purchase costs are high. As with the BMW, the Mercedes C-Class Estate is rear-wheel drive, beautifully built and practical, albeit not quite as roomy as the Volvo. The Audi A4 Avant has a 98 SpecialIssue

VolvoV60 BUYING CARS Howmuch? Model 2021 2020 2019 2018 T8 Inscription Plus £41,405 £36,799 £32,879 N/A Finance per month* £737 £655 £585 N/A D4/B4(D)MomentumPlus £28,943 £25,333 £20,876 £19,026 Finance per month* £507 £451 £395 £335 D4/B4(D)InscriptionPlus £30,711 £27,244 £23,177 £20,207 Finance per month* £546 £485 £403 £383 T4/B4(P)MomentumPlus £28,996 £25,333 £22,395 £19,963 Finance per month* £509 £446 £399 £355 NEED TO KNOW T5/B5(P)InscriptionPlus £32,724 £29,106 £24,945 £21,860 At launch, both diesels were Finance per month* £558 £518 £444 £389 available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic *Prices from BuyaCar.co.uk; quotes based on a 10% deposit gearbox, while the petrol was auto-only. By summer 2020 the A COUPLE ofV60s were less than £20k, but this is really manual option had disappeared the startpointand netsan early60k-mile D3 Momentum. Find £22k, and this secures a 68-plate 30k-mile D3 vEexrpdeirctt’s Momentum or an 18-plate 20k-mile T4 R-Design. TDerdeiispttouartnySchoanlseu-mHeesrter One in sixV60s is manual, half of the cars for sale THE Volvo V60 is a highly practical estate are diesels and a quarter are petrols. We found just 20 car, with lots of room in the back and PHEVs, four-fifths of which were T6 Recharges at plenty of tech on offer. Its biggest problem £42k-£52k; the T8s were £45k-£57k. Petrol hybrids comes in the form of its rivals from the outnumber diesel hybrids two to one; the former start likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes – some of these offer more exciting driving Running costsat£31k,whereasdieselhybridsarepricedfrom£33k. dynamics and even better space. ecoFuneolmy emCisOsi2ons rAonandutaaxl puorg ecnarusnI As an overall package, however, the V60 will appeal to many drivers, especially Model 24-26 61-64mpg 117-122g/km £165 because of its wide selection of engines. 29-32 60-62mpg 119-125g/km £165 As always, we advise shopping around. D3 31 45-51mpg 145-162g/km £165 D4 auto 32-33 38-43mpg 148-168g/km £165 Common faults B4 (D) auto 33-35 42-43mpg 150-160g/km £165 B4 (P) auto 42 134-313mpg 19-46g/km £155 ONE Carbuyer owner review mentions T5 auto 42-43 104-282mpg 22-56g/km £155 faulty windscreen washers, but other T6 PHEV than that, we haven’t heard of many T8 PHEV common issues with the V60 Mk2. Towing The V60 is well suited to A£L4L0Vk6o0rsmcoorsetn£e1w65aprea£to52ta0x((hhyybbrrididss::££511505)pina)y.eTahrosstewcootsotisnigx. “As an overall package towing, especially the D4 diesel and T6 the Volvo V60 will appeal A V60 needs servicing every 12 months or 18,000 miles, Recharge plug-in hybrid versions. V60s are atoremmaonryederxivceitrisn,gb”ut rivals and alternate between minor and major. The former is rated to pull between 1,800kg to 2,000kg. £320 (£315 for diesels) while the second is £530 (£520 for diesels), services four and sixare £495 (diesel£480). www.autoexpress.co.uk/driver-power A major service includes a brake fluid change, or it’s THE V60 has never appeared in a Driver Power survey, £105 on its own. Cambelts last 10 years. Diesels have a although the platform-sharing XC60 Mk2 SUV placed 90k-mile limit, and replacement (with full service) is 30th out of 75 in our 2020 new-car poll. Volvo also came 10th out of 30 in our 2020 brands survey. Partwatch£1,210. For petrols it’s a 144k mile limit and £1,225. Dealerprice Independentprice Only two V60 owner reviews have been left on carbuyer.co.uk, both of which award it five stars. It’s Part £116.40 £41.79-£63.79 not a big sample, but those owners love their cars. £211.20 £98.98-£197.98 Front brake pads (axle set) £138.60 £11.99-£18.50 YOUR VIEW Front brake discs (pair) £63.00 £20.38-£32.08 ALAN Soper from Carlisle owns a 2019 V60 D4 auto. He Door mirror glass (electric) told us: “I’ve owned Audi and BMW estates before, but Front wiper set none have had the reaction that the Volvo gets. People notice it, but in a good way; it looks terrific. It’s also good P(*vFroircolvemoscfcaoarrrswa.ci2no0gm1m/9uirDkro4).rasIn.ucdtooe..puDkeen. adleenrtfipgruicreess:seuuprpolciaerdpbayrtVso.clovomU. K to drive, hasa wonderfulinterior and isverypractical.The dashboard is easy to use and the seats are exceptionally Recalls comfortable. It’s a great family-friendly all-rounder.” VOLVO has recalled the V60 Mk2 eight times, first in www.autoexpress.co.uk November 2018 because of connectivity problems.Three recalls were issued in 2019; the first two were for faulty suspension parts, the third down to inletmanifold issues. The next action in March 2020 was for an AEB glitch. The three most recent recalls (in 2021) were for faulty airbag control units, fuel pump fuses and fuel gauge software. SpecialIssue 99

In association with Search thousands of new and used cars online 100 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk