ROAD TEST ROAD TEST
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The best new cars rated as only Autocar knows how A road test in any other magazine might well be a short, subjective summary of a new car produced under almost any circumstances, but the Autocar road test is different. Specific, rigorous and detailed, it’s the closest examination we can give of any new model. It appears over at least eight pages and is close to 50 man-hours in the making every week. Most of what the road test process entails is designed to be strictly repeatable and fair. We benchmark standing-start and in-gear acceleration at a purpose-built test facility every week. We carry out both subjective and objective handling tests on both road and track, on the latter up to and beyond the limit of grip, so as to fully assess stability, drivability and limit handling appeal. And while benchmark lap times are sometimes taken, they’re never an end in themselves. We record and publish stopping distances, too, as well as taking cabin noise measurements at various cruising speeds and benchmarking either indicated or brim-to-brim fuel economy. We independently measure leg room, head room, boot space and certain key exterior vehicle dimensions, and we also weigh every car we test. Just as every new car is different, however, the road test has developed to be versatile enough, week by week, so as to best assess and reflect the suitability of each test subject to its intended purpose. It now includes modular sections describing in detail the limit handling of a new car, or its semi-autonomous assisted driving technologies or its off-road capability. All of this goes to bringing you the most thorough, relevant and fair test of a new car we can produce. The scores reproduced here are the ones we gave the cars at the time so they don’t necessarily represent what those same cars might score today were they rejudged using current class standards. But you can dig deeper into their attributes by using the magazine publication dates listed here to look up an old test in your own collection or on The Motoring Archive (themotoringarchive.com), or you can order a back issue by phoning 0344 848 8816. Matt Saunders, road test editor
218i Gran Coupé M Sport AAACC 8.4.20 3 Series 320d M Sport AAAAA 15.5.19 15.1.20 330d xDrive M Sport AAAAB 1.7.20 330e M Sport AAAAB 6.1.21 4 Series M440i xDrive AAAAC 21.4.21 M4 Competition AAAAB 31.5.17 5 Series 520d M Sport AAAAB 20.10.21 545e M Sport AAAAC 18.4.18 M5 AAAAB M5 CS AAAAA 14.7.21 6 Series GT 630d xDrv M Spt AAABC18.11.17 11.11.15 7 Series 730Ld AAAAC 16.1.19 8 Series 840d xDrive AAABC M8 Competition Convertible AAABC5.2.20 3.6.20 M8 Competition Coupé AAABC 21.2.18 i3 1.3S Range Extender AAAAC 19.1.22 i4 M50 AAAAC 2.3.22 iX xDrive50 M Sport AAAAB 25.9.19 X2 M35i AAABC 17.1.18 X3 xDrive20d M Sport AAAAC 13.11.19 X4 M Competition AAACC 2.1.19 X5 xDrive30d M Sport AAAAC X7 xDrive M50i M Perf’nce AAAAC 9.9.20
C AT E R H A M Seven 620S AAAAC
9.3.16
CITROEN
ABARTH 124 Spider AAAAC
22.3.17
