Magzter Gold (Sitewide Promotion)

Magzter Gold (Sitewide Promotion)

Digital Delivery

Auto Express December 18th, 2024 Digital Back Issue Cover

Auto Express 1861 / 1862 (Digital)

(0)

Single Digital Issue

1861 / 1862

$4.44

Powered By Zinio

Zinio

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Instant Start

Subscribe Instead

1 Year Subscription

51 digital issues

$117.55

($2.30/issue)

Go to Subscription

View Subscription Options

Also available on ZINIO Unlimited logo

Get unlimited access to Auto Express (Digital) + Back Issues & 5000+ other magazines

1-month free trial

Renews at $8.99/month after trial.
Cancel anytime.

Get unlimited access to Auto Express (Digital) + Back Issues & 5000+ other magazines. Renews at just $8.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

Start Trial Learn more

55 Articles

WE’VE somehow reached the last issue of 2024, and looking back at our review of the year, there’s been plenty going on! Resurrected names have been a theme of the past 12 months, with the Ford Capri, Vauxhall Frontera and two returning Renaults – the new 4 and 5 – while Jaguar has gone the whole hog and will reinvent itself completely in 2026 after ending sales of its entire model range and giving us a glimpse of an all-electric future. We saw the first EVs from Alfa Romeo and Suzuki this year, meaning it’s pretty much just Land Rover without an electric car, something that will change in 2026 with the electric Range Rover’s arrival. But this year brilliant new cars, such as Skoda’s Kodiaq and Superb, and the…

DRIVEN VAUXHALL FRONTERA

WELCOME to the Frontera, a new crossover midway between the Mokka and Grandland in size that takes its name from Vauxhall’s pioneering nineties leisure SUV. However, it doesn’t split its two sister models when it comes to price, because the Frontera starts from a Dacia Duster-rivalling £23,495 in both hybrid and fully electric forms – cheaper than a Mokka. That gets you the entry-level Design trim, while the higher-spec GS starts at around £2,000 more, with an £800 Ultimate Pack available as an optional extra, adding a heated steering wheel and seats, plus silver roof rails. Despite being a value proposition, the Frontera has plenty of kit. The Design gets Vauxhall’s Pure Panel cockpit with twin 10-inch displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging and connectivity, four USB-C ports…

DRIVEN VAUXHALL FRONTERA

Urban Cruiser back as compact electric SUV

THE next stage of Toyota’s ambitious EV plan has been revealed in the form of a compact SUV that has models such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, Volvo EX30 and Ford Puma Gen-E in its sights. Featuring a distinctive new look, and the return of the Urban Cruiser nameplate that was briefly in use in the late 2000s, the new SUV could become one of the brand’s biggest sellers as customers transition to EVs. Toyota will build the new car on a fresh platform that offers three different electric powertrain options. There are two lithium-ion phosphate battery pack sizes available, 49kWh and 61kWh, which promise competitive pricing, while a standard heat pump and remote pre-heating should help to deliver better battery performance in cold weather. The smaller pack comes exclusively…

Urban Cruiser back as compact electric SUV

DS No8 targets rivals with new-found style

STELLANTIS’ upmarket French brand, DS, has been trying to compete with German rivals since 2014, without making much of a dent. But now we have the DS No8, due to arrive in the middle of 2025 and conceived to woo buyers who would otherwise give their cash to the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes, or maybe even Tesla and Polestar. The No8 is a mid-size coupé-SUV with an electric powertrain, and it shows DS separating itself from other Stellantis brands by doubling down on luxury, comfort and what it refers to as ‘serene’ qualities: practicality, fast charging, efficiency and long range. There are three powertrain options. The base front-wheel-drive model gets a 74kWh battery, 227bhp and 345Nm of torque – enough for a 0-62mph time of 7.7 seconds. The…

DS No8 targets rivals with new-found style

Christmas car deliveries delayed by ZEV mandate

DRIVERS are missing out on new cars that should arrive in time for Christmas, because car companies can’t afford penalties for registering too many petrol models under the government’s ZEV Mandate. The revelation comes from Robert Forrester, chief executive of one of the UK’s leading car retailers, Vertu Motors PLC. “We have petrol cars in compounds which have been sold, but the keys can’t be handed over because manufacturers want to avoid fines at the end of the year,” he revealed. “There will be thousands of customers around the UK who can’t take delivery because cars are being held. It’s rationing by the back door.” It’s not clear which manufacturers might be delaying deliveries, but it’s true that some are doing better than others when it comes to meeting the…

Christmas car deliveries delayed by ZEV mandate

Jeep and Citroen slash EV prices

THE promise of closer pricing between petrol and pure-electric cars is starting to ring true, with more and more manufacturers cutting the prices of their EVs, and in doing so helping to cool off the rapid inflation of new-car prices. Jeep and Citroen are the latest to bring big cuts to some of their EVs, kicking off with Jeep cutting the price of its Avenger Electric (below) by as much as £5,000. The compact SUV now starts at £29,999 for the entry-level Longitude model, putting it on a level footing with the recently revealed Ford Puma Gen-E. The mid-range Altitude trim now costs £31,999, £4,700 less than before, and the range-topping Summit is £4,900 cheaper at £33,999. Citroen, meanwhile, has launched its revised e-C4 (above) with a drastic cut in…

