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Lucid is like Tesla, but with the benefit of hindsight

ONE of the most talked about cars in the US right now comes from start up brand Lucid, led by Brit Peter Rawlinson Its all electric Air saloon famously offers more than 1,000bhp and a 0 60mph time of 2 6 seconds

So when I was out in the US recently on World Car Awards judging duty, the Lucid Air was one of the first sets of keys I grabbed as you can see from the picture above And as expected, it was something else

The power and performance figures are almost a side issue; the ability of the Air to travel around 500 miles between charges is the bigger story Yes, it has a big battery a whopping 112kWh in the version I drove but with Lucid it’s all about the efficiency, something the firm says should be the biggest talking point with EVs

I agree Miles per gallon is hugely important with our petrol and diesel cars, so we should all be focusing on miles per kilowatt hour when it comes to EVs And for the record, the Lucid boasts a massively impressive figure of 4 6mi/kWh which is how it can achieve such spectacular figures for its range

Talking to the guys from Lucid, they reference Mercedes and BMW as rivals (and the BMW i7 that I also drove for the World Car Awards is another very impressive thing). The one brand they don’t mention is the obvious one: Tesla Yet for my money, the Lucid is head and shoulders above a Tesla Model S It drives and rides better, is built better and the tech is more usable

On page 15 you’ll see Lucid’s next model, the Gravity, previewed And although we don’t yet know when, we were assured we’ll see Lucids in the UK in the future

The Lucid is very much a premium product, but another World Car Award contender that impressed me was the Hyundai Ioniq 6 It’ll be a fraction of the price of the Air, but it also has efficiency at its heart and will go further on one charge than its Tesla rival, the Model 3 Tesla sales are still flying right now, but the competition’s hotting up fast

STEVE FOWLER Editor in-chief

steve fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler

TOPSTORY

John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy

FIAT has committed the iconic 500 city car to a pure electric future and now it’s time for the company’s performance brand Abarth to deliver its take on the model, with the Abarth 500e

The first all electric Abarth in history takes the regular 500 EV’s recipe and adds several key features to give it a more sporting flavour Chief among these is a boost to the front mounted electric motor, which delivers 152bhp (up from the 117bhp of the Fiat version) and 235Nm of torque, to bring a 0 62mph time of seven seconds

Exterior styling tweaks include a more aggressive front bumper, side skirts and a rear diffuser, along with sportier alloy wheels The convertible version gets an integrated spoiler in its fabric roof, while the hatchback, seen here, features rear privacy glass Every Abarth 500e also has a revised version of the brand’s ‘scorpion’ logo

Inside, there’s a three spoke sports steering wheel, sports seats, leather upholstery with Alcantara trim, a seven inch digital instrument cluster, and a standard 10 25 inch touchscreen infotainment set up that features ‘performance pages’ designed to show owners more detailed driving data

Abarth claims that the 500’s latest platform which is currently not shared with any of the sister Stellantis brands gives the model a wider track, longer wheelbase and better weight distribution than the old combustion powered 500s The brand says that these gains and punchier acceleration figures help the 500e to lap its Balocco test track a second faster than its ICE predecessor

The Abarth 500e will have a selection of three driving modes Turismo is meant for

everyday driving, with reduced power and torque (132bhp and 230Nm) aimed at delivering a smoother experience

Scorpion Street, meanwhile, unleashes the powertrain’s full potential as well as maximising brake energy recuperation for urban environments with frequent stops Scorpion Track dials back the brake regen to focus purely on performance. Abarth says that single pedal driving is possible in Turismo and Scorpion Street settings

Abarth/Fiat boss Olivier Francois admitted to Auto Express last year that his engineers were debating how to recreate the spirit of the combustion engined 500’s exhaust burble on an electric car And sure enough, the Abarth 500e features a sound generator; the company claims the digital synthesis accompanies the performance, “faithfully reproducing the sound of an Abarth petrol engine” It’ll be offered as an alternative to the standard set up, which includes the strum of a guitar on start up

The Abarth 500e uses the same battery as its Fiat sibling, at 42kWh; Abarth has not revealed how the increased motor output affects the range However, the company has confirmed that its version will get the same maximum charging rate of 85kW DC This will be able to deliver around 30 miles of range in five minutes, and take the car from near empty to 80 per cent of capacity in a little over 30 minutes

The Abarth 500e is being launched with a fully laden Scorpionissima version, which will be available for a pre ordering session through enthusiasts’ clubs The rest of us will be able to order the car from next spring, and it should land in UK dealers by early summer 2023 There’s no word yet on pricing, but expect the hot hatch to start at a figure north of £35,000

Abarth comes with a three spoke sports steering wheel, digital instruments and a 10 25 inch touchscreen

● Abarth 500e is based on Fiat 500, but with more powerful motor

● Faster around Balocco track than petrol-powered predecessor

PURPOSE

Dakar’s 50mm ride height can be raised by a further 30mm for extra clearance

Porsche 911 Dakar takes ic

●

James Brodie

IN 2002, Porsche launched the first generation Cayenne SUV a landmark moment for the Stuttgart sports car maker that transformed the brand’s fortunes Purists were critical, doubly so when the Cayenne spawned a smaller and even more lucrative sibling in the form of the Macan.

The cash generated by these big selling models has ensured a steady flow of investment into an increasingly diverse 911 line up. Perhaps, then, there’s a strong degree of irony to this new model, made possible by the profits generated by the brand’s SUVs It’s called the 911 Dakar, and as the name and its looks suggest, it’s a 911 developed for off road use.

The 911 Dakar will be limited to 2,500 units, and orders are now open, with a price tag of £173,000 in the UK; only the 911 GT3 RS, Turbo S Cabriolet and Sport Classic are pricier The 911 Dakar takes inspiration from the victory scored by the Porsche 953 in the 1984 Paris Dakar rally, and it’s even available with an optional

Power comes from the 473bhp, 570Nm version of the twin turbocharged 3 0 litre flat six used in the 911 GTS, and an eight speed twin clutch PDK transmission sends drive to all four wheels This set up is capable of propelling the 911 Dakar from 0 62mph in just 3.5 seconds.

But what really makes the 911 Dakar stand out is its new stance, created by a combination of bespoke bodywork and a raised ride height brought about by newly developed suspension technology

As standard it sits 50mm taller than a 911 Carrera S on sports suspension, but it can be raised by a further 30mm thanks to a four corner lift system. Porsche claims this enables the 911 Dakar to take part in “ambitious off road adventures ”

The car has been extensively developed on dirt tracks, desert dunes, snow and

Rally Design Package, which equips the new model with a tribute livery

edition adds extra ride height and off-road modes

EXCLUSIVE

Porsche

Dakar model taps into 911’s motorsport history

911 Dakar Rally Design Package

911 SC Safari (1978)

on back off road

BESPOKE

ice, as well as on loose surfaces As a result, it’s fitted with all terrain tyres, with 19 inch wheels up front and 20 inch items at the rear. However, these tyres mean that Porsche has had to electronically limit the top speed of the 911 Dakar to 149mph, or 106mph when the suspension is fully raised.

In anticipation of the rougher, more physically demanding surfaces that the 911 Dakar has been tasked with traversing, it’s fitted with the dynamic engine mounts from the track focused 911 GT3, which provide a flexible and responsive level of rigidity It also comes with rear axle steering and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control anti roll stabilisation.

clearance Both of these modes feature a new Rally Launch Control system, too The 911 Dakar’s bodykit uses carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels. At 1,605kg, the car is 10kg heavier than a Carrera 4 GTS with a PDK gearbox The bonnet is taken from the 911 GT3, but the fixed rear wing is new, as are the wider wheelarches, chunky side sills, and front and rear bumpers complete with additional underfloor protection and stainless steel protected front grilles

Other off road touches include towing lugs front and rear, while the car will also be offered with an optional 42kg roof rack, LED lighting and a 12 volt power outlet A roof tent option has also been developed.

911 (953) (1984)

Along with this existing technology, Porsche engineers have developed two bespoke drive modes for the Dakar The Rally setting is claimed to be ideal or loose, rally stage like surfaces, delivering a rear biased all wheel drive programme Offroad mode is specifically or maximum 4x4 capability and ground

Rally for for capability and ground

The 911 Dakar is a two seater, with a pair of full size bucket seats and a roll cage replacing the rear chairs, while the cabin is lightly trimmed with Race Tex fabric. Treadplates and a dashboard emblazoned with the 911 Dakar badge complete the interior makeover The car will arrive on UK roads next spring

PAGE 28: 911 Carrera T driven

959 Paris-Dakar (1986)

“Off-road touches include towing lugs front and rear, while the car will also be offered with an optional 42kg roof rack”

Long-lasting

driving with well-balanced performance throughout the year

New Prius in the wings, but UK won’t get latest hybrid pioneer

● Fifth-generation car arrives later this year ● Plug-in hybrid set to follow next spring

OFFICIAL

Concept hints at shape of the next Toyota C-HR

A FIFTH generation of Toyota’s Prius is due to arrive later this year, but the UK will not be getting the latest version of the car that defined the start of the hybrid era when it was launched in 1997

The popularity of the hybrid C HR and Corolla in the UK has seen Prius sales decline and a Toyota spokesman said: “Over the years we have launched a much greater selection of self charging hybrids, covering all the main segments of the market and meeting a much wider customer base ”

Toyota will continue to offer the Prius with series parallel hybrid tech when it’s launched towards the end of this year, with a new plug in hybrid version arriving in spring 2023 The Mk5 sits on an evolution of the TNGA platform used by the current car, but ushers in big styling and tech changes

The design borrows plenty of styling cues from the upcoming C HR replacement and the all electric bZ3 The cabin is much more akin to the bZ4X EV, with a large touchscreen dominating the dashboard and a smaller digital panel for the driver’s display

Hybrid options include 1 8 litre and 2 0 litre version, although so far, Toyota has

FRESH LOOK

Twin digital displays feature inside (top), while the Prius name is emblazoned across the bootlid (above)

only stated that the new 2.0 litre plug in hybrid Prius will be offered, with 190bhp

The new PHEV car uses a 2 0 litre petrol engine, plus a battery and electric motor system. Toyota says it will offer similar fuel economy and CO2 to the outgoing model, with an all electric range of around 50 miles, 50 per cent more than before

New Sterrato raises the stakes

LAMBORGHINI has joined Porsche (page 10) in offering a raised up version of one of its performance cars, teasing the new Lamborghini Huracán

The firm hasn’t issued full technical details for the Sterrato, but it promises to take the new off road genre to supercar levels of performance, boasting naturally aspirated, mid engined, V10 power. It could, in fact, be the last Lambo made without an electrified powertrain.

From the teaser shots we can make out the larger arches housing wheels shod with thick sidewalled all terrain tyres, and LED spotlights on the nose. The Sterrato will be revealed in full on 30 November.

OFFICIAL

ALONGSIDE the new Prius, Toyota has teased one of the next members of its growing bZ all electric line up, with a new concept car revealed at the LA Auto Show.

Called the bZ Compact SUV Concept, it’s almost certainly a preview of the replacement for the C HR, one of Toyota’s best selling models We could see the final production version of the newcomer next year

The bZ concept previews an all electric compact SUV, but given the firm’s E TNGA platform shares elements with the regular TNGA system, we could also see hybrid and petrol powered versions when it goes on sale

Search for new JLR boss after CEO Bolloré resigns

THIERRY Bolloré (pictured) has resigned from his post as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, citing personal reasons, after two years at the top of the firm.

Bolloré was the architect of JLR’s ‘Reimagine’ strategy that embraced electrification and a plan to turn Jaguar into a fully fledged luxury EV maker. Adrian Mardell, previously the firm’s chief financial officer, will take the helm until owner Tata finds a replacement for Bolloré.

Sterrato.

SLEEK

Mk5 Prius has a swooping body with the bonnet rising to meet the windscreen

AlastairCrooks

Alastair Crooks@autoviacouk

@AllieCrooks

pac Concept previews an all-electric SUV

Lucid expands its electric line-up

OFFICIAL

● Seven-seat SUV revealed

● More than 400 miles of range

Yousuf Ashraf@autoviacouk @ashrafoncars

US electric car maker Lucid Motors hit the ground running with its Air saloon, and now the start up brand is joining the booming electric SUV market with a seven seat model

The Lucid Gravity will feature plenty of Air derived technology when it arrives in 2024. The styling is immediately familiar, with the Air’s distinctive contrasting roofline carried over to the SUV The Gravity will be offered with five, six and seven seat options, so we expect it to be around five metres long, and the boxy shape of the tail should provide lots of rear cabin headroom

Even so, the SUV has clearly been optimised to reduce drag, with a steeply angled windscreen that extends deep into the bonnet to reduce air pressure at its base The front overhang is very short, but given that the SUV will ride on the same LEAP pure electric architecture as the Air, we expect it to include a useful front boot

The general cabin design will feature the Air’s UX infotainment tech and a triple screen set up The SUV is unlikely to adopt a fully digital interface, however, with a blend of both physical and touchscreen controls

Under the skin, Lucid’s Volvo EX90 rival is likely to adopt the same battery and motor

technology as the Air. Lucid vehicles are ranked according to the US’s more stringent EPA testing regime, and an enormous 113kWh battery pac means that the Gravity should manage more than 400 miles

Customers will be able to choose from a range of power options, which could include single, dual or triple motor configurations. As a reference, the top flight Lucid Air Sapphire provides more than 1,200bhp, and with the same powertrain, the Gravity is likely to crack 0 62mph in around three seconds.

The Gravity will go on sale in the US and Canada next year Lucid is now present in Europe, but while rumours suggest right hand drive production is planned, there’s no date for a UK launch just yet

Users slam UK’s disabled parking

MORE should be done by local authorities to tackle disabled parking bay abuse, say respondents to Disabled Motoring UK’s (DMUK) ‘Baywatch’ survey.

Nearly 80 per cent of drivers think there’s insufficient oversight of protected parking schemes, while 70 per cent say they’ve never had their Blue Badge inspected by a parking official. The charity also criticised

supermarkets, after 70 per cent of drivers who reported parking bay abuses said stores failed to take any action.

“The poor state of the nation’s disabled parking provision continues to prevent people from living independent lives,” said DMUK “It is vital that the parking industry understands the importance of providing and enforcing adequate disabled parking.”

X Convertible completes trio of Genesis concepts

GENESIS has completed what it calls “a trilogy” of forward facing concepts with the X Convertible, which follows the X Concept and X Speedium Coupé.

The new creation features a folding hard top roof, but retains several key cues from Genesis’s Athletic Elegance design language. There’s a long bonnet and a short front overhang, as well as a hefty wheelbase and strongly flared wheelarches, designed to create a ‘Coke bottle’ effect when the car is viewed from above

At the front, the concept features four LED lights, and while there are openings low down in the front bumper for all cooling requirements, the reduced need for airflow has allowed them to be made smaller

The rear has an integrated spoiler and quad tail lights, and the car is finished in pearlescent-white paint The cabin features a four seat layout with trim in navy and orange, and makes extensive use of recycled wool fabric, as well as conventional leather.

There are no immediate plans for the X Convertible to go into production, but the firm’s chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke said the car would “further propel the brand’s mission to create vehicles with even greater emotional resonance”.

Low-slung sports car concept has a folding hard top

RARITY

The majority of survey respondents claim that their Blue Badge hasn’t been inspected when using a disabled parking bay

YousufAshraf

Tax benefits for EVs are axed in ‘backward’ Autumn Budget

year Rates for hybrid vehicles will also be equalised, meaning hybrid car owners will no longer receive a £10 annual VED discount.

ELECTRIC vehicle owners will pay vehicle excise duty (VED) from April 2025, Chancellor of The Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has announced in his Autumn Budget.

New zero emissions cars registered from 1 April 2025 will be liable to pay the lowest first year rate of VED for vehicles with CO2 emissions one to 50g/km which is currently set at £10 per year From the second year of registration onwards, they will move to the standard rate, currently £165 per year

Any zero emission cars that were first registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025 will also pay the standard annual rate from 1 April 2025

Electric cars will lose their exemption from the expensive car supplement in 2025, too, which is set at £355 per year for cars with a list price of £40,000 or more in their second to sixth years of registration Zero and low emission cars first registered

between 1 March 2001 and 30 March 2017, which are currently in VED Band A, will move to

The Treasury also announced it would set Benefit in Kind (BiK) company car tax rates until March 2028 that continue to incentivise the take up of electric vehicles. Percentages for electric and ultra low emissions cars (producing less than 75g/km of CO2) will increase by one percentage point each tax year, up to a maximum appropriate percentage of five per cent for electric cars and 21 per cent for ultra low emission cars

BiK rates for all other vehicle bands will be increased by one percentage point for 2025 26 up to a maximum appropriate percentage of 37 per cent, and will then be fixed until March 2028

Finally, the Budget included a pledge that the Government will extend the 100 per cent First Year Allowance for EV chargepoints to 31 March 2025 for corporation tax purposes, and to 5 April 2025 for income tax. The aim is to ensure the tax system

continues to incentivise business investment in charging infrastructure

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said the “sting in the tail” of the Chancellor’s announcement was the application of the expensive car supplement to EVs.

“The introduction of taxes should support road transport decarbonisation and the delivery of net zero, rather than threaten both the new and used EV markets,” he said.

AA president Edmund King also had his reservations, claiming that “taxation will dim the incentive to switch to EVs”

Nicholas Lyes, head of policy at the RAC, was more optimistic. He concluded: “We don’t expect this tax change to have much of an effect on dampening the demand for EVs, given the other cost benefits of running one ”

Separate to the Autumn Statement, the Office for Budget Responsibility has forecast that fuel duty could be in line for a 23 per cent hike in March 2023, increasing petrol and diesel prices by 12p per litre.

OFFICIAL Critics believe new levies will put motorists off the idea of switching to electric vehicles

Tristan Shale Hester

tristan shale hester@autoviacouk

@tristan shale

“Taxes should support decarbonisation and the delivery of net zero, rather than threaten EV markets”

“The Chancellor’s EV taxation actions will dim the incentive to switch to electric vehicles”

Mike

Hawes Chief executive, SMMT

Edmund King

OBE President, AA TAX AT-A-GLANCE

Three times a charm for bigger new electric SUV from Smart

SMART’S reboot under joint Daimler and Geely ownership will take a leap forward next year with its next new car. But leaks from China have already let the cat out of the bag.

Unearthed homologation applications placed with China’s Ministry of Industry and Technology point to the next car in Smart’s line up being badged #3. It will be the largest car Smart has ever made, and by some margin.

It’s an all electric coupé SUV that measures 4 4 metres long, so it’s slightly smaller than a Volkswagen ID 5 In addition, the #3 name suggests that a more upright, conventional #2 version will sit alongside it.

Both are likely to use the Geely developed SEA platform, which is shared with the smaller Smart #1 and an upcoming compact electric SUV teased by Volvo (Issue 1,755).

No battery sizes are mentioned but it’s possible the 66kWh pack of the #1 will be offered alongside a larger option The standard car will use a single 268bhp electric motor, while a Brabus version will get a dual motor set up with a 154bhp unit for the front wheels The Smart #3 looks set to be revealed later in 2023.

Study asks: Is 20 plenty?

REDUCING speed limits to 20mph has little effect on road safety, according to a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Researchers analysed 76 roads in Belfast before and after 20mph limits were introduced, comparing them with other roads in Northern Ireland where 30mph or 40mph zones remained. They found there were “no statistically significant differences” in the long term rate of crashes and casualties, or the average speed of traffic. Roads with 20mph limits did, however, experience less traffic, according to the research.

HOT TOPIC New Volvo EX90

FROM: DB I UNDERSTAND Volvo has been a premium brand for some time now, but how many people have nearly £100,000 to spend on a car? There should be more of a focus on making a practical electric hatchback for up to £25,000

FROM: Ian Stone I WAS shocked when I read that this will cost £100,000 the XC90 was never a car for the masses, but that seems an enormous amount I suppose it’s in line with the likes of the new Range Rover, though. I’ll never be able to afford that

Taking a dim view of auto main beam

FROM: Michael Rochester MY car has a selectable auto dip headlight function, but I consider blinding oncoming traffic a sin, so I never use it and instead take pride in dipping my lights before the oncoming car comes into view By the time auto dip reacts, the damage is already done

McLaren should stick to its supercar guns

or SUV, McLaren could earn the

of car enthusiasts by sticking to its guns and only making performance cars (Issue 1,754) If it must make more mainstream vehicles to survive, however, then so be it

Electric

London

buses don’t go far enough

FROM: Jonathan Raker CONVERTING London buses to electric power is a good idea (Issue 1,754) Even better would be a new generation of Routemaster that’s electric or hydrogen powered to start with The current one has a cramped, dark upper deck that gets too hot during

Age restrictions span the generation gap

FROM:

I

Cummings’ age related car hire complaints (Issue 1,754) At the other end of the scale, it’s annoying how firms charge hefty premiums to drivers under 25 A 24 year old may have held a licence for seven years, so isn’t exactly inexperienced

REVEAL Images from China show a clean coupé SUV shape for forthcoming Smart #3

the summer

FROM: Steven Richardson INSTEAD of making a saloon

admiration

Tim Pointer

SYMPATHISE with Dugan

INSIDESTORY

Tackling the motoring issues that matter

John McIlroy

John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy

THROUGH a gap in the trees, at the bottom of some landscaped gardens coated in autumnal fallen leaves, the proof of an emerging new British car company and engineering force suddenly becomes visible There, in the distance, lies the bare shell of a factory that will make Gordon Murray Automotive’s exclusive supercars from the start of 2024

The building all 4,000 square metres of it is a couple of weeks off being made watertight, and the site near Windlesham in Surrey is a hive of activity as builders race to beat the winter rain Health and safety signs abound, attached to high fences sealing off the facility but today Auto Express is being granted an exclusive tour Our guide is not Gordon Murray himself but Phillip Lee, the man entrusted with the day to day running of the main components of the Gordon Murray Group (GMG) As a rough guide to the structure, there’s Automotive (GMA), which sells dream cars like the T 50 and T.33, and Technology (GMT), which supports it but also offers electric vehicle expertise to external clients Murray, who’s now group executive chairman, has a history of good ideas not just his legendary motorsport designs but also the iconic McLaren F1 supercar and Rocket sports car But Windlesham is the tangible evidence of how his investors a diverse group including private equity sourced through well heeled devotees to the F1 now intend to build the 76 year old’s vision into a profitable business and, in doing so, cement his legacy

The site formerly the home of global gas giant BOC covers 54 acres By the time it’s finished, it’ll have cost GMG around £50million “a bit of a bargain”, Lee says, when it includes the factory and offices It’s rolled into an overall investment package of £300million, which is a serious chunk of change to drop into a region that, McLaren at Woking aside, isn’t exactly known as a hotbed for modern automotive engineering and manufacturing

In an era when UK PLC is struggling to find investment for any quarter, let alone in engineering or manufacturing, the progress being made by GMG is impressive. The project is on schedule; it’s even on budget, although Lee admits that inflation is bound to put the finances for the second phase of construction under “a bit more pressure”

Nevertheless, on the day of our visit, the landscapers are in, moulding the mounds of soil around a short test track that already has its ‘kerb tests’ and some suspension bashing Belgian pavé in place Only a few days earlier, Murray and celeb consultant, three time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, put the first laps on the track in a variety of vehicles, including a fully fanned up T 50 Windlesham’s asphalt is not for developing cars GMA will maintain its base at Millbrook for the sort of undercover, high speed running needed for early prototypes but rather those confirmational first few yards of any vehicle’s life Cheekily, though, the layout incorporates a gentle slope along its main straight designed, Lee admits, for Gordon to hold his annual soapbox derby race

The factory’s first product will be the T 33, GMA’s second and mildly more conventional V12 supercar (the fan featuring T.50 and T.50s Niki Lauda are being made at the existing HQ at nearby Dunsfold) And as Lee explains, the

facility is being laid out with customers in mind. “At one end we have a split level area where components will be delivered and stored,” he explains “Then the central part of the building loses the second floor to open out the space and help us have assembly in a bright, airy environment.

“The final area will go back to a split layout again, with after sales on the ground floor and then a customer space upstairs; they’ll be able to watch the production line, but we can also cater for events or functions in there.

“It reflects how closely we work with our customers; some just want us to make the car, of course, but others relish being involved with what we’re doing They all want Gordon’s vision that’s one thing you learn from talking to them but there are different levels of immersion in the process ”

The T 33, T 50 and T 50s Niki Lauda are all sold out even with prices north of £3million This revenue is useful, Lee says, but the income is almost secondary to how the three cars, and those that will follow, legitimise the Technology side of the business “I’ve always had this philosophy in life,” he says, “that it’s better to explain to people what you’ve done, and then say what you’re going to do as a result of what you’ve done, than it is to just keep telling people what you’re going to do And now we’re in this position The cars are on the road, the T 50 is going through the final bits of homologation and the first production cars will be going on the line in December.

“What I’m saying is that you can’t build the reputation that drives the Technology business without following the ethos and values to make cars like T 50 and T 33 They are up there as profit earners, yes, but they’re also a calling card And that will continue with what follows When I joined, one of the first things Gordon did was to show me through the product plan; he’s got cars going up to 2035 ”

Assuming this momentum can indeed be maintained, GMT will then aim to capitalise on it by offering clients

MADE WINDL

As well as being GMG’s manufacturing base, new site lends itself to becoming a campus to teach the next generation of automotive engineers

PHILLIP LEE Gordon Murray Group CEO

We visit the new home of the to become a breeding ground

“We’re bucking the trend, with a business that’s well funded, profitable and growing. Quickly”

P e t e G i b s o n

VISION

IN ESHAM?

Gordon Murray Group, which is set for engineering innovation in the UK

T.33 GMA’s latest car will be built at Windlesham. It’s the size of a Porsche Boxster, but packs a V12 with 607bhp

T.50 The spiritual successor to the McLaren F1 has three seats and a V12, and will reach customers next year

T.50s Niki Lauda Track focused version of the T.50 costs £3.1m, shaves off weight and ramps the V12 up to 725bhp

vehicles engineered on its own three platforms large and medium, both suitable for SUVs, and one designed for sports cars. Lee says the firm already has active projects with partners on all three of these set ups although some may want to manufacture and sell them, while others may use them as a technological showcase for their own systems.

He’s a little more coy on how a GMT engineered SUV will stand apart from, say, the forthcoming all electric Porsche Macan But we already know from Murray himself that his team has been looking at a lighter vehicle potentially a third lighter than comparable rivals with a smaller battery but faster charging rates GMT’s policy is to take battery cells from a supplier but then invest heavily in developing new ways of packaging, cooling and managing them.

This really is only the beginning, though To even get to the chunk of land devoted to the factory and future offices, you have to pass a renowned bit of modern architecture that

housed BOC’s staff back in the day It’s nicknamed the molecule (apt for a gas company) because when viewed from above it resembles one, with strands and modules threading out from a larger core building

Murray’s plan is that this will become home to not just some of the regular staff but also a Technology Campus a breeding ground for talent where new blood can gain knowledge and experience alongside, and embedded within, GMG’s existing engineering teams In time, it could become a valuable melting pot for emerging skills in engineering and software.

Our time is up, and Lee has a pressing engagement at GMG’s Millbrook base But he still has time to guide us into one of the smaller workshops, where the final homologation prototype of the T.50 is undergoing some fettling; it is, in fact, in two pieces, with the entire rear sub assembly, including that incredible 12,400rpm V12 engine and the fan system set apart from the main chassis

It’s a reminder of how Murray is on track to deliver “We’re bucking the trend,” Lee enthuses. “Here we are with a new UK headquarters, and a business that is well funded, profitable and growing Quickly ” And then some If the pace of progress at Windlesham is any guide, GMG is on track to be a British engineering success story for years to come.

tasked with tying together the multiple facets of the Gordon Murray Group We asked him for an update on strategy, and future products.

Q The factory is being prepared to start making T.33 from 2024. Do you already know what follows that?

“We’ve just started work on it, actually It’s Project Three. T.50s is a derivative of T.50, of course, so after T.33 comes number three. We’re now into the up front work packaging and styling, for example And of course, it’s more than clear that we’ll use the V12 ”

Q Gordon actually hinted a while back that the T 33 could be the last car without even mild hybrid assistance on the V12. It sounds like the commitment remains strong anyhow?

“Yes I mean, we want to use it as much as possible because we’ve paid for its development and it’s unique to us, so we want to extract as much use as we can! As for hybrid, what I will tell you is that we will always comply with legislation and use the V12 Whether that ends up using whatever derivatives of technology to make that compliant, we will do it ”

“Not at all I’m not driven by the board saying ‘I want this level of turnover by whenever, or this profitability’. Honestly, the thing that Gordon I talk about the most is what the products will be.”

“Some [customers] just want us to make the car, of course, but others relish being involved with what we’re doing”

PHILLIP LEE Gordon Murray Group CEO

PHILLIP Lee has a financial background, including spells at Lotus and taxi firm LEVC but he’s now the man

A

A

Q The investment here is significant, in a time when the future of the UK as a base for car manufacturing and engineering is being called into question. Does that bring pressures for you to grow at certain rate?

A

Q Is it fair to say, though, that with GMA’s exclusive approach to cars, the main growth will come from the Technologies side of the business?

A “Yes, that’s true It’s not just a division that services Automotive It’s much more about external clients

Group CEO, Gordon Murray Group

Peugeot 408

FIRSTDRIVE Striking newcomer offers style and substance

want a shortcut to the climate controls there, because unfortunately they are tweaked via the touchscreen and not physical buttons.

PEUGEOT has always had a penchant for the unconventional, so perhaps the new 408 shouldn’t be too much of a surprise Peugeot calls it a ‘C segment fastback’, and it’s a five door hatchback with an almost saloon like three box shape, complemented by a lifted, SUV esque stance complete with protective body cladding. The aesthetic won’t appeal to everyone, but you have to agree that it’s a striking thing to look at Inside, it offers a similar looking cabin to the 308, and the 408 shares many parts. That means a plush, stylish space with a central stack angled towards the driver Within lies Peugeot’s latest infotainment There are more responsive touchscreen systems on offer, but it’s much better than what came before: well laid out and user friendly Below sits a panel of customisable tiles, so all your favourite functions can be accessed with a single finger prod. You’ll

Peugeot’s usual i Cockpit arrangement is present, with a small steering wheel placed below a high set instrument cluster It takes some getting used to, because many drivers will need to position the wheel much lower than they’re used to for a clear view of the digital dials On that front, the 408 gets a 12.4 inch device with two screens mounted on top of one another to give a 3D effect It looks great and offers plenty of information, including a snazzy animation to show the energy flow of the hybrid powertrain.

The 408’s longer wheelbase addresses one of our main criticisms of the 308: its scant rear legroom The elongated back end also gives a useful increase in boot

space There’s a 471 litre capacity in plug in hybrids, and 536 litres in petrol derivatives

We’re testing the 222bhp plug in hybrid here in range topping GT trim It combines a 1 6 litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a 14 2kWh battery pack, giving an electric only range of up to 40 miles.

Unfortunately, as we found in 308s with this powertrain, it has some issues Firstly, it never feels that fast, and curiously, its 0 62mph time is a mere 0.1secs quicker than the cheaper 178bhp PHEV The eight speed automatic gearbox, meanwhile, seems lethargic, with slow responses to throttle inputs and a clunky attitude at lower speeds. The car isn’t always the slickest at managing transitions between its power sources, either

The internal combustion part of the equation is smooth and refined, at least,

“There’s a hint of wind and road noise on the motorway, but overall this a quiet, refined car”

Matt Robinson

Matt Robinson@autoviacouk

@matt 201

408 is comfortable rather than sporty, soaking up bumps very effectively

even if it can sound a touch strained at higher revs In any case, the 408 keeps you well insulated from the racket, and most noises. There’s a hint of wind and road noise at motorway speeds, but overall, this is a quiet and refined car

It’s a comfortable one, too, with damping that irons out imperfections in the road surface deftly Peugeot says the 408 isn’t supposed to be overtly sporty, but is intended for those who enjoy driving. This becomes clear when twisty roads are reached. It’s competent in such environments and reasonably enjoyable, without ever being genuinely thrilling

It hides the weight of its battery well, changing direction with a reasonable degree of enthusiasm The smaller wheel helps with fast steering inputs, which the 408 responds well to The longer wheelbase means it’s perhaps not quite

The 222bhp PHEV in GT trim is expected to be the biggest seller in the UK, but we reckon the cheaper 178bhp version could be better, particularly if you’re a company car customer, because it falls into the eight per cent BiK band rather than 12 You could save yet more money with mid range Allure trim, which is still generously equipped.

Verdict

THE Peugeot 408 is a niche but appealing alternative to traditional family hatchbacks, taking the inoffensive ingredients of the smaller 308 and reinventing them in a more practical and stylish package The i Cockpit layout still won’t be for everyone, however, and we suspect the 408 will be a better car when paired with a powertrain other than the 225 plug in hybrid, which we found short of both range

FORD

BMW3

FORD’S Raptor line up has thrilled us with its feel good off road performance offerings And here’s the latest member of the line up: the second generation Ranger Raptor, now on sale in Britain

The look evolves to align with the larger F 150 that’s so popular in the US The Raptor gains flared wheelarches and bigger bumpers with large tow hooks front and rear, black alloys with all terrain tyres, silver bash plates and an exclusive Code Orange colour scheme that completes the look Inside, Ford has updated the Ranger with the latest tech from its car range. Given that this is the top spec model, it features a 12 inch portrait touchscreen with SYNC 4 infotainment, while a sharp 12 4 inch digital dashboard is also included.

The Ranger Raptor will be available with a 2 0 litre twin turbodiesel in early 2023, but the focus for now is on this petrol model It packs a 3.0 litre twin turbo V6 with 288bhp and 491Nm of torque, while it’s connected to a permanent four wheel drive system via Ford’s 10 speed automatic gearbox

The transmission is electronically controlled and features a two speed transfer case and diff locks front and rear, and there are seven drive modes to suit pretty much every kind of surface condition you might encounter. Normal and Sport on road

Standard fit all terrain tyres boost the Ford’s off road prowess, and the combination of that smooth V6 power and the various mechanical and electronic aids means that the only thing really limiting the truck’s ability is its long 3,270mm wheelbase

Baja mode cranks everything up to the max for impressive off road performance, which is assisted by the standard fit Fox dampers Featuring Live Valve technology, the units are designed to boost off road capability while still delivering good on road comfort, and different levels of damping are available depending on the conditions At its most extreme setting, the suspension

delivers excellent shock absorption from high speed jumps, making fast off road driving feel like a breeze

Thanks to those clever dampers, the Raptor is equally impressive on tarmac The steering lacks some feel, while switching settings from Comfort to Sport mode doesn’t seem to make much of a difference to the truck’s behaviour But the Ranger Raptor soaks up bumps that would send a shudder through the old model’s frame, while body roll in corners is kept to a minimum

The performance of the 3 0 litre V6 petrol impresses, too There’s a 0 62mph time of 7.9 seconds, while the 10 speed auto shifts slickly, with no transmission shunt as the next gear slots home

An anti lag system keeps the twin turbos spinning for three seconds when

Dean Gibson

Dean Gibson@autoviacouk

@DeanGbsn

“Baja mode cranks everything up to the max for impressive off road performance”

anger Raptor

Performance

0 62mph/top speed 79 seconds/111mph

nd trick suspension take performance pick up to another level

lifting off the throttle to help boost engine response It’s slightly different from a modern rally car system, so there are no unruly pops or bangs from the exhaust when you lift off, but it does provide improved responses

There’s a suppleness to the on road ride that’s unheard of for a pick up truck. In the Normal setting, the Raptor is a relaxed cruiser, with next to no noise from the all terrain tyres normally a sticking point on trucks such as this. In fact, they’re so quiet that wind noise from around the mirrors is a more of an issue at motorway speeds In town, stop start and a suite of safety systems boost the Raptor’s everyday usability, although official fuel economy of 20.4mpg will be a challenge to meet if this truck is used as intended

As with the last Raptor, a payload weight of 652kg means that this version of the Ranger can’t be classed as a commercial vehicle, so emissions based tax costs will be steep Then there’s the price, which at close to £60k, is comparable with fast SUVs such as the Porsche Macan and Audi SQ5.

Verdict

THE new Ford Ranger Raptor carries the Raptor brand’s intriguing alternative take on performance cars forward with a confident swagger. It redefines the performance offered up by the old model, and the potent V6 engine and bespoke damping give it a breadth of talent that’s unrivalled It’s hugely competent off road and at speed, but perhaps what really makes it stand out is how it’s as comfortable and tech laden as any hot SUV

DETAILS

“It’s clear that BMW hasn’t shied away from building the most overtly sporty small executive car”

WHILE BMW’s SUVs have delivered healthy sales numbers, the 3 Series has been quietly doing the business for the company too, racking up more than 1.1 million global customers since 2019. Now, it’s been treated to a mid life refresh

Given the car’s success, BMW has kept the exterior changes unsurprisingly subtle, with larger kidney grilles and slimmer headlights (now full LED as standard) up front Wheels measure up to 20 inches in diameter and two ‘frozen’ matte effect paint finishes have been added to the range M Sport versions the most popular trim in the UK have added visual aggression, with a large rear diffuser style bumper and two large (and functional) exhaust tips at either side Flared wheelarches also do a good deal to help the latest 3 Series look purposeful, especially from the rear.

It’s inside where the biggest changes come The facelifted 3 Series adopts BMW’s seriously impressive curved display, as seen in the i4 and iX models It’s made up of a 14.9 inch infotainment screen and 12.3 inch instrument panel, which are seamlessly joined together and carefully positioned at the leading edge of the dashboard Information is clear, and the graphics are some of the best we’ve seen in any car.

Unlike some other new BMWs, the 3 Series benefits from touch controls and a physical iDrive wheel on the centre console, as well as voice recognition While that touchscreen is natural to use when you’re parked, the circular iDrive dial is still easier and safer to interact with once driving The gearlever is now just a toggle, which can take some getting used to if you go for reverse in a hurry

The 3 Series is still available in popular 187bhp 320d four cylinder diesel guise, or with four wheel drive,

badged 320d xDrive, which is replicated on the petrol side by the 182bhp 320i and 320i xDrive. Above this sits the 330i, with the same 2 0 litre petrol engine as the 320i, tuned to produce 255bhp Company car drivers are likely to be drawn towards the 330e plug in hybrid, thanks to its low CO2 emissions and corresponding tax liability, while the hottest non M models are the 335bhp M340d and the M340i xDrive with 369bhp that we’re driving here An eight speed auto gearbox is standard across the range, with no manual option.

M Sport adaptive suspension comes as standard on the M340i and M340d, and it’s clear from the off that BMW hasn’t shied away from building the most overtly sporty small executive car. Although the rival Mercedes C Class feels ever more like a downsized S Class limo, the 3 Series is taut and agile But not uncomfortable in its Comfort setting it actually proved more compliant than a 320d Touring M Sport with non adaptive suspension There’s just enough feedback through the steering, which is consistent and gives a good impression of the car’s even weight distribution as you carve through sweeping bends.

BMW’s 3 0 litre six cylinder turbo unit engine is a real reminder of the breadth of ability that a bigger capacity can deliver In its more relaxed settings, it’s tractable, smooth and sounds good, giving an effortless surge in daily driving But switch to Sport mode and the gearbox tightens up, there’s ferocious mid range acceleration accompanied by audible wastegate chirps from under the bonnet and booms from the exhaust The xDrive four wheel drive with its playful rear bias helps give the driver confidence even on greasy, autumnal roads

The 3 Series saloon starts from £37,805 in 320i Sport guise, while the M340i xDrive version driven here is priced from £54,445 before options.

BMW M340i xDrive

Price: £54,805

Engine: 3 0 litre 6cyl turbo petrol

Power/torque: 369bhp/500Nm

Transmission: Eight speed automatic, four wheel drive

0 62mph: 4.4 seconds

Top speed: 155mph Economy: 34 9mpg CO2: 134g/km

Verdict

THE sixth generation 3 Series is a thoroughly polished product that’s still great to drive while proving to be comfortable and spacious. BMW’s new infotainment tech inside looks fantastic, too. Although the 330e plug in hybrid model is likely to be the top pick for company car drivers, this M340i xDrive edition is a seriously quick and capable all rounder that will certainly appeal to keen drivers

INTERIOR Physical climate buttons are ditched in favour of a touchscreen, although it still works well

AndyGoodwin

Andy Goodwin@autoviacouk

ON paper, you might look at the Porsche 911 Carrera T and think the near £10,000 premium it commands over a base Carrera is a steep one to pay to have Porsche’s least powerful 3.0 litre flat six engine with a seven speed manual gearbox, a combination not available with a regular Carrera

You might also think that for an additional £4,300, you might as well go for the more powerful Carrera S, which is also available with a seven speed manual gearbox But this would not only be missing the point of the T, you’d also be missing out on the best 992 generation Carrera model you can buy It’s that good

The formula the T follows is a simple one Porsche takes a Carrera and cherry picks the best bits from its parts store to create a model that would be impossible to replicate yourself, no matter how long you spent on the configurator trying to do so

The engine is unchanged from the Carrera, developing a hearty 380bhp and feeling every bit as exciting as a consequence It’s an engine that we perhaps didn’t give Porsche enough credit for; it never once feels turbocharged and it revs with the free spirit of the naturally aspirated motors of the past With the manual gearbox it becomes even more special, providing you those moments of unadulterated interaction that only changing gear yourself can bring

Despite shortening the gearlever by 10mm to improve the action, it’s still not as slick as the company’s six speed manual, which doesn’t fit this engine, and seven ratios is still one gear too many. You can order a PDK gearbox if you wish, but it eradicates the 35kg weight saving that the T has over the regular Carrera

Of that weight saving, the manual transmission is responsible for the bulk of it; the removal of the rear seats (which can be optioned back in), plus lightweight glass and battery make up the rest.

Those other elements that go into creating the T are equally impressive It sits on Porsche’s PASM sport chassis, which adds active dampers with a 10mm drop in ride height and is combined with the Sport

As a combination, it creates a 911 that’s sharper and more involving than its more powerful Carrera S or GTS cousins; further proof that power isn’t everything when it comes to sports cars Having a chassis that’s communicative, instinctive and involving is far more important

Despite the more focused chassis set up, the T doesn’t feel harsh; instead there’s a fluid nature to how it rides poor surfaces and manages its mass when you stitch a

series of corners together It has more than enough grip, with its larger 20 inch front and 21 inch rear wheels fitted with Pirelli P Zeros, and gives you confidence to push harder than you would in a Carrera The rear axle steering completes the package, allow more adjustment mid corner when required, and offering a rock solid level of stability when you stretch the flat six to its red line

Inside you’ll find Porsche Race Tex material (leather is an option), four way electric seats and extra black trim around the cockpit Ergonomically it’s hard to fault, as is the case for all 911s. And within just a few miles you feel directly connected to the car, something that can take a lot longer in other Carrera models

If this all sounds rather gushing, it’s because the Carrera T goes beyond being an addition to the 911 line up and is, in our eyes, the best version that you can buy this side of a GT3.

WHILE the regular Carrera models remain some of the best sports cars on sale, with the new Carrera T Porsche has created a 911 that takes the very best of everything the ‘conventional’ range has to offer in a combination that, strangely, it doesn’t currently allow you to spec up yourself But how it gets there is really a side story; the result of in house configurator wizardry is simply the best Carrera model of the entire 992 generation line up If

want proof that ‘less is more’, here it is

Chrono drive selector on the steering wheel Porsche Torque Vectoring is also standard, along with a mechanical limited slip differential Our test car was equipped with optional rear axle steering as well

“The Carrera T is sharper and more involving than either of its more powerful Carrera S or GTS cousins”

Stuart Gallagher

Massive 35-page used-car guide

UK’s No.1 car satisfaction survey results

YOUR USED CAR SURVEY RESULTS

We’ve crunched the numbers to find the most satisfying used cars to own, as reported by the people that run them: you

Rosamond mail@autoexpresscouk

THE feedback from owners of used cars is arguably more valuable than the insights on brand new ones for the millions of drivers in the UK who don’t want a shiny showroom fresh model Indeed, in the current market, where used prices are at record highs, making the right buying decision is even more vital. And we believe the Driver Power Used Car Survey 2022 is the best consumer tool out there for anyone looking for genuine insights into the comparative merits of rival used cars. These are the UK’s most satisfying used cars to own, as voted for by the people who already do

Q&ABUYINGADVICE

Aquick guide to the used market

IF, like thousands of other potential buyers, you’re struggling to find the used car you want at a price you’re expecting to pay, our guide to the car market explains what’s happening, and why:

A Supply and demand are the two major factors that underpin the used car market, and it’s constraints in the supply of metal that forces the prices upwards with buyers vying to acquire new purchases

Ironically, though, it’s the shortage of brand new cars that’s the real underlying problem, because owners who would normally be trading existing wheels for new models have been waiting months for their orders to be fulfilled And for that, we can blame our old friend, the semiconductor shortage, which came to prominence as the world began to emerge from Covid lockdowns.

A combination of factory production issues, and rampant demand for consumer electronics meant car makers couldn’t get their hands on the semiconductors (computer chips) they need. Fortunately, that situation is at last showing some signs of easing, allowing new car production to come back on stream

A lot higher, is the simple answer, as anyone in the market will have found to their cost The fastest rises occurred in 2021 when, according to used retailer Heycar, three year old models rose on average 37.7 per cent, and the ‘hottest property’ models with 50 59k miles on the clock rose 41 3 per cent The price of five year old cars rose even more

dramatically, by 46 7 per cent Within those figures, prices for petrol models rose noticeably more than diesels.

Are used car prices set to fall again, and if so, when is it likely to happen?

A Although prices flattened out this time a year ago, any expectation then of a significant reset proved premature, and recent months have seen further rises However, with the current constraints on consumer spending, and car makers finally beginning to get new cars back on stream, it suggests there’s relief in sight How fast and how much prices will fall isn’t something anyone appears willing or able to publicly predict yet.

Q How do I find out what my own car is worth, and what’s the best way to get the best price for it?

A We can tell you how much your car should be worth using the Auto Express online valuation tool, which is a free service at autoexpresscouk/car valuation If you’re tempted to ‘cash in’ your good fortune, our recent investigations have shown that the best way to realise a good price is to sell privately, rather than using one of the heavily promoted buying websites

Q Why are used car prices so high at the moment, and why is there so little choice?

Chris

Q So how high are prices now, compared with what we might previously expected?

A

Q

Used car winners by class

THE Driver Power Used Car Survey provides a fascinating insight into satisfaction levels for a huge range of very different vehicles But the class winners ar especially interesting for buyers who are looking for a particular type of vehicle.

That’s very likely to be an SUV of some kind these days, as the fashion for raised ride heights and boxy, practical bodies has percolated deeply into the used car market The results show, too, just how pleased owners are with this latest trend for SUVs, with many such vehicles packing the upper echelons of the top 75 most satisfying cars in the survey as a whole.

Comparisons within a class also reduce the impact of varying expectations in different segments of the market You might think owners of expensive premium models would expect their cars to be less affordable to run, for example, yet survey respondents routinely express discontent at being asked to pay more in fuel or for servicing. So this cut of the data levels the playing field.

THINGS are definitely tight at the top of the premium compact family car class, where the hybrid Lexus CT in 21st place overall just beats the Audi A3 in 24th, thanks to the votes cast by their owners.

The Audi beats the Lexus on drivetrain satisfaction, but the Lexus rates 5th overall for exterior style, which the Audi just can’t match. It’s a similar picture for interior style and quality,

although the Lexus wins there by a tighter margin The CT wins convincingly for MPG and running costs, and for reliability, where its 4th place is in stark contrast to the Audi’s 42nd.

Audi wins back some points with more satisfying infotainment systems and controls, while in the other categories this pair of premium hatchbacks is fairly evenly matched

COMPACT FAMILY CAR

Toyota Prius Mk4

THE Prius Mk4 and Auris Mk2 take the 1st and 3rd steps on the Compact Family Car podium, making the second placed Honda Civic Mk10 the meat in a Toyota sandwich

However, the Prius is some way ahead of its chasers in the overall ranking in 8th place, compared with 25th for the Civic and 28th for the Auris

The Prius takes its class crown with an unimpeachable 1st place for running costs, backed by a 4th for reliability and quality The Honda Civic is rated 39th for the former, and 56th for the latter, but it does beat the Prius comprehensively for interior comfort and practicality

Both the Toyotas beat the Honda hands down for value, though.

used cars rev

PREMIUM MID SIZE SUV

Porsche Macan

THE premium contenders in the mid to large SUV class can’t match the satisfaction levels of their mainstream stablemates, but the Macan has a good crack at it with 14th place overall

The Mercedes GLC is close behind in 18th too, the Jaguar F Pace can’t quite make a mid table finish at 33rd

SMALL SUV

Renault Captur

THE Captur Mk1 is the most satisfying small SUV to own used, according to Driver Power survey respondents, although its 49th place overall doesn’t look that impressive However the runner up in the category, the Citroen C4 Cactus, could only manage 68th.

THE once mighty MPV category is a shadow of its former self, but it’s still quite a surprise to learn that only two used models make it into the top 75 Driver Power used cars. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer wins the class, but it can’t quite make the middle of the satisfaction table, ranking only 34th Still, that’s a whole lot better than the Ford C MAX, which scrapes into the

top 75 at a dismal 67th. Some of the biggest differences in categories are powertrains, where the BMW rates a very decent 12th against the Ford’s 71st place, and exterior design and quality, where the BMW’s 26th plays 71st.

Nowhere else does the BMW perform very well, but the Ford’s results are worse still for everything except fuel economy and running costs.

The Porsche beats its Mercedes rival largely on the back of a superb 1st place for ride and handling, and a 6th for powertrain. The Merc can’t match the former with its 22nd place, but it runs the Porsche closer on powertrains at 10th, and beats it convincingly for practicality and boot space, and for its interior accommodation Both are near the bottom of the table for value

The Captur clinched its class win with a fairly dismal set of results, but it did manage 22nd place in the MPG and running costs category. Its only other category score in the top half of the table was a 31st for ride and handling, where the C4 Cactus managed only 59th Ironically the Citroen beats the Renault in only one category, but its strong 9th place for value makes the Captur’s 55th spot look rather weak

are market.

Chris Rosamond

mail@autoexpresscouk

“The results show how pleased owners are with the latest trend for SUVs”

EXECUTIVE CAR

Lexus GS Mk4

THE Lexus GS is a serial Driver Power favourite, and it’s no surprise to find it heading the used executive class in 2022 But it’s a hard fought category, with the BMW 3 Series chasing hard in 3rd, the BMW 5 Series following on in 11th, and the Jaguar XF in 15th The GS just creeps ahead of the 3 Series for drivetrains and style, but there’s barely a place between them. The BMW wins on practicality, and also edges the Lexus on ride and handling, but it stumbles badly when it comes to MPG and running costs Although Lexus owners are clearly chuffed with the GS’s affordability, giving it a fourth place rating, the BMW comes in at 61st.

ealed

CITY CAR Hyundai i10 Mk2

THE i10 leads the city car class by some margin, but only managed a 40th place overall in the list of the top 75 most satisfying used cars Still, that is a notable 16 places ahead of the Toyota Aygo Mk2, which manages just a 56th place, while the Kia Picanto and Fiat 500 follow at 71st and 75th in this year’s listings

The i10 beats the Aygo in the majority of categories to win its higher placing overall, but Toyota fights back with a slightly better 5th placing for MPG and running costs compared with the Hyundai’s 7th place And for reliability, the Toyota’s 29th place beats the Hyundai’s 45th, but otherwise it’s the i10 all the way.

MID TO LARGE SUV Skoda Karoq

THE Skoda Karoq always shows well in its Driver Power outings, and the 2022 used car survey is no exception However it’s certainly not in a league of its own, because there are five other SUVs in this class which also make it into the top 10 ratings in the survey

The Karoq’s second overall kept it ahead of the pursuing pack, which consists of the Subaru XV in 5th, Lexus

RX Mk3 in 6th, Subaru Outback in 7th and Lexus RX Mk4 in 9th. So popular have these large SUVs become, in fact, that the class contributes 13 of the names in the survey’s top 30.

Truth is, the Subaru has two category wins to the Karoq’s one, and could even have pipped the Skoda to the class win, but for a poor economy rating that held its overall result back.

SUPERMINI BMW i3

NOT the most obvious choice of supermini, but there’s no more satisfying option in the class according to owners, who rank the i3 32nd overall in this Driver Power table The next closest competitors are the Toyota Yaris Mk2 and Mk3 in 41st and 42nd places, while the Fiesta Mk8 runs the Toyota close in 45th place

THE Superb is an established star in Driver Power terms, but even so, it hardly romps to victory in the family car class. The Ford Mondeo which ceased production this year due to flagging sales is hot on the tail of the Skoda’s overall 4th place, just six places behind

in 10th And not far behind the Mondeo is the Toyota Avensis in 17th a set of results that should remind us all there’s still much love for these larger family favourites in a world of SUVs

Neither of the class runners up can match the Skoda’s superbly

satisfying interior and practicality scores, with the Superb bagging 1st place in the latter category. Another overall victory for value helps to seal the win, with the Mondeo 15th and the Toyota 11th in that category. All three cars do well overall, though.

The BMW takes the lead thanks to great feedback for its powertrain, which rates second in the survey against the Yaris Mk2’s poor 57th place in the engine and gearbox category In spite of an impressive 3rd place for MPG and running costs, the Yaris can’t do enough elsewhere to redress the pleasure i3 owners derive from their cars

DIDYOU KNOW? The car with the best infotainment overall was the BMW 3 Series Mk7, but the

Skoda Superb Mk3’s stereo impressed most, while the BMW 5 Series Mk7 had the best-rated sat-nav.

Y CAR

Skoda Superb Mk3

We divide the Driver Power Used top 75 into their respective classes to see which cars are the pack leaders

THE TOP 75 USED CARS TOOWN

ASVOTED FOR BYYOU

Our annual survey of used-car owners is the ultimate buyer’s guide for anyone who’s currently on the lookout for a second-hand car

Chris Rosamond

Chris Rosamond@autoviacouk

DRIVER POWER is unique as the UK’s largest independently published survey of consumer attitudes to owning cars, and this year we’ve already shared the results of our New Car survey (Issue 1,733), giving details of the vehicles that are the most satisfying to own across all sectors of the market including petrol and diesel models, and the new wave of hybrid and plug in electric cars

Our Used Car survey by its very nature still focuses on the more traditional sectors, and some of the top performing models are becoming ‘traditional’ fixtures at the top of the standings, too As we see increased take up of EVs and hybrids in future years, it will be fascinating to see how these new powertrains perform in terms of ongoing consumer satisfaction.

Meanwhile, over the following pages, you’ll find a rundown of the UK’s top 75 used cars, according to the levels of satisfaction reported by owners. They’re ranked by a comprehensive set of 35 different attributes, which we round up into 10 core categories

The category results for each car are shown in the table alongside it, so you can compare the performances of different models you’re interested in. We’ve also provided a selection of quotes from survey respondents, plus our insights based on a deeper analysis of the aforementioned 35 attributes.

owners for 35 attributes”

A This number tells you where the car sits in the Driver Power used car top 75. Over the following pages, we count down from 75 to the winner

B. Here we tell you the time period that the car was built from, as well as the main things owners commented on when responding to the survey.

have 10 judging categories, and the percentage is the average of a car’s scores. This is its rating, and defines its overall chart position

“The UK’s top 75 used cars are ranked according to the satisfaction reported by their

THE baby Fiat is holding up the bottom of the table this year, as the lowest rated model to make it into our list of 75 most satisfying used cars Perhaps predictably, its best score is a 6th place for MPG and running costs, while its next best score was a 20th place for value Owners rate its exterior in 22nd place, which includes a welcome 7th overall for design style, but those cutesy looks are let down by the exterior finish, which owners rank in 39th. Otherwise the Mk1 500’s category ratings look pretty miserable, with reliability coming it at 54th, while ride and handling, and safety features impress owners even less

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FORD’S famous supermini reaches the end of the line next year, but judging by the lackadaisical showing for this penultimate generation, some owners won’t miss the model too badly when it disappears from showrooms. Its best placing amongst used buyers was for MPG and running costs, but 38th is nothing to write home about

With interior and exterior design languishing near the bottom of the table, along with practicality and boot space, it seems buyers have fallen out of love with a former favourite It’s not even much fun to scoot around in any more, with driving pleasure ranked a poor 63rd

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THE previous generation BMW 3 Series isn’t rated in flattering terms by its owners who, you may be surprised to learn, rate it only 71st for ride and handling supposedly one of the manufacturer’s strengths. This BMW’s poorest scores in the category are for the responsiveness of steering and brakes, while ride quality isn’t rated much better Overall driving pleasure is ranked 54th in the survey

If you’re looking for highlights, they’re hard to find. The only attributes rated above 50th place are awarded to the built in sat nav, 28th for the balance between physical and touchscreen controls, and 34th for the touchscreen itself

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“It’s more of a 2+2. The seats don’t adjust enough and if the driver is tall, there’s no kneeroom in the back.”

“Just doesn’t have enough power to overtake safely and struggles on any slight gradient.”

“The brakes are not very responsive compared to the Sport versions; you have to brake well in advance of stopping.”

“Some of the materials are a bit shoddy. The ride quality is okay on good roads, but very poor on bumpy roads.”

“Not many places to store things; too many small places, including the glovebox, aren’t suitable for larger items.”

“As with all BMWs, the boot capacity is not big enough. Rear-wheel-drive vehicles never make best use of the space.”

The

THERE’S little love for the previous generation BMW X3 among its owners, it seems, with rankings very similar to those awarded to the 3 Series saloon, which shares much of this car’s tech. Reliability, value, MPG and running costs, ride and handling all are rated at or near the bottom of our satisfaction table, which suggests a lot of underwhelmed owners The boxy X3 does a little better for practicality and boot space, but still can’t crack the top 50. Only the infotainment system scores reasonably highly, just breaking into the top third of the survey and capping the X3’s underwhelming set of results

THE Kia Picanto is a popular small city car, but owners of the previous generation variant aren’t feeling too positive about it The good bits have the Picanto finishing in the middle of the table for MPG and running costs, with servicing costs and overall value both rated 25th

Other highlights are limited to the user friendliness of the controls in 23rd place, and another 25th place for the engine and gearbox; owners rate the 1.25 litre engine’s sound unexpectedly highly, at sixth, although acceleration and smoothness are only mid ranking The Kia also has the dubious privilege of ranking in last place for its boot space

IT may be ‘the best 4x4 by far’ in marketing parlance, but the Land Rover Discovery Sport has managed to accumulate the worst scores in this survey across three critical categories: MPG and running costs, reliability and value. It also comes in at a poor 70th for ride and handling

Land Rover’s Freelander replacement performs much better when it comes to exterior style and practicality, with the interior scoring a much more decent 13th and 15th respectively for its rear seat legroom and child friendly features But those few highlights are not enough to raise the Discovery Sport far off the bottom of the table

value,

THIS previous generation Dacia Sandero offers brilliant bang for your buck, say its owners, who ranked it second only to the Skoda Superb Mk3 in terms of satisfaction with overall value. It performed well for MPG and running costs too, with owners especially pleased by the cost of servicing and fuel economy, although their lower satisfaction with insurance costs kept the Sandero out of the top 10 in the MPG and running costs category.

Otherwise, highlights are hard to find in the survey, although visibility from the driver’s seat ranks 17th and the interior styling comes in at a mid table 31st place

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JUST ahead of the Dacia Sandero is another compact hatch that scores well on value for money, but doesn’t inspire much satisfaction elsewhere The SUV style C4 Cactus is ninth for value, but in the running cost category it earns a disappointing 67th place, dragged down by only average fuel economy scores and high perceived servicing costs

The eye catching exterior with its protective door bubbles gains middling reviews and there’s a 30th place for interior design and a 39th for ride quality However, this last attribute appears to be undermined by a poor 67th place finish for front seat comfort

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WITH a best category placing of 34th for MPG and running costs, it’s all downhill thereafter for the Mk2 C Max Even practicality and boot space don’t appear to be highly rated by owners, who rank satisfaction with the flexibility of seating in 53rd position, boot capacity 39th, and interior storage and child friendly features both at 60th

The C Max’s worst score is a 75th for acceleration (the poorest in the survey) while ratings for exterior design and finish are nearly as unimpressive Drivers are at least reasonably impressed with the ride comfort, but a 16th place for phone connectivity is the only top 20 rating

reliable and economical, but the quality is pretty average and some of the plastics look a bit low-budget.”

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Thetop75used cars to own

A MIXED bag of results means a poor overall showing for the Toyota GT86, but owners rate this car top of the whole survey for driving pleasure and steering response, and third for road handling. Stiff suspension means the GT86 only places 10th in the ride and handling category, however

The two door coupé performs predictably poorly for practicality, rear legroom and boot space, and perhaps less predictably for interior style and quality. Drivetrain ratings aren’t great, either, with owners wanting more performance, while satisfaction with fuel economy and insurance costs is near the bottom of the table

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WHILE the Peugeot 208 is rated average for MPG and running costs, its survey performance is below par across all other categories Value for money is next best, but satisfaction in that category only garners a mediocre 48th place rating from used car owners, so they’re hardly over the moon

Front seat comfort is a particular low point, rated 74th, and reliability hasn’t impressed buyers, because they rate it 72nd. Reasonably positive feedback is limited to a 25th place for smartphone connectivity, but everything else attracts middle of the road scores or worse, suggesting the first generation 208 isn’t a hit on the used car market

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FUN handling is meant to be a MINI brand attribute, but our survey respondents don’t find the third generation model’s driving characteristics greatly uplifting, ranking the car 43rd in the survey for driving pleasure, with a 72nd place for ride quality and 66th for steering responsiveness

Practicality is rated poorly by the hatchback’s owners, as you might expect, and the MINI’s best category is MPG and running costs, with insurance costs rated a decent 15th. But value for money only comes in at 38th, largely due to the cost of servicing Front seat comfort languishes in 70th spot, and even the iconic exterior design is only ranked 59th

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THERE’S little positive feedback from Hyundai Ioniq hybrid owners in our survey, which can’t muster a single category rating above the 45th place it earns for value Styling inside and out attracts scores near the bottom of the table, along with interior quality and visibility from the driving seat

The Ioniq’s driving characteristics fare just as poorly, with a 71st place result for acceleration, 73rd for handling and 72nd for driving pleasure. Practicality scores are below average, too, and fuel economy appears to be a big disappointment for owners, with a 72nd placing At least the Hyundai scores a decent 15th for servicing costs

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IN SPITE of its popularity, the Mk4 Clio is another car that can’t break out of the lower half of the used car table in any category Its best showing for MPG and running costs (41st) is lifted by a 27th for servicing cost, but economy and insurance costs languish in the bottom third of the chart

A 23rd place overall for the built in sat nav helps lift the infotainment scores, although smartphone connectivity is ranked 63rd and the heating and climate controls rank 72nd Reliability and quality scores bump along at the bottom of the table, but the Renault supermini does manage a middling 32nd place for boot space

“There’s poor feel when driving, and the engine is gutless. It’s not too bad around corners, but it’s not engaging at all.”

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AN excellent fourth place for value lifts the Venga clear of the bottom of our used car survey table, but generally poor scoring in other categories means it’s not boosted by much Unexpectedly perhaps, that includes MPG and running costs, while 33rd place for servicing is undermined by 48th for insurance costs and 67th for fuel economy

The limited highlights include 13th position for built in sat nav, and a 16th for luggage space, while rear legroom is 35th and the flexibility of seating 30th Styling inside and out, as well as the quality of materials and finishes, are some of the areas where the Venga’s scores are

“The Venga’s a bit old fashioned compared with other cars and bland-looking, but I want a workhorse and not street credibility.”

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isn’t

DECENT ratings for the MPG and running costs, and reliability and practicality categories reflect the Honda Jazz’s core values, but disappointing numbers elsewhere drag down the supermini’s scores. Looking deeper into the results sees a best of 13th for economy and 22nd for service costs

Reliability is ranked 17th, while Honda’s clever rear ‘Magic Seat’ set up wins the Jazz 16th for flexibility of seating, to go with an 18th for boot space. Less impressive are 72nd places for interior style and front seat comfort, and 73rd for all round visibility The Jazz manages only 69th place for driving pleasure, too

because the

THE Mercedes E Class is an impressive car in many ways, but it’s up against some less than impressed customers, who rate it poorly in key categories For example, 72nd place in both the MPG and running costs, and the value categories may be a reflection of the premium badge, but reveal the cost of servicing and insurance doesn’t please drivers of used examples at all unlike fuel economy, which is rated 16th in the survey.

The infotainment scores poorly, too, but a 70th place for the ride quality and 69th for road handling are unexpected, likewise the 73rd for the reliability sub category

“Rear 75 1 75 1 75 1

is poor and judging Thetop75used cars to own YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2016 2022 KEY POINTS High maintenance costs and poor E Class YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2013 2021 PRICE KEY POINTS Running AN even servicing, insurance the running safety apart boot that’s interior Rear seat and for dismal 308’s driving

“Fuel economy is very good. We averaged 74mpg on a 2,170 mile round trip recently”

THE third generation Fabia is ranked well for running costs, with a 14th place for economy and 21st for insurance, but owners are less satisfied with servicing costs, at 43rd Highlights of ownership include well liked boot space, which is ranked 15th, while touchscreen sensitivity is rated 17th and acceleration comes in 14th overall

Other aspects of life with the Fabia are not so rosy; the interior style ranks 75th, with quality of materials at 74th. Front seat comfort is a poor 69th, while handing and driving pleasure come in at 61st and 67th respectively Reliability doesn’t impress owners, either, in 69th place

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REAT scores in the running cost category are to be expected om the frugal Toyota city car, which scores fourth for onomy and sixth for insurance, but only 23rd for servicing st satisfaction. Otherwise its performance leaves plenty room for improvement, according to owners of used odels They rate the engine and gearbox a poor 70th out 75, while practicality is 73rd Dynamic appeal appears mited too, with a 70th place for driving pleasure. However owners do like the Aygo’s user friendly controls nd the sensitivity of its touchscreen Overall value for oney is less than might be expected of the Aygo, though

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HE previous generation Astra arrived with a new 1 3 petrol ngine, and its 69th placed soundtrack would have been he model’s lowest score were it not for a dismal 74th place or reliability. The Astra’s best score is 15th for its built in at nav, and reasonable satisfaction with service bills aised the MPG and running cost placing to 20th, but lsewhere the results are humdrum at best Satisfaction with the controls and infotainment hover around mid table, while practicality, ride and handling, and design all attract below average ratings Rear legroom s another mid table ‘highlight’

“It’s just boring to d l feeling of engagement. But it’s quiet, with very little engine sound.”

“Some of the interior fit and finish could be improved and I’ve noticed a couple of rattles. Nothing major, though.”

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Thetop75used cars to own

OWNERS of the first generation Leaf EV love its hushed electric drivetrain In fact it scored highest in the survey for the sound or lack of it from its synchronous electric motor, and with strong scores for smoothness and acceleration, it netted fifth place in the category

Running costs appeal, with a fourth place for insurance, but only 28th for servicing Owners also rank the Leaf 15th overall for driving pleasure. Other results are mostly mid to low table, and this accounts for the Leaf’s lowly 54th finish in the survey Its worst score is 75th for exterior design, but interior design and visibility are rated very poorly, too

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IN spite of its premium image, the W205 Series C Class struggles to score above the mid table positions almost anywhere, while some very poor results drag the Mercedes’s overall ranking down. Owners like the heating and ventilation controls most, with a 16th placing, while the interior styling is ranked 22nd in the survey

Exterior styling is less well liked, and the C Class is poorly ranked for rear legroom and luggage space. The negative feedback extends to the user friendliness of controls and the touchscreen, and owners definitely aren’t sold on their C Class’s value, or the servicing and insurance costs

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ANY car that can reach 12 successive generations has to be doing something right, and according to owners of the latest Toyota Corolla, that’s delivering great fuel economy A popular petrol electric hybrid option sees the car’s owners elevate it to seventh place for MPG, although service and insurance costs are rated 32nd and 39th respectively

Owners praise the Corolla’s touchscreen reasonably highly, in 22nd place, but nothing else breaks out of mid table There are some poor ratings, too, with exterior styling and acceleration very close to the bottom of the scores, along with rear legroom and driving pleasure

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“Silent, maximum torque straight

THERE’S at least one thing going for this sixth generation Astra, because it beats its seventh generation successor by four places in our latest used car satisfaction survey

The older model gets the jump on its follow up thanks mostly to better scores for practicality, plus ride and handling, although owners don’t think the Vauxhall family hatchback offers as much overall value for money as owners of the newer model appear to.

While the Mk6 Astra’s best rating is sixth place for the cost of servicing, it’s near the bottom of the table for audio and smartphone connectivity

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THIS SEAT Leon was a big improvement over its predecessor due to the adoption of the Volkswagen Golf’s MQB platform, but it’s no great shakes on the used market, according to owners. They’ve rated the Leon in the top 20 in just three infotainment sub categories: smartphone connectivity, the user friendliness of controls and the audio system

Everywhere else the results are disappointing, with little love shown for the Leon’s driving characteristics or its practicality Running costs and value for money are around mid table, while the Leon’s worst reviews are directed at the styling and quality of materials used, inside and out

quality and some rubber seals have come loose.”

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RUNNING costs are the highlight of Captur ownership, our survey responses suggest However, a 22nd place in the category breaks down as two 17th places for servicing and insurance costs, while fuel economy is rated only 38th.

The Captur’s built in sat nav impresses, with owners awarding it 20th place, even if the rest of the infotainment category results are poor; satisfaction with the climate and audio systems is especially low. Owners have a very poor impression of the car’s safety systems, while the interior, practicality and powertrain scores are mostly mediocre Exterior styling fares better, but even that ranks only 27th

“The audio system is based on an integrated tablet, which is overly complex to operate and often behaves erratically.”

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“It is a functional way to get from

ONE of the more popular early plug in hybrids, the Outlander was also available with diesel and petrol power But judging by used owners’ reviews, none of the powertrains meets expectations for economy, where satisfaction is rated 70th. With servicing costs rated 71st and insurance 52nd, it’s no wonder the Mitsubishi comes 71st for value Owners are also displeased with its noisy powertrains, and there’s not much love for the ageing interior and controls. Bright spots include an 11th place for visibility, and decent scores for rear legroom and seating flexibility Quality is poor, in 63rd, but reliability is rated in the top third of results

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THIS version of the 3 was one of the first vehicles to feature Mazda’s then new Kodo design language, but that doesn’t seem to cut much ice with owners of used versions, who rate the car only 55th for styling. Perhaps that’s because the swoopy hatchback is hard to see out of; satisfaction with visibility rated 72nd out of the 75 cars here

Owners are very happy with the cost of insurance, though, and more pleased than many owners with servicing costs, although MPG ratings are only average Nonetheless, the Japanese model does perform very well for overall value for money, with a rating not far off the top 10 in that category

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HERE’S another Mazda whose award winning design fails to inspire owners of used versions Our Mazda 6 respondents rated satisfaction with its exterior style only 41st, ahead of the Mazda 3 but still no great shakes. Owners aren’t all that happy with the interior design (54th) or visibility (68th)

Rear legroom and boot space make it into the survey’s top 30, but scores for the infotainment system are below average, as are ratings for MPG and running costs. Road handling is rated 29th, but steering and braking response are 50th and 68th respectively However, owners do like the car’s powertrains,

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THE Ford Fiesta is supposed to be a practical and cheap to run supermini, but the latest version doesn’t attract great reviews on either front as a used car Its poor MPG and running cost category result reflects below average scores for fuel bills and insurance cost The overall value rating in 64th place is even more disappointing

With practicality, safety features and reliability also in the doldrums, perhaps owners won’t regret the Fiesta’s imminent demise too much At least they appreciate the car’s perky acceleration, rated 25th, and the built in sat nav and phone connectivity are the 12th most satisfying in the survey

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THE W212 Series E Class outperforms its 59th placed successor in our latest used car survey, and it even breaks into the top half of leaderboard in a few categories The quality and comfort of the interior are standout results, with the front seats rated 20th overall, and interior fit out 22nd Even better is the Mercedes’s ride quality, which is placed 12th in the table, and all round driving pleasure is rated a decent 21st out of all the cars surveyed. It scores well for fuel economy, in 21st place, but the running costs category is the big E Class’s worst, thanks partly to very poor satisfaction with servicing charges, at 69th

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THIS Mk4 Vitara marked a switch from a ladder chassis to a unibody design, and owners place the car in the top third of the table for driving pleasure There’s also a ninth place for braking responsiveness, and an 11th spot for engine sound, while visibility from the driver’s seat is ranked sixth

The Vitara records a stonking second place for satisfaction with service costs, and 11th for economy, helping propel it to an impressive seventh position for value The Suzuki may have done better overall as a result, but the safety system activation and function were worst in the survey, at 75th, as were the model’s quality scores

“I’m averaging about 44 46mpg. That’s very good considering the engine size and the fact that it’s four-wheel drive.”

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“It’s

OWNERS of the third generation Yaris attribute many of the predictable qualities you might expect to this entry level Toyota It scores a top 10 placing for MPG and running costs, with pleasing fuel efficiency leading the way, and it ranks 20th in the reliability and build quality category, thanks to a 15th place for reliability

So far, so Toyota, but in other categories owners are less fulsome with their praise. The Yaris only manages a 61st place for driving pleasure, with similar scores for acceleration and smoothness of the powertrain Styling scores are mediocre, as are practicality ratings

SHOULD Toyota be embarrassed that the Mk2 Yaris outperformed its successor (above) in our survey, or proud that it’s hit on such a stable formula? Possibly not the latter, because dissecting the results shows some interesting differences This earlier car scores much worse for exterior style, but owners like its interior more

The Mk2 scores better results for practicality, and appears to be nicer to drive, with high scores for steering, brakes and handling Front seat comfort is rated higher, as are visibility and interior quality, while drivers also find the controls more user friendly, but the Mk3 wins on safety features

HILE Hyundai’s second generation i10 has a handful of ores in the top half of the table, MPG and running costs are where it makes its mark It only places 19th for fuel onomy, but a fourth place for servicing and third for urance costs are the

E Mk3 Octavia is all about the value for Driver Power spondents, but the car’s top 10 rating in the category pears to be more about the practicality and space than running costs. Indeed the Octavia rates only 38th for rvicing costs and 26th for economy, whereas owners give it humbs up for accommodation, with a 10th place for rear room, third for boot space and 12th for interior storage They don’t rate the ride and handling though, with or scores across the category, including a 66th place driving pleasure The Octavia’s styling comes in quite se to the bottom of the table, too

A SET of middling scores for the second generation Kuga means it ranks halfway up the leaderboard But there are some outlier ratings, including a low 70th place for the reliability and quality category, with owners awarding 66th place for the former and 73rd place for the latter

The interior rates pretty well, with a 21st place for front seat comfort, while low servicing costs impress owners enough for 18th. Owners like the audio system, but ratings for other controls and infotainment aren’t great Fuel economy is also poor in 62nd place, while the ease of activating or turning off safety systems is 60th

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HE F10 generation of the BMW 5 Series just makes it into the op half of our survey, but apart from the engine and gearbox ategory, it has few outstanding results There’s a single op 10 finish for touchscreen sensitivity, while 14th places or safety system functionality and gearbox smoothness are ollowed up with a 17th place for acceleration Ride quality and handling results are only mid table, hough, and steering responsiveness is poor, at 57th. Aside om a 26th place for fit and finish inside and out, most of his big BMW’s other scores are in the lower half of the able, but owners do think it represents reasonable

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are among the

THE current Audi A4 is thought of as one of the best executive all rounders, but owners of used examples suggest it performs much better in some areas than others Powertrains are a highlight, with strong scores for acceleration and gearbox smoothness, but ride quality and the responsiveness of steering and brakes are rated near the bottom of our survey Infotainment scores are better, with sat nav, climate control and audio systems ranked highly The A4 also scores an excellent 11th place for its interior design, and cabin fit and finish, although front seat comfort is not very well regarded, in 53rd place

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LOOKING at the NX’s exaggerated range of high and low category scores, it’s easy to see where the model doesn’t hit the spot Its MPG and running costs result is derived from a poor 48th place for servicing bills, and even worse 69th and 71st places for insurance costs and economy

Ratings for user friendliness of the NX’s somewhat haphazard controls and switchgear are awful, in 75th position, while the sat nav is ranked 73rd and the audio system fared little better, in 67th place Given the excellence of the NX’s results elsewhere, these failings might seem like costly oversights at Lexus HQ in Tokyo

“Audi interiors 75 1 75 1 75 1

SAY hello to the best looking model in our 2022 Driver Power Used Car Survey, because the F Pace clinched the top spot for exterior styling Sadly the interior styling was rated 50th, but an eighth place for front seat comfort and fifth spot for boot space help to redress the balance

Other highlights include child friendly cabin features (fifth) and seating versatility (13th) Driving pleasure comes in at a strong 17th, with provision of safety features 18th. There are also very positive ratings for the Jag’s audio and climate systems, but fuel economy, servicing and insurance costs attract some of the survey’s worst scores

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THE electric BMW i3 smashes the engine and gearbox category, thanks to first place for gearbox smoothness, third for engine sound and eighth for acceleration Owners give average ratings for braking and steering smoothness, and a dismal 75th for ride quality, with handling at 74th But a high 16th spot for driving pleasure proves there’s more to motoring life than ultimate chassis dynamics

The i3 scores highly for interior design and quality, but the practicality rating is dragged down by a 71st for boot space There’s a terrific fifth place for user friendly controls, but owners don’t consider the i3 to be great value overall

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COUPE and convertible versions of the BMW 3 Series were renamed 4 Series with this car, and joined by the four door Gran Coupé They all offer a mixture of positive and less appealing qualities, say owners. Swoopy exterior design is a favourite feature, and owners are equally enthralled with engine and gearbox performance, but engine sounds finish in 65th place Driving pleasure comes in at 14th, although chassis scores are only mid ranking Servicing costs, in 70th place, appear to grate with owners, but the 4 Series places 13th for overall quality Cabin ergonomics and infotainment are also highly rated

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“Drives like a smaller car and corners well. A complete

Skoda Superb Mk3, Subaru Outback Mk5 and Skoda Karoq

Thetop75used cars to own

THE Mk4 RAV4 marked the switch from side opening tailgate to hatchback style bootlid, and a hybrid option joined the petrol and diesel engines Owners like the snappier looks, because it’s rated 25th for exterior and 23rd for interior style. Eighth place for seating flexibility and 12th for boot space combine with a 15th for rear legroom to suggest they love the RAV4’s accommodation, too Servicing costs score well, but 55th for fuel economy hints at hybrid numbers not meeting expectations in the real world, perhaps A predictably high 19th place for reliability is offset by some mediocre ratings for connectivity, sat

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OWNERS of the Subaru Forester are a pretty select bunch, often living rurally and requiring an SUV that actually works off road This goes a long way to explaining why they rate the Forester’s driving performance so highly, with scores for steering, brakes, ride quality and handling all in the top 20 Practicality comes out a little better, with a similar range of ratings for seat versatility, boot space and storage Rear legroom gets a high eighth place, along with the number of safety features fitted Fuel economy and servicing costs are conversely near the bottom of the table, and the scores for controls, switchgear and infotainment are just as poor

“When you need to put your foot down it’s very responsive. People are often surprised that my Forester is a diesel.”

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TOYOTA’s Mk2 Auris does pretty much all you’d expect from the brand, and in some cases more, with the distinctly mainstream hatch racking up some pretty strong category scores for its driving appeal and safety, as well as the more predictable results for reliability and low running costs

Its worst results are for the interior, with poor ratings for cabin style, rear legroom and driver’s visibility The Auris doesn’t fare very well for practicality, either, with a 55th place for boot space its worst sub category score There’s not much that’s terrible about the Auris, though, and it scores top 20 results for steering, brakes and ride quality

“Amazing fuel economy because it’s a hybrid. Long-distance trips are a lot cheaper than in my previous car.”

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“I’m very pleased with the way my RAV4 looks. It’s a six year old car, but it still appears modern.”

“Everyone knows you don’t buy a Subaru for economy (I’ve had five). I bought it for the performance and reliability.”

“Acceleration is sluggish when in the economy mode, but it is good in the normal and power settings.”

“Very roomy in the back I’m struggling to find a car that competes in this price bracket and it’s great for the kids on long trips.”

EDGING towards the top third of our used car survey, the Vauxhall Insignia delivers a terrific top 10 for practicality, while impressive interior comfort and affordable running costs earn top 20 scores. Breaking down the categories reveals a fourth place for the Insignia’s vast boot, while fuel economy comes in at 23rd, with insurance at 12th

Ratings for control layout and infotainment range from middling to poor, but a 26th for driving pleasure reflects better scores for ride quality and handling, despite weaker braking and steering rankings Owners rate the exterior (24th) and interior styling (28th) reasonably well, too

“Boot is huge and there’s plenty of space elsewhere inside. It’s very versatile and never fails to fit in what we need.”

“I think it is a very nice looking car and has aged well considering the Insignia was first introduced in 2008.”

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LIKE the Forester, the Subaru XV attracts great reviews for driving characteristics from a relatively niche customer base that appreciates the full time 4x4 and off road ability They rate it 11th overall for road handling, with an eighth place for its steering response and 22nd for driving pleasure

There’s also an excellent fourth position for the quantity of the safety features But as with the Forester, scores for controls and infotainment are pretty miserable, as are those for running costs; the XV is rated 60th for economy In spite of this, there’s a 17th place for value, and owners also love the Subaru’s versatile seating and interior storage

“It’s average for road tax and insurance, but the manufacturer’s economy figures are pure fantasy; they’re much worse in reality.”

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THIS Mk10 Civic moved away from the trapezoidal style of its predecessor It appears to have paid off, with owners of used examples rating its exterior style in a strong 17th place

Buyers like their Civics most for more pragmatic reasons, though, and highlights in the results include ninth place for boot space, 11th for the car’s child friendly features, and eighth for the ease with which you activate or deactivate the many safety features. Driving the Civic is a pleasure, too, rated 23rd, with a 19th place for handling Great phone connectivity isn’t reflected in other infotainment scores, however; they’re fairly poor, as are the running costs

“Boot space is fine for me. It’s a saloon, so it’s technically less practical than a hatchback, but it looks far better.”

“The Civic handles well and just feels fun to drive, even if that’s on normal roads at normal speeds.”

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“The diesel engine has plenty of power It is smooth and, like most diesels, it keeps pulling up the steepest of hills.”

Thetop75used cars to own

THE A3 from 2013 slips into the top 25 with a single top 10 score for its built in sat nav However, the audio system and balance between touchscreen and physical controls only just missed out, at 11th each, and the Audi also came close with interior style at 14th and overall quality at 12th

Front seat comfort is highly rated by owners, too, along with driver visibility, and buyers also appreciate the exterior fit and finish, although design attracts a middle of the road ranking Practicality is not so good, however, with a poor 61st for boot space, and the driving responses are mostly below average, apart from an 18th for road handling

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Practicality and space Ride and handling Safety features MPG and running costs Reliability and build quality Infotainment, connectivity and electrics

NO one should be surprised to hear Jaguar XF owners raving about the driving experience, and our respondents award the car fifth place for handling and steering response, seventh for its supple ride and eighth for overall driving pleasure.

Powertrains offer almost as much satisfaction, with smooth gearboxes and punchy acceleration rated 16th and 22nd respectively The svelte Jag also earns a 15th place for its design, but the overall exterior score is let down by a poor 49th place for exterior finish and materials However, front seat comfort and rear legroom also earn top 20 scores, as does the XF’s luggage space

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Practicality and space Ride and handling Safety features MPG and running costs Reliability and build quality Infotainment, connectivity and electrics Value

THE boxy Honda CR V is a highly practical choice, according to its owners They give it top 10 ratings for the flexibility of seating arrangements and the luggage capacity The results for front seat comfort, rear legroom and child friendly features are all in the top 20 in this year’s survey, too

It also provides strong satisfaction behind the wheel, with a 12th place for driving pleasure backed up by decent scores for ride quality and handling. Running costs aren’t so great, with poor scores for fuel economy and insurance, but servicing (11th) is rated as very good value Reliability comes in at eighth place, and overall value is ranked 18th

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THE Lexus CT hybrid may be long in the tooth, but it still has what it takes to impress owners of used examples, with top 10 scores for exterior style, running costs and reliability The interior rates as highly as the exterior for quality and style, while satisfaction with the cost of ownership is reflected by a fifth place for economy and eighth for insurance Servicing costs are rated 39th, and are a common bugbear for Lexus owners. But the CT scores an excellent fourth in the survey for reliability, while overall quality is 15th Driving pleasure only rates a middling 27th place, though, while boot space is a ranked a distinctly poor 64th

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JUST breaking into the used car top 20, some of the Audi A4 B8 model’s most satisfying attributes are in the cabin, including a first places for the touchscreen’s sensitivity, and the balance between touch and physical controls. But the built in sat nav only ranks 42nd, while smartphone connectivity is 46th and the A4’s climate control a poor 60th Interior style and quality are eighth and 11th, though Practicality and boot space scores are mediocre, yet the drivetrains do well on acceleration and gearbox smoothness Braking (20th) and road handling (26th) are the top dynamic category scores, but the A4 finished 50th for driving pleasure

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THE transformation from dowdy MPV to sexy SUV was very well received, and the used market has also got behind the latest Peugeot 3008 Predictably, owners like the on trend exterior most, rating styling in a superb third position. Interior design takes ninth place and boot space is 10th With top 20 placings in key areas such as safety and running costs, the 3008 is a popular all rounder Further proof that it’s not just a pretty face comes by way of 11th place for driving pleasure; owners really rate the responsive steering and handling The only fly in the ointment is low scores for the 3008’s touchscreen and other controls

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“It’s not a flashy vehicle, quite understated in fact, but I like the way it sits on the road.”

a

seems

a

Thetop75used cars to own

MERCEDES’S large premium SUV was an instant new car hit and the GLC is just as popular as a used car Buyers seem positive about all aspects of ownership except the financial side. Its worst scores are a dismal 73rd for both servicing costs and insurance, while economy is only rated 56th No wonder owners have such a dim view of the GLC’s value

In all other respects the car is a star, though, so perhaps you do get what you pay for. The GLC nets top 20 or better ratings in every sub category, with a decent spread of top 10 scores as the icing on the cake Interior design quality and seat comfort are a couple of highlights

OWNERS don’t appear very inspired by the style of the Avensis, with below average scores for design inside and out It gets below par reviews for driving pleasure too When it comes to more practical aspects of ownership, though, the perspective changes markedly, and the Toyota comes into its own Top 10 ratings include the number of safety systems fitted and the roomy boot, but there’s a slew of strong top 20 scores, too. They include positive ratings for ride comfort, rear legroom, flexible seating, servicing costs and insurance, and as you would only expect of a Toyota reliability It all adds up to a solid 11th place for value

AT first glance, the Hyundai Tucson’s scores seem relatively uninspiring, but it transpires there are a couple of areas where owner satisfaction is sky high The most obvious is infotainment, where the Tucson rates 3rd for smartphone connectivity, 4th for its sat nav and 6th for its touchscreen

Owners are also enthusiastic over its accommodation, with top 20 scores for luggage space, rear legroom and child friendly touches. And while the quality rating is on the poor end of the scale, the Tucson bags 11th overall for reliability and a decent 24th for value, although

IT’s always interesting when an older car scores better than its successor, but the XF Mk1’s results reveals far higher scores for acceleration and engine note, suggesting the Mk1 only V8 powered XFR may have coloured the thinking. The Mk1 is rated 12th for engine sound, and the Mk2 62nd Otherwise the Mk1 makes its mark in similar areas, with terrific results for ride quality it’s 2nd overall steering response and handling adding up to a 6th place for driving pleasure While Mk2 owners prefer their car’s exterior styling, owners of the Mk1 rate their interior higher, giving it significantly better

Engine

WITH the Porsche Macan’s top score awarded for ride and handling, and one of its worst for running costs and value, its owners aren’t delivering any surprises Luckily, that great score for dynamic performance braking 1st, handing 2nd, steering response 3rd, and driving pleasure 4th overall is backed up by some terrific results elsewhere

The Macan’s interior quality is rated best in the survey, while front seat comfort comes 2nd although rear seat legroom is a poor 69th Owners are also underwhelmed by the safety systems provided, and smartphone connectivity, although the controls and infotainment generally score well

Engine and gearbox

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OWNERS of the funky C HR vote the SUV’s exterior design into 2nd place The interior design just sneaks into the top 20, but the trade off for driving such a radically shaped car is that the rating for all round visibility is among the worst in the whole survey, at 67th

The C HR earns an excellent 3rd for the number of safety features, and a 5th for ride quality Handling rated 8th, and a similar score for engine sound underpins a 19th place for driving pleasure Rear legroom is a poor 49th, but boot space is 19th, and reliability 20th With

Engine and gearbox Exterior

Interior

THE Sportage SUV rewards owners greatly through its practicality, with an 8th place for luggage space and a 10th position for interior storage Rear legroom is 17th and front seat comfort 18th, while visibility is a very strong 12th Owners also appreciate the car’s styling inside and out, with top 20 rankings for both

They’re not so sold on the running costs, with fuel economy in a very poor 68th, and servicing cost an average 36th. However this doesn’t affect the strong overall value score of 14th Ratings for the function of safety features are below par, but the infotainment system gets rave reviews

THERE’S little doubting the excellence of BMW’s executive saloon, and owners rate it very highly Superb connectivity, infotainment and controls in the cabin are the obvious highlights, with all related sub categories in the top 10.

Overall quality is rated 10th, and reliability 22nd, while the big BMW also ranks 10th for driving pleasure Ride smoothness is only 50th, but this is mitigated by a 15th for driver seat comfort and similarly excellent marks for the cabin design and finish Exterior design and quality rate highly too, but running costs aren’t so popular, with a 65th place for servicing and for overall value

THE Mondeo is no longer with us after a run of 30 odd years, and judging by its performance in our used car survey, there will be plenty of drivers who’ll miss it This final generation car makes it into the top half of the survey in almost every category, and with 11th and 25th places for exterior and interior style, owners clearly like how it looks

While the powertrain scores are a little below par, the Mondeo celebrates a 7th overall for driving enjoyment, with great marks for its steering, handling and ride Seat comfort, rear legroom and boot space are all strongly reviewed, too, while value is great, in 15th spot

LEXUS RX design started to get a bit more ‘out there’ on the Mk4, with an extravagant spindle grille, and owners love its exterior looks, rating it 12th, while the opulent interior is even more appreciated, in 4th. Accommodation scores very well too, with a 4th for rear legroom, 9th for interior storage and child friendly features, and 11th for seating versatility

Safety ratings are all top 10 or thereabouts, and the RX comes second in the survey for satisfaction with reliability. Ride quality comes in 8th, and even the hybrid drivetrains are enjoyed immensely, with acceleration, (lack of) engine noise and smoothness each in the top 10

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THE hybrid Prius is the most satisfying used car in our 2022 survey when it comes to reliability, and it also tops the table for outright fuel economy With servicing costs in 3rd, an overall value rating higher than 19th might have been expected, but it seems a poorer set of practicality scores costs the Prius dear; it’s rated 69th for boot space, 64th for driver visibility, and 38th for front seat comfort

Fortunately the hybrid drivetrain is rated very highly for quietness, smoothness and acceleration However, owners rate the exterior style much higher than the interior design, with the two aspects rated at 17th and 39th respectively

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THE Outback excels in several areas, say its owners, who are especially delighted with its practicality and comfort, how well a comprehensive roster of safety features works, and the way it drives. The Subaru scoops 1st place for seating versatility, and 2nd for braking response, boot space, rear legroom and child friendly features

Fuel economy and servicing rank 69th and 60th, though, while the engine scores poorly for acceleration and noise. But there are excellent ratings for connectivity, the built in sat nav and heating controls; and with quality rated 6th and reliability 13th, a similar rating for value is no surprise

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IF one Lexus RX in the top 10 isn’t enough for you, here’s another and it’s the older of the two that’s slightly more satisfying That said, this car’s powertrain is a major let down, scoring 73rd for acceleration, 72nd for transmission smoothness and 75th for engine noise Updates for the Mk4 have been transformative in that regard

The newer car also just beats the Mk4 for design, but this variant has better seat comfort, and slightly higher scores for the cabin flexibility, boot space and storage That, plus higher ratings for connectivity and infotainment, edge this Mk3 ahead, although owners rate the Mk4 as better value

SUBARU made significant upgrades to its large XV crossover for this second generation, and it’s paid off for used buyers, who rank their purchase 5th most satisfying That’s some achievement for a low volume and often overlooked brand.

In spite of the XV’s serious off road ability, loyal owners voted road handling first overall in the survey, and rated driving pleasure 5th They also awarded the XV 1st place for its number of safety features, and put exterior fit and finish in the same spot Design was rated fifth Boot space only earns a poor 54th, but rear legroom is 12th and visibility 13th There’s a stonking 5th for value, too

SKODA is making waves with its new SUVs, but the more traditional Superb takes 4th place in our used car survey this year It rates 1st overall for value, while other positives include 1st places for luggage space, rear legroom and interior storage, a 4th for seat flexibility, and 6th for seat comfort

Interior quality is rated in 8th position, along with driver visibility, but in spite of a 16th for ride smoothness, a poor 72nd place for road handling and average drivetrain scores give a clue to the Skoda’s disappointing 53rd place for driving pleasure

“In

Living with a BMW 3 Series

FORMER automotive consultant Paul Phillips bought his hybrid 330e as an ex demonstrator in early 2020, and has been delighted with it since. The car is in M Sport+ trim with options that include a head up display and laser adaptive anti dazzle headlamps, both of which he rates as a big contribution to safety “It’s my first BMW having been a Vauxhall man most of my life, and I do love it,” he says.

The car is used mainly for local trips and drives to a static caravan in Norfolk, and has been problem free apart from a difficulty early on downloading a software update, which the dealer helped out with.

Paul says he wants to keep the car for another three years, and has just taken out a BMW used warranty. “It’s a complicated car, and I wanted the reassurance if it went wrong, I wouldn’t have to pay to fix it,” he says

WITH only two category scores outside the top 10, the BMW 3 Series takes a well deserved 3rd place on the Driver Power used car podium and for the second year on the trot Judging by the feedback from owners, it really is hard to fault this swishy executive favourite, and the bills for servicing and insuring it are the only obvious downsides.

Apart from a 61st place for running costs, the 3 Series really does cover all the bases, from a superbly rewarding driving experience to a fantastically designed and trimmed cabin with terrific practicality. When a 20th place for boot space looks like an outlier, you know you’re on to a winner

PAUL PHILLIPS

Hybrid 330e is Paul’s first BMW and he loves it. He’s only had one problem a software update which the dealer solved

Among the features Paul likes most on his 3 Series are the laser adaptive headlamps and head up display (top left)

Milton Keynes

“It purrs along economically, but if you need to pass a tractor or something, it’ll get up and go!”

Thetop75used cars to own U N P

After owning his Skoda Karoq for three years, Alan is so impressed with the car that he’s planning on keeping it for another two

Living with a Skoda Karoq

RETIRED draughtsman Alan Todd has owned his ex demo Skoda Karoq 2.0 TDI Sportline for nearly three years He’d planned to change it about now, but likes the car so much he’s considering keeping it for another two years using Skoda’s fixed rate monthly service plan.

Alan mainly uses the Karoq for local trips and visits to the golf club, driving around 9,000 miles per year. So what’s his favourite thing about the car? “It easily fits the golf bag and trolley, and what I really like is all the practical touches Skoda gives you,” he said, referring to features like cargo nets in the boot, ice scraper in the fuel filler flap and umbrella in the door.

Over the best part of three years the Karoq hasn’t developed a single fault and Alan has only had to put two new tyres on it. When pressed for anything he’d like to change, he suggested only that the fuel tank, with its 450 mile range, could be a little bigger

“I liked the look, and it’s not a huge car, but the space inside is amazing” “After three years it still feels as good as when it first left the factory. Every time I drive the car it makes me feel special.”

THE runner up in our 2022 used car survey is the superlative Skoda Karoq, with owners falling over themselves to say nice things about it In fact the only negativity comes in the form of a poor 51st rating for exterior design, and a merely average 42nd and 34th for acceleration and gearbox smoothness YOUR VIEW

Engine and gearbox Exterior Interior and comfort Practicality and space Ride and handling Safety features MPG and running costs Reliability and build quality Infotainment, connectivity and electrics Value

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Alan loves the amount of space inside his Karoq and Skoda’s practical Simply Clever features, including an ice scraper

ALAN TODD

Living with a Lexus GS

COMPANY director Bernie Maginn is on his third Lexus GS, and having owned two 450h models previously he’s now in possession of the flagship GS F performance version.

It’s a four year old car that he’s owned for three, and he picked the 471bhp 5.0 litre V8 powered variant to satisfy what he jokingly calls his ‘mid life crisis’. Bernie admits to wincing at soaring fuel prices, but says he can get a reasonable 29 30mpg on the motorway. He uses the car daily for local trips and regular runs to Liverpool, and says neither this GS or either of its predecessors ever required any dealer attention outside routine servicing.

“You buy a car to drive it, not go back and forwards to the garage I just don’t understand why people buy German premium cars, which seem to go wrong frequently,” he says.

He’s so pleased with it, that he’s thinking about keeping his GS for another three years

450h

BERNIE MAGINN Alsager, Cheshire

Bernie says all three GSs he’s owned have only ever needed routine maintenance, and recommends the fixed-price Lexus service plan, which includes free warranty cover

After

“The hybrid

is a fantastic car, but I wanted a bit more oomph!”

The Toyota Prius Mk4 is the top-rated car for reliability satisfaction, followed by four Lexus models. Bottom of the table is the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Thebest used cars bybrand

THE used car brand survey reveals the attitudes of drivers of all surveyed models in a maker’s line up to gauge the satisfaction with their activity as a whole This includes ratings for cars that don’t necessarily make the top 75 model survey thanks to low individual sales numbers, because together with their stablemates they provide a statistically valid overview

of a brand’s performance It’s notable that most of the top performing brands don’t fare very well for most or fewest reported faults, which illustrates the importance of measuring satisfaction in these areas Some cars and brands that are greatly loved are potentially the most challenging to own for reliability That’s just one aspect that makes Driver Power so interesting!

FIAT props up the bottom of this year’s survey. Satisfaction appears poorest in the infotainment and electrics category, but ratings aren’t much better for reliability and build quality, ride and handling, or powertrains Fiat doesn’t fare quite so badly for faults, but electrical problems make up 38 per cent of the total, followed by transmissions (27 per cent) and suspension (23 per cent)

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 29

Exterior 17

Interior and comfort 27

Practicality and space 30

Ride and handling 29

Safety features 31

MPG and running costs 15

Reliability and build quality 29

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 31 Value 16

IT’S grim reading for Nissan again, with no improvement on its 2021 result, and dismal scores across all categories. At least the numbers are consistent, so the firm knows it has room to improve everywhere Electrics accounted for 22 per cent of faults, with safety system faults and suspension issues at around 10 per cent each It’s a fairly mixed bag elsewhere, with no specific problem areas identified.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 30

Exterior 30

Interior and comfort 29

Practicality and space 28

Ride and handling 27 Safety features 28

MPG and running costs 30 Reliability and build quality 29

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 30 Value 29

THERE’LL be no champagne corks popping at Vauxhall It only escapes the bottom third of the satisfaction table in one category, MPG and running costs, and even then just barely That better score has a lot to do with a top 10 result for the service costs sub category, with MPG satisfaction below par But Vauxhall does well on reported faults, with an impressive fifth place, two spots above Toyota.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 27

Exterior 24

Interior and comfort 24

Practicality and space 22 Ride and handling 21

Safety features 27 MPG and running costs 19

Reliability and build quality 27

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 27 Value 25

Peugeot

Category Position

THIS is a poor result for Audi that trails the satisfaction reported by owners of other premium brands Apart from a mid table result for exteriors, where quality is rated well above design, there’s little to crow about Fit and finish lifts the reliability and build quality score, while electrics (27 per cent) and engines (24 per cent) account for the lion’s share of the relatively high number of reported faults

Engine and gearbox 20

Exterior 15

Interior and comfort 20

Practicality and space 26

Ride and handling 27

Safety features 25

MPG and running costs 27

Reliability and build quality 20

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 25 Value 28

NINTH place for MPG and running costs is the highlight of Peugeot’s scores, with the BlueHDi engines contributing to a seventh place in the fuel economy sub category. But the brand rates only a middling 15th for servicing costs Engine and electrical issues take 23 per cent each, with suspension faults at 20 per cent. Peugeot is one of the leaders for exterior paint and trim faults, at 10 per cent of the total

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 25

Exterior 26

Interior and comfort 25

Practicality and space 24 Ride and handling 23 Safety features 22 MPG and running costs 9

Reliability and build quality 25 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 29 Value 26

A SUPER second spot for value and seventh for running costs can’t lift Suzuki out of the bottom third of our poll Practicality, comfort and safety features leave owners least impressed, but there are no other real highlights in the category scores. Yet Suzuki is a top four finisher for reported faults, with only 14 per cent of owners having problems Engines and electrics lead the scoring for those that do.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 21

Exterior 30

Interior and comfort 31

Practicality and space 31

Ride and handling 18

Safety features 28

MPG and running costs 7

Reliability and build quality 22

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 20 Value 2

ALL Ford’s satisfaction scores are in the bottom half of the table It does better for satisfaction with ride and handling, powertrains and infotainment, but it’s not a very uplifting set of reviews A fifth of owners have reported faults, with suspension problems being most common, at 19 per cent Electrics and engines faults follow at 16 per cent each, while gearbox snags accounted for eight per cent.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 18

Exterior 27

Interior and comfort 29

Practicality and space 25

Ride and handling 17

Safety features 29

MPG and running costs 20

Reliability and build quality 24

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 19 Value 23

SHARE OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING FAULTS 18.37%

SEAT owners seem satisfied with their cars’ running costs and value, but their scores fall below average in all other categories this year

The worst score was for interior design and quality. Eighteen per cent of owners reported faults, making SEAT the survey’s best performing VW Group brand by that metric. A third of faults were with engines, 23 per cent electrics and 18 per cent with suspension

24. SEAT 22. Renault

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 19

Exterior 28

Interior and comfort 30

Practicality and space 19 Ride and handling 24

Safety features 23

MPG and running costs 11

Reliability and build quality 19

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 21 Value 11

SHARE OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING FAULTS 27.21%

DACIA is a Renault owned budget brand, so it’s telling that the two are barely separated in terms of owner satisfaction. While Renault’s scores are a little higher in most categories, it can’t get close to Dacia for value or running costs A much higher 27 per cent of owners suffered faults, with electrical issues leading the way, at 29 per cent, followed by suspension (19 per cent) and engines (14 per cent).

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 24

Exterior 18

Interior and comfort 21

Practicality and space 17 Ride and handling 19 Safety features 21 MPG and running costs 14

Reliability and build quality 26 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 22 Value 17

20. Hyundai

SHARE OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING FAULTS 11.61%

HYUNDAI nearly scrapes into the top third of the poll on the back of its popular infotainment systems, but that and a middle ranking score for value are the satisfaction highlights. Ride and handling ranks worst, with low scores for driving pleasure Hyundai is second overall for reported faults, with just under 12 per cent of owners facing problems Electrical issues were most common, at 23 per cent

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 23

Exterior 25

Interior and comfort 23

Practicality and space 20 Ride and handling 26

Safety features 24

MPG and running costs 17

Reliability and build quality 17

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 11 Value 14

SHARE OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING FAULTS 15.75%

LOW purchase prices, great economy and cheap servicing result in two top three scores for Dacia, but owners don’t rate the design or quality of fit and finish, inside or out. Still, fewer than 16 per cent of owners reported faults Suspension and interior trim issues topped the list, with each accounting for 31 per cent of issues. Electrics and transmissions were next, at around 20 per cent each

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 28

Exterior 31

Interior and comfort 26

Practicality and space 11 Ride and handling 25

Safety features 18

MPG and running costs 3

Reliability and build quality 28

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 26 Value 3

SHARE OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING FAULTS 21 18%

A MIXED bag of results for MINI, but no outstandingly good category scores, although owners rate the powertrains and exterior styling in the top third of the table, and fifth for engine sound and interior fit and finish MINI doesn’t do very well for faults, with 21 per cent of owners suffering a problem Of those, 27 per cent are electrical, and nearly 20 per cent engine and gearbox issues combined.

23. Dacia 21. MINI 19. Citroen

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 7

Exterior 9

Interior and comfort 19

Practicality and space 29 Ride and handling 16 Safety features 26 MPG and running costs 21

Reliability and build quality 13 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 28 Value 22

SHARE OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING FAULTS 21.64%

MOSTLY in the bottom third of the table, Citroen manages middling scores for practicality and comfort, and is least impressive for the performance of its powertrains. It pulls back some kudos for value and affordability Citroen marks the midpoint of the table for the number of reported faults across the brand’s models. Electrics (29 per cent) are most common, then engines and suspension

18. Kia 17. BMW

KIA scores well for satisfaction with its infotainment, and less so for its powertrain performance, style or driving pleasure. It’s rated average for comfort and practicality, with a decent 11th for boot space, and Kia just sneaks into the top 10 best performers for the number of reported faults Most are electrical, with 15 per cent each for engines and gearboxes, and seven per cent for paint and trim issues.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 22

Exterior 21

Interior and comfort 15

Practicality and space 14

Ride and handling 20

Safety features 19

MPG and running costs 23

Reliability and build quality 15

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 8

Value 7

IN spite of its premium status, owner satisfaction with BMW only makes it into the top third of the table for engine performance, driving pleasure and infotainment systems But it’s average or better almost everywhere, apart from running costs and value. BMW is 18th for reported faults, with electrical issues (24 per cent) and engines (15 per cent) the most commonly reported problems.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 26

Exterior 23

Interior and comfort 18

Practicality and space 16 Ride and handling 22

Safety features 20

MPG and running costs 10

Reliability and build quality 21

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 23 Value 10

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 8

Exterior 11

Interior and comfort 13

Practicality and space 15 Ride and handling 14

Safety features 13

MPG and running costs 30

Reliability and build quality 14 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 4

Value 24

DIDYOU KNOW? Toyota’s Prius Mk4, Yaris Mk2 and Aygo Mk2 are three of the four most satisfying cars for fuel economy. The BMW i3 splits them by taking third place.

Thebest used cars bybrand

TRADEMARK Magic Seats and satisfying boot space are the key to Honda’s impressive scores for practicality Quality and reliability are both top 10 results, while servicing cost satisfaction levels in the top five help with the MPG and running costs category Honda is third for reported faults, with just 12 per cent of owners having a problem A whopping 46 per cent of those are for electrical issues

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 14

Exterior 16

Interior and comfort 17

Practicality and space 3

Ride and handling 12

Safety features 12

MPG and running costs 13

Reliability and build quality 7

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 24 Value 13

A MID table ranking for the brand could have been higher if owners felt happier with running costs Service price satisfaction is lowest in the survey, but economy is average and older infotainment systems don’t score highly, either Mercedes is 20th for reported faults, with almost a fifth of drivers having problems. Electrical (35 per cent) and engine gremlins (25 per cent) account for most issues

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 12

Exterior 10

Interior and comfort 11

Practicality and space 13 Ride and handling 9 Safety features 10 MPG and running costs 28 Reliability and build quality 12 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 10 Value 21

LAND Rover owners are happy with the way their cars look and drive, as well as the comfort of luxurious and spacious cabins. But 30th places for reliability (quality is 15th), servicing and fuel costs are the other side of the story Only Tesla beats Land Rover for the number of reported faults, with 40 per cent of owners having trouble Electrics (41 per cent) and engines (26 per cent) are the big offenders.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 9

Exterior 6

Interior and comfort 5

Practicality and space 4 Ride and handling 8 Safety features 9

MPG and running costs 31

Reliability and build quality 23 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 18 Value 30

VW breaks into the top 10 brands in a couple of areas, with a sixth place for fuel economy a highlight of its MPG and running cost category Its scores for practicality and interior comfort are the next best in a better than average set of scores. VW is a mid ranker for reported faults, with 22 per cent of owners having issues Engines and electrics account for 18 to 19 per cent of reported problems.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 13

Exterior 14

Interior and comfort 10

Practicality and space 12 Ride and handling 13 Safety features 16 MPG and running costs 12 Reliability and build quality 10 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 17 Value 15

SMART owners are happier with how their cars look, than the way they go Engines and gearboxes couldn’t be rated lower, but interior styling tops the survey Exterior style isn’t far off, and while practicality takes a predictable hit, you won’t find owners happier with their MPG Some 23 per cent of buyers have experienced faults, and engine trouble is by far the biggest culprit, at 44 per cent

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 31

Exterior 5

Interior and comfort 5

Practicality and space 28 Ride and handling 31

Safety features 6 MPG and running costs 1

Reliability and build quality 4

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 3 Value 27

MITSUBISHI is the brand with the lowest number of reported faults, with just over 11 per cent of owners facing problems Just 11 per cent of these faults are electrical, while engine and suspension faults are virtually non existent But trim and paint snags are nearly the worst in the survey, at 10 per cent The firm is just outside the top 10 brands for its category scores, but practicality and interior comfort are highlights

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 17

Exterior 22

Interior and comfort 7

Practicality and space 7 Ride and handling 10 Safety features 17 MPG and running costs 16

Reliability and build quality 11 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 16 Value 18

MAZDA is one of the better brands for driving pleasure and handling, but a fourth for reliability is its top score. Owners also rate their cars highly for the user friendliness of controls and value, both in fifth place Mazda has a relatively low number of reported faults, coming in eighth Electrics and suspension are the major causes, at 19 per cent and 17 per cent, Engine troubles account for 14 per cent of issues.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 10

Exterior 12

Interior and comfort 12

Practicality and space 21

Ride and handling 6

Safety features 15

MPG and running costs 8

Reliability and build quality 6

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 15 Value 5

TOYOTA has the third most satisfied owners when it comes to reliability, fuel economy and user friendly controls Ride and handling gets a boost from the GT86 respondents, and value is well rated Toyota is seventh for reported faults, with 18 per cent of owners facing an issue The main culprits are electrics (22 per cent), engine and exterior trim (10 per cent each) and suspension (seven per cent).

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 15

Exterior 13

Interior and comfort 14

Practicality and space 18 Ride and handling 7

Safety features 11

MPG and running costs 4

Reliability and build quality 5

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 12 Value 8

VOLVO may be eighth from the top for overall brand satisfaction, but it’s seventh from the bottom for reported faults This theme afflicts all the top performers, except Lexus. Volvo owners rate front seat comfort and the number of safety systems second in the survey, and there are third places for fit and finish inside and out. Electrical (37 per cent) and suspension (20 per cent) are the most common faults

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 16

Exterior 4

Interior and comfort 4

Practicality and space 6

Ride and handling 11

Safety features 2

MPG and running costs 26

Reliability and build quality 9

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 13 Value 19

USED car drivers are more satisfied with Skoda’s value than any other brand, and it comes second for its practicality and boot space Strong scores for cabin comfort and all round affordability underpin the value win, but while reliability and quality are rated eighth overall, Skoda is seventh from the bottom for its number of reported faults. Electrical problems are to blame 31 per cent of the time

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 11

Exterior 19

Interior and comfort 9

Practicality and space 2

Ride and handling 15 Safety features 14 MPG and running costs 6

Reliability and build quality 8 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 7 Value 1

SOME 34 per cent of Alfa Romeo owners report faults with their cars, making it the third worst brand behind Land Rover and Tesla A whopping 66 per cent of problems are electrical, but there’s a wide spread of other issues, too Yet Alfa owners rise above it, with sky high satisfaction scores for exterior style, driving thrills and even servicing costs, where Alfa tops the satisfaction table.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 3

Exterior 2

Interior and comfort 22

Practicality and space 23 Ride and handling 4 Safety features 7

MPG and running costs 5

Reliability and build quality 18

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 5 Value 4

JAGUAR is fifth best for owner satisfaction, in spite of being fifth worst for the number of reported faults. Owners love the handling qualities and the ride, for which Jaguar tops the survey Styling and powertrains are popular and there’s a third for driving pleasure. But running costs include a poor 26th for servicing, while electrical (29 per cent) and drivetrain (25 per cent) problems are common.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 5

Exterior 8

Interior and comfort 8

Practicality and space 10 Ride and handling 2 Safety features 8 MPG and running costs 25

Reliability and build quality 16 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 6 Value 20

4. Lexus 3. Tesla 87.78% 87.98%

Category Position

LEXUS is the only satisfaction top scorer that doesn’t record an equally poor placing for reported faults While 20 per cent of owners reported faults, a 12th place for the latter contrasts markedly with the top three survey brands Still, style inside and out, and lavish luxury helps propel Lexus to its fourth place in the survey. Owners rate it highest of all the brands for satisfaction with reliability

Engine and gearbox 6

Exterior 3

Interior and comfort 3

Practicality and space 8 Ride and handling 5 Safety features 4 MPG and running costs 18 Reliability and build quality 1 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 14 Value 9

IT’S a tale of highs and lows for Tesla, whose owners love aspects of ownership relating to powerful electric drivetrains, safety tech and infotainment, and low taxation and fuel costs. It scores first place in many of the associated sections, yet owners rank Tesla’s fit and finish in 31st place, along with similarly poor ride and handling. Tesla is worst in the survey by some margin for reported faults

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 1

Exterior 20

Interior and comfort 16 Practicality and space 5 Ride and handling 30 Safety features 1 MPG and running costs 2

Reliability and build quality 31 Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 1 Value 31

SUBARU recorded top five scores in many significant categories, and just one outside the top 10. Owners love the versatile and spacious interiors, rear legroom and boot space, plus the way their cars drive and their safety features Reliability and overall quality are both rated second in the survey, yet Subaru can only manage 23rd for reported faults, with 27 per cent of owners reporting them.

Engine and gearbox 4

Exterior 7

Interior and comfort 1

Practicality and space 1

Ride and handling 3

Safety features 3

MPG and running costs 24

Reliability and build quality 2

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 9 Value 6

PORSCHE tops our poll for the most satisfied used car owners, and it’s the cars’ dynamic performance, style and powertrains that garner much of the kudos A first for quality isn’t matched by the 10th for reliability, suggesting Porsche owners are not too dissatisfied with the mechanical attention their cars need A hefty 30 per cent of owners reported faults, of which 18 per cent were electrical.

Category Position

Engine and gearbox 2

Exterior 1

Interior and comfort 2

Practicality and space 9

Ride and handling 1

Safety features 5

MPG and running costs 22

Reliability and build quality 3

Infotainment, connectivity & electrics 2 Value 12

THE BMW X1 has proven to be an enormous success for the brand. Its smallest SUV joined the line up after the larger X3 and X5, and gave buyers a sniff of those grander premium models within a more modest footprint and at a less expensive price.

After 13 years and 119,000 UK sales, BMW has released the third generation model Its key targets for the new car were to improve practicality and tech, but we’re keen to find out what other areas BMW has sought to improve especially in a class where there are so many strong rivals One of the most appealing of all is the Audi Q3 In terms of tech and load

space, it’s certainly one of the cars that the BMW will need to beat. And in Sportback guise it’s one of the more striking choices in the class for the new BMW to go up against With BMW in such strong form across virtually its entire model line up right now, will the X1 be able to continue this run of success? Or can the Q3 reveal a few flaws in the newcomer and overcome its rival?

Pictures: Nathan Morgan

Sean Carson Associate

MODELTESTED:

BMW X1 xDrive23i M Sport

PRICE: £41,470 ENGINE: 2 0 litre 4cyl, 215bhp

WITH the M Sport trim expected to be chosen by more than half of X1 buyers, that’s the model we ’ re testing here Paired with the xDrive23i powertrain, it’s priced from £41,470 With options such as the £1,500 Technology Plus pack (adding features like augmented reality navigation and a head up display), the £1,000 panoramic sunroof and £1,050 electric front seats, that climbs to £49,000

Design & engineering

FOR its third generation, the X1 has bulked up slightly, but not by as much as the square shoulders might suggest; it’s only 53mm longer, 24mm wider and 44mm taller than the outgoing model Part of the more substantial look is due to a 31mm increase in track front and rear There’s clearly plenty of refinement in that design, too; this petrol X1 has a coefficient of drag of 0 27, so it cuts a more efficient course through the air than its rival here

Inside, the X1 shares much of its cabin design with the latest 2 Series Active Tourer It looks contemporary and feels flawlessly built, but physical controls are limited to a few select areas, such as the steering wheel and floating centre console

Electrification has become even more widespread for the latest X1, and all but the base petrol engine adopt some form of hybrid assistance The mild hybrid set up in petrol and diesel models adds an electrical boost worth 19bhp and 55Nm; depending on the situation, it’ll either take load off the combustion engine to save fuel, or provide more energy for faster acceleration

The xDrive23i here has a 2 0 litre turbo petrol engine, and combined with the hybrid tech it makes 215bhp and 360Nm of torque Drive is sent to all four wheels via a seven speed dual clutch automatic gearbox Lesser models in the range send their drive to the front wheels only Adaptive dampers are fitted as standard, but unlike some cars that let you adjust their response, the units in the X1 constantly adapt to your driving style and road conditions

Driving

IF you ’ re a keen driver but feel that an SUV best suits your everyday needs, then the BMW X1 should be on your shortlist It’s very sharp through the bends; turn in is so keen, the front end so grippy, and body roll so minimal, that only the high driving position makes you realise you ’ re in an SUV rather than a conventional hatchback The steering doesn’t offer a huge amount of feedback, but at least it’s precise Performance is more than adequate, too Officially, the X1 will accelerate from 0 62mph in 7 1 seconds It delivers its power in a consistent surge, so pulls keenly throughout the rev range The mild hybrid tech works seamlessly, allowing the engine to cut in and out when coasting or when shuffling along in traffic

However, there are parts of the X1 experience that could be better The first is the gearbox; it’s reasonably smooth on a country road, but very laggy when pulling away from a standstill or at low speeds It means that if you want to merge into moving traffic when joining a roundabout, for example, you’ll either need to plan well ahead

All new X1 has grown in every direction, but has it lost any of its appeal with this growth spurt?

or exercise a lot of patience if you want to avoid floundering in the path of an approaching vehicle It’s slightly frustrating for a vehicle that is quite rapid in all other situations

More disappointing than the gearbox, though, is the ride quality While the firm set up has undoubtedly helped the handling, it means that in everyday driving, the X1 can feel a little fidgety Our test car also had 20 inch wheels the largest available and firmer M Sport suspension, so this will be the most uncompromising set up available But for a car that isn’t an out and out performance SUV, we’d have preferred a little more give Elsewhere, refinement is excellent, with wind, road and engine noise all impressively isolated from the cabin

Practicality

AT 540 litres, the X1 has one of the largest boots in its segment That includes a fairly generous under floor area, which can store a soft bag or two, while a 12 volt socket is ideal for powering accessories All versions come with a 40:20:40 split rear seat; with this dropped, the total volume grows to 1,545 litres

The seat backs recline, and for an extra £300 the bases slide back and forth, too Passengers are treated to generous knee room as with the boot, the X1’s back seats are better than pretty much all of its rivals

Storage is decent on the whole, but the floating centre console means that covered areas are at a premium The small space you do get is hinged away from the driver, too, clearly a remnant of the car ’ s switch from left to right hand drive

Ownership

NEITHER BMW nor Audi covered themselves in glory in our most recent Driver Power owner satisfaction survey Of the 29 brands covered, BMW finished in the mid table, while Audi took 22nd place For the dealers, it was BMW that fared worse; its network ranked 15 out of the 16 surveyed, with Audi scoring only a little better, in ninth

Running costs

OFFICIAL WLTP data suggests the X1 can do 42 2mpg impressive considering the performance on offer In the real world, we came very close to matching that, too 39 9mpg shows that the mild hybrid system and slippery body both work well By contrast, the Q3 is capable of a WLTP rated 34 9mpg

At 184g/km, the Audi’s CO2 emissions are 30g/km higher than the X1’s, too The BMW and Audi respectively sit in the 36 and 37 per cent Benefit in Kind tax bands, but it’s the plug in hybrid models that will make sense for company car users, while the all electric iX1 will be even more tax

Testers’ notes

“Two PHEVs join the X1 line up soon At 322bhp, the 30e will be the most powerful model in the X1 range, yet it’ll do up to 57 miles in fully electric mode.”

Alex Ingram Chief reviewer

THROUGHTHE RANGE

ROADTESTS

MODELTESTED:

Audi Q3 Sportback 40TFSI quattro S line

PRICE: £39,970 ENGINE: 2 0 litre 4cyl, 187bhp

THE Audi Q3 has been around for some years now, but does it still have the ability to match the newcomer from BMW? While the car pictured is a 35 TFSI, we ’ re testing the Q3 in more powerful 40 TFSI guise, which at £39,970 in S line trim and the Sportback body, undercuts its rival on price

Design & engineering

AT 4,500mm long, the Q3 is the same length as the BMW to the millimetre The X1 is only 2mm wider and has a 12mm longer wheelbase, too, yet up close, the Q3 looks significantly more rakish than the upright BMW That all comes down to height At 1,642mm, the X1’s roof line is 75mm taller than the Audi’s, which lends the BMW a much more imposing SUV appearance Inside, the Q3’s layout is starting to show its age next to the X1’s ultra contemporary approach That doesn’t mean it’s all negative, though; in fact, there are some areas that show real high quality Unlike the BMW and indeed most newer Audis the Q3 still uses physical switches for the climate controls The dials and buttons all operate with a satisfying click a tactile feeling of quality that is lost in cars filled with touch sensitive keys

However, there are other areas where the Q3’s cabin isn’t so strong Take the panel below the climate switches apart from one offset volume knob, it’s a large expanse of cheap feeling plastic Overall, the BMW’s cabin feels more modern

The Q3 uses the MQB platform that forms the basis of not only other Audis such as the A3 and TT, but also a huge number of vehicles throughout the wider Volkswagen Group That gives the Q3 access to a large range of engine options, from a 1 5 litre turbocharged petrol to the storming 395bhp RS Q3 Between those two extremes are a fuel saving 45 TFSI e PHEV, a pair of diesels and two further petrols The closest of those to the X1 xDrive23i’s powertrain is the 40 TFSI’s 187bhp 2 0 litre four cylinder While the Q3 lacks a fully electric option, Audi fills that gap with the Q4 e tron

Driving

JUMP from the X1 into the Q3, and it only takes a few yards to appreciate just how stiffly sprung the BMW is when compared with its rival Where the X1 transmits every bump into the cabin, the Q3 is noticeably smoother and softer When you do hit a more severe bump, the noise isn’t quite as well suppressed as in the X1, but even so, we’d prefer to spend time in the Audi if we planned to do plenty of town driving

The flipside of this is that the Audi handles nowhere near as sharply as the X1 Still, it’s capable enough, with decent grip and a secure feeling both through the turns and at speed The steering is fairly light, but the rack is well matched to the response of the chassis At those higher speeds, it’s clear that the Audi isn’t quite as refined as the BMW, with tyre roar becoming more audible in the cabin

At 7 3 seconds, the Q3’s 0 62mph time is only marginally behind the X1’s, although the engine sounds a little more audible throughout the rev range As with the BMW, the Audi’s petrol engine is connected to a seven speed dual clutch gearbox It’s also far from perfect, being generally a little slower

Detail

to respond to the driver’s inputs, whether that’s waiting for it to kickdown or when taking manual control with the gear selector on the centre console

It’s a little jerky at parking speeds, too, but there isn’t as much lag as in the BMW when trying to pull away

Practicality

EVEN in swoopier Sportback guise, the Q3 isn’t short on boot space At 530 litres of volume to the window line, it offers exactly the same capacity as the standard Q3, and the boot is just 10 litres smaller than the X1’s

As with the BMW, a sliding bench is available that helps to grow that capacity further The space itself covers a wide area, but it isn’t quite as tall as the X1’s cargo bay; the boot floor is a little higher, so it means a little more effort is needed to lift heavy items inside It’s possible to add a 12 volt socket, but it’s part of the £210 Storage Pack, which also brings map pockets on the backs of the front seats something that we’d expect to be standard anyway

Once you ’ re sitting in the back, you’ll probably decide to leave the bench in its rearmost position While the back row of the X1 is just about usable when it’s all the way forwards, in the Q3 it almost presses the squab into the backrest of the front seat even when the driver’s seat is set for somebody of average height

The outer seats are comfortable because they have decent bolstering at either side, but that comes at the expense of the central seat, which is narrow and firm

Fold the backrests down completely for maximum cargo space, and total volume grows to 1,400 litres, which is 125 litres less than the Q3 SUV and 145 litres behind its rival here Cabin storage is well thought out, with big door bins, a pair of cup holders and a generous covered cubby beneath the centre armrest all useful for holding various items

Ownership

THE Q3 bagged the maximum five star rating from Euro NCAP when it was crash tested in 2018 Adult and child occupant protection scores of 95 and 86 per cent respectively are both excellent, while its safety assist mark of 85 per cent was the best of any vehicle assessed that year The X1 has already been tested to the higher standards set for 2022, and yet it still earned a five star rating

Running costs

FOR private buyers, strong residual values are very important, and it’s the Q3 which comes out on top here This Sportback model in 40 TFSI S line trim is predicted to hold on to 63 4 per cent of its original value after three years or 36,000 miles The X1 can’t match that, but it’s still pretty strong, clinging on to 56 1 per cent over the same period

Testers’ notes

“The Q3 is available with optional Alcantara elements on the dash and doors A £375 orange finish helps to lift the otherwise grey cabin.”

lex Ingram hief reviewer Alex Chief

Interior

There are some neat touches inside the Q3, but layout is starting to age and some areas don’t feel up to Audi’s high standards

Boot Swoopy roofline doesn’t harm load space, the Q3’s 530 litre volume is almost a match for the X1’s

THROUGHTHE RANGE

Infotainment

BMW Operating System 8 Key features: ‘Hey BMW’ voice control

AFTER years of granting users a range of input methods, BMW has finally ditched the iDrive click wheel controller We think that’s a shame, because while touchscreens are much faster for entering commands when parked, the clickwheel was perfect for minor tweaks to settings on the move, because you didn’t need to take your eyes off the road

BMW reckons that its voice recognition tech is now good enough to take its place It’ll learn your accent and mannerisms over time, and although our two weeks with the car weren’t enough to let this develop, it seemed to be accurate, only once confusing a radio station request As with the electric BMW i4’s system, climate controls have moved to the screen While we’d prefer physical switches, these are one of the best of their type; the temperature settings are unobtrusive, and the full menu is easily accessible One minor gripe is that some screen shortcuts are very small

FOR AND AGAINST

Logical interface, rapid loading times, bright screen, sharp graphics

Losing the iDrive clickwheel is a shame, some small on screen shortcuts

Audi Q3 Sportback

MMI Navigation Plus Key features: Online map updates

THE MMI Navigation Plus system fitted to the Q3 is slightly older than BMW’s tech, but it doesn’t feel far behind in most areas The 10 inch display looks great, and the menus are logical We particularly like the shortcuts running down the side of the touchscreen, because they make it easy to work around menus regardless of which page you ’ re on

Plotting a route is simple enough via the on screen keyboard, although the display itself isn’t quite as responsive to touches as BMW’s system Loading times are generally slightly slower, although not bad overall If you’d prefer to make the most of your smartphone’s processing power, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and iPhone users can connect their devices wirelessly

Audi’s ‘Virtual Cockpit’ digital instrument panel is fitted as standard Driving info is shown clearly, and there are plenty of customisation options, too

Fantastic Google Earth mapping, logical menu structures, great digital dials

Screen response and loading times are slower than the BMW’s

Which multimedia system is best for music, sat nav & connectivity?

Resolution BMW’s screen is bright and clear Loading times beat the Audi’s, and the menus are logical Small shortcuts at screen’s upper edge are fiddly to use, though

Display Google Earth mapping is prettier than BMW’s set up, and its high detail makes it easier to pick out tricky junctions Main menus are neatly laid out

BMW X1 xDrive23i M Sport

£41,470/£49,000 £23,273/56 1% £18,197 £2,966/£5,932 £2,605/£4,341 31/£701/£155 £786 (4 years)

4,500/2,692mm 1,642/1,845mm 4cyl in line/1,998cc 215/5,000 bhp/rpm 360/1,500 Nm/rpm 7 spd auto/4WD 47 litres/repair kit 540/1,545 litres 1,730/490/2,000kg 11 7 metres 3yrs (unlimited)/3yrs 16th/15th 86/89/76/92/5 (’22)

7 1 secs/145mph 39 9/8 8/413 miles 42.2mpg 9 3mpl 164/154g/km/36%

Yes/yes/f&r/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes £1,150/yes £595/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes/yes

SERVICING

BMW S 48 month service plan works out at £197 per year The Audis shorter plan is £270 per year

FUELTANK STANDARD 47 litre tank is smaller than the Audi’s but for £50 extra its possible to boost range with a 56 litre item

TOWING THERE’S nothing between this pair when it comes to hauling a trailer both can tow up to two tonnes

Audi Q3

Sportback 40 TFS S line quattro

£39,970/£39,970 £25,353/63 4% £14,617 £2,336/£4,672 £2,978/£4,963* 32/£557/£165 £540 (2 years)

4,500/2,680mm 1,567/1,843mm 4cyl in line/1,498cc 187/4,200 bhp/rpm 320/1,500 Nm/rpm

7 spd auto/4WD 60 litres/£125 530/1,400 litres 1,620/580/2,000kg

11 8 metres

3yrs (60k)/3yrs 22nd/9th 95/86/76/85/5 (’18)

7 3 secs/136mph 34 9/7 7/461 miles 34.9mpg 7 7mpl N/A/184g/km/37%

I

INSURANCE

OUR representative quotes show the importance of shopping around theres a big price difference here from the same insurer

Headto head

AUDIO

SPARE WHEEL BOTH cars come with a puncture repair kit as standard, but the Audi is optionally available with a space saver

PAINT FROZEN Grey finish of our test car is a whopping £2,100 option Normal metallic shades are a more reasonable £595

Yes/yes/rear/£1,195^ Yes/yes/£800^/yes Yes/yes No/£1,195^ £575/yes Yes/no Yes/yes Yes/yes No/yes/yes

CAMERA REVERSING camera is only available as part of £1195 Comfort & Sound Pack which also adds heated seats and Sonos sound system

GRILLES

BMWhasevolved itssuccessful X1 for a second time, and we think it’s pulled it off as long as you can get over its desire to fit ever-larger grilles to every new car it makes.

BMW

REVAMPS to the X1 haven’t made much difference to what was already a winning formula In truth, every car in this segment has its flaws, and the BMW’s an overly firm ride can be partially put down to the spec of our test car In most other respects, it’s a great effort; there’s loads of space, fantastic in car tech, it handles well and fuel economy is impressive, given the performance on offer

such a enough Others

AUDI

GIVEN that the BMW is new and the Q3 has been around for some time, the margin between this pair isn’t as wide as we’d expected. That mainly comes down to the Audi being the more relaxing car to drive, plus its tech works well and even in Sportback form, boot space is great. However, it’s cramped in the back and more costly than its rival on monthly payments, so it takes second

Audi is no stranger to big grilles, but to our eyes at least, its front end looks more cohesive. Unlike some other rather awkward looking coupé SUVs produced by rivals including BMW the Q3 Sportback looks tidy around the back, too

ENGINE: 2.0 litre 4cyl, 161bhp

the GLA’s reign as our Small Premium threat.The tech and and performance.

AUDI has recently started a tie in with Sonos for its audio set ups, and the result is that the Q3 is a great place to be if you enjoy listening to music on the go There’s just enough punch for even low end frequencies the sort that are often drowned out by road and engine noise to still stand out, and higher notes are clear. Our X1 was fitted with a Harman Kardon system, which just pipped its rival

Rosamond mail@autoexpresscouk

THERE was an unusual hiccup in the otherwise seamless operation of our Honda HR V at the end of its tenure with us Colleague Richard Ingram wanted to produce a video review of the car for our DrivingElectriccomwebsite, so I took it upon myself to vacuum and scrape out lots of the dog hair, welly mud, lolly wrappers and straw that cars in the Rosamond household have a habit of accumulating

The Honda was parked around the corner, so I drove it to the house with no dramas, then stopped with all the doors and tailgate open for an hour or so as Messrs Dyson and Muscle worked their magic It was looking good when Richard turned up, but when he jumped in and pushed the start button, the Honda didn’t

Jump leads in the garage meant it wasn’t a big deal, and all we could surmise was that

Honda HR-V

I had perhaps left the ignition switched on for the period of cleaning it, and that had somehow depleted the battery Being a hybrid with an EV only mode, it’s quite easy to leave the car in a ‘switched on ’ state, even if the engine isn’t running Anyway, the car was collected shortly afterwards, so there was no opportunity to investigate further Even if there had been a fault, it wouldn’t have been enough to dampen my enthusiasm for the HR V, which I rate as one of the best all round packages in the compact SUV segment I love the way it looks, which I think is dynamic and cool without being pretentious And with one important caveat, I’ve really enjoyed the way it drives, too In spite of the sporty coupé like styling, accentuated by the contrasting roof panel and mirrors, and orange sill accents on our top spec Advance Style model, the interior of the HR V is large and spacious There’s acres of space in the back, and it’s all very comfortable There have been comments on the narrow ‘letterbox’ format of the windscreen and glasshouse, and my smallest child struggles to peer over the tops of the doors, but I enjoy the view out; the upright screen gives the cabin something of a retro, sporty feel The dog is the only member of the family meaningfully compromised by the HR V’s style, because the sloping

tailgate reduces head and tail wagging room in the luggage compartment

A dog in the back limits the availability of boot space for luggage, but the Magic Seats which fold up cinema style make such a difference to the HR V’s practicality It means I’ve often been able to use the rear cabin as a large substitute boot, whether for shopping or on trips with the kids

Honda’s engineers are to be commended for the HR V’s hybrid petrol drivetrain, which spends an awful lot of its time in EV only mode It defaults to electricity from start, giving you the benefit of EV levels of calm around town The petrol engine kicks in to boost the batteries or provide more

Practicality

acceleration depending on circumstances, and even after I was bored with ‘hyper miling’ to see what I could eke out of it, would return MPG in the low 50s with even spirited driving There is a fair amount of road noise though, which can affect conversations with rear passengers

Paddleshifters on the steering wheel allow you to adjust the level of regenerative braking, and while the HR V doesn’t provide ‘ one pedal’ driving flexibility, it’s well modulated However, I only used the paddle adjustments occasionally to replace engine braking on hill descents mostly I forgot about them!

The suspension and steering are great, and the HR V grips and corners securely without extreme body roll, transitioning predictably to understeer if you go too boldly into a fast turn In fact, as a package the HR V is rather engaging, except that the ‘Road Departure Mitigation’ system is a pain in the proverbial

Lane assistance is all very well if we must have it (although I believe that anyone who needs it should have a think whether driving a car is ‘right’ for them ), but when it impinges on everyday driving to the extent of the Honda’s system, it’s a real

FINALREPORT Compact SUV has been a perfect fit for family life

LISTENING Voice control system can pick from a list of phrases, so you don’t need to use the touchscreen

Chris

Dacia Jogger

buzz kill The dashboard warnings seem to flash every few minutes on my typical drives, and the car ’ s brain nudges the steering wheel strangely often, and in ways that can be quite distracting and occasionally at higher speeds alarming Turn it off, you say? Unfortunately, navigating the menus to do so is too much of a palaver at the start of every journey, and doing it as an afterthought on the move is a potentially dangerous distraction as you scroll through menus on the instrument panel via a fiddly thumbwheel on the steering wheel For me, it’s the only sizeable fly in the HR V’s ointment

Kia Niro Hybrid

NORMALLY our staff snapper Pete Gibson heads to the north of England for photoshoots but a recent wedding invite meant that he had to point his Kia Niro Hybrid to Otterburn in Northumberland. A journey of around 300 miles each way gave Pete a good chance to see how the Kia could cope with longer distances

The answer, he’s pleased to report, is very well indeed. The Niro proved very comfortable at motorway speeds, and Pete thought its hybrid system did a good job of providing power smoothly when required; the Niro had no problem keeping up with traffic.

It still kept one eye on efficiency, too, judging by the average fuel economy Pete’s currently getting around 55mpg out of the car a decent figure, he thinks, given that his frequent longer trips are a world away from the hybrid’s ideal scenario of stop start urban traffic.

Your ultimate guide to buying and owning an electric car

Long haul Trip to Northumberland showed Kia hybrid in a good light

CREATIVE director Darren Wilson is finding the seven seat layout of our Jogger very relaxing Its latest test was a weekend visit from two old friends while Darren was looking after his young grandson Zack. They decided on a countryside walk followed by a beer or two, but were surprised when teenage son Harry emerged from his room saying he wanted to join them. Rather than taking two cars (and selecting two designated drivers), everyone jumped into the Jogger. The 30 minute drive was straightforward enough perhaps a little tight in the middle row, but that’s down to the bulk of Zack’s car seat and base unit, which is wider than a standard adult. Tall teenager Harry fitted into the third row with no trouble, too, despite being well over six feet tall, thanks to the clever sculpted roof design and extra footwell space beneath the middle seats. The only issue was the sticking rear passenger-side seatbelt. Not for the first time it locked and wouldn’t budge. It required the car to be rolled forward at low speed before it finally released

Useful Jogger’s seven seat layout has come in handy on occasion

“I rate the HR V as one of the best all round packages in the compact SUV segment”

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YOUR FREE GIFT

Money is tight, make your screenwash go further with a free gift of CarPlan Demon Shot Screenwash Booster. Demon Shot is a new, innovative screenwash booster from CarPlan. Demon Shot can either be diluted with water or used neat to boost your existing screenwash temperature, meaning it is ideal for emergency or routine top ups. One bottle of Demon Shot makes up to 25L of Screenwash, all from a 500ml bottle!

‘ONE-STOP SHOP’ OPENS FOR HOME CHARGERS

GOT an electric vehicle? Want to charge it at home? New company Quadenergy is the brainchild of tech firm Exertis and it has just hit the market with the aim of taking the hassle out of buying and installing a home charger, allowing drivers to maximise the benefits of running an EV as simply as possible.

Quadenergy claims it bridges the gap between manufacture and installation with its one stop online shop, where you can buy and arrange installation of a home charger, shortening the usual process.

The company believes the rapid take up of EVs and home chargers has seen demand outstrip supply. But Quadenergy aims to enable customers to set up home charging within as little as seven days

It has teamed up with charger maker EO Charging to supply the Mini Pro 2 wall unit, with a choice of a tethered cable or a socket to use your own lead. The charger delivers up to 7kW and can be controlled by the EO Smart Home app to start, stop and schedule charging to use cheaper electricity overnight.

Installation costs £500, although it may be more, depending on the distance between the supply and charger The firm’s website features a DIY survey, which can help buyers to estimate the price at their house.

Can I replace lost alloy key?

I RECENTLY discovered the key for the locking alloy wheels on my car has gone missing Can I get a replacement? If so, where?

Saul Burney, E-mail

DEPENDING on the age and make, these can be sourced from the main dealer You will probably need the VIN number to identify which locking nuts or bolts were fitted to your car If this is not possible, tools are available to remove locking nuts A workshop may be able to help if you don’t want to invest in your own. Finally, replace the old nuts with some like those from McGard.

How do I fully clean screen?

I’VE seen long handled windscreen cleaners advertised Are they any good? I always struggle to reach right down to the base of the screen on my car and thought they might help

Paul Wooten,

E-mail

OUR team has not tested these products, but you may not need one We’ve had good results using an old, flat, wooden kitchen spatula wrapped in microfibre cloth Spray the cloth first to avoid overspray on the car, then run it along the base of the screen Use the back of your hand inside a microfibre for the larger areas. A good tip is to work from the passenger seat, where access isn’t limited by the steering wheel

READER Dennis Williams has E mailed with some help for Wes Linford and his classic Ford Escort with a wayward speedo needle (Issue 1,753) Dennis says the fix is to replace the speedo cable, which is an simple DIY job.

Tape the existing cable at the speedo end to the gearbox connection on the new cable, then pull it through the bulkhead The car needs to be jacked up on the passenger side so you can pull the cable down to the gearbox. Then you simply disconnect the old cable and slot home the new one He adds that this is a common problem on Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts once they have done 40,000 miles or so.

“Itaimstoallowhomecharging tobesetupwithinsevendays”

Snooper tunes into in-car entertainment head units

NEWPRODUCT

Snooper ICE head unit

Price: from £499 99 Contact: gbsnoopereu

SAT NAV and speed cam specialist Snooper has entered the head unit market with a range of smart double DIN products

It follows stablemate Road Angel (Issue 1,753) into the market with designs which incorporate the latest tech plus smartphone integration Kicking off the line up is the £499 99 SMH 520DAB, which has a seven inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and Snooper sat nav built in It also incorporates a DAB radio tuner and a 15 band equaliser

Topping the universal range is the £699.99 SMH 550DAB, which has a 10 1 inch floating screen Apple CarPlay is both wired and wireless, while third party sat nav apps are supported. Android Auto is wired and the display can be mirrored on the capacitive touchscreen Snooper navigation is also included, plus there’s DAB radio included.

The final newcomer is aimed at Volkswagen owners who are looking

NEWPRODUCT

Laser oil funnel kit

Price: £13 08 Contact: lasertools co uk

LASER’S range features many items you never knew you needed that become essential once you own them, and its new oil filling kit is another example of this.

The 8028 aims to put an end to wiping up oil after filling your engine, because big packs can be tricky to pour accurately from a height. The rectangular container can take a litre of oil, reducing the risk of overflows, while the outlet is conical to suit a range of fillers. There’s also a tube to help filling transmissions and the like.

HANDY

Laser’s funnel is a useful way to top up engine oil without spillages

news, deals& events

SCREEN TIME

Snooper’s head units offer multiple functions, including sat nav and music streaming

to upgrade their car’s original equipment head unit The SMH 580VW is designed as a direct swap for the existing unit and to blend in with the original dash and head unit design

It has the same features as the rest of the range, with CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility plus Snooper navigation, all controlled using the eight inch capacitive touchscreen It costs £899 99

Time for exclusive Hennessey watches

SUPERCAR brand Hennessey Special Vehicles has joined forces with Paris based Skeleton Concept to create the Hennessey Venom F5 Concept, a limited edition watch inspired by and paired to a Venom F5 hypercar.

Each timepiece has the inscribed chassis number and a band colour matched to one of the Venom F5s, while the bezel is made of carbon fibre with a clear sapphire-crystal case The watches will cost around $200,000 (£167,000) each and will be matched to one of just 24 cars.

Smart idea to weigh up charging costs

SMART Home Charge has launched a tool that allows EV and plug in hybrid drivers to compare the costs of various EV specific energy tariffs. These tariffs provide an off peak rate overnight, which is perfect for topping up your car’s battery, in exchange for a higher rate during the daytime.

Visit smarthomecharge.co.uk, input your vehicle’s details and estimated yearly mileage, and the tool will show you the rates of various energy tariffs and how much you could potentially save by switching to them

Take the high road with Winter Warmer

RALLY fans have a new event to add to their 2023 calendar: the Highland Winter Warmer, organised by Bespoke Rallies The three day event (8 12 March) is based out of a five star Inverness hotel, and will take in areas such as the Struie, Black Isle, Loch Ness, Gairloch and Gruinard Bay

There are three classes based on a vehicle’s age and a separate Touring class for those who just want to drive their cars on the beautiful Highland roads. Full details of the rally are available at bespokerallies.com.

Minitest

NEWPRODUCT

Sealey SV20 Cordless Pressure Washer Kit

Price: £149.94 Flow: 2 litres/min Battery: 20V, 2Ah Rating: Contact: drapertools com

RATHER than have a variable ‘fan’ on the nozzle, the SV20 has six settings with different types of spray pattern, which are selected by twisting a dial on the nozzle These range from a gentle shower like flow to a pin jet for dealing with stubborn brake dust or

squashed bugs. The SV20 has a decent amount of power in the more concentrated settings, and there’s also a separate snow foam bottle and nozzle included While the Sealey worked well enough, it lacked any form of adjustment for the pressure of water or fan

Sealey aims to blast away Draper’s washer champ

TIDYING a pressure washer away after cleaning your car can be a chore There are cables to untangle, hoses to reel in and, finally, you have to find somewhere to store the machine. But like most power tools, pressure washers have gone cordless A battery means you can leave the extension cable in the shed, and you won’t even need a tap, because the cleaners can suck up water from a bucket, water butt or other

source We tested six cordless washers in the summer and while none of the battery powered machines were able to match the blast you’ll get from a corded machine fed from a tap, the Draper D20 came out on top. Now it has a challenger from rival Sealey, with its SV20 Although we liked the Sealey’s comprehensive kit, power and versatile nozzle settings, it couldn’t justify the extra expense over the Draper, and the D20 retains our Best Buy crown

TESTFAVOURITE

Draper D20 20V Cordless Pressure Washer

Price: £109 98 Flow: 2 litres/min

Battery: 20V, 2Ah Rating: Contact: drapertools com

AS with the Sealey, Draper’s D20 washer has a six metre hose that can either be used with a water source or attached to a tap It also has a 2 0Ah 20V battery and charger included, but doesn’t have a storage bag, which the SV20 does. It has three lances for gentle watering or blasting dirt In cleaning mode you twist the nozzle’s head to vary the width of the fan and concentrate the flow The snow foaming bottle is small but has a flow adjuster. There’s not much between the performance of the two washers here, but the Draper offers better value for money

books, games & apps

Beautiful Machines: The Era of the Elegant Sports Car

Blake Z Rong (Die Gestalten, ukgestaltencom)

Price: £45 Rating:

THIS gorgeous coffee table book features some of the most beautiful cars of all time Photography is superb and the accompanying text is interesting and factual, although a little florid. It’s worth buying just to stare at the cars Well worth the price

Range Rover

James Taylor (Amberley Publishing, amberley books.com)

Price: £15 99 Rating:

IT feels as if this book was rushed out with the newest chapters on the very latest Range Rover half finished; just five pages are dedicated to the hugely complex and interesting L460 model The rest of the generations are covered in good detail, though, especially the long lived Mk1 The story of how the tough off roader became one of the world’s premium luxury offerings remains a good one, too.

CarX Drift Racing 2

Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free Rating:

CHAMPION

Draper’s

A SEQUEL to what was a very popular game, there’s still a lot to like about the nice graphics, fluid drifting mechanics and realistic (if not officially licensed) cars But the system of progression, different races and car upgrades is a bit baffling, with complex menus that slow down gameplay. The physics also seem a little artificial if you are more used to realistic racing games

Appoftheweek

Roadie

Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free Rating:

ROADIE is a simple route planner aimed at caravanners or campers It works quite well but it’s limiting; you can’t export your whole route, and stops into Google Maps, for example We think you could plan your day better in Google Maps.

“A battery means you can leave the extension cable in the shed, and you won’t need a tap”

Toby Knight

Draper

Price: £67 19 Rating: Contact: drapertoolscom

RECOMMENDED NOT the cheapest option, but this set covers pretty much all the bases. It has our essentials and more in both standard and deep sockets, plus three for plugs. They are also Draper’s six point Hi Torq versions It was also the only set with three extensions, and all pieces have a high quality matt finish. A potential winner until the ratchet failed our abuse test, albeit at around double the force we could muster by hand Still worth considering

Magnusson 40pc Standard Socket Set

Price: £34 99 Rating: Contact: screwfix.com 2022

BEST BUY IT’S towards the lower end of the price range of our contenders, but this set gets a lot of things right. For starters, there’s a comfortable twin compound handle that’s connected to a slender ratchet head with rotary direction changer. The finish of the main pieces, which include metric and imperial sockets, is a pleasing matt with grippy knurled sections. Add in eight screwdriver bits, and you have a winning combination.

Draper

Price: £28 95 Rating: Contact: drapertoolscom

IF the big Draper is beyond your budget, this set is worth a look. You get the same six point sockets, minus the deep versions and our essential 8mm There are two for spark plugs, though, and 13 bits plus a driver. The ratchet has a slightly larger head, but there’s a dual compound handle, plus it had no problems with our abuse test. A lot of fasteners are covered with this cost effective combination.

Siegen 28pc Socket Set

– Metric SO1236

Price: £43 25 Rating: Contact: sealeycouk

RECOMMENDED IF you don’t need our winner’s imperial sockets, but do want the versatility of deep versions, then the slightly pricier Siegen is worth a look. The chromed finish is not ideal for oily fingers, but the dual compound handle allows plenty of force to be applied without discomfort, although the grippy section could be bigger. Plug sockets would have been good, and there was no 8mm deep t, but this still represents great value

WHILE pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches can double up between home and garage, you’ll need to invest in a socket set for anything more than the most basic motoring maintenance tasks

The decision to buy is easy, but what to spend your money on much less so, because each producer has their own idea of what is required, and they often have several options within their ranges

Spark plug wrench, deep sockets, extensions, T bars and universal joints are all mixed and matched as producers look to provide the winning combination

They’re a key part of any car DIY kit, so we enlisted the help of Draper to see which of our 3/8 inch drive sets turned heads and which should be turned away

Howwe testedthem

WE were looking for sets that included the common 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17 and 19mm sockets, then added marks for deep versions and those for spark plugs Cases should be marked with sizes, plus we assessed build quality, looking at finish, smooth ratchets and comfort.

In Draper’s QA department, we checked the size of the 10, 13 and 17mm sockets, plus used the DIN standards for ratchets and sockets to assess strength We added 20 per cent to the figures to simulate misuse For the ratchets this was 240Nm, a severe test because we could only apply a little more than 100Nm by hand We also tested the 13mm socket to 170Nm

Online prices were used to calculate a price per piece, with a small allowance given to sets with screwdriver bits

AS we saw with the spanners we tested in Issue 1,742, the standard for sockets is high and the result was close Your choice will depend on your needs, because any of our top six could suit.

The verdict just goes to Screwfix’s Magnusson, which ticks a lot of boxes at a great price For something a bit more comprehensive, go for the Siegen, while Draper’s 16449 raises the level a little further to complete our podium.

SETS

PRODUCTGROUPTEST 23|11|2022

Sealey Premier Black 34pc Socket Set –Metric AK7971

Price: £79 79 Rating: Contact: sealeycouk

THE alloy wheel style black and diamond cut finish won’t be to everyone’s taste, but the tools do have a high quality feel about them The sockets are smooth, but the knurled ends are grippy and the range includes all of our essentials, apart from an 8mm deep version. The foam inlay in the metal case also works well Less good is the ratchet, which is smooth and slender but lacks a grippy handle.

Halfords Metric Socket Set

Price: £20 08 Rating: Contact: halfordscom

CURRENTLY discounted from £26, this is ideal for those on a budget. The 12 point socket range covers our essentials and goes down to 6mm, plus there are two for spark plugs There are two extensions and an adaptor to use the longer one as a T bar handle. The ratchet is smooth but hefty and the handle digs into the palm when applying a lot of force The shiny finish looks good but is hard to grip with greasy hands.

Clarke Pro 33pc Multi-Fit Metric Socket Set PRO382

Price: £47 98 Rating: Contact: machinemartcouk

THE Multi Fit name refers to its ability to shift square, double hex, spline, Torx heads and standard six sided hexes You get a good selection, with the standard versions spanning 6 24mm and 8 19mm in deep sockets, plus there are two for spark plugs The finish looks good, but isn’t the easiest to grip and the ratchet is coarse compared with its rivals, which all have 72 teeth, plus it lacks a grippy dual compound handle

Silverline Socket Set Metric 20pc

Price: £30.83 Rating: Contact: silverlinetoolscom

FIRST impressions of this set aren’t great because it comes in a dated metal case with an ill fitting plastic insert The ratchet is hefty but has a comfortable handle and had no problem with our torque test. The sockets are shiny and slippery but do cover 6 22mm.

Kim Adams

Christmas Gift Guide

Essential Christmas gifts for Auto Express readers and their cars this festive season

Nextbase dash cams

Price: £369

Contact: nextbase.com

Dash cams offer a great way to avoid falling victim to insurance fraud, but for the ultimate protection, you ideally want to cover both ends of the car Currently, Nextbase is offering buy one, get one half price on its award-winning dash cam range, and that includes rear-facing cameras. The range-topping front-facing unit is the 662GW, which clearly captures the view ahead in 4K quality with image stabilisation. It’s also the first dash cam ever to include what3words integration, which can pinpoint your location to a three-metre square identified by a three-word sequence.

Autoglym Supreme Car Care Collection

Price: £80

Contact: autoglym.com/products

Helping the recipient keep their pride and joy impeccably clean, the Autoglym Supreme Car Care Collection is suitable for a variety of detailing needs. Inside the smart zipped satchel are nine cleaning products, including BodyworkShampoo Conditioner, Super Resin Polish and Rapid Ceramic Spray, plus a microfibre wash mitt and Hi-Tech Finishing and AquaDry cloths. It’s excellent value, too, with the collection representing a massive saving of nearly £60

of

AlcoSense Elite 3 breathalyser

Price: £ 69.99

Contact: alcosense.co.uk/elite3

compared with buying each of the items separately. your pocket.

An even more accurate successor to the acclaimed Elite 2, the AlcoSense Elite 3 is an easy to-use breathalyser that’ll quickly check you’re clear of alcohol the morning after Thanks to a premium semiconductor sensor the Elite 3 can show its colour coded results in seconds with a choice of either mg/L or %BAC. A memory recall feature also lets users check through the previous nine results, and it’s possible to select limits for regions. Finally, all this functionality is contained in a sleek, lightweight package which fits discreetly in

OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER 200 bulbs

Price: £35 per pair

Contact: osram.com

As the daylight hours shrink this winter, it’s worth thinking about upgrading your view of the road ahead. The NIGHT BREAKER 200 halogen headlight bulb from OSRAM is up to 200 per cent brighter than legally-required levels, providing a powerful, white light to illuminate the road ahead. It provides a beam of up to 150 metres and has a mirrored chrome tip to enhance the look of your light clusters. The NIGHT BREAKER 200 which came away with a commendation in the Headlamp Bulb category of Auto Express’s annual product awards is available in H4, H7 and H11 ECE f t d i i d f j t £35 i formats and is priced from just per pair.

Heel Tread socks

Price: From £10.50

Contact: heeltread.com

Socks are the classic Christmas gift, and now, they come themed for the petrolhead in your life from Heel Tread. Designed and produced in Portugal, these socks feature patterns inspired by iconic cars and motorsport liveries. They’re available individually or in gift sets of various sizes, including the Porsche 917 Racing Legends Pack (pictured), which includes socks themed around the Hippie, Pink Pig, Martini and Salzburg liveries worn by the famous racer All Heel Tread socks are made using seamless knitting for higher quality and great comfort

Cataclean

Price: £ 16.99

Contact: cataclean.com

Over a clogged due to a of cause higher fuel and MOT failure. Cataclean resin and gum build up from Described as an eight-in-one it cleaning elements fuel lines, injectors, and more.

Over time, a catalytic converter can become clo to a build-up of carbon deposits. This can caus consumption and emissions, leading to an MO is designed to combat this by cleaning carbon, up from the fuel and exhaust system. Describe product, it can clean pre and post-combustion including fuel lines, injectors, EGR valves, DPFs

Using Cataclean couldn’t be easier you simply the contents of one bottle into a fuel tank conta 15 litres of fuel (approximately a quarter tank), the fluid do all the work Make sure you use the ‘autoexpress’ at checkout on cataclean.com fo 10 per cent discount for purchases and subscriptions on cataclean.com.

Cataclean - empty contents one containing 15 litres and let use code for a

Defender – 2 P

efender Signal Blocker Mini – 2 Pack

e: £4.95 tact: defendersecurityproducts.co.uk

less car thefts have been on the rise in recent years, but thankfully, tecting yourself couldn’t be easier The Defender Signal Blocker i is an affordable, high-quality faraday pouch in which your less fob can be stored, thwarting thieves from accessing the hicle via relay attacks. This compact version of Defender’s full-size nal blocker winner of Auto Express Best Buy two years running atures a handy internal and external keyring hook and holds the eted Secured by Design accreditation which operates on behalf of police forces.

AutoSock

Price: £49.95 | Contact: autosockdirect.co.uk

It turns out your car can be treated to a pair of socks this Christmas, too. AutoSocks are textile socks that easily fit over your tyres, maximising grip and traction to keep you safely moving in icy and snowy conditions.

Nilfisk Core 140 Car Pressure washer

Price: From £250 | Contact: amazon.co.uk

A pressure washer is a key tool in any home detailer’s armory, and if you’re in need of one, the Nilfisk Core 140 is a great choice. It delivers 140 bar (max) pressure via a powerful motor with a more durable metal impeller and includes a trolley for easy mobility an internal hose reel

a mobility, an and various nozzles. different

Comes with 4 differe car cleaning nozzles, Super foam sprayer & Car brush.

GYEON Q²M LeatherSet Mild and Q²M Experience Set

Price: From £29 Contact: cleanyourcar.co.uk

Leather interiors look great and feel premium, but it’s vital to take care of the material to keep it at its best for years to come The Q²M LeatherSet Mild from GYEON has everything needed to do just that Included is Q²M LeatherCleaner Mild, whic suitable for regular use and easily lifts grime from the leather surface. Once clean Q²M LeatherCoat adds a protective layer to repel liquid and dirt, ensuring the leather is easier to clean next time

Meanwhile, those looking to try GYEON products for the first time will find everyt they need in the Q²M Experience Set. It covers a multitude of cleaning jobs with nine sample-sized Q²M products that are large enough to get a good feel for thei

Price: Contact: Keyless car on years, but protecting easier Mini an in keyless can thieves the vehicle signal- features a hook coveted accreditation UK to it come. The needed which is use clean, those everything to a their performance. Included in the pack is Q²M WetCoat, Q²M CeramicDetailer, Q²M Iron, Q²M Tire Express, and many more.

Overland and Overland+ jump starters

Price: From £79.95 | Contact: mobilesolarchargers.co.uk

Winner of four Auto Express Best Buy reviews, the Overland and Overland+ are excellent expedition-proven power banks that can also jump-start any engine from 0.1 to 5.0 litres. The units can be recharged via either mains or an optional fold-old solar panel, and are supplied with a variety of USB charge cables.

Pioneer infotainment unit

Price: £439.99

Contact: pioneer-car.eu/uk/products

Pioneer’s SPH-DA360DAB brings all the modern infotainment features expected from a new car to almost any vehicle with a double DIN head unit slot. Using a 6.8-inch capacitive touch screen, it includes a DAB+ radio receiver and a 13-band graphic equaliser for premium audio output It also comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a Bluetooth hands-free set-up, and Wi-FI connectivity With all of this within easy reach, journeys will become more fun, less stressful and less distracting.

