Safety body Euro NCAP has released its latest round of crash-test results, with four of the five cars tested securing top-class scores.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tucson, and the Toyota Yaris Cross were all given five-star ratings following the challenging series of tests – these included front and side impacts and collisions with barriers and poles as well as an analysis of each car’s active safety technology. The fifth car tested, the Hyundai Bayon SUV, secured a four-star rating.
Euro NCAP testers highlighted the difference in safety performance between the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV and its muscle-car namesake, which was tested in 2017 and only just managed three stars (and then only after receiving a specification upgrade following its initial two-star result).
The Mustang Mach-E includes as standard a centre airbag, a deployable bonnet to protect vulnerable road users and a host of driver assistance technology.
The Ford Mustang Mach-e had the best rating for adult occupant safety in this round of Euro NCAP tests, with a score of 92%
The Ford also earned a top five-star rating from Euro NCAP’s sister environmental test programme Green NCAP. With no tailpipe emissions the car scored top marks in the Clean Air Index and Greenhouse Gas Index tests, and a 9.4 out of 10 score for energy efficiency.
Both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric family car and Tucson SUV were described by Euro NCAP safety testers as having good all-round safety features, though the Tucson’s safety assist technology was only just effective enough to achieve the five-star rating.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 had the best safety assist feature rating in this test batch, with a score of 88%
The new Hyundai Bayon small SUV was marked down as it lacks the centre airbag that is standard on both the Ioniq 5 and the Tucson. However, testers added that the Bayon has robust crash protection and crash-avoidance features, which enabled it to secure a “creditable” four-star rating.
The Toyota Yaris Cross SUV, which in the UK is supplied as a petrol hybrid, became the third consecutive Toyota model to achieve the five-star rating, following the Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car and Yaris supermini.
The Hyundai Bayon was the only entrant in this round of Euro NCAP crash tests that failed to secure a five-star rating
The all-new Range Rover has been unveiled, with Land Rover’s flagship SUV offering seven seats for the first time and an all-electric version within three years.
The fifth-generation Range Rover will arrive on UK roads in Spring 2022. As with its predecessor, it will be available in both a standard and a long-wheelbase form extended by around 20cm, with a choice of four, five or for the first time in the long-wheelbase version, seven seats.
While visually clearly related to its predecessors, the latest Range Rover has been completely redesigned with a all-new chassis which makes possible electrification – the electric version arriving in 2024 will be Land Rover’s first EV, though the brand aims to offer fully-electric options across its complete range by 2030.
The Range Rover will initially be offered with a range of petrol and diesel mild-hybrid powertrains – all will be six-cylinder units, the car no longer available with four-cylinder engines. Two petrol and three diesel options will be on offer, with power outputs ranging from 250hp in the entry-level diesel to 400hp in the top petrol.
A flagship performance model remains in the range, but instead of the previous version’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine, it will use a twin-turbo unit with 530hp, sourced from BMW. Land Rover says the new engine offers more performance, going from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, and 17% better efficiency than its predecessor.
In 2024, the powertrain range will be extended not only by the full-electric version but a pair of plug-in hybrids combining a six-cylinder petrol engine with a 105kW electric motor built into the transmission.
The two offer combined power outputs of 440 and 510hp, while their 38.2kWh battery provides an official all-electric range of 62 miles, which is likely to be one of the longest in the PHEV market. Official CO2 emissions figures will be below 30g/km.
The luxury appeal of the new model will also be significantly enhanced – new measures include a fabric and wool blend that offers an alternative to leather, and noise cancelling technology using the car’s audio system. A personalised and more luxurious Range Rover SV, built by the brand’s Special Vehicle Operations department, will go on sale later in 2022.
Dealers are now taking orders for the new Range Rover, at prices starting from £94,900.
Tesla has started taking orders for its new Model Y, effectively a crossover version of the popular Model 3 employing the same technology, chassis and electric powertrain.
The Model Y will be available in two versions, dubbed Long Range AWD and Performance. The Long Range AWD version will arrive first, initial deliveries planned for early 2022 at prices starting from £54,990.
The AWD version offers an official driving range of up to 315 miles between charges. It employs separate electric motors in the front and rear axles, and while Tesla has not revealed power outputs, the car will sprint from 0 to 62mph in about five seconds.
Performance models will join the range in mid-2022 at prices from £64,995. Also using two motors, these will have around 50hp more than the AWD, dropping the 0-62mph time below four seconds.
The Model Y is slightly longer than the Model 3 but with a body 15cm higher. Interior features include a panoramic glass roof and a completely flat floor while among technology shared with the Model 3 are keyless entry using a smartphone, access to a host of features via a mobile app, and a 15-inch touchscreen providing all of the interior car controls.
Tesla offers an ‘autopilot’ system employing a host of cameras around the vehicle and including an advanced adaptive cruise control, lane-changing and automatic parking. The technology is a cost-extra option but is built into the car’s software but can be unlocked at a later date after the car has been purchased.
The Model Y will be compatible with Tesla’s expanding Supercharger network, a familiar sight in motorway service areas, and will also plug into Tesla’s new V3 Superchargers, which are said to be able to provide the equivalent of 1,000 miles of range per hour.
Prime rivals for the Tesla Model Y will include the Volvo XC40 Recharge and the recently introduced Audi Q4 e-tron – the Tesla promises both faster acceleration and a longer range than the Audi.
From regular roadsters to exotic drop-tops, we’ve calculated the best convertibles you can buy new from your local dealership.
Despite the rather dreary weather we get in the UK, it seems the British have always had a soft spot for a soft top, as we look to make the best of our two months of summer sun. If you are looking for the best set of wheels to do some wind-in-the-hair motoring yourself, we have you covered.
We’ve analysed all of the new convertibles and cabriolets available at each price point, then consulted our industry-leading Expert Rating Index to see which models have the highest review scores from across the UK motoring media.
With comprehensive review data backing our recommendations, you can be confident that this is the definitive guide to the best new convertibles for every budget that are on sale in the UK right now.
If you are looking for happiness on four wheels, this is it. For a small open-air runabout with a lot of character, you won’t find better value for money than the compact Fiat 500C. It is pretty much identical to the regular Fiat 500; but instead of a hard top it has a full-length retractable sunroof.
With prices starting from just over £15K, the Fiat 500C has been commended by the UK media for its unique styling and character which can be personalised to you hearts content, as well as being quite an affordable cabriolet package. In addition, the 500C has an easy-to-operate fabric roof that can also be opened partially.
Like the regular Fiat 500, the 500C is a very agile city car that is easy to drive and park, and has a very economical selection of engines to choose from. However, as the last facelift for the 500C was in 2015, the model is starting to look a bit dated. It is not the most practical of options either, as the back seats are quite cramped and it has a very small boot.
But does the Fiat 500C feel just a little bit too common to you? You should also check out the Citroen C1 Airscape, which is similarly nimble and cheap to run as the Fiat 500C.
As of October 2021, the Fiat 500 holds an Expert Rating of 53%, based on 21 reviews published by the UK media.
Now in its fourth generation, the Mazda MX-5 is the world’s favourite roadster and beloved in Britain. In fact, half of all MX-5s sold in Europe are now on UK roads, offering sports car thrills for much more reasonable prices than premium alternatives.
The MX-5 has won over 30 industry awards since the launch of the fourth generation model, including World Car of the Year and UK Car of the Year in 2016.
Reviewers particularly commend the Mazda MX-5 for its light and agile driving dynamics, and just how thrilling it is to drive with the top down, but more consumer-focused reviewers are quick to point out that the MX-5 lacks cabin space, and is not a very practical choice for your daily commute.
If you are looking for something with a bit more legroom, the popular Mini Convertible may be more up your alley. Similarly priced to the MX-5, the Mini Convertible also offers an exciting driving experience, while providing more interior space and a bigger boot.
As of October 2021, the Mazda MX-5 holds an impressive Expert Rating of 86%, based on 40 reviews published by UK media sources.
Another UK fan favourite, the Audi TT Roadster is a two-door convertible that possesses plenty of pace, but still maintains confident road manners and poise. Reviewers generally conclude that the Audi TT Roadster has impressive build quality and distinctive styling both inside and out.
Conversely, some reviewers feel that the TT Roadster is too sensible for its own good, as it’s not as sporty to drive as you might expect from a drop-top sports car.
Another roadster that deserves a mention in this price range is the BMW Z4, which has been praised for its build quality and its attractive design, inside and out.
As of October 2021, the Audi TT has an Expert Rating of 78%, based on 47 reviews written by the UK media.
Widely regarded by the British media as the most complete sports car package available for (just) under £50,000, the Porsche 718 Boxster is the entry-level model in the Porsche convertible range. Go much beyond the entry-level model, however, and you’ll easily be breaking the £50K threshold.
Reviews of the 718 Boxster published by the UK media have been overwhelmingly positive, as reviewers generally conclude that the 718 Boxster is beautifully built, has blistering turbocharged pace, has exceptional handling and body control, and a very attractive exterior design.
However, reviewers are not too happy about the 718 Boxster’s engine, which is rather unusual for a Porsche. Despite guaranteed driving thrills, the four-cylinder engine of the newest generation can’t quite match the punchy performance of the six-cylinder engines of older Boxster models.
If you are feeling particularly patriotic, the British-made Lotus Elise is another fantastic option under £50,000, commended for its agile handling and rapid acceleration.
As of October 2021, the Porsche 718 Boxster holds an excellent Expert Rating of 86%, calculated using the scores given in 28 different reviews.
If you prefer comfort over performance, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is one of the best convertibles on the the market. This open-top cruiser offers fantastic day-to-day practicality and cabin space for four, with interior luxuries that no other cabriolet under £75K can match.
Reviewers are also keen to mention how great the E-Class Cabriolet’s ride comfort is; an elegant choice for those who prefer leisurely drives to track days. However, the infotainment system is also said to be a bit fiddly, and the optional extras available can make things very pricey quite quickly.
As of October 2021, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet holds an Expert Rating of 74%, based on reviews collected from 13 different UK media sources.
It’s no great surprise to find a Porsche 911 in this list. The 911 Cabriolet has been a mainstay of the Porsche family since the 1980s, and the latest 992 generation is undoubtedly the company’s best soft-top 911 yet.
Reviewers also generally conclude that the Porsche 911 Cabriolet has very responsive handling and is reasonably practical; there’s decent luggage space in the traditional 911 frunk, while you may as well use rear seats for storage as well, because they’re not great for passengers.
With prices starting from £95K, it is a very expensive purchase too, and although the six-cylinder engine sounds fantastic while cruising with the top down, it is not the most economical of powertrains, and you will find yourself refuelling it far more often than the family car.
As of October 2021, the Porsche 911 hold an outstanding Expert Rating of 91%, based on 41 reviews published by the UK media.
Possibly the last mid-engine V8 convertible that Ferrari will ever produce before the illustrious Italian manufacturer is dragged kicking and screaming into the electric age, the Ferrari F8 Spider is most powerful conventional V8 drop-top that Ferrari has ever produced.
Highlights for F8 Spider reviewers are the sports car’s fantastic performance and typically stunning exterior design, as well as its surprisingly practical interior trim.
If you have always dreamed of driving an extremely fast convertible sports car, then the Ferrari F8 Spider is a fantastic choice, should you have at least £225K lying around… Yes, you read that number correctly. Ferrari has also made Apple CarPlay an optional extra, and is charging a further £2,400 for it – cheeky.
Reviewers like to compare the Ferrari F8 Spider to the McLaren 720 Spider, which is another exhilarating candidate available for around the same price.
As of October 2021, the Ferrari F8 holds a formidable Expert Rating of 89%, based on 19 reviews published by UK media sources.
Carrying Britain’s convertible culture into the near future, there are a few new cabriolet candidates on the horizon, due to arrive on UK roads in the coming years.
BMW has a few convertible models set for a UK launch; the 4 Series and M4 convertible variants are arriving imminently, while there will almost inevitably be a new version of the popular 2 Series convertible. It’s not been announced yet, but the coupé version has just been launched and so the soft-top sibling is likely to be allong shortly.
Mercedes-Benz is also launching the next generation of its famous SL sports car in 2022. The new model has been developed by AMG, and is said to be the sportiest SL we’ve seen since the 1950s ‘Gullwing’ original.
If you’re in the market for a new Ferrari or McLaren, but for some reason you’re not convinced by the current models, you could instead wait for the release of the Ferrari 296 GTS and McLaren Artura Spider – neither of which have been confirmed, but are likely to appear as open-air siblings to the new coupé models from each brand.
For the definitive rankings of the best new convertibles for every budget, we’ve used The Car Expert’s industry-leading Expert Rating Index.
The Index analyses new car reviews from 25 of the top UK motoring websites, using an advanced algorithm that we have developed specifically to compare review scores. It constantly recalculates and updates the Expert Rating score for every single car in real time to make sure you’re getting the most accurate and reliable ratings for every new car.
If you’ve tried to lease a new car in the last six months, your experience may not have been as smooth as you would’ve hoped.
As the automotive world endures the reality of a post-Covid-19 market, customers are now feeling the knock-on effects, enduring lengthy delays in their search for a new car lease.
As a result of the global semiconductor shortage, car production has been seriously hampered in recent months and it shows no signs of slowing down as we prepare to hit 2022.
Some manufacturers are now reportedly offering customers delivery dates between four and 12 months in advance.
The current stock issues that surround new cars is an ever-changing situation and customers should always seek clarity if applicable. Each manufacturer is experiencing different problems, and this is resulting in varying lead times.
A solution to this is to choose an in-stock lease deal, where cars can be delivered as quickly as just four weeks.
Choosing an in-stock vehicle as your next car lease is an easy way to avoid long delays or disappointment amid the uncertainty that surrounds new car production at the moment.
There are fewer risks that come with choosing an in-stock vehicle in the current climate, with factory-ordered vehicles having the risk of further delays.
Despite the current issues that surround the automotive industry, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported record figures when it comes to customer demand.
In-stock vehicles can be ordered and delivered straight to your door in a fraction of the time, giving you peace of mind as you look to get back on the road.
Quicker delivery times doesn’t mean you compromise on any other element of your lease. Choosing an in-stock vehicle is one of the many fantastic methods to get the best value for money from your lease.
Leasing an in-stock vehicle rather than a factory-built car could mean that you miss out on your preferred model or trim level, but you could also save money on your monthly payment.
According to reports, Tesla are one of the few manufacturers that are not experiencing delays in their delivery process.
A Tesla Model 3 lease deal is a valuable and cost-effective way to fund a more efficient daily drive – especially for business customers.
Like many of their rivals, new Ford and Mercedes models are reportedly being built with compromised specification lists following the shortage of chips.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet was a four-seat convertible, sitting above the C-Class Cabriolet and below the S-Class Cabriolet. It was launched in 2017 and ended production in 2023, being replaced by the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet.
As the name suggests, the E-Class Cabriolet was effectively an open-top version of the E-Class coupé, which in turn was based on the regular E-Class executive saloon. The Cabriolet was launched in spring 2017, with a mid-life facelift arriving in 2020. Production ended in 2023 when Mercedes consolidated the two-door E-Class and C-Class models into a single model called the CLE – effectively harking back to the old CLK of the 1990s and 2000s that did much the same thing.
The E-Class Cabriolet was available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, as well as a petrol/mild hybrid and an unusual diesel/mild hybrid option. All models had a nine-speed automatic gearbox, while all-wheel drive was available on some versions.
Mirroring the praise given to the E-Class saloon, the E-Class Cabriolet was commended for its plush and refined interior, its ride comfort, sleek exterior and everyday practicality. Car concluded that the E-Class Cabriolet was “everything a four-seat convertible should be – pretty, comfortable and luxurious for sunny weather and decently practical for everyday drudgery too.”
While the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet offered plenty of comfort, reviewers generally conclude that this drop-top is luxurious rather than sporty. Carwow commented: “It’s not much fun to drive through corners, but it excels at cruising gently with the roof down to enjoy the scenery.”
As of November 2024, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 56%. Although it generally got good media review scores, its running costs are high and its reliability record is poor.
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
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Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet is a big, elegant soft-top that offers bags of style, enough quality and some great tech. The updates have helped further boost its appeal, and this more affordable E 300 model has just enough power given that it focuses on a relaxed drive.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is comfortable, well-built and great to look at.” Read review
Auto Trader
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Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet is that rare thing: a prestige four-seat convertible. It’s a seriously tempting buy, too.” Read review
Autocar
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Model reviewed: Rage overview Score: 7 / 10 “This car’s design isn’t set to stun, and neither is the driving experience. But it is a car that enriches balmy days and enjoyable drives with its mellow charm and its unassuming sense of indulgence, without trying in any way to be exciting or dramatic.” Read review
Car
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Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “Everything a four-seat convertible should be – pretty (except in aero mode), comfortable and luxurious for sunny weather and decently practical for everyday drudgery too.” Read review
Carbuyer
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Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet is now a true four-seater with a decent boot, along with a stylish interior and superb comfort” Read review
Carwow
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Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet oozes class and turns heads like few other drop-tops. If you want driving thrills with the wind in your hair, there are better options though.” Read review
Eurekar
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Model reviewed: E220d Cabriolet AMG Line “The E-Class is a fine example, a two-door, four seater with a soft top that has all the bells and whistles you would expect for a car.” Read review
Evo
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Model reviewed: E400 4Matic Cabriolet Score: 8 / 10 “Merc’s latest E-class Cabriolet isn’t the fastest or sportiest car, but it’s still capable of impressing.” Read review
Honest John
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Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “Impressive refinement, solidity and a top quality interior, few compromises over the coupe.” Read review
Parkers
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Model reviewed: Score: 9 / 10 “Unique combination of high quality, comfort and space, realistically priced.” Read review
Top Gear
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Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The posh cabriolet market isn’t huge. Perhaps the E-Class’s utter dominance is to blame.” Read review
What Car?
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Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet is no sports car, but it is a superb open-top cruiser that specialises in comfort and splendid isolation.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet was not tested by Euro NCAP during its production life.
The E-Class Cabriolet may have been based on the saloon of the same name but there were significant structural differences – mainly resulting from the car having no roof. As such, the Cabriolet did not inherit the saloon’s safety rating.
The Cabriolet was well equipped with standard safety technology shared with the E-Class saloon, such as autonomous emergency braking and emergency steering assistance. It also contained pop-up rollover bars behind the rear seats that could be activated in a fraction of a second, which were triggered if the car sensed that it was tipping over.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet was not tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 713 Average repair cost: £714.59 Last updated: January 2024
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class family has a below-average reliability rating of 63%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to all E-Class body styles (saloon, estate, coupé and cabriolet) and also to multiple generations, which is worth considering if you are considering a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Based on more than 700 warranty claims, the average repair cost is just over £700 so a used car warranty is well worth considering if you own or are considering an E-Class. More than a third of claims concern the electrical system, with an average bill of more than £550. Engine and gearbox faults are unsurprisingly the most expensive problems, and are not uncommon in the E-Class. Make sure that any warranty you are purchasing covers all of these problem areas.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
34 mpg
D
31 – 36 mpg
D – E
Diesel models
44 mpg
C
38 – 49 mpg
C – D
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
191 g/km
C
176 – 208 g/km
C – D
Diesel models
168 g/km
C
151 – 195 g/km
B – D
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
42
D
40 – 47
C – D
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£358
C
Year 2
£849
C
Year 3
£1,388
C
Year 4
£1,664
C
Year 5
£2,141
C
Overall
£6,400
C
Running costs for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class border on expensive, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel economy is disappointing for petrol models and around the market average for diesel-engined versions. Insurance costs likely to be high, though, based on data from the UK’s insurance group assessor, Thatcham Research.
Compared to the rest of the executive saloon sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are pretty average.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet has received
2021
What Car? Used Car Awards – Best Used Convertible
2018
Stuff Motoring Awards – Best Convertible
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, you might also be interested in these alternatives
The market for four-seater premium drop-tops is pretty small, with most car manufacturers having abandoned the market in favour of buiding ever-more SUVs instead. Mercedes continued to dominate the segment in the 2010s, with both the E-Class and C-Class Cabriolet models. It offered an S-Class Cabriolet for a generation as well, but that ended production in 2020 with no replacement.
The E-Class Cabriolet had more interior space, a higher specification and – inevitably – a higher price tag than the C-Class Cabriolet, which was a closer match to vehicles from other brands like the Audi A5 Cabriolet and BMW 4 Series Convertible.
Citroën has adjusted its trim levels and specifications for the C3 supermini, dropping the Shine trim level and adding more equipment to the recently introduced Saint James grade.
Now the third trim level in the range, Saint James versions of the C3 cost from £16,755, which is £2,575 more than entry-level C-Series variants. The price has increased by £400, but Citroën says this is more than compensated for by the extra equipment added.
The additions include a reversing camera, dark tinted windows, a leather steering wheel and Citroën’s Advanced Comfort Seats. These combine high-density foam at the centre of each seat with a thick, textured foam on the surface and softer fabric and leather-effect materials.
Saint James cars also come with styling details reflecting the name that celebrates the French Saint James clothing brand, founded in 1889. These include a bespoke styling pack with logos and roof decal and distinctive carpet mats.
The £16,755 price buys a car with the 83hp petrol engine with a manual gearbox – a 110hp version with a six-speed auto transmission is also available for £2,545 more.
The C3 range now comprises four trim levels – the entry-level versions are only available with the 83hp engine with manual transmission, while the top Shine Plus version can also be supplied with the 110hp engine in both manual and auto forms, or a 100hp diesel.
First unveiled at the Geneva motor show in Spring 2019, the Ferrari F8 is a mid-engine sports car that was offered as either a coupé or a convertible. It was produced until 2023, being replaced by the 296.
The Ferrari F8 was the successor to the Ferrari 488, and was the last in a long line of mid-engined V8 Ferrari sports cars that dates right back to the 308 GTB of 1975. The F8 Tributo had the same twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 engine as the 488, but with power increased by an additional 50hp. That made it the most powerful production V8 sports car that Ferrari had ever produced.
This performance upgrade did not go unnoticed by the British media. Top Gear labelled the Ferrari F8’s engine “an absolute masterpiece”, while Motoring Research remarked that the F8 was “the finest imaginable tribute to a remarkable run of mid-engined Ferrari V8 sports cars.”
Reviewers also commended the Ferrari F8 for its stunning exterior looks that muster nostalgic memories of the V8 Ferraris of old, its great handling, and surprisingly its day-to-day practicality, prompting the Daily Mail to call the F8 Tributo the “everyday Ferrari”.
Conversely, some reviewers concluded that the Ferrari F8 did not do enough to distinguish itself from the 488. It also received criticism for its in-car technology, which fell well below the standards of other manufacturers.
The biggest point of contention for the Ferrari F8 was, inevitably, its price tag. Pricing for the F8 Tributo coupé increased by roughly £20,000 more than the Ferrari 488 coupé at launch, while optional extras like Apple CarPlay cost an extra £2,400 on top – despite being offered as standard on most Skodas.
Production of the F8 Tributo and F8 Spider ended in Spring 2023, with the model now replaced by the 296 model range.
As of January 2025, the Ferrari F8 holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 55%. Inevitably, its very high running costs and high CO2 emissions drag its score down, despite excellent media reviews. However, we’re also sure that no prospective Ferrari F8 buyer is likely to be too bothered…
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
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Model reviewed: F8 Spider Score: 9 / 10 “The F8 Spider is another sensational supercar from Ferrari. Its V8 engine is the star of the show, followed closely by the stunning shape that still manages to look beautiful while including clever aerodynamics. The in-car tech is a let down, though.” Read review
Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé Score: 9 / 10 “Evolutionary approach makes the new Ferrari F8 Tributo a fitting celebration of the brand’s great V8” Read review
Auto Trader
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Model reviewed: F8 Spider convertible “There’s a lovely balance to the car: it’s fast but feels controllable. The Ferrari F8 Spider is a reminder that all V8 Ferraris should be celebrated and, as the superlative engine that gets better with every generation, that the future remains bright for Ferrari.” Read review
Car
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Model reviewed: F8 Spider convertible Score: 10 / 10 “The exhilarating fusion of coupe refinement with open-top excitement adds a welcome extra dimension to the Ferrari F8 experience; while a Tributo owner gets the same fundamental sensations, dropping the roof is like a drug that makes the F8 all the more intense.” Author: Ben Barry Read review
Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé Score: 10 / 10 “Overall, the Ferrari F8 is a supercar that absolutely immerses you in the excitement of driving, but delivers those thrills in a package that feels perfectly useable for regular journeys.” Author: Ben Barry Read review
Daily Mail
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Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé “Despite the F8 Tributo’s stunning looks and awesome acceleration from rest to 62mph in just 2.9 seconds and to 124mph in a cracking 7.8 seconds, this is an unexpectedly easy car to live with. We might even dare to call it an ‘everyday’ Ferrari.” Read review
Evo
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Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé Score: 10 / 10 “The F8 Tributo builds on one of Ferrari’s all-time great architectures, with a handsome new look featuring styling details that reference previous V8 models, improved steering feel and engine noise, and (pretty much) the Pista’s 710bhp engine.” Author: John Barker Read review
Model reviewed: F8 Spider convertible Score: 10 / 10 “It’s fast, intense, and really demands a circuit to fully exploit. But the Ferrari F8 Spider, like its fixed-roof counterpart, is unquestionably a great supercar.” Author: Antony Ingram Read review
Motoring Research
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Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé “This is the finest imaginable tribute to a remarkable run of mid-engined Ferrari V8 sports cars.” Read review
Parkers
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Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé “Ferrari 488 Pista performance for GTB money” Read review
The Sun
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Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé “Ferrari’s F8 Tributo puts all the firm’s best bits in one dangerously powerful and perfect car” Read review
The Sunday Times
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Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé Score: 8 / 10 “This is still a yellow mid-engine Ferrari, one of the most enticing artefacts humankind has produced, and we should enjoy it while we can, either from within or gazing upon it from without, and in any colour.” Read review
Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé Score: 10 / 10 “For a start, it looks great. My favourite bit is the louvred engine cover, which harks back to the F40. In some cars, features are added to improve performance and look a bit out of place, but in the F8 everything seems to fit and have a purpose.” Read review
The Telegraph
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Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé Score: 8 / 10 “A naturally-aspirated V8 is more alive, more tuneful and quicker to respond; however, this twin-turbo example is one of the best in the business and might even itself be a fast-disappearing breed. Great handling, a decent ride quality and a surprising amount of practicality mark this out as a Ferrari to remember, although it’s such a pity about some of the gormless design details.” Read review
Top Gear
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Model reviewed: F8 Tributo coupé Score: 9 / 10 “As it stands, the Ferrari F8 Tributo is a suitably stunning send-off for the V8 bloodline, and one of the year’s undoubted stars.” Read review
Model reviewed: F8 Spider convertible Score: 8 / 10 “Ferrari’s twin-turbo F8 Spider might be a facelifted 488, but it’s still a bloody good supercar.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Ferrari F8 Tributo was not tested by Euro NCAP during its production life.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Ferrari F8 Tributo was not tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Ferrari F8 Tributo and F8 Spider to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the F8 range, we’ll publish the score here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Ferrari F8 received
2020
Sport Auto Awards – Best Imported Production Coupé
Red Dot product design awards – Outstanding design quality
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ferrari F8, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BMW has updated the most potent version of its 1 Series hatchback, with the changes aimed at improving the car’s handling during hard driving.
There are no power upgrades to the four-cylinder turbo engine of the M135i xDrive, which still puts out 306hp through an eight-speed automatic transmission, but BMW says the changes will improve the “track-inspired characteristics” of the car.
According to BMW, a series of suspension changes will ensure the car rolls less in corners and gives the driver more feedback from the steering.
The M235i will sound like it is handling more effectively, too. Its engine note has been retuned, with the sound emphasised by being “carefully amplified” through the car stereo speakers.
There are no changes to the car’s interior, but it has gained three new paint finishes. The new shades are a non-metallic dubbed Sao Paulo Yellow, a metallic titled Frozen Orange, and Frozen Pure Grey.
As the performance range-topper in the 1 Series range, the M135i is supplied as standard with performance brakes, a limited-slip differential and 18-inch alloy wheels – which can be replaced at extra cost with 19-inch versions. The car boasts a 0-62mph time of just under five seconds, an official fuel economy figure of more than 36mpg (and up to nearly 39mpg, depending on specification) and CO2 emissions of 167-177g/km.
BMW has yet to confirm prices for the updated M135i xDrive, but they are expected to remain broadly in line with the outgoing model, so expect a price tag starting from around £38,000.
The Toyota Yaris Cross is a small SUV/crossover, which sits below the C-HR in Toyota’s crossover family and arrived on UK roads in Summer 2021.
Although it has ‘Yaris’ in its name and shares a lot of its mechanical bits with the hatchback of the same name, the Yaris Cross is much more than just a jacked-up Yaris hatch.
As with most Toyotas, the Yaris Cross is only available with a hybrid powetrain – it’s a no-plug version, so the car is still mainly reliant on the 1.5-litre petrol engine. The battery is charged by the petrol engine and also by coasting and braking as you drive, with the electricity then used to drive the electric motor.
Unlike most small crossovers, the Toyota Yaris Cross is available with all-wheel drive. That doesn’t make it a proper off-roader, however, but will help it provide more grip on wet and slippery roads.
Providing an alternative to popular small hybrid SUV/crossovers like the Nissan Juke and Ford Puma, the Toyota Yaris Cross has also been applauded for its build quality, driving dynamics and practical interior features. Business Car add that the Yaris Cross has “on-trend looks are sure to win many admirers.”
However, while the interior trim is very functional, reviewers frequently report that the Yaris Cross lacks cabin space when compared to its rivals. Ride comfort has also come into question, with Carwow commenting that the Toyota “does feel firm over lumps and bumps.”
As of January 2025, the Toyota Yaris Cross holds a New CarExpert Rating of A with a score of 75%, which is competitive in the small SUV market.
Body style: Small SUV/crossover Engines: petrol-electric hybrid Price: From £24,855 on-road
Launched: Summer 2021 Last updated: N/A Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
+
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Design Score: 7.6 / 10 “Toyota’s new baby crossover makes no grand statements, but is an extremely easy car to live with, displaying few negatives of any significance.” Read review
Auto Express
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Toyota Yaris Cross delivers where it matters most for buyers considering a small SUV. Of course, there’s the benefit of the higher driving position with better visibility, and slightly more practicality than the Yaris supermini upon which it is based, but the Yaris Cross is also competitively priced compared to its rivals, is easy to pilot around town and offers excellent real-world economy courtesy of its efficient hybrid system.” Author: Ellis Hyde Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “It’s exceptionally efficient, if not the most startling performer. The hybrid drivetrain takes little getting used to and is easy to extract fantastic efficiency from.” Read review
Auto Trader
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Extra ride height and some off-road trimmings create an exciting, mini-SUV twist on the ever-dependable Yaris.” Read review
Business Car
+
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid Score: 7 / 10 “The Toyota Yaris Cross is a bit of a dazzler. Augmented by extensive comfort and safety features, its standard auto gearbox, comfortable driving manners and on-trend looks are sure to win many admirers. It’s just a shame that some of that sparkle didn’t rub off on the interior.” Read review
Car
+
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid Score: 8 / 10 “For the rational stuff, the Yaris Cross scores well – it’s practical, roomy for passengers and luggage and very economical. You can be sure that it’s going to be reliable, and thanks to Toyota’s 10-year warranty support, it’ll be easy to sell.” Read review
Carbuyer
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.2 / 10 “The Toyota Yaris Cross is a small SUV with a clever hybrid system, making it very cheap to run.” (Andy Goodwin) Read review
Carwow
+
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid Score: 7 / 10 “The Toyota Yaris Cross is a handsome compact SUV with an extremely economical hybrid powertrain. It’s well-built and suitably spacious, but it does feel firm over lumps and bumps.” Read review
Company Car Today
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid “Great hybrid emissions figures in a model that continues Toyota’s recent trend of offering good-to-drive and attractive cars that appeal to much more than just the finance director.” Read review
Driving Electric
+
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid Score: 8 / 10 “Toyota’s answer to the Nissan Juke is efficient and practical, although limited space in the rear means it may not be suitable for everyone.” Read review
Eurekar
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Model reviewed: Range overview “All in all, Toyota has taken the compact SUV qualities from the RAV4 – which is now celebrating its 25anniversary – and added lots of Yaris city car DNA to the mix to develop the all-new Yaris Cross making it big on style, appeal and performance.” Read review
Heycar
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Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Toyota Yaris Cross is fun to drive, has a solid interior and comes fully loaded for the money. The most impressive thing is its efficiency – with its petrol-electric hybrid engine setup meaning it’ll be as cheap as chips to run.” Read review
Honest John
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Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Toyota Yaris Cross is a surprisingly desirable alternative to the Renault Captur and Vauxhall Crossland. It’ll be very cheap to run, while it’s easy to get comfortable in its ultra-functional cabin.” Read review
Motoring Research
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid Score: 8 / 10 “There’s much to like about the Yaris Cross. It takes the critically acclaimed Yaris supermini and makes it more family-friendly. No doubt more fashionable, too.” Read review
Parkers
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid Score: 8.2 / 10 ” It’s good to drive, practical, roomy for passengers and luggage and in our hands on a fairly congested test route, very economical on petrol.” Read review
The Sun
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid “This car is more for parents or grandparents looking after tots rather than gangly teens. Shame the rear seats don’t slide backwards and forwards like Captur.” Read review
The Telegraph
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Even in this overheated and overcrowded market, the Toyota Yaris Cross offers genuine economy, useful space for four adults and well-honed driver appeal, along with Toyota’s proven reliability and a decent warranty.” Read review
Top Gear
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Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “Like the Yaris, but fancy something slightly taller? You’ll like this slightly taller Yaris.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Clean Air Index: 6.7 / 10 Energy Efficiency Index: 5.2 / 10 Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.7 / 10
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Toyota Yaris Cross to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Yaris Cross, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Hybrid models
59 mpg
A
55 – 64 mpg
A – B
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Hybrid models
108 g/km
A
100 – 115 g/km
A – A
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
12
A
11 – 13
A – A
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£151
A
Year 2
£413
A
Year 3
£673
A
Year 4
£846
A
Year 5
£1,116
A
Overall
£3,199
A
The Toyota Yaris Cross is a very cheap car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
In what is a very rare achievement, the Yaris Pros holds a straight-A set of scores for running costs, with outstanding scores in all categories – fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, insurance group and servicing costs.
You will struggle to find a cheaper car to live with than a Toyota Yaris Cross.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Toyota Yaris Cross has received
2023
Company Car & Van Awards – Best Small Car
2022
UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Small Crossover
Fleet World Awards – Best Fleet Small SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Toyota Yaris Cross, you might also be interested in these alternatives
The BMW M4 Competition is a high-performance coupé and convertible model based on the regular 4 Series range. The current coupé model arrived in the UK in early 2021, with the convertible due to join it before the end of the year.
This is the second generation model to carry the M4 name – the first appeared in 2014 after BMW rebranded its 3 Series coupé and convertible models as the 4 Series. However, the M4 can trace its lineage right back to the original M3 coupé of the mid-1980s.
Here in the UK, we only get the top-spec M4 Competition model, which is powered by a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo, six-cylinder petrol engine that produces 510hp. It is also available with all-wheel drive on the coupé version, while the convertible is rear-wheel drive only.
Reviewers have lavished praise on the M4, though Car magazine dubs it “Munich’s most controversial sports coupe yet,” referring to the styling and particularly the enormous front grilles that dip below the registration plate. Top Gear adds, however, that BMW knows its customers, M4 buyers are “extroverts” and the elongated kidney grilles “don’t actually look too offensive in real life…”
The power impresses widely, but it is about more than rapid acceleration. “The flexibility of the engine is second-to-none, delivering impressive acceleration even in higher gears,” says Parkers.
Equally, testers highlight that the new M4 is not the animal its predecessor was. “The old M4 was a bit feral,” says Auto Express, “but this new version feels more mature and rounded, as if it’s been shipped off to finishing school.”
Evo praises the M4’s rigidity, which means excellent handling; “The precision and response as you turn the wheel is fantastic,” adding that the car builds confidence very quickly.
There are other practical factors, such as rear seats with reasonable space for adults and an adequate boot – but these will feature on the requirements of very few M4 buyers…
As of December 2024, the BMW M4 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 67%. Although it gets fantastic media reviews and has an excellent safety rating, its CO2 emissions and reliability data are only average, and its running costs are inevitably very high.
Body style: Coupé / convertible Engines: petrol Price: From £76,990 on-road
Launched: Spring 2021 Last updated: Summer 2021 Next update due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
+
Model reviewed: CSL Score: 9 / 10 “It’s a crazy car with an even crazier price, but in most respects, the BMW M4 CSL justifies its cost by simply being a brilliant driver’s car. One that’s not just faster and more focused than the M4 on which it’s based, but also much more rewarding to drive where it counts. The CSL is an instant legend, if ever there was one, even if its steering remains a touch ordinary.” (Steve Sutcliffe) Read review
Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW M4’s design is the obvious talking point, but beneath its dramatic makeover lies a car with a broader breadth of ability than before. It’s easy to live with day to day and now delivers its thundering performance in a more user-friendly and manageable way.” Read review
Auto Trader
+
Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW M4 Coupe offers distinctive looks, awesome performance and generous spec.”
Read review
Car
+
Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé Score: 8 / 10 “The BMW M4 Compeition manages to be both an accomplished all-rounder and a flawed yet brilliantly exciting sports coupe all at the same time. Its everyday on-road manners and luxuriously appointed cabin are almost beyond reproach.” Read review
Car Keys
+
Model reviewed: Score: 10 / 10 “This latest M4 is unquestionably the best yet. Though some might reckon it’s not as raw as its predecessor, its greater everyday ability makes it a much better car to live with, while still being comfortable and practical, too.” Read review
Carbuyer
+
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The styling might divide opinion but there’s nothing polarising about the way the BMW M4 performs.” (Andy Goodwin) Read review
Carwow
+
Score: 9 / 10 “The new BMW M4 is nothing short of sensational.” Read review
Evo
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Model reviewed: CSL coupé Score: 8 / 10 “The BMW M4 CSL impresses at times but doesn’t seem to possess the pure magic of recent CS models. The crazy intensity of the M4 GTS is missing, too. Maybe a summer’s day and some sticky Cup 2Rs would help but, for now, the CSL doesn’t seem enough to celebrate the enormity of 50 years of M. Can we have an M2 CSL, please? Or another M4 GTS?” (Jethro Bovingdon) Read review
Model reviewed: Competition Score: 9 / 10 “BMW’s long-awaited M4 Competition doesn’t hold back any punches. It’s fast, immensely capable, but also superb fun.” Read review
Parkers
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Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé Score: 8.8 / 10 “Fabulous driver’s car that really only struggles for comfort.” Read review
The Sunday Times
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Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé and M3 saloon Score: 10 / 10 “If you can get past the BMW M4’s divisive looks – or maybe even begin to like them – everything you’d want in a fast coupe is here. Power, noise, balance, control, grip… and did I mention power? There’s the practicality over a sports car, too.” Read review
The Telegraph
+
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “wild at heart and a tricky beast to tame.” Read review
Top Gear
+
Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé Score: 9 / 10 “This supreme all-rounder of an M4 is a triumph.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
The BMW M4 Competition shares its safety rating with the mainstream BMW 4 Series Coupe range, which was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2019 and awarded a five-star rating.
The test report offered no significant criticisms, highlighting the maximum scores in the side barrier and more severe side pole test, and the maximum points scored in city-driving tests by the autonomous emergency braking system.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of December 2024, the BMW M4 has not been tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW M4 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the M4, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
28 mpg
E
27 – 29 mpg
E – E
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
230 g/km
D
223 – 233 g/km
D – D
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
44
D
42 – 50
D – F
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£714
D
Year 2
£1,591
D
Year 3
£2,467
D
Year 4
£2,710
D
Year 5
£2,492
D
Overall
£9,974
D
As you might expect, the BMW M4 is not exactly an economical choice, according to data exclusively provided by our commercial partner Clear Vehicle Data.
Only available with a petrol engine, the M4 is very thirsty and has high emissions. Insurance and servicing costs are also higher than the market average.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW M4, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Most buyers will consider a BMW M4 for its performance and so potential alternatives are quite varied. Several testers believe the closest rival is also made by BMW, the similarly priced M3 Competition which, being a saloon, is more practical. The likes of the Audi RS 5, Lexus RC F, Mercedes-AMG C63 and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio also come into the reckoning.
Though electric car drivers may be feeling smug these days, as petrol prices and availability cause dramas at the pumps, rarely does a week-long electric vehicle test go by without friction, at least in my experience.
Having tested EVs since 2013, I’m still sceptical about the amount of real-world progress being made. Prompted by more frustration-inducing inconveniences recently, it simply doesn’t correlate with the amount of progress being promoted.
The first charging experience I ever had back in 2013 was unsurprisingly rubbish. Living in south-east London at the time, in a block of flats, filming with an electric Smart Fortwo, the only charge point “available” was not available at all.
It was stuck on the forecourt of a Nissan dealership, behind chains on a Sunday afternoon. That experience with such nascent technology (combined with the low battery range of a Smart Fortwo in 2013) had me literally running the 2.5 miles between my home and the nearest street charge point for a week.
The original Smart Fortwo EV didn’t go that far between charging breaks
Mere weeks later, with another model on test, the smartphone navigation app of the day—the car’s factory-fitted was still unreliable at the time—indicated five available charging points in a nearby east London street. Things were looking up.
Upon my arrival, these points weren’t so available after all, as they were protected within a gated community of a new development. Though a kind security guard let me have access, it would transpire that these underground points didn’t have enough mobile connection to be used anyway. Though the developer earned brownie points for attempting to be progressive, the reality was unimpressive and effectively unworkable.
Fast forward to 2021. The choice of new electric cars on offer has developed enormously, and most households can now comfortably live with an EV for their regular driving needs. But the away-from-home (AFH) charging experience is still inexplicably disconcerting.
My old south-east London street has now been equipped with two on-street chargers—considerably short of the needs of the 1,000 or so apartment-dwellers, but that’s another story for another time.
Living in the north-east of England (yes, home to the pioneering Nissan Leaf), all the big-name charging point providers – BP Pulse, Fastned and Pod Point, among others – seem well established. Even so, I continue to battle (and other electric vehicle users do as well) with some basic and incredibly frustrating challenges.
1. State of disrepair
This still happens too often
One of the biggest bugbears for all EV owners is the number of charging points that seem to be out of order when you need them.
Despite a focus from some charging providers on getting broken charging points up and running, out-of-service points that aren’t flagged on apps, or even noted on the devices themselves, are a regular problem.
It’s particularly annoying when you’ve parked up, pulled the cable out and then can’t get the charging point to work.
2. Reliance on RFID cards
Despite the fact 2014 called and asked for its technology back, some charging providers still demand users register with their service, wait for a special card in the post and use their network with that physical card.
That’s fine if you’re local to that network, since it’s tickety-boo once you’re an established member (well, usually – see above). But it’s not so great for visitors who are not signed-up members of that network and just want to charge their car while they’re in the neighbourhood.
3. Reliance on mobile phone networks
One soon comes to learn quickly why RFID reliance hasn’t gone away. While the mobile networks have been working hard to maximise coverage across the UK, the depressing reality is that coverage is desperate in some more rural areas.
Being told to “download the app” in areas of unreliable connectivity is the quickest way to annoy customers wanting to give you their hard-earned cash so they can charge their cars.
4. Lack of contactless payment provision
In 2019, the government advised all charging providers to integrate universal contactless payments, in order to improve accessibility to the charging network. Yet here we are, two years later, and it’s still surprising to come across lots of machines without the option to pay with a contactless card.
Allegedly, much of the hold-up is in sourcing the hardware from European suppliers. While third-party solutions can be bolted on, these integrated payment pads have their own connectivity issues and frequently payment can’t be made – which is exacerbated if the provider can’t remotely reboot the machine to try and fix the issue.
5. Inconsistency in service levels
In the event of a hardware or software malfunction, or connectivity issue, some charging providers will offer to open the charge point to ‘Free Vend’ so you can charge your car for free. It’s a welcome courtesy to make up for system failures, not least because so few things come for free in this day and age.
But not all providers are willing to this. In any other circumstance, you’d probably vote with your feet and just go elsewhere. But until there are enough charging points to go around, EV drivers understandably need the security of a standardised approach.
6. Too many under-resourced charging providers
I’m all for healthy competition, but the number of independent operators, which haven’t had the same budgets to throw at maintenance and contactless integration, are creating friction points where there needn’t be.
Granted, I acknowledge the time when these networks were even more disparate. The acquisition of many of minor charging point owners into wider schemes, such as the POLAR network – which has now become BP Pulse – has helped in standardising some of the provisions. However, it’s still not great, is it?
7. Car makers ignoring best practice providers
Zap-Map is arguably the most reliable resource for the EV owner, having developed its service for many years now. It started off just identifying the location of charge points, then it integrated availability status information. It helps that users can create accounts and feedback information on specific points, so the community is helping one another out.
Earlier this year, the Zap-Map team launched Zap-Pay, which enables users to pay for their charging via the app. With several charging networks signing up to the Zap-Pay platform, the whole package is the best attempt at brand-agnostic standardisation we’re likely to see anytime soon.
Car makers should be falling over themselves to integrate a universal payment app into their infotainment suites, but they seem too concerned with getting in-cabin lighting right to bother with something so practical.
8. We need charging points at more suitable locations
More of these, please (charging points, that is, not Starbucks)
Any venue where there is car parking and a significant amount of dwell-time (such as a restaurant, shopping centre, country pub, etc.) warrants one or more charging points. Let’s be clear, a garage forecourt is arguably the worst location for a charging point (sorry, Shell and BP…), especially if there is an expectation that passengers will either sit in the vehicle or wander away to entertain themselves while it’s on charge.
A garage forecourt may be a place of higher CCTV coverage, but it’s also a very transient location and it’s worrying to walk away from a vehicle in such a high-risk area. Top marks to Starbucks Markham Moor, which has nailed the perfect balance.
Charging failures are holding back EV adoption
Of course, the argument for switching to an electric vehicle is still strong for most consumers. Coupled with the immeasurable benefits to health, air quality and noise, uswitch.com recently released figures showing EVs can travel more than five times further for £50 than a conventional petrol or diesel car.
I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer on the investment going into the progress that has been made expanding the EV charging network, but before we all get carried away; reality check, please.
Ford has announced that the entire Focus range, including the Ford Focus ST, is set for a mid-life makeover, featuring some exterior tweaks and new interior hardware.
Available for a starting price of £22,500, Ford will be hoping that this facelift provides a critical boost to demand for the Focus, which has long dropped off the UK’s best-seller list and has fallen well behind sales of its arch-rival, the ever-popular Volkswagen Golf.
The updated Focus has had a number of exterior changes that mirror the recent design refresh given to the Ford Fiesta. Ford has changed the bonnet design, slightly raising the nose, while the Ford badge has moved to the centre of a larger and more prominent grille. All models now feature LED headlights.
Ford Focus ST
Each trim level in the Focus range has subtly different fascia and grille designs to help identify them. The Active trim, inspired by the SUV models in the Ford line-up, features black body cladding, and a raised ride height.
The sportier ST-line trim adds side skirts, a rear diffuser, a rear spoiler, and a choice of 18- or 19-inch wheels. As with the Fiesta facelift announced last month, Ford has scrapped the standalone Vignale model and is now offering an optional premium Vignale package, which includes more design flair inside and out, and five more alloy wheel designs to choose from.
Ford Focus Active
Engines are carried over from last year’s range, although the 1.0-litre mild hybrid petrol engine is now available a seven-speed automatic transmission, having previously only been available with a six-speed manual gearbox. For fleet buyers or other high-mileage customers, a 1.5-litre diesel engine is also available. The 2.3-litre petrol engine found in the Focus ST has also been carried over untouched.
As before, the Ford Focus is available in both hatchback and estate body styles. Ford says it has added a new, easier-to-clean carpet material in the boot area of the estate, along with a water-resistant wet zone under the boot floor.
Updated interior and Sync 4 infotainment system
Taking a seat inside, the facelifted Focus includes Ford’s latest Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 13-inch central touchscreen compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The system has speech recognition and navigation with real-time traffic information as standard, and Ford claims that it uses machine learning to learn from driver behaviour and deliver more accurate suggestions and search results over time.
Ford has also made a number of additions to the Focus’s arsenal of safety features, including blind spot assist, intersection assist which scans the road for potential collision before instigating preventative measures, and rear occupant alert which reminds the driver to check their rear seats before leaving the car.
Complete UK pricing and specifications for the facelifted Ford Focus range have not yet been announced, with further information expected in the next couple of months ahead of the updated mode going on sale.
There’s a lot to consider before taking out a finance agreement, as we have discussed previously. But one of the things that almost no-one considers before taking out car finance is: “What would happen to this car finance agreement if I should die before it’s paid off?”
Yet it’s an important question, with potentially serious implications for your loved ones. We regularly get questions from readers who have had a loved one die, wanting to know what to do about their car finance. So it’s worth understanding what would happen if the worst should occur.
A time of bereavement is obviously difficult enough already, without having to deal with a finance company demanding payments. The current lockdown situation across the UK makes simple arrangements even more complicated, so hopefully the following information will be helpful in understanding how it works and what will happen.
Your car finance debt does not disappear after you die
Many people assume that any debts would be written off after they die, but that’s rarely the case. And when it comes to a car finance debt, the finance company is still entitled to its money back.
If you have a personal contract purchase (PCP), hire purchase (HP), personal loan or any other kind of borrowing to finance your car, that debt remains payable even in the event of your death. However, the right way to deal with that debt is different depending on the type of finance product you have.
A lease is different again, as you are not borrowing any money and are simply renting the car. A car leasing agreement will have early termination penalties that apply for ending a lease early.
Who is responsible for your car finance debt after your death?
This depends on the type of finance and how it was taken out.
If you have a guarantor, they will become responsible for the finance agreement, just as they would if you were unable to make your monthly payments.
If you took out a joint agreement, which is quite common for a personal loan situation, then the other person becomes fully responsible for paying off the debt.
In most other cases, your debt will become part of your overall estate after your death. If you have a will, your nominated executor is responsible for managing your financial affairs, including your car finance debt.
If you do not have a will, an administrator will be appointed – usually a next of kin. This can get very messy, so make sure you write a will and appoint an executor.
How is your car finance settled after your death?
For whoever is in charge of the estate, the process for settling the debt will become part of managing all the expenses of the estate. This also includes loans like your mortgage and other debts, and costs like funeral expenses and any outstanding bills.
Unsecured loan
If the finance was on a personal loan, which is an unsecured loan, then the car is the property of the estate. If necessary, it can be sold to help pay off the car loan or any other debts.
Because the finance is not secured against the vehicle, the executor/administrator is free to decide what to do with it. If it’s not necessary to sell the car to settle the finance, they could give the car to your next of kin or sell it via whatever means they choose. This means that the car could be sold privately, sold directly to a trader or sent to auction. It all depends on whatever the executor decides is likely to get the best sale price for your estate.
Secured loan
Secured loans include a personal contract purchase (PCP), hire purchase (HP) or conditional sale. In this situation, the vehicle is not your property and belongs to the finance company until the last penny is paid off.
The executor of the estate is able to settle the outstanding debt and keep the car if there is enough money to cover the settlement figure in the estate. However, more often that not, this won’t be the case – especially if there are other large bills that also need to be paid.
Usually, the finance company will take the vehicle back and sell it at a trade auction. Whatever it earns at auction (after auction fees) is taken off your debt. If the selling price is enough to cover your debt, then the finance is settled. Usually, however, the selling price does not cover the total debt, so your estate will still owe the finance company whatever is still outstanding.
Another option with a secured loan is for the executor/administrator to enact a voluntary termination of your finance agreement. This requires you to have repaid more than 50% of the total amount payable, which you may have already done. If not, the executor can pay whatever is needed to bring the total paid up to the 50% point. The car is collected by the finance company with nothing further to pay, assuming you have complied with the normal conditions of voluntary termination.
Lease agreement
With a lease agreement, such as personal contract hire, there is no debt because you have not borrowed any money. It’s simply a rental contract for X months at £Y per month. However, all lease agreements will have early termination charges. These apply regardless of the reason for the agreement being ended early – even if you die. They should be set out clearly in the lease contract, so take note.
The leasing company will take its car back, but the executor may still have to settle any penalty fees for terminating the agreement early. These fees can be quite substantial, which is an unfortunate reality of leasing a car.
What if there’s not enough money to settle my car finance debt?
The finance company will expect your estate to pay off the settlement figure for your debt. It will provide the exact debt amount to your executor/administrator. However, with all of the other expenses associated with settling your finances, it is entirely possible that there might not be enough money to go around.
There’s nothing to stop the executor or administrator negotiating a settlement with the finance company for a lesser amount than is owed. If it’s a choice between taking legal action (which offers no guarantee of getting their total debt back) or taking a reduced settlement, the finance company may be prepared to take a percentage of the total and write off the rest. This is something that should be done in conjunction with professional legal assistance.
Dealing with the death of a loved one is a difficult enough time already. It’s even harder if you have a car finance company circling like a vulture, wanting payment for an outstanding debt. If you’re taking out car finance, make sure you understand the potential implications of your debts on your family or loved ones if you should die.
Here at The Car Expert, we are building commercial partnerships with companies who can offer you competitive PCP deals on either a new or used car (as well as other types of finance if you prefer). Check these out before signing any finance agreement with a car dealer:
Winter is coming, and that means the sun is rising later and the evenings are quickly becoming shorter.
For those of us commuting to and from work every day, we’ll be going from spending time in the car in bright sunshine to driving about in much darker conditions. If you’re new to driving in the dark, or simply haven’t done it for a while, it can be rather daunting.
Looking for some tips to stay safe when driving in the dark? We’ve got a handful for you…
Check your headlights are working — and use them
Before setting off in darker conditions, give your headlights a test to see if they’re still working. If you haven’t used them over the summer at all, it’s possible the bulbs could be out and you may not have noticed.
Ensure that you switch in new bulbs as soon as possible if they have blown, and it’s worth investing in a spare set just in case it happens while out on the road. Most importantly though, ensure your headlights are on — both so you can see the road ahead, and so other drivers can see you.
Avoid leaving your high beams on
Though it’s important to have your headlights on, it can be equally as dangerous to yourself and other road users if you leave them on their high-beam setting compared to having them completely switched off.
Visibility for yourself may be improved — which is great if you’re the only car driving down a dark country road — but keeping them on can dazzle drivers ahead of you and those oncoming too, which vastly increases the risk of an accident. If you’re unsure how to check if your high beams are on, look in your instrument cluster — if you see a blue headlight symbol on, this typically means the lights are in their brightest setting.
Switching them off usually involves pulling the indicator stalk towards you. To turn them on, it’s the opposite action — pushing it away from yourself.
Test your brake lights
We’re sticking on the topic of lights as they’re very much the key to driving in the dark. Though you should always ensure your brake lights are functioning (it’s illegal if you’re driving around with them not working), it’s especially important in the dark.
That’s because drivers behind are less likely to see you coming to a stop in the reduced visibility conditions that driving in the dark brings, which in turn ups the risk of an accident. You can either borrow a friend or family member to check to see if your brake lights are working by them standing at the rear of the car while you push the pedal while stationary.
Alternatively, park the rear of your car against a wall or reflective surface, and use your mirrors to see if there is a red glow from the lights when pressing the brake pedal.
The same applies to indicator lenses, fog lights, number plate lights and any other light bulbs in your car. Make sure they’re working and, if not, get them replaced.
Keep your windscreen washer fluid topped up
Again, having sufficient washer fluid is something you should always strive to achieve, but it’s an especially important point in the dark.
Visibility is reduced as it is in the dark, and that’s only worsened by grime and other road dirt that is flung up onto the windscreen — which is especially more of a problem over the colder, wetter months.
As the weather turns colder, it’s important to make sure that your washer fluid doesn’t freeze in the tank or lines. Don’t use ordinary water as washer fluid as this will turn to ice as soon as the temperature reaches zero. Use either ready-mixed washer fluid or mix concentrated washer fluid with water – check the bottle for the recommended mixture based on how cold it gets where you live.
Leave more room to the car in front when driving in the dark
When following a car in the dark, it’s safer to give the driver ahead a little bit more room than you usually would.
That’s because in the dark, obstacles and potential hazards that could be easily seen in ideal daylight conditions may be obscured — presenting a possible unexpected danger. With this in mind, it’s more likely the car in front may have to brake suddenly.
Launched in early 2020, the Cupra Leon is a sporty, performance-focused version of the SEAT Leon, available in both hatchback and estate body styles. It received a major update in the summer of 2024, which is now available in the UK.
The Cupra Leon has also been heavily influenced by the Volkswagen Golf performance models – the GTE, GTI and Golf R models. The base-spec Leon gets the Golf GTI’s 245hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine under its bonnet, while the top-spec Leon gets a 300hp unit that’s very similar to the Golf R’s 320hp engine. There’s also a plug-in hybrid version, which takes its combination of 1.4-litre petrol engine and electric motor from the Golf GTE.
The Cupra Leon has been generally well-received by the UK media, some reviewers labelling the Leon as a class leader in the hot hatch category, while the large majority conclude that it doesn’t all come together to quite the same standard as the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Evo concludes that “the new Leon lacks the performance and engagement” of the Golf that inspired it, and Top Gear agrees, adding that “this Cupra is lacking the edge to establish itself as a worthwhile addition to the hot hatch hall of fame.”
However, many reviewers are quick to point out how surprisingly practical the Cupra Leon is day-to-day, particularly the estate variant. The Sun comments that the Leon “will slip into family life seamlessly”, while Car Keys explain that “the Leon Estate is a real all-rounder of a car, as it’s able to deliver thrills, performance and excitement on everyday drives, yet at the same time is seriously practical to use as a family car.”
Auto Trader also points out that the exterior design of the Cupra Leon is “an impressive twist on its Golf GTI foundations and arguably the more attractive choice.”
The 2024 update brought sharper exterior styling, an enhanced interior and upgraded powertrains for both petrol and plug-in hybrid models. However, underneath it’s fundamentally the same car.
As of January 2025, the Cupra Leon holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 72%. It scores top marks for its low CO2 emissions and also gets good grades for its low running costs and Euro NCAP safety rating. However, its media review scores to date have been average.
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
+
Model reviewed: Score: 9 / 10 “Now covering a wide range of options offering tepid to hot performance, there’s something for everyone in the Cupra Leon range.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Score: 9 / 10 “If Cupra’s branding is hard to get your head around, the cars themselves are far simpler to understand. And, in this case, very easy to be impressed by. Good looking, quick, superbly fun to drive and well equipped for the money, the Cupra Leon 2.0 TSI 300 is just a great hot hatchback.” Read review
Auto Trader
+
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic VZ2 Score: 9 / 10 “Fast, stylish and well-equipped, Cupra’s take on the Leon is an impressive twist on its Golf GTI foundations and arguably the more attractive choice.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic VZ2 estate Score: 9 / 10 “Stylish, understated and fun to drive the Cupra Leon Estate combines hot hatch performance with family car practicality.” Read review
Business Car
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Exciting performance with a well-judged chassis.” Read review
Car
+
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid hatchback Score: 6 / 10 “If you view the Cupra Leon e-Hybrid as a hot hatch that’s going to cost pennies to run, you’re going to be disappointed. But as a comfortable, plug-in hybrid hatchback that occasionally uses its electric assistance to lighten up the mood, you have yourself a well-rounded, sporty-looking family car.” Read review
Car Keys
+
Model reviewed: Hatch Score: 8 / 10 “The Cupra Leon shows that this firm hasn’t forgotten about its original ‘core’ models, as this is a fun hatchback that looks the part with its sportier treatment.” Author: Ted Welford Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic VZ2 estate Score: 9 / 10 “The Cupra Leon Estate is a real all-rounder of a car, as it’s able to deliver thrills, performance and excitement on everyday drives, yet at the same time is seriously practical to use as a family car.” Read review
Carbuyer
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.4 / 10 “The Cupra Leon is a stylish, high-performance take on the standard hatch that’s a desirable alternative to mainstream rivals.” (Miles Goodson) Read review
Carwow
+
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Score: 8 / 10 “The Cupra Leon looks a bit sportier than the old model, but it doesn’t go all out like the mad Honda Civic Type R. There are big air intakes and a low splitter, plus new side skirts, lowered suspension and 19-inch alloys.” Read review
Driving Electric
+
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Score: 5 / 10 “The Cupra Leon e-Hybrid is a tough car to recommend. If you’re looking for a cheap-to-run hot hatch, you’ll find it doesn’t quite deliver on the ‘hot hatch’ side of the bargain – the full-fat 300bhp petrol version is a much better bet in that respect. And if you simply want a practical, comfortable and smart-looking hatchback with decent handling and performance for everyday driving, the regular SEAT Leon e-Hybrid fits the bill much better.” Author: Richard Ingram Read review
Eurekar
+
Model reviewed: “The Cupra Leon is further proof that the split from SEAT is not simply a case of rebadging existing models. These cars will be featuring their very own identity and further ventures into electrification are on the way too.” Read review
Evo
+
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic VZ2 estate Score: 7 / 10 “It’s capable and handsome, but the new Leon lacks the performance and engagement of its predecessors.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic TSI 300 Score: 9 / 10 “One of the sharpest hot hatchbacks money can buy right now, despite weird branding.” Read review
Heycar
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Cupra Leon is the Dexter Morgan of the hot hatch world. Like the lead character of TV show Dexter – a meek, unassuming crime-scene analyst who does an exceptional job of hiding the fact that he’s actually a deranged serial killer – the Cupra is adept at disguising its penchant for dispatching twisting country roads.” Read review
Honest John
+
Model reviewed: Range overview “A hot version of the new SEAT Leon, the Cupra Leon follows the Ateca in being sold as a standalone Cupra model. It’s available in five-door hatch or estate body styles as well with plug-in hybrid or petrol engine powertrains.” Read review
Motoring Research
+
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Score: 8 / 10 “For all Cupra’s intent to be an unconventional challenger brand, the Leon 300 actually feels like a pretty sensible hot hatchback. Being both quick and practical, it can be fun on a racetrack and useful on the school run. Perhaps avoid the exhaust being in ‘Cupra mode’ for the latter, though…” Author: John Redfern Read review
Parkers
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.2 / 10 “Reborn fast Leon also offers plug-in hybrid technology” Read review
The Sun
+
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic VZ2 “The Cupra Leon is the most spicy of hatchbacks, and will slip into family life seamlessly.” Read review
The Telegraph
+
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic VZ2 estate Score: 8 / 10 “The Cupra Leon Estate truly manages to be one for all seasons and all reasons. There’s a whiff of opportunity missed, though, because with the 292bhp powertrain and suspension from the hatchback, it would be an even better car. It’s still one of the finest fast estates on the market – and that makes it alright by us.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic VZ2 Score: 10 / 10 “The Cupra Leon is, in short, a hot hatch par excellence. The only thing you’ll really find to dislike about it, apart perhaps from some of the scratchy interior plastics, is its infuriating infotainment system. It’s one of the best hot hatchbacks on the market today.” Read review
Top Gear
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “This Cupra is lacking the edge to establish itself as a worthwhile addition to the hot hatch hall of fame.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Score: 6 / 10 “Once the battery’s dead, this is no hot hatch. It’s just a heavy car with a small engine. So go purely petrol if you want a Cupra Leon for fun.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
As the Cupra Leon is effectively a performance version of the SEAT Leon, Euro NCAP decided to use the same safety test for both cars. They conducted some additional whiplash tests on the Cupra Leon, but concluded that the results were the same as the SEAT, and awarded the Cupra a five-star rating.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2025, the Cupra Leon has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Cupra Leon to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Leon, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
44 mpg
C
34 – 51 mpg
B – D
Plug-in hybrid models
217 mpg
A
217 – 217 mpg
A – A
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
149 g/km
B
124 – 189 g/km
A – C
Plug-in hybrid models
10 g/km
A
8 – 31 g/km
A – A
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Plug-in hybrid models
77 miles
C
32 – 81 miles
C – E
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
25
B
20 – 33
A – C
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£234
B
Year 2
£602
B
Year 3
£1,030
B
Year 4
£1,272
C
Year 5
£1,665
B
Overall
£4,803
B
The Cupra Leon is pitched as a performance version of the regular SEAT Leon, and it will certainly cost you more to run. In particular, fuel consumption from the 2.0-litre petrol engine is only average. The plug-in hybrid model looks great on paper, but that’s because the EU/UK goverment lab tests are useless for assessing plug-in hybrids.
Insurance grouping is good, so the Leon shouldn’t cost too much to insure. Scheduled servicing costs are also quite good for the first three years, then get more expensive as the car gets older, which is something to bear in mind if you’re looking at a used Cupra Leon.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Cupra Leon, you might also be interested in these alternatives
The Cupra Leon faces some tough competition, particularly from rivals from within the Volkswagen Group family, such as the Skoda Octavia vRS and Volkswagen Golf GTI. Other close competitors include the Ford Focus ST, the Hyundai i30 N, the Renault Megane RS and the Honda Civic Type R.
However, the Cupra Leon is the only one of these hot hatch options that has a plug-in hybrid variant available.
DS Automobiles has confirmed full prices for its DS 4, the new hatchback from the Citroën-derived upmarket French brand.
The second-generation DS 4, the fourth bespoke model in the DS range and expected to rival the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, will cost from £25,350 when UK deliveries begin before the end of 2021.
The car will be available with a choice of five powertrains – three petrol engines with 130, 180 or 225hp, a diesel with 130hp and a petrol/electric plug-in hybrid variant with 225hp. All will be combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Trim levels will number three, dubbed DS 4, Performance Line and Cross.
DS claims to be introducing several technology innovations to the segment with the DS 4. These include an HD touchscreen infotainment system that features voice recognition and can be updated remotely, while a second small ‘Smart Touch’ touchscreen below the centre console offers customisable shortcuts and handwriting recognition.
Safety features include the availability of a head-up display projecting key information onto the windscreen so that drivers can keep their eyes on the road, a semi-autonomous driving system and a night vision unit that uses infra-red cameras to detect hazards in low or poor visibility.
The options list will include ‘Active Scan Suspension’ – a camera mounted at the top of the windscreen scans the road ahead for poor surfaces, while four attitude sensors and three accelerometers record every movement of the suspension, controlling each wheel independently and setting them to maintain ride comfort.
The DS 4 will certainly be recognisable on the road – its front end is designed to be distinctive with a double-signature daytime running light system consisting of two lighting strips using 98 LEDs.
The Nissan Qashqai was not the first urban SUV-style car (the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V both pre-dated it by many years) but it’s widely regarded as the car that started the crossover craze in 2007.
A sales success from the very beginning, it has remained the class best-seller against ever more rivals. And it was officially the UK’s best-selling new car in 2022 – the first time that a British-built car has topped the sales charts since 1998, almost a quarter of a century ago.
This is the third-generation version, which was launched in the second half of 2021. Like both of its predecessors, it was designed and developed by Nissan here in the UK, and is built in Nissan’s giant car plant in Sunderland.
The engine options are a 1.3-litre petrol unit with mild hybrid support, and a 1.5-litre petrol/electric ‘e-Power’ version. Unlike a conventional hybrid, the e-Power’s petrol engine doesn’t directly drive the car; it is used purely as a generator for the electric motor that sends drive to the wheels – so it’s basically a petrol-powered electric car, described by The Car Expert’s editor Stuart Masson as “much nicer than a conventional petrol/electric hybrid”.
Testers generally mark up the Qashqai for the same reasons they did the original – it doesn’t excel in one area but is more than competent in all. “The Qashqai is the establishment and no longer a clear leader, but it’s also hard to argue against,” says Top Gear.
The limited powertrain options jar with some – Simon Harris of Business Car argues the lack of a diesel engine and an ultra-low emission option will lose the car fleet customers, though adding that the Qashqai “is a much more polished performer than before”.
Otherwise, significant minus points are few; some testers find the ride a bit firm, especially on the optional 20-inch wheels; Fleetworld‘s Martyn Collins describes the six-speed manual gearbox as slick but surging between gears “making smoother changes harder than they should be.”
Finally, the car also attracts some positive jingoism, summed up by Andrew English of TheTelegraph: “Designed, engineered and built in Britain, the Qashqai is about as close to a British car as it gets.”
A facelifted version of the Qashqai will hit UK roads in summer 2022. The most noticeable aspect of this will be revised headlight and grille styling, while inside there will be upgraded infotainment technology.
As of September 2025, the third-generation Nissan Qashqai holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