A L FA R O M E O Giulia Quadrifoglio AAAAB Stelvio 2.2D 210 Milano AAABC Quadrifoglio AAAAC 4C Spider AAACC
29.3.17 3.1.18 9.1.19 27.1.16
ALPINA B3 Touring AAAAA B8 Gran Coupé AAAAC
4.11.20 22.9.21
ALPINE A110 Premiere Edition AAAAA Légende GT AAAAB
16.5.18 9.3.22
ARIEL Atom 4 AAAAA Nomad AAAAA
9.10.19 24.6.15
ASTON MARTIN Vantage V8 AAAAB F1 Edition Coupé AAAAC DBS Superleggera AAAAA DBX AAAAB
23.5.18 1.9.21 21.11.18 28.10.20
AUDI A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S line AAABC 2.10.19 18.11.20 A3 Sportback S3 AAABC 18.9.19 A4 S4 TDI AAAAC
LAMBORGHINI Huracán Performante AAAAB Evo RWD Coupé AAAAB Aventador SVJ AAAAC Urus AAAAC
11.10.17 20.5.20 19.6.19 3.7.19
LAND ROVER Defender 110 P400 X AAAAB 13.5.20 Discovery Sport D180 AWD AAAAC 8.1.20 Range Rover Evoque P300e AAAAB 10.2.21 12.12.12 Range Rover 4.4 SDV8 AAAAB Range Rover Velar D240 AAABC 30.8.17 Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 AAAAB 2.10.13 SVR AAAAA 15.4.15
LEXUS
LC 500 Sport+ AAAAC 18.10.17 C3 Aircross Puretech 110 AAABC 7.3.18 NX 350h Prem’m Plus Pack AAAAC 16.3.22 26.5.21 RC F AAACC 18.2.15 C4 Puretech 130 Auto AAACC 6.2.19 C5 Aircross BlueHDi 180 AAABC 13.2.19 ES 300h Takumi AAABC 6.6.18 LS 500h Premier AWD AAACC
CUPRA
Leon 310 VZ3 Estate AAAAC Ateca 2.0 TSI 4Drive AAABC Formentor 2.0 TSI VZ2 AAAAB
8.9.21 L O T U S 23.1.19 Elise Cup 250 AAABC 29.6.16 3.2.21 Exige Sport 390 Final Edit’n AAAAB 21.7.21
DACIA
M A S E R AT I
Sandero Stepway TCe 90 AAAAC 28.4.21 Ghibli Diesel AAABC Duster SCe 115 Comfort AAAAC 22.8.18 Quattroporte Trofeo AACCC Levante Diesel AAACC DALLARA S Granlusso AAABC Stradale AAAAB 16.10.19
12.3.14 4.8.21 30.11.16 8.5.19
DS 2 1.5 Skyactiv-G SE AAAAC 3 Crossback Puretech 155 AAACC 10.7.19 3 2.0 Skyactiv-X AAAAC 7 Crossback Puretech 225 AAABC 19.9.18 MX-5 1.5 SE-L Nav AAAAB 2.2.22 MX-30 145PS AAABC 9 E-Tense 225 AAABC CX-5 2.2D Sport Nav AAAAC
22.4.15 6.11.19 2.9.15 10.3.21 28.6.17
25.5.16 M c L A R E N 7.8.19 570S 3.8 V8 AAAAA 25.7.18 600LT Spider 3.8 V8 AAAAB 3.11.21 620R 3.8 V8 AAAAC GT 4.0 V8 AAABC 720S 4.0 V8 AAAAA 17.4.13 Senna 4.0 V8 AAAAA 26.2.14 P1 AAAAA 26.1.22
30.3.16 22.5.19 23.12.20 27.1.21 24.5.17 10.10.18 7.5.14
MAZDA
FERRARI
488 GTB AAAAA 488 Pista AAAAB 812 Superfast AAAAC SF90 Stradale AAAAC
F I AT Panda 4x4 Twinair AAAAB 500 Abarth 595 AAAAC Icon 42kWh AAAAC
MERCEDES-AMG
FORD Fiesta 1.0T Ecoboost AAAAC 9.8.17 15.8.18 ST-3 1.5 T Ecoboost AAAAB 20.2.19 Focus 1.5 Ecoboost 182 AAAAB 11.9.19 ST AAAAC RS AAAAA 4.5.16 14.1.15 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi AAAAC Mustang 5.0 V8 GT F’back AAAAC 24.2.16 5.12.18 Bullitt AAAAC Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD AAAAC 23.6.21 25.3.20 Puma 1.0T 125 MHEV AAAAB 24.3.21 ST AAAAC Kuga 2.5 PHEV ST-Line AAABC 24.6.20 28.8.19 Ranger Raptor AAAAC
GENESIS G70 2.2 CRDi Luxury Line AAABC 10.11.21 GV80 3.0D Luxury 5-Seater AAABC 15.9.21
HONDA E Advance AAABC Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid EX AAABC Civic 1.5 i-VTEC Turbo AAAAC 2.0 Type R GT AAAAB Clarity FCV AAAAC HR-V e:HEV AAABC CR-V 1.5T EX CVT AWD AAABC NSX AAAAB
26.8.20 7.10.20 19.4.17 25.10.17 12.7.17 24.11.21 7.11.18 5.10.16
HYUNDAI RS4 Avant AAAAC 14.2.18 11.1.17 A5 S5 AAABC A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI S line AAABC 8.3.17 14.11.18 A6 40 TDI S line Avant AAAAC 5.1.22 50 TFSIe S Line Quattro AAAAC RS6 Avant Carbon Black AAAAC 11.3.20 A7 Sportback 50 TDI Sport AAABC 11.7.18 A8 L 60 TFSIe Sport quattro AAABC 17.6.20 7.12.16 TT RS AAAAC 26.6.19 E-tron 55 quattro AAAAB 2.6.21 S quattro AAABC 9.11.16 Q2 1.4 TFSI Sport AAAAC 20.3.19 SQ2 quattro AAAAC 7.7.21 Q4 E-tron 40 Sport AAABC 15.3.17 Q5 2.0 TDI S line AAAAC 21.6.17 SQ5 quattro AAABC 26.10.16 Q7 SQ7 4.0 TDI AAAAC 26.9.18 Q8 50 TDI S Line AAAAC 30.12.15 R8 V10 Plus AAAAC
Rio 1.0 T-GDI 3 Eco AAABC 1.3.17 29.8.18 Ceed 1.6 CRDi 115 2 AAABC 27.2.19 Proceed 1.4 T-GDi AAABC 20.11.19 Xceed 1.4 T-GDi AAABC 31.8.16 Niro 1.6 GDI DCT 2 AAABC 1.5.19 e-Niro First Edition AAAAB EV6 77.4kWh GT-Line RWD AAAAB 12.1.22 2.3.16 Sportage 1.7 CRDi ISG 2 AAABC Sorento 1.6 HEV G-TDi 2 AAABC 20.1.21
i10 1.2 MPi Premium AAAAC i20 1.0 T-GDI 100 48V AAABC N AAAAB i30 N AAABC 1.4 Premium SE AAABC Kona Electric 64kWh AAAAC Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi AAABC Tucson 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid AAAAC Nexo AAABC
15.4.20 24.2.21 25.8.21 27.12.17 13.9.17 31.10.18 6.3.19 17.3.21 12.6.19
JAGUAR
F-Type V8 S Convertible AAAAC 12.6.13 11.6.14 V6 S Coupé AAAAB 22.11.17 2.0 R-Dynamic Coupé AAAAC 29.4.20 P575 R AWD Coupé AAAAC 2.12.15 XF 2.0 R-Sport AAAAB 17.4.19 300 R-S Sportbrake AAABC 1.7.15 XE 2.0 R-Sport AAAAB 11.4.18 E-Pace D180 AWD SE AAABC 11.5.16 F-Pace 2.0d AWD AAAAC BENTLEY 1.12.21 P400e R-Dynamic HSE AAAAC Continental GT W12 Coupé AAAAB 2.5.18 SVR AAAAB 24.7.19 22.12.21 I-Pace EV400 S AAAAB 12.9.18 Speed Coupé AAAAC 15.7.20 Flying Spur W12 AAAAB 18.5.16 J E E P Bentayga W12 AAAAB Compass 2.0 M’jet 4x4 L’d AAACC 3.10.18 BMW 4xe S AAACC 16.2.22 1 Series 118i M Sport AAAAC 30.10.19 Renegade 4xe Trailhawk AAACC 30.6.21 2 Series 220d Convertible AAAAC 1.4.15 Wrangler 2.2 M’Jet-II Ov’d AAAAC 10.4.19 15.6.16 M2 AAAAB 19.8.20 K I A M2 CS M-DCT AAAAB 218d Active Tourer Luxury AAAAC 24.12.14 Stinger 2.0 T-GDI GT-L S AAABC 25.4.18
A-Class A45 S 4Matic+ Plus AAAAB 4.3.20 3.6.15 C-Class C63 AAAAB 24.4.19 C63 S Coupé AAAAB 17.10.18 CLS 53 4Matic+ AAAAC 29.7.15 GT S AAAAC 10.5.17 R AAAAB GT 4-Door Coupé 63 4Matic+ AAAAB 13.3.19 6.7.16 SLC 43 AAABC 13.6.18 GLC 63 S 4Matic+ AAABC 14.10.20 GLE 53 4Matic+ AAABC
MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class A200 Sport AAAAC A250e AMG Line Premium AAACC B-Class B180 Sport AAAAC CLA 250 AAACC C-Class C220 Bluetec AAAAC E-Class E400 Coupé AAAAC E300 Cabriolet AAABC S-Class S580e L AAAAB EQA 250 AAACC GLB 220d 4Matic AAABC GLC 250d AAAAC G-Class G350d AMG Line AAAAC GLS 400d AAABC X-Class X250d 4Matic AAABC
4.7.18 5.8.20 3.4.19 21.8.19 23.7.14 14.6.17 6.10.21 6.4.22 17.11.21 16.9.20 10.2.16 17.7.19 12.2.20 20.6.18
MG 3 1.5 3Form Sport AAABC 5 SW EV Exclusive AAABC ZS EV Exclusive AAACC
25.12.13 25.11.20 4.12.19
MINI Mini Cooper S AAAAB Cooper S Works 210 AAAAB Clubman Cooper D AAABC Convertible Cooper S Sport Automatic AAAAC Countryman Cooper D AAABC Plug-in Hybrid AAABC
2.4.14 6.12.17 25.11.15 19.5.21 22.2.17 26.7.17
MITSUBISHI Eclipse Cross 1.5 2WD AAACC Outlander PHEV GX4hs AAABC
14.3.18 16.4.14
MORGAN Plus Four AAABC 3 Wheeler AAAAA
12.8.20 6.6.12
NISSAN Micra 0.9 N-Connecta AAAAC DIG-T 117 N-Sport AAACC Juke 1.0 DIG-T 117 AAABC Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T 158 AAAAC GT-R Recaro AAAAB
26.4.17 27.3.19 29.1.20 28.7.21 16.11.16
NOBLE M600 AAAAB
14.10.09
PEUGEOT 208 e-208 Allure Premium AAAAC 6.5.20 24.10.18 508 GT BlueHDi 180 AAAAC
Hybrid 225 Allure SW AAAAC 8.7.20 Across 2.5 PHEV E-Four CVT AAAAB 7.4.21 5.5.21 PSE Hybrid4 SW AAAAC 30.9.20 T E S L A 2008 e-2008 GT Line AAABC 3008 1.6 BlueHDi GT Line AAABC 18.1.17 Model 3 Standard Range Plus AAAAC4.9.19 20.4.16 5008 2.0 BlueHDi GT Line AAABC 1.11.17 Model S P90D AAAAB Model Y Long Range AWD AAAAC 23.3.22 P O L E S TA R 15.2.17 Model X 90D AAAAC 1 AAAAC 21.10.20
T OYO TA
PORSCHE 718 Boxster AAAAB Spyder AAAAB Cayman S AAAAB Cayman GTS AAAAB 911 GT2 RS AAAAC Carrera S AAAAB GT3 PDK AAAAB 918 Spyder 4.6 V8 AAAAA Cayenne Turbo AAAAC Turbo S E-Hybrid AAABC Taycan Turbo S AAAAA
8.6.16 1.4.20 10.8.16 9.5.18 18.7.18 29.5.19 11.8.21 22.10.14 5.9.18 27.5.20 29.7.20
R E N A U LT Clio TCe 100 Iconic AAAAB Mégane 1.5 dCi Dyn. S Nav AAACC E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 AAACC RS Trophy-R AAAAC Grand Scénic dCi 130 Nav AAABC Kadjar dCi 115 Dyn. S Nav AAAAC Arkana E-Tech Hybrid 145 AAABC Captur 1.3 TCe 130 EDC AAABC
27.11.19 17.8.16 29.9.21 23.10.19 25.1.17 21.10.15 13.10.21 18.3.20
R O L L S - R OYC E Phantom AAAAA Ghost AAAAB Wraith AAAAB Dawn AAAAC Cullinan Black Badge AAAAC
23.9.20 3.3.21 5.6.19 4.7.12 16.3.16 16.6.21 4.1.17 14.8.19
VA U X H A L L Corsa 1.2T 100 auto AAABC 22.1.20 Crossland X 1.2T 130 Elite AAACC 7.6.17 30.9.15 Astra 1.6 CDTi 136 SRi AAAAC 13.4.16 ST CDTi Biturbo SRi 137 AAAAC Combo Life 1.5 TD 100 Energy AAABC27.12.18 Insignia Grand Sport 2.0D SRi VX-Line AAAAC 3.5.17 Insignia Sports Tourer 2.0 Biturbo D GSI AAACC 30.5.18 Mokka 1.2 Turbo 130 auto AAABC 12.5.21 22.4.20 Grandland X Hybrid4 AAACC 10.1.18 VXR8 GTS-R AAAAC
VOLKSWAG EN 4.4.18 13.1.21 21.5.14 1.6.16 19.2.20
S E AT Ibiza SE Technology 1.0 TSI AAAAB 19.7.17 2.12.20 Leon eHybrid FR AAABC Arona SE Technology 1.0 TSI AAAAC 15.11.17 19.10.16 Ateca 1.6 TDI SE AAAAB
SMART Forfour Electric Drive AABCC
Yaris 1.5 Hybrid Design AAAAC GR Yaris Circuit Pack AAAAA Corolla 2.0 Hybrid ST AAAAC GT86 2.0 manual AAAAA Prius Business Edition AAAAC Mirai Design Premium AAAAC C-HR Excel 1.8 Hybrid AAAAC GR Supra Pro AAAAC
23.8.17
SKODA
Up GTI 1.0 TSI 115 AAAAC 21.3.18 31.1.18 Polo 1.0 TSI 95 SE AAAAB 1.8.18 GTI AAAAC Golf 1.5 eTSI 150 Style DSG AAAAB 22.7.20 14.4.21 R AAAAC ID 3 Pro Performance Life AAAAC 31.3.21 27.10.21 ID 4 GTX Max AAABC T-Roc 2.0 TSI SEL 4Motion AAAAB 24.1.18 Cabriolet 1.5 TSI Evo DSG AABCC 10.6.20 27.9.17 Arteon 2.0 BiTDI 240 AAABC 9.6.21 eHybrid Shooting Brake AAABC 4.2.15 Passat 2.0 TDI 190 GT AAAAC 7.9.16 GTE AAAAC 3.2.16 Touran 2.0 TDI 150 SE AAAAC 22.6.16 Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150 SE AAAAB Caravelle 2.0 BiTDI Exec. AAAAC 23.12.15 Touareg 3.0 TDI R-Line Tech AAABC 8.8.18 2.1.20 Grand California 600 AAABC Transporter Kombi SWB AAACC 30.3.22