Rimblades wheel protection

Price: From £25 | Contact: rimblades.com

Kerbing a wheel can be an excruciating experience, but thanks to Rimblades, damage can be avoided. Each Rimblade can be easily fitted thanks to a DIY system using high-bond 3M tape, and there are 12 colours to choose from, plus different sizes covering wheels up to 24 inches in diameter

Formula 1 Circuits book

Price: £30

Contact: collins.co.uk/F1Circuits

With the introduction of Miami for the 2022 season, 77 tracks have now hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Every one of these venues is extensively detailed in the new, second edition of Formula1Circuits, starting with the oldest Monza. For each track there are interesting stories and stats, beautiful photos and links to digital circuit maps. The book is written by award-winning journalist Maurice Hamilton, and features a foreword from threetime champion Jackie Stewart It’s a must-have for any Formula 1 fan looking to get their hit during the sport’s off season.

Ring dash cam

Price: £89.99

Contact: ringautomotive.com

The award-winning RSDC3000 smart dash cam lets you drive with confidence. The device records 1296p footage in 30 frames per second and with a 130-degree field of view, ensuring each journey is captured in crisp detail. What’s more, the RSDC3000 is easily linked with the Ring Connect app over Wi-Fi, making it really easy to view and share footage via your smartphone when you need to. It supports MicroSD cards up to 64GB in capacity for plenty of recording space, and has GPS functionality, providing accurate location data to support insurance claims.

Leatherman FREE T4 Multipurpose Tool

Price: From £79.95

Contact: leatherman.co.uk

The FREE T4 multitool from Leatherman packs 12 useful tools into a stylish and durable stainless steel chassis that’s available in six different colours. All are accessible from the outside with magnetic opening and closing, ensuring easy access with one hand. Plus, all features lock into place for your safety. Within the FREE T4 which is made in the USA you’ll find a 420HC knife, a pry tool, several screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a file for wood and metal, and much more.

ARB Camping Chair

Price: £64.70

Contact: truckman.co.uk/arb

For taking the weight off your feet when going for a picnic, camping, fishing or any other outdoor pursuit, look no further than the ARB Camping Chair. The fabric is a durable nylon Oxford weave material with a padded seat and backrest for supreme comfort. It’s practical, too, thanks to features including a drink holder table and mesh magazine pocket When not in use, the ARB Camping Chair neatly folds away and can be placed in the included carry bag for easy storage and transportation

Manscaped Performance Package 4.0

Price: £120

Contact: manscaped.com/aex

Give the gift of grooming this Christmas with the Manscaped Performance Package 4.0. This one-stop shop for your trimming needs contains the Lawn Mower 4.0, Manscape’s newest trimmer It’s waterproof, has a multi-function on/off switch that can act as a travel lock (handy for making sure there’s plenty of battery left when you reach your destination) and features a ceramic blade with SkinSafe Technology, for use on the most sensitive regions of the body.

Joining the Lawn Mower 4.0 in the bundle is the Weed Whacker nose and ear trimmer The device also uses SkinSafe Technology, helping prevent nicks, snags and tugs, and it spins at 9,000rpm for maximum trimming efficiency Both trimmers can be packed into the included ‘Shed’ travel bag, plus the two supplied soothing aloe vera liquid formulations.

Sealey trolley jack

Price: £ 56.34

Contact: bit.ly/Sealey1050CXLE

This low-profile trolley jack from Sealey is suitable for a wide range of vehicles including sports cars, with its profiled lifting arm giving a clearance height of just 85mm. It includes an overload valve and finger cover for additional safety, while a carry handle makes it easier to lift. It’s reasonably compact at 530mm in length and 130mm in height, and weighs in at 10kg. The jack is ideal for home mechanic duties when combined with axle stands, and also makes for a great emergency mobile jack.

TruTrack FMT100 tracker

Price: £39.99

Contact: amazon.co.uk

A tracker can give car owners a lot of peace of mind, knowing such devices drastically increase the chances of recovering the vehicle in the event of theft The FMT100 is a waterproof GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracker that sends location data every 60 seconds and for each 50-degree plus turn the car makes, providing accurate, real-time reporting. The waterproof device which is suitable for a variety of vehicles, not just cars can be self-installed, and comes with a 12-month warranty It’s contract-free and can be topped up easily using TruTrak’s portal for £5.99 a month.

Armor All Car Care

Price: From £6.99

Contact: armorall.com/uk

Armor All’s new ceramic product range is available across various interior and exterior products, giving all around protection for your treasured motor The ceramic coating in these formulations is a silica-based liquid polymer, which forms a protective layer once cured When properly maintained, this keeps vehicles cleaner for longer, providing an invisible, hydrophobic (water-repelling) barrier that can help prevent water staining, scratching, UV ray damage and more. Products which are available from Halfords include Ceramic Wash, Leather Treatment & Cleaner, and Ceramic Wheel Cleaner.

STP fuel additives

Price: From £4.99

Contact: STP.com/uk

STP has a range of fuel additives designed to help your car run better for longer, especially when it gets colder outside. STP products are formulated to clean harmful deposits from fuel systems, potentially reducing engine wear, emissions and fuel consumption in the process. Using one of these additives is nice and simple simply add one to a tank of fuel, and you’re away Available from Halfords both in-store and online, the additives are also compatible with all types of primarily-combustion engined vehicles, whether petrol, diesel or hybrid.

BUYINGCARS

THE mid size Mercedes SUV is good to drive, say its owners, who rated the GLC eighth for its engine and gearbox in our 2022 Driver Power New Car Survey Rear seat legroom is praised enough to secure a top 10 position, too, and the safety systems earn the GLC number six spot in that category. But this Mercedes isn’t a cheap car to run, and the GLC finished 75th the worst of any car in the survey for fuel economy and running costs, and 72nd for value. Servicing prices in particular are highlighted by drivers as being expensive, while too many owners have also been visiting their dealer A third say they have had something go wrong, with the GLC’s most common faults being with the electrical system.

Chris Rosamond Chris Rosamond@autoviacouk

BUYER’SGUIDE:Porsche911

NEXT year the Porsche 911 will celebrate its 60th birthday, and since the first edition was launched in 1963 (as the 901, but swiftly renamed 911 after complaints from Peugeot), this is a car that has become ever more impressive with each passing generation While it would be easy to think that the 911 hasn’t evolved all that much over the years, because the basic shape has stayed the same and it’s been fitted with a rear mounted flat six engine, each new generation of the car has brought seismic changes The move from air to water cooling for the engine was one, while the platform, the engines and transmissions and the technology have all changed radically in its lifetime It’s a car that’s deeply impressive on many levels and if you drive one, you’ll understand the hype

History

ORDERS for the eighth generation 911 (known as the 992) opened in November 2018 Only the 444bhp Carrera S and Carrera 4S coupé were offered initially, but in January 2019 a cabriolet was introduced. The 379bhp Carrera coupé and cabriolet soon joined the range, with the Carrera 4 coupé and cabriolet arriving in 2019

The 379bhp Targa 4 and 444bhp Targa 4S were unveiled in May 2020, two months after the 641bhp Turbo S This came with standard four wheel drive, as did the 572bhp 911 Turbo, launched in July 2020. The 503bhp 911 GT3 arrived in March 2021, followed by the 473bhp 911 GTS The lightweight 379bhp 911 Carrera T and 517bhp 911 GT3 RS have followed in 2022

Which one?

WITH a top speed of 183mph, the entry level 911 Carrera is hardly slow, and the Carrera S raises this to 191mph. In terms of performance and usability, either of these mainstream editions is all you need, and you can choose between coupé, targa and cabriolet bodystyles, along with rear or four wheel drive Moving up, both the Turbo and Turbo S bring much stronger performance, but no loss of usability; it’s only when you buy the hardcore Carrera T and GT3 editions that you lose refinement and practicality Manual transmissions are highly prized but rarely available, which is no hardship when the PDK auto is so good. The options list is long and complicated, so pin down which extras are fitted to any potential buy; PDF brochures online will explain them all

Alternatives

THERE’S nothing quite like a 911, but there are plenty of other premium sports and GT cars available The front engined Jaguar F Type is cheaper, but looks superb and comes in coupé or cabriolet forms, just like the mid engined Audi R8 Three other mid engined sports cars that might hit the spot are the McLaren 570S, the Lamborghini

CHECK ON...

Spoiler The Touring version of the GT3 swapped the large fixed rear wing for a speed sensitive pop up spoiler, as well as a plusher cabin

Huracán and Ferrari 488/F8, but they’re pure two seaters (as is the R8), which is why the Ferrari Portofino might be a better bet Other front engined sports cars include the Aston Martin Vantage and DB11, along with the Mercedes AMG GT If it’s driving thrills that you want, the Alpine A110, Lotus Elise or Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster might suit, and they’re all significantly cheaper.

Verdict

DESPITE the high purchase and running costs, it’s easy to recommend the 911, because if you’re in a position to buy one of these cars, there’s no good reason not to In fact, we love the 911 so much that it was our Performance Car of the Year in 2019 and 2020, and it was commended in 2021.

For six decades the 911 has been a great car, but the way that this eighth generation edition blends performance, comfort and usability is especially impressive. The convoluted model range can make it hard to home in on the right variation on the theme for your needs, so use owners’ forums to pin down what will suit you best.

Four-wheel

Audio The most common gripe among 992 owners is problems with the speakers when a Bose sound system is fitted It’s a warranty fix

Interior

THIS is one of several areas where the high purchase cost is justified, because the 911’s cabin is superbly built and the seats are among the best in the front at least The rears are only for luggage or small children; buy a Carrera T or GT3 and there are no back seats at all At 132 litres, the boot in the nose is reasonable, but if you need more capacity, it’s possible to fit a roof box onto coupé models

Richard Dredge

YOURVIEW

PORSCHE doesn’t sell enough 911s for the model to get into our Driver Power new car surveys The firm has just 0.75 per cent of the UK market, but that didn’t stop it from coming top in our 2021 brands survey, beating 28 others Porsche came first in six of the 10 categories in which each maker was judged Owners love their cars’ performance, quality, design, handling and reliability.

CASE STUDY

ALAN Croker from Godalming, Surrey, owns a 2019 911 Carrera 4S coupé: “I’ve had a few performance cars, and there is nothing like a 911,” he said. “The combination of soundtrack, performance, quality and driving enjoyment isn’t available anywhere else My 911 is utterly reliable and it’s very cost effective, because it doesn’t seem to depreciate, while running costs aren’t outrageous.”

NEEDTOKNOW

Howmuch?

YOU’LL do well to buy a 992 for less than £90,000, and most are priced upwards of £95,000 We found a 22,000 mile Carrera coupé in a private sale for £87,990, whereas dealers will charge £95,000 for the same car. The Carrera GTS starts at £135,000, or £145,000 in cabriolet form Of the 992s that we found for sale, more than one in three was a cabriolet, with prices starting at £100,000 for a 69 plate Carrera with 25,000 miles. Turbo S editions start at £170,000 for a 70 plate car with 13,000 miles The 911 Turbo is slightly more affordable, from £165,000

Runningcosts

ALL 911s need to be serviced every two years. For GT3 and GT3 RS models there’s a 12,000 mile limit, but others stretch this to 20,000 miles An oil and filter change (£452, or £600 with fresh brake fluid) is needed every two years. After the first service, the schedule alternates between intermediate and major at £1,630 and £2,043, respectively The former includes an air con service and spark plugs, while the latter adds drive belts and air filter. The flat six is chain driven, and all 911s have a three year warranty, which can be extended up to 15 years

Partwatch

Recalls

Hatchingaplan

While many people prefer SUVs, the humble hatch still has much to offer. But which is the best buy?

CONTRARY to how things sometimes appear, not everyone wants to drive around in a trendy SUV.

Plenty of people are quite content to stick with more traditional hatchback fare, and when the choices are as pleasing to drive and own as the trio we’re looking at here, you can’t really argue with the logic

We’re pitching three petrol powered compact hatchbacks from Volkswagen, Peugeot and Honda against one another to see which one comes out on top as the best used car option. All three are great looking,

practical five doors with room for a family, but while they boast similar power outputs, the Golf’s 1 5 litre four cylinder engine is a little ‘old school’ compared with the downsized three cylinder 1.0 and 1.2 litre engines in the Civic and 308, respectively.

The three cars all have somewhat different characters from behind the wheel, leaving buyers with some big decisions to make about what’s best for them.

We’re here to help out, though, so here are our thoughts on which petrol powered prodigy makes the best used buy.

ARGUABLY we hit ‘peak Golf’ in the UK in 2017, when the Mk7 was the nation’s second biggest seller The car’s appeal is still strong on the used market today.

The 1 5 litre petrol engine introduced that year was an excellent addition to the line up, with smooth and refined performance Indeed, while its power outputs are similar to its rivals’, the Golf’s higher torque at low revs make it feel less stressed when accelerating, adding to the car’s composed and comfortable vibe

The Golf turns in accurately with well weighted steering, and there’s a reassuring amount of grip accompanied by modest body roll It has a beautifully slick six speed gearshift too, and while its character is a little less exciting than the Honda’s, there’s not enough in it to put the Japanese car ahead.

The Golf rides very comfortably too, and certainly better than the 308, which is smooth but lacks the VW’s poise over the UK’s currently terrible tarmac

Interestingly, while downsizing would appear to be a no brainer in terms of efficiency, VW’s bigger four cylinder unit uses cylinder deactivation tech to make sure it doesn’t lose out at the fuel pumps

IT may not be the cheapest option due to strong residual values, but the Golf simply does too many things too well to give its rivals the advantage in this comparison.

Although VW’s boot is smallest here, it’s good enough, and three adults can fit across the 60:40 split rear seat

VolkswagenGolf

hallmarks of Honda s Mk10 Civic, which also arrived with styling that’s commonly preferred to its unusual, trapezoidally shaped predecessor

The firm is noted for characterful engines, and the 1 0 litre VTEC turbo doesn’t disappoint, in spite of its small capacity. It’s fun to drive and punchy, and although not quite as fast as its rivals here on paper, it doesn’t feel any slower on the road Indeed, in spite of a slight performance disadvantage from 0 62mph, the Honda is faster than the Peugeot from 30 70mph. Of the three, the Honda will probably be the preferred choice for keen drivers It has a low, sporty cabin and the best steering feel, while the chassis set up also gives the Honda more agile handling.

On the other side of the coin, refinement isn’t as impressive as in its rivals here, with more road noise and more engine noise, too, especially if you choose to enjoy its performance at higher revs. However, the Peugeot’s engine is arguably even more fun to rev, although the French car’s handling isn’t as engaging The Civic’s infotainment is underwhelming, too

nd HondaCivic

IT’S fun, efficient and practical, but the Honda lacks the all round polish of the Golf It’s cheaper to run and more engaging than the 308, though, so it takes second place.

Boot capacity is well above average for this class; rear legroom is excellent, but headroom a bit less generous

LIKE Honda with the Civic, Peugeot is only bringing a three cylinder engine to this party, but it’s bigger at 1.2 litres and the most powerful unit here just.

With the extra benefit of a lower kerbweight, it’s enough to give the 308 a 0 5 second advantage over the Civic from 0 62mph, and it beats the Golf by a tenth of a second. However, accelerating through the gears from 30 70mph, the 308 is a touch slower than both, so there’s no clear advantage either way Still, the 308’s engine feels responsive and free revving, although the gearshift is the least slick of these rivals. While the 308 feels relatively nimble, its steering feel isn’t as good as the Honda’s and the chassis lacks the Civic’s agility and outright grip It’s equally not as comfortable as the Golf, although the differences are not great between the cars, and all three are satisfying to drive and comfortable

As with the Honda, the infotainment system in the Peugeot is a bit disappointing, and in particular the screen controlling the climate is laggy and difficult to use All in all, this feels like the least accomplished car in the group, but it’s still an attractive bet

rd Peugeot308

THE stylish and practical 308 will look great on your drive, but it’s not as good as rivals And while it’s a lot cheaper now, it will likely lose you more at resale time.

There’s much to like about this smart hatch, but there are better options

With the rear seats down, the 308’s boot is the biggest here, but there’s less legroom in the back than in rivals

HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS

PERFORMANCE: This is the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration time for a car, and is measured from 0 60mph or 0 62mph (0 100kph), in seconds

ECONOMY/EMISSIONS/RANGE: Combined WLTP economy in miles per gallon, emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2 and maximum claimed range for EVs Figures are achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but will vary according to equipment and are unlikely to be representative of everyday efficiency

INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers

WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover

LIST PRICE: This is the on the road figure and includes VAT, delivery to dealer, 12 months’ road tax, number plates and first registration EVs do not include the Plug in Car Grant

WILL IT FIT? Is your garage big enough? Our measurements show the length and width of each model, but remember estate and performance variants may be bigger

DRIVER POWER POSITION: Auto Express’s survey canvasses results from tens of thousands of motorists Models are rated by drivers, then ranked against others on sale in the UK The lower the number, the higher the score a model achieved

ROAD TAX: When a car is first registered, its first year’s road tax is included in the price This is emissions based, and adds anything from zero on electric

£165

VEHICLES OVER £40,000 Electric vehicle: £0 Alternative fuel: £510 Petrol/diesel: £520 After five years, vehicles costing more than £40 000 revert to the ower rates

Pick up trucks: The models listed here pay a flat rate of road tax at £295 per year

EURO NCAP RATING: At the start of each model is its Euro NCAP crash test safety rating (if available) The maximum score is five stars, although the test has been made tougher over the years, so ratings aren’t comparable between vehicles

Hulkenberg is heading for Haas

● German lands full-time seat

● Replaces Mick Schumacher

AlastairCrooks

NICO Hulkenberg will return to the Formula 1 grid in 2023, having signed with American outfit Haas The 35 year old German will partner Kevin Magnussen, 30, for the upcoming season.

This means Mick Schumacher, son of seven time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, is likely to be without a seat. The final vacancy remaining for next season is with Williams, who will sign Logan Sargeant, subject to the US driver qualifying for a Super Licence Schumacher failed to score points in 2021, with Haas welded to the back of the grid, but a more competitive showing from the team in 2022 has only resulted in two point scoring finishes for Mick, although Magnussen has performed even better.

There could be a way for Schumacher to continue in F1, as a reserve driver at

Mercedes, after team boss Toto Wolff teased that “the Schumacher family belongs to Mercedes”. This is in reference to Michael, who drove for Mercedes in endurance racing before advancing to F1 Michael’s first F1 race, at Jordan, was financed by Mercedes, and the team lured him out of retirement in 2010 for a difficult three year return to the sport with the relaunched Mercedes team However,

Wolff added that he’d prefer to see Mick in a “regular cockpit” over a reserve role. Daniel Ricciardo had been tipped for the Mercedes reserve role after his split from McLaren, but it’s now rumoured he could return as Red Bull’s third driver Schumacher said he was “disappointed” to lose his drive, but that “the subject is anything but closed for me Setbacks only make you stronger” The new Haas

New female race series launched

FORMULA One has launched a new all female racing series called F1 Academy. It hopes to give young female drivers the chance to “develop and prepare” for the top single seater championships, including F1 Fifteen drivers will compete over 21 races at seven meetings next year, one of which could be part of a Grand Prix weekend F1 will subsidise 150,000 Euros (£131,000) for each car, with the drivers’ teams providing the remaining budget.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali (right) said: “Everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their potential and Formula 1 wants to ensure we are doing everythin we can to create greater diversity and routes into this incredible sport The more opportunity there is the better and this provides anothe route for drivers to succeed.”

partnership has plenty of F1 experience

Former pole sitter Hulkenberg returns after three years of stand in performances for Racing Point and Aston Martin, prior to which he’d been a highly rated fixture on the grid with Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault between 2010 and 2019

The pair famously had an altercation at the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix, with Hulkenberg telling Magnussen he was “the most unsporting driver on the grid”

Breen makes early move to

Hyundai

AFTER a troubled 2022 World Rally Championship campaign with M Sport, Craig Breen (below) has switched to Hyundai for 2023, sharing his seat with Dani Sordo M Sport decided to end Breen’s contract a year early, so the Irishman will return to Hyundai, having taken four podiums for the team between 2019 and 2021 Breen and Sordo will line up alongside Thierry Neuville and new signing Esapekka Lappi.

Hulkenberg (above) will be hoping for better success than Schumacher (left)

Alastair Crooks@autoviacouk @AllieCrooks

MUCH as we love it, the car isn’t always the star. Sometimes it’s actually less important than the people, the numbers, and the jobs in and around the automotive business.

First, a handful of (many) developments in growth obsessed, recession ravaged Britain as we approach the end of 2022: the population recently hit 68 million (in a land where our road ‘system’ is set up to deal with more like 50 million); the general annual inflation rate hit a 41 year high of 11.1 per cent; and hikes in the prices of new cars, and the petrol, diesel and electricity to power them, are even higher

As for interest rates, they’re through the roof, too And with few, if any, ordinary, working class families able to save up the necessary £40,000(ish) for even a modest, medium sized new electric car, increasingly expensive loans are more obligatory than optional these days Yet, as our Government proves, large debts and high interest rates can be ruinous.

If you, dear car user, aren’t miffed at the rocketing MIF (Motoring Inflation Figure), you bloody well should be The motorist has never had it so bad

Rutherford Mike

Insanely, the allegedly job-creating, £3.8bn Britishvolt gigafactory is already desperately trying to fight off bankruptcy

On the employment front, in little more than half a decade, UK car production has almost halved, with an inevitable and tragic drop in employee numbers. Insanely, the allegedly job creating, £3 8 billion Britishvolt gigafactory in Blyth is already desperately trying to fight off bankruptcy, which must be bitterly disappointing for the local workforce whose hopes were raised then cruelly dashed And although it’s great to see Scotland finally returning to the car building game with what it not so modestly describes as “the world’s most capable all electric 4X4” (really?), it’s all a bit cottage industry. The agricultural off roader will be built by Munro Vehicles at a rate of less than one a week in 2023 But there is talk of 300 new jobs at its East Kilbride plant. Based on these numbers, that’s six workers for every vehicle made. And that’d be nuts. On a related point, Ford boss Jim Farley last week admitted that 40 per cent fewer production line workers are required to build pure electric vehicles versus petrol or diesel versions That’s great for him as an employer paying the wages, but not so good for countless factory employees trying to put food on the table.

But never mind, we’ll make Britain “the world’s next Silicon Valley,” according to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt when making his Autumn Statement. And although that’s naive wishful thinking on his part, his plan to impose Vehicle Excise Duty on pure electric cars from 2025 is for real The BBC’s high profile “Electric car drivers must pay tax” headline suggests that, currently, EVs are some sort of tax free zone But try telling that to a motorist who had to pay £8,000 in Value Added Tax to HM Treasury when buying his or her modest, £40,000, 100 per cent electric family car

Still, it’s not all bad news Hunt could have some say should have raised the duty and/or other taxes at the pumps and EV chargepoints. But he didn’t. And that was about the only good news for motorists in the financially punishing month of November 2022

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off