Jeep and Citroen slash EV prices

Wild £100,000 Renault 5 Turbo 3E gets green light

RENAULT has announced it will put the wild 5 Turbo 3E into production – but rather than turn it into a high-performance variant of the reborn R5, instead it will offer a limited-run, hand-built, roadgoing version of the concept itself with a price likely to be well into six figures. Constructed mostly from carbon fibre, the retro-inspired body will pack a bespoke electric powertrain that’s completely different to that of the standard R5. This is down to the use of a rear-drive layout, with the back axle incorporating two in-wheel motors producing a total of 500bhp. Not only does this pay homage to the original R5 Turbo’s rear-drive layout, it should also unlock supercar levels of performance, with Renault quoting a 0-62mph time of just 3.5 seconds. There’s no word…

Wild £100,000 Renault 5 Turbo 3E gets green light

Genesis tweaks GV70 for 2025

GENESIS has announced subtle changes for its GV70 Electrified. These are specific to models in Korea for now, but we should see the new version arrive next year, priced from around £65,000 for the single, high-spec model. The exterior gets new front and rear bumpers, tweaked lighting and fresh wheels. A new free-standing infotainment and driver’s display screen are fitted into a 27-inch-wide unit that can be controlled by touch or a click-wheel on the centre console. The dash gains fresh air-con controls and ambient lighting, but UK-spec colour and trim options haven’t been finalised. The GV70 Electrified’s powertrain is so far unchanged, comprising a high-spec dualmotor layout combined with a 77.4kWh battery.…

Genesis tweaks GV70 for 2025

End of the road for MG5 EV estate

ONE of the UK’s few electric estate cars will disappear from sale next year following the decision not to replace the MG5. The brand said it has enough stock to see it into early 2025, but newer models have made the 5 surplus to requirements. “At the moment there are no plans to directly replace the MG5,” MG head of product and planning David Allison said. “As soon as the MG4 came out, it killed the MG5. At the time we felt an electric estate was what people wanted, but a good-value EV [the MG4] trumps everything.” Between the MG4 and the replacement for the ZS EV, based on the ES 5, the brand is confident it has sufficient options for buyers. A second new electric SUV, known in existing…

End of the road for MG5 EV estate

Facelifted Kia EV6 GT muscles in with 641bhp

KIA’S newly facelifted EV6 GT has been revealed, with more power than before and one of the more novel features from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The EV6 GT was already the most powerful car in Kia’s line-up, with 577bhp and 740Nm of torque from its dual-motor powertrain. Now the maximum output is 641bhp and 770Nm of torque when ‘GT’ mode is applied. Even during everyday driving, there will be 601bhp on tap, plus 740Nm. Kia says the updated EV6 GT can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds, which is the same as before, but still very quick for a family EV. The Ioniq 5 N hits 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds. The EV6 GT has a new ‘Virtual Gear Shift’ feature, just like the Ioniq 5 N, to give a…

Facelifted Kia EV6 GT muscles in with 641bhp

New CLA shows what’s to come from EV platform

THE twisting roads of the Austrian Alps in December aren’t the best place to sample a new car for the first time, because at 2,500 metres it’s around minus 15 degrees Celsius and covered in freezing snow. But when the car is a new rival to the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, it would be wrong to miss out on the opportunity to try it for the first time, alongside the engineers behind it. This is the all-new Mercedes CLA, due in March next year. It’s the first car based on the firm’s new MMA platform, to be offered with single or dual-motor electric powertrains, and a petrol-electric hybrid from 2026. Our driver is project leader for the CLA, Oliver Zolke. He tells us Mercedes “wanted to change the…

New CLA shows what’s to come from EV platform

789 miles with two 10-minute charge stops

THE new all-electric CLA can apparently do 1,270km (789 miles) with just two 10-minute stops, according to the engineers in charge of the project. The feat is made possible by its chunky 85kWh battery, plus the new MMA platform’s cutting-edge 800V electrical architecture and ultra-rapid charge speeds. Mercedes claims the car can add 186 miles in 10 minutes. The company revealed that, under test conditions, the CLA managed a total of 2,309 miles in 24 hours at the Nardo Technical Centre in southern Italy. Timo Stegmaier, senior manager for the CLA’s electric drive system, told us the car had been charged “40 times, and each charging break was 10 minutes”. We know the top-spec CLA will do up to 466 miles on a full battery. Stegmaier wouldn’t reveal the car’s…

New Black Edition T-Cross and Tiguan from Volkswagen

VOLKSWAGEN has announced new Black Editions of its T-Cross and Tiguan. Sitting above the sporty R-Line trim, the Black Edition adds some styling elements and – for the Tiguan – a new powertrain option. Pricing for the T-Cross Black Edition starts at £29,985, while the Tiguan costs from £46,605. Both are available now. They come with black exterior trim accents, matching alloys (18-inch on the T-Cross and 20-inch on the Tiguan), Volkswagen’s IQ. Light matrix headlights and LED rear lamps with scrolling indicators. The Tiguan Black Edition is also fitted with VW’s Driver Assistance package, adding Lane Assist and Emergency Assist. T-Cross Black Edition buyers can choose Pure white paint at no extra cost. All T-Cross Black Editions get a 1.5-litre TSI engine, either with 114bhp and the choice of…

New Black Edition T-Cross and Tiguan from Volkswagen

Aston Martin Valhalla is a 1,063bhp hypercar

ASTON MARTIN has revealed details of its Valhalla supercar, the brand’s hybrid-powered Ferrari rival. Limited to 999 units, the new model will cost around £850,000 when deliveries start next year. It was revealed three years ago as a concept and more recently with a hybrid V8 powertrain, but we now have full technical details. The Valhalla will get a 4.0-litre V8 with two turbos and a flat-plane crankshaft, assisted by three electric motors – one within the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and two on the front axle. It can drive 8.5 miles on electric power alone, up to 80mph. The hybrid system adds 251bhp, with a small, high-performance battery pack of undisclosed size. Total power is 1,063bhp with 1,100Nm of torque, allowing 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of…

Aston Martin Valhalla is a 1,063bhp hypercar

LOWERING THE LIMIT

THE onset of Christmas means many things for motorists, among them a sharper focus than at any other time of year on the dangers of drink-driving, due to the temptations of the party season. We can all remember high-profile festive campaigns – some using shock tactics, others a softly-softly approach – warning of the dangerous consequences of driving while under the influence. This year, the spotlight on drink-driving is shining more brightly than ever, not least because the arrival of a new UK Government has prompted the British Medical Association (BMA) to amplify calls to cut the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in England and Wales. The current limit, which was established in 1967, is 80mg per 100ml of blood, or 0.08 per cent. As our table opposite illustrates, this…

LOWERING THE LIMIT

YOU might not realise it has been four years since the Skoda Enyaq was launched. That’s partly because the brand’s first fully electric car has consistently beaten whatever hopeful newcomer we’ve pitted against it, and remains one of our top electric SUVs – and family cars in general. But it’s also because it’s taken that long to introduce what is, in effect, a smaller version in the shape of the new, and eagerly awaited, Skoda Elroq. That said, we respect Skoda for taking a more reserved approach to EVs compared with many rivals, and sister brand Volkswagen in particular. Over the next few years, Skoda will be introducing a few more pure-electric models in much quicker succession, which we’re justifiably excited about. The Elroq is a small family-oriented EV with…

“IF you have something with emotional appeal, people will go for it and find the rational justification afterwards for their choices.” Those were the words of Renault VP Design Giles Vidal when talking to Auto Express back in September about the all-new Renault 5. They are pertinent words, because in order to compete with the affordable Chinese EVs arriving on UK shores with ever-increasing momentum, traditional European brands are looking to their design teams to create something desirable, exciting and distinctive – now more than ever. On that count, Vidal seems to have played a blinder with the new Renault 5. Even in the dreary winter’s light on our first UK test of a left-hand-drive model, the number of craned necks and double takes from passers-by that this funky EV…

TO our eyes, the new Audi S5 Avant is a great-looking car. It sits on the firm’s brand-new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) platform, which will now do service until at least 2030 – or possibly beyond, depending on how legislation around EVs unfolds. This architecture will never form the basis of a full-on electric car, and this has allowed Audi to focus purely on making the very best petrol-based platform it possibly can. It’s the reason the company’s designers and engineers haven’t had to compromise – either on the car’s looks or its engineering – which is a big plus in this day and age. It explains why the A5, and specifically the S5 Avant, is as clean and handsome as it is. It also means the car isn’t compromised…

STILL THE MASTER

WE’RE guessing most people reading this won’t remember much about 1974 – the year in which President Nixon was forced to resign following the Watergate scandal, Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle, and West Germany scored victory in the football World Cup again, having first won it in 1954. Equally significantly, on 29 March ’74 Volkswagen built its first Golf, the model tasked with replacing the mighty Beetle, VW’s ‘car of the people’ and easily its most popular – and lucrative – vehicle up to then. The newcomer was named not after the game but, instead, the Gulf Stream climactic event. Probably. Some VW historians reckon the car might actually have been so-designated after a horse belonging to one of Wolfsburg’s top brass at the…

STILL THE MASTER

THE HIGHS AND LOWS

NOTHING will top the Mk1, of course, because the original Golf remains the most significant of all. Yet the Mk2 was one heck of a strong follow-up, especially in GTI 16v guise, whereas the Mk3 was the opposite. By then VW had decided to milk the brand by charging more for a car on which it had spent less. The disappointing result was a shadow of its predecessors. VW then thought it had righted the ship with the Mk4. The regular versions were good cars – far more thoroughly engineered machines than their immediate predecessors – but for whatever reason the GTI remained misguided. Beside a Mk2 GTI 16v, it was simply an embarrassment. By then, rivals had started to build some seriously good machinery such as the Ford Focus,…

SPECIAL DELIVERY

I HAVE previous with London’s black taxis and the hard-nosed, fast-talking professionals who drive them for a living. And before someone corrects me, yes I am well aware that such vehicles are available in other colours and cities. I also know that cabbies – God bless their cotton socks – really can be kind, considerate and generous souls, as you’ll soon discover. From London to Glasgow and all stops in between, I’ve travelled in the back of cabs of all ages and mileages, to radio and TV stations or airports in the early morning, or back home from parties, concerts and weddings after midnight. But on what was the worst, most traumatic night of my life, in February 2012, I was very much alone and in desperate need of a…

SPECIAL DELIVERY

PRESENTS FOR THE PASSIONATE

Save up to £118 on an annual Christmas gift subscription on the best motoring magazines around. Share your passion and get hassle-free gifts that last all year. subscribe.autoexpress.co.uk/xmas Calls to 03 numbers will be charged at your standard local rate. This offer closes on 31st December 2024. The number of issues published in a 3, 6 or 12-month period will vary for each magazine. Discounts are based on the shop price of a single issue. The number of issues ordered will be displayed upon checkout. Offer only available on subscriptions delivered to UK addresses. All gift subscriptions will begin in January 2025…

PRESENTS FOR THE PASSIONATE

PERFORMANCE review

WHEREVER you look these days, digital tech is encroaching on our lives. Online banking, fridges that order food when supplies are low, AI solutions that can magically erase a gurning tourist from an otherwise lovely holiday selfie… it’s endless. And while much of it is useful, some is genuinely baffling. As with most things, a fairly balanced approach is needed. Go all out on tech and it can seem heavy handed; ignore it altogether and you can be left behind. The same applies to cars. There are lots of new machines with clever electric powertrains that can cater for everyday motoring very well, but often come at the expense of thrills. However, there’s also the potential for a smarter, more subtle approach, which not only maintains the level of fun…

PERFORMANCE review

ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE

WE have certain assumptions about the way that a modern Aston Martin should drive. Graceful styling implies there should be a bit of refinement and class, but those smart suits are draped over muscular shapes which offer a subtle hint that the car might just be ready for a bit of a fist fight, too. While some recent Astons haven’t quite lived up to our (very high) expectations, it takes little time spent with the new Vantage to confirm that it really hits the spot. It’s absolutely stunning, and the good news is that the drive matches up to the looks. We think the Vantage looks best from the rear quarter angle, but what’s clear is that it’s even better in the metal than it is in photos. The Aston…

ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE

AUDI RS 6 AVANT GT

IF subtlety is your thing, then look away now. Nothing on this test attracted attention like the RS 6 GT, whose decals and white wheels, barely containing some huge carbon brakes, give it spectacular presence. There are more subdued black and grey exterior finishes with black graphics, but if we were one of the lucky 60 UK buyers, we’d have gone the whole hog and stuck with the white. This run-out edition is more than just a stickers special, though. The wheelarches are even more flared than on the standard RS 6, and like the bonnet they are made from carbon fibre to shave a little weight. There’s a set of fantastic carbon bucket seats, too, and the low-slung driving position feels more like a big coupé than a five…

AUDI RS 6 AVANT GT

BMW’S M division has been fairly unpredictable lately. Occasionally it delivers something truly mind-blowing; take the M5 CS as a glorious recent example of what it does at its best. Yet at other times things don’t gel together quite as coherently as we’d hope for – and in the case of the M4 CS, unfortunately, it’s more of the latter. Let’s not get dramatic here; the CS is still a spectacular car in isolation. But there are a number of small details from where things begin to unravel, starting as soon as you step inside. We appreciate that seating positions are very much down to the taste of the individual, yet from a keen driver’s point of view, we wanted the seat fairly low and the steering wheel almost perpendicular…

FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE

THERE are certain assumptions that you’ll make when you hop into the Ford Mustang Dark Horse. As the most raucous version of Ford’s iconic muscle car, power, noise and drama are all high up on the wish list. And looking at the stats, there’s plenty to suggest that it will deliver on all of those fronts. At a time when many manufacturers are downsizing engines and adding turbos, hybrid assistance (or both) to make up the difference, Ford has stuck to its guns with a big-capacity V8. The 5.0-litre Coyote engine makes 447bhp and 540Nm of torque. Thanks to its deep front bumper and big bonnet vent, the styling fully ticks the muscle-car boxes, too. What might come as a surprise from a Mustang is the feeling of sophistication –…

FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE

MONEY isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to performance cars, but with competitors often costing north of six figures, it’s impossible not to take the MX-5’s price into consideration. Even in its costliest form tested here, a 2.0-litre RF in Homura trim, the Mazda starts at £37,035 – making it nearly six times cheaper than the most expensive car in this contest. While this generation arrived in 2015, constant improvements have been topped by another round of updates for 2024, hence its inclusion here. Enhanced infotainment and new driver-assistance tech (which can be muted with a prod of a button) aren’t the most important changes, though; there are also one or two updates to the chassis that turn out to be much more profound. It’s hard to notice…

McLAREN ARTURA SPIDER

McLAREN is becoming a Performance Car of the Year regular, with the Artura Spider following on from the 765LT that took on 2023’s best. There are high expectations, too, given that the Artura’s big brother claimed third spot 12 months ago, with us naming it ‘the very best supercar on sale’. The Spider has a slightly different remit. As the entry model, it’s designed to be easier to live with every day than the 765. It allows you to enjoy the elements even more, thanks to a roof that folds beneath the buttresses in only 11 seconds. A carbon-fibre tub means no compromise in terms of body rigidity compared with the coupé, and it weighs only 62kg more. With the added pleasure of open-top driving, the choice between coupé and…

McLAREN ARTURA SPIDER

MORGAN PLUS FOUR

“IT TAKES A SPECIFIC TECHNIQUE TO DRIVE THE MORGAN, WHICH IS PART OF ITS APPEAL. HOWEVER, WE STRUGGLED TO FIND CONFIDENCE IN IT” STEPPING into a Morgan used to be very much like stepping back in time. But while the view out of the flat windscreen and towards the louvred bonnet and cascading front arches has changed little in over 70 years, the dashboard has some much more modern touches – and even more are hidden beneath that flowing body. We’ve driven this car previously, but it now has a limited-slip differential, which is a new option on the Plus Four. That aside, it’s the same as before: a BMW-sourced 2.0-litre turbo driving the rear wheels through a manual gearbox. With 255bhp, it’s plenty to push along the aluminium chassis…

MORGAN PLUS FOUR

PORSCHE 911 S/T

IF we were to judge this contest on engines alone, we would have sent the other eight cars home the second we wound the Porsche 911 S/T up to its spine-tingling 9,000rpm red line for the first time. Make no mistake – the S/T has one of the greatest production-car powerplants ever made. It is, of course, the same engine fitted to the latest 911 GT3 RS: a 4.0-litre flat-six with 518bhp – an incredible feat without turbo or electrical help. But from there it diverged from the RS, adopting a more road-biased attitude. There are no wild spoilers or RS-style wide body. More telling is that Porsche’s lightning-fast PDK auto has been replaced with a six-speed manual, which gets shorter ratios than the lesser GT3 in order give better…

PORSCHE 911 S/T

TOYOTA GR YARIS

TOYOTA’S Gazoo Racing department is still in its infancy when it comes to road cars, but it hasn’t taken it long to produce a truly enthralling selection of performance machinery. While the Supra and the GR86 have very opposing character traits, given that they’re both two-door coupés, it’s the third child that is the wildest. The GR Yaris was the first to emerge, and is the one that really helped the world stand up and take notice of Toyota’s skunkworks division. For 2024, it’s become wilder than before, because while the heavily chopped roof and cartoonishly wide arches remain, the front grille has been given even more purpose, with a wider opening to improve cooling. It’s pricier than before, too – unsurprising given how quickly the old model sold out.…

TOYOTA GR YARIS

ALL of these cars are so superb that we had to seriously nit-pick to split them. In the end, the Mustang had the biggest issue: that automatic gearbox. Had it been equipped with a six-speed manual, it could have performed better here, but the remaining ingredients, although impressive, didn’t quite reach the highs of the other cars’. Given that Morgan’s entire employee roster will be outnumbered by the social media teams of most other brands’ in this list, the fact that the Plus Four finished anywhere other than a distant last is a phenomenal result. Ultimate feel and feedback robbed it of a higher finish, but it’s one of the leaders here when it comes to character. Feel and feedback pegged the BMW M4 CS back to seventh place, too.…

2024 CHRISTMAS CROSSWORD

Across 1. What Americans call ‘the trunk’ (4) 2. Optimum position on a race starting grid (4) 6. Imperial measurement for air pressure (1,1,1) 8. Coventry-based British car maker (6) 10. Police acronym for a highway collision (1,1,1) 11. Could be disc, drum or hand (5) 12. Model code for Mazda MX-5 launched in 2005 (2) 14. Most successful Brazilian Formula One driver ever (5) 17. Three-pointed ____. Mercedes logo (4) 18. Audi Coupé and Roadster launched in 1998 (1,1) 19. Trailing and track control are both examples of this suspension part (3) 21. Multiple open-top cars (12) 22. Abbreviated term for a long-wheelbase car, often chauffeur driven (4) 23. Most cars have four or five of these (6) 25. Multiple Lamborghinis launched in 1968 (7) 28. The added volume…

2024 CHRISTMAS CROSSWORD

What happened in 2024? 1. What car was named Car of the Year 2024 by Auto Express? a. Fiat 600 b. Citroen e-C3 c. Hyundai Santa Fe 2. Which UK supermarket chain announced in February that it was rolling out its own rapid charging network? a. Morrisons b. Waitrose c. Sainsbury’s 3. In April, Alfa Romeo had to change the name of its Junior electric SUV on the day of its launch. What did it change the name from? a. Milano b. Giulietta c. Alfetta 4. Which American EV start-up went bust in June, months after launching its first model? a. Fisker b. Rivian c. Lucid 5. Chinese brand Omoda confirmed in August that it plans to launch a premium sister brand in the UK. What will it be called?…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

“THE RALLY SUSPENSION WAS SO SOPHISTICATED THAT THE LANDING WAS UNREMARKABLE. I'VE BEEN JOSTLED MORE AT HEATHROW” FLYING HIGH WITH DACIA IN DESERT ISSUE 1,842 BEFORE May of this year, I could honestly say that I’d never been airborne in a car at more than 110mph. Certainly not on dirt. But that all changed when I had the privilege of joining Dacia in the south of France during a test session for the Sandrider: its new challenger for the gruelling Dakar Rally. The all-black testing livery lent the Sandrider the vibe of Batman’s rally car, but I was strapped into the passenger seat beside someone much more exciting to me than Gotham’s grumpy antihero. My driver was Cristina Gutiérrez, Extreme E racer and the 2024 T3 class winner at the…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

REVIEW OF THE YEAR JANUARY

NEWS “SEAT HAD BEEN SO SILENT THAT WE WERE ALL BUT CONVINCED THE FIRM WAS SET TO THROW IN THE TOWEL” SEAT REVEALS PLANS FOR BABYSUV ISSUE 1,816 WE’RE constantly sniffing around for scoops, and one of our best came when we got wind of a big story surrounding SEAT’s re-entry into the small EV market. Things had been very quiet on the SEAT front through 2023, with sister brand Cupra stealing the headlines with its range of sporty, premium-feeling family cars. SEAT had been so silent that we were all but convinced the firm was set to throw in the towel. But then-new UK boss Marcus Gossen let slip that he had “exciting news coming for SEAT,” which was set to sell cars at least until the end of…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR JANUARY

REVIEW OF THE YEAR FEBRUARY

NEWS RENAULT FINALLY ENDS WAIT FOR R5 ISSUE 1,820 THE Renault 5 was arguably the biggest car reveal of 2024, and even as we write this, excitement continues to swell after we finally had a taste of an early production car on UK roads (page 26). Don’t expect the hysteria to dwindle next year either, when we start to see the first models trickle through to showrooms and onto school runs up and down the country. There were few surprises when the covers came off back in February, with the reborn 5 staying true to its concept-car roots and bold colour choices, which is no bad thing in a world filled with black and grey crossovers. Retro in all the right ways – despite designer Gilles Vidal insisting his team…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR FEBRUARY

REVIEW OF THE YEAR MARCH

NEWS REVISED A3 HERALDS AUDI CAR BLITZ ISSUE 1,822 BACK in March, Audi showed off its revamped A3 hatchback and saloon, plus their hot S3 variants. The refresh aimed to address criticisms of the Mk4 model, with changes including higher-quality interior materials and a touch more glamour with new LED lighting plus a cleaner, more expressive exterior design. But even then we knew this was just the start of some big moves from Audi, thanks to a major model blitz due from 2024 onwards. There are generally two branches of Audi’s range-wide revolution, and our reporting laid down the groundwork of how this would look over the forthcoming 24 months. The first would be electric, starting with two all-new Q6 and A6 e-tron models. These are based on a brand-new…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR MARCH

REVIEW OF THE YEAR APRIL

NEWS NEW FRONTERA ARRIVES ISSUE 1,826 ANOTHER reborn nameplate was introduced, this time in April, taking the form of a new Vauxhall Frontera. As we reported in our Top Story, the new car might not share anything obvious beyond a name with the previous body-on-frame 4x4, but there’s actually rather more of a connection between the two than meets the eye. You see, back in the eighties and nineties, Vauxhall’s then owner, General Motors, was happy to sell different models from different markets when fitted with an appropriate badge. As a result, the Vauxhall Frontera’s Japanese origins made it an ideal, tough off-roading model for the time. The difference now is that rather than a simple re-badge, this new Frontera has been built on the bare bones of the Smart…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR APRIL

REVIEW OF THE YEAR MAY

ROAD TEST MG3 Hybrid+beats Suzuki Swift hatch ISSUE 1,831 THE previous MG3 was a cheap and not-so cheerful offering, while the Suzuki Swift had long been one of our favourite budget superminis – so you'd have thought a battle between the latest versions of the two go the way of the Japanese model. But MG has been on a roll lately with its EVs – the MG4 in particular – and the company's new MG3 proved it could storm the hybrid supermini sector too. Combining class-leading performance, refinement and an eye-catching price tag, it beat the Swift convincingly. DRIVEN Skoda Octavia gets better with age ISSUE 1,832 MAY saw us get reacquainted with our 2020 Car of the Year, the Skoda Octavia. With a new look for 2024, plus more…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR MAY

REVIEW OF THE YEAR JUNE

NEWS NEW 1 SERIES NO LONGER SEES EYE TO i ISSUE 1,834 BMW has been using ‘i’ to designate its petrol models for so long that when the fresh 1 Series dropped it earlier this year, we were a bit taken aback. That’s before we got around to the rest of the car, which has changed so much over its predecessor that BMW even gave it a new model codename (F70 replacing the old F40), despite it using the same platform as before. Styling cues on modern BMWs are a contentious and divisive topic. The new 1 Series features a slightly tweaked rear and a ‘1’ emblem on the rear pillar, but the big changes are at the front with the new grille. It's possible to make the kidney grille…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR JUNE

REVIEW OF THE YEAR JULY

AWARDS CAR OF THE YEAR WINNERS REVEALED ISSUE 1,838 OUR 2024 New Car Awards saw us pitting the very best models in each segment against each other once again. From pintsized city cars to load-lugging pick-up trucks, each highly rated vehicle vied to take home a class title. The honour of being Auto Express Car of the Year for 2024 went to the all-new Citroen e-C3. Our judges were the first people to drive the car on UK roads, and were impressed by the ride, interior space and low running costs. The cherry on top was the starting price of less than £22,000, which is close to half that of last year’s overall winner, the Hyundai Kona Electric. Our reviewer said in their verdict: “There’s a distinct feeling of ‘perfect…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR JULY

REVIEW OF THE YEAR AUGUST

NEWS SCOOP PREVIEW OF NEXT PEUGEOT 208 ISSUE 1,844 ONE of our most attention-grabbing stories of 2024 was an exclusive scoop on the next-generation Peugeot 208, with the inside track on the new supermini that’s ready to break some rules when it arrives in 2026. As our exclusive images show, the latest Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUVs are likely to influence the 208's design, sharing their graduated grille pattern, sharp headlights with the brand’s signature three-claw light motif, and unconventional wheel designs. The rear will have some angular surfacing, and a black strip joining the tail-lights with bold ‘Peugeot’ lettering across it, as is fashionable these days. The sister car to the Vauxhall Corsa is sure to be flamboyant, but that was a given. However, the biggest changes will come…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR AUGUST

REVIEW OF THE YEAR SEPTEMBER

NEWS A NEW-LOOK MAG – BUT STILL THE SAME VALUES ISSUE 1,847 SEPTEMBER is always a huge month for the car industry. Whether it’s all-new model reveals, events granting the motoring press the chance to try out the latest metal on the road for the first time, or even the new reg plate for UK buyers, there’s an awful lot to take in. But September 2024 was even more significant than usual for Auto Express, because we launched one of the most significant rebrands of our 36-year history. Much like all of the best facelifts in the automotive world – the sorts that we bring you before anyone else – we hope you’ll agree that our new layout has taken little time in making our previous style seem a touch…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR SEPTEMBER

REVIEW OF THE YEAR OCTOBER

NEWS RENAULT 4 REINVENTED FOR EVAGE ISSUE 1,853 RENAULT grabbed the headlines again in October with the reveal of its all-new 4. Just as with the new R5, the brand showed that it wouldn’t be shy in drawing inspiration from one of the most iconic models of its past. The original 4 could reasonably be called a compact crossover of its day – a rugged hatchback that majored on simplicity and toughness to appeal to the masses. The design similarities were very clear for deputy editor Richard Ingram to see when he was given a preview of the new model. From the square grille and round headlights to the almost van-like side profile and large boot opening, it is easy to spot a resemblance between the new car and the…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR OCTOBER

REVIEW OF THE YEAR NOVEMBER

NEWS “THERE'S A CHANCE THAT BMW'S STRAIGHT-SIX PETROL ENGINE WILL ALSO MAKE A RETURN” NEW BMW 3 SERIES SCOOP ISSUE 1,858 AUTO Express peered into its crystal ball in Issue 1,858, with exclusive images revealing how the next-generation BMW 3 Series could look when it arrives in 2026. Our renderings were based on spy pictures of disguised prototypes, and while details of the new cars remained covered, it was clear that the front-end design of 2022’s Neue Klasse concept was on its way to production. Our images showed this, while the high-level rear light bar matched the location of the tail-lights on the spy shots. As with the larger 5 Series, the next 3 Series will be offered with electric power or combustion engines with varying degrees of hybrid assistance.…

REVIEW OF THE YEAR NOVEMBER

“DRIVING SOMETHING SO SMOOTH HAS MADE ME APPRECIATE THE BMW MORE" PEUGEOT E-2008 RICHARD INGRAM DEPUTY EDITOR ISSUE 1,848 WE’RE pretty lucky in that we get access to all kinds of cars for Auto Express. From superminis to supercars, and everything in between, there really aren’t many new models I’ve not driven. Yet I realised recently that all you really need is something functional from Monday to Friday, matched with something fun for the weekend. I attempted to surmise this point back in September by pulling together our long-term Peugeot E-2008 alongside my classic BMW; driving something so smooth and effortless most of the time has made me appreciate my seventies saloon more than ever. These days, almost every car we test for Auto Express has an electric powertrain or,…

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE 39% ON THE ORIGINAL SHOP PRICE

WHAT’S INCLUDED? 39% off the cover price Get a 6-issue trial for just £1! Your subscription will then automatically renew every 13 issues at just £36.99. Free Delivery Never miss an issue with delivery to your doorstep at no extra cost. Free Auto Express KeepCup KeepCup: The original reusable, barista standard cup. Lightweight, durable, and fits most car holders. Your stylish, eco-friendly caffeine companion. Flexible options We offer hassle-free cancellation or the option to pause anytime SUBSCRIBE NOW 1 Order online Visit subscribe.autoexpress.co.uk or call 0330 333 9491 2 Enter the offer code DOCT24PR and choose the offer that suits you best. 3 Check out securely Complete your order, and await the arrival of our first issue. Sit back, relax and enjoy! SCAN TO SHOP Scan me with your smartphone’s…

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE 39% ON THE ORIGINAL SHOP PRICE

WHEN testing more than 600 products, some will catch the eye. These can be clever solutions, innovative ways of getting a job done or simply offering great performance. To celebrate these 2024 highlights, our test team has whittled down a long ‘shortlist’ to 20 top choices that you should look to add to your own tool kit or car, if you haven’t done so already. This is not a list of test winners – in fact, in many cases they are not – but they’re our team’s picks when price isn’t a key factor. They can still be in use long after the test has finished, they’re a pleasure to work with, or they’ve earned a permanent spot in the car or workshop. So from the 500-plus products in our…

“I HAVE AT LEAST TESTED BOTH ICE AND EVS, AND FEELABLE TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE BASED ON MY OWN CIRCUMSTANCES” ’TIS the season to make merry and move people about. A time of the year when I’m reminded just how lucky I am being able to drive brand-new, option-laden cars as part of my job. I’ve often found that, as I collect friends and family over the festive period, they’re wowed by the comfort, clear infotainment and comprehensive safety systems of my various test models. However, more recently I’ve noticed a different reaction specifically to electric cars. Those initial smiles that were accompanied by oohs and aahs quickly turn to scepticism, before passengers launch a well worn attack on EVs using an armoury of second-hand opinions. I’ve never read…

11th Kia Sportage Mk5

“Great balance between performance, reliability and styling. The warranty helps maintain trade-in value.” “My driver’s seat is so uncomfortable, I get bad backache. It’s even worse in the front passenger seat.” “Acceleration is impressive for a 1.6-litre engine. It’s very responsive, especially with the car in Sport mode.” KIA usually does pretty well in our annual Driver Power surveys, thanks to its cars generally offering good value, decent reliability and one of the best warranties. So it’s no surprise that owners rate their vehicles pretty highly. One of the areas that Sportage owners like especially is their cars’ interiors, along with the practicality and boot space. Breaking down the first category reveals a fourth place for the styling, fifth for rear-seat legroom and ninth for visibility. High practicality scores are…

11th Kia Sportage Mk5

THE BEST CARS WITH BIG BOOTS

CHRISTMAS is the time of year for ‘more’. More gifts, more food, more celebrations – and more miles to cover. In which case, you’ll need a car with a big boot. And by buying a model with a cavernous luggage capacity, you’ll be fine carrying all those extra mince pies, sausage rolls and pigs in blankets. Not that long ago, estate cars ruled the roost when it came to offering buyers the most spacious boots, but in recent years SUVs and even the odd MPV have muscled in on the load-lugging action. Then there is the new breed of EVs which, thanks to the packaging advantages of batteries and electric motors, can often squeeze in more stuff than similarly sized ICE machines. Of course, there’s more to hauling hefty loads…

THE BEST CARS WITH BIG BOOTS

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 (0-100km/h), 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, the first 12 months’ of emissions-based road tax,…

I’M wary – sometimes deeply suspicious – of holier-than-thou ‘mythbuster’ articles and public information campaigns. Not least because they can, and quite frequently do, pose as many questions as they try to answer. Regardless of what side of the fence you’re on when it comes to emotionally charged matters such as bicycles vs motorised vehicles, Labour vs Tory, or meat-eating vs vegetarianism, please proceed, look, listen and learn with caution – while chucking a large dollop of cynicism and a sprinkling of humour into the mix. For example, my years of listening and learning have convinced me that meat is murder, but vegetables are justifiable homicide. Fair enough? “IF YOU PLAN TO DRIVE FROM BIRMINGHAM TO LONDON AND BACK, THEN YOU MUST WORK ON THE ASSUMPTION YOU’LL NEED A CHARGING…

In This Issue

Description

Details

Reviews

Recent Digital Issues Browse all

Recent Auto Express Digital Issues Browse all back issues

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription March 12th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1873: $4.39

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription March 5th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1872: $4.39

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription February 26th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1871: $4.39

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription February 19th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1870: $4.33

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription April 23rd, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1879: $4.51

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription April 16th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1878: $4.51

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription April 9th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1877: $4.51

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription April 2nd, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1876: $4.51

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription March 26th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1875: $4.51

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription March 19th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1874: $4.39

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription March 12th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1873: $4.39

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription March 5th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1872: $4.39

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription February 26th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1871: $4.39

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription February 19th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1870: $4.33

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription April 23rd, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1879: $4.51

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription April 16th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1878: $4.51

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription April 9th, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1877: $4.51

Auto Express (Digital) Subscription April 2nd, 2025 Issue

Auto Express (Digital) 1876: $4.51

Customers Also Viewed

Auto Express Magazine (Digital) Subscription April 23rd, 2025 Issue

Auto Express Magazine (Digital)

51 Issues: $117.55 ~~$230.01~~

Reviews