Fabia 1.0 TSI 95PS AAAAB 9.2.22 31.7.19 Scala 1.5 TSI 150 DSG AAABC Octavia 2.0 TDI 150 SE L First Edition 2.9.20 DSG Estate AAAAC 17.2.21 V O LV O 2.0 TDI vRS AAAAC Superb 1.4 TSI iV 218 SE L AAAAC 26.2.20 C40 Recharge Twin Ult’ate AAABC 13.4.22 Karoq 2.0 TDI 150 Scout AAABC 30.1.19 XC40 D4 AWD First Edition AAAAB 7.2.18 18.8.21 S60 T8 Polestar En’d AAABC 24.12.19 Enyaq iV 80 AAAAC 23.11.16 V60 D4 Momentum Pro AAAAC 27.6.18 Kodiaq 2.0 TDI Edition AAAAC 5.7.17 2.0 TSI 245PS vRS 4x4 AAABC 23.2.22 XC60 D4 AWD R-Design AAABC 13.7.16 S90 D4 Momentum AAAAC S S A N G YO N G V90 T6 Recharge R-Design AAAAB 11.11.20 Tivoli XLV ELX auto AAACC 14.9.16 XC90 D5 Momentum AAAAC 17.6.15
SUBARU
WESTFIELD
XV 2.0i SE Lineartronic AAACC 28.2.18 Sport 250 AAAAC Levorg GT 1.6i Lineartronic AAACC 13.1.16
SUZUKI Swift 1.0 SZ5 AAABC
29.11.17
ZENOS
17.5.17
E10 S AAAAB
7.10.15
GREATEST ROAD TESTS OF ALL TIME
JAGUAR XJS 3.6 TESTED 21.4.84
Halving the number of cylinders under the bonnet of the sleek XJS made it one of our favourite grand tourers of the mid-1980s. Different wheels and badging and a bigger power bulge distinguished the 3.6 from its V12 HE big brother. The new all-alloy AJ6 straight six was wonderfully elastic, pulling from very low revs in fifth, and was barely slower than the XJS V12 between 50mph and 90mph. However, the five-speed manual gearbox was heavy and notchy, with a pernickety clutch, while driveline shunt irritated and the otherwise subdued engine became thrashy at high revs. Cruising refinement was impressive, though. The steering was enjoyably quicker than in the V12 model but wanted for feel. Powerslides were possible in the wet, although understeer was the default stance. While occasionally prone to floatiness, the ride was wonderfully supple on all surfaces, and the brakes were responsive and resilient. Inside the walnut-trimmed
cabin, the leather seats could have perhaps provided a bit more lateral support and adjustment up front, and head room was particularly limited in the rear seats. The interior had plenty of cubbies and a capacious boot, though. FOR Ride quality, performance, flexibility, refinement AGAINST Lacklustre gearchange, inappropriate seats FACTFILE
Price £19,248 Engine 6 cyls in line, 3590cc, petrol Power 225bhp at 5300rpm Torque 240lb ft at 4000rpm 0-60mph 7.4sec 0-100mph 19.7sec Standing quarter mile 15.9sec, 92mph Top speed 141mph Economy 17.6mpg WHAT HAPPENED NEXT…
Introduced alongside the 3.6-litre engine, the Targa-style XJS cabrio was replaced by a full convertible in 1988. An optional four-speed auto was installed into the six-pot XJS in 1987, and the engine grew to 4.0 litres in 1991. But the beefiest model was 1993’s 6.0-litre V12, with 306bhp. The XJS was replaced by the V8-only XK8 in 1996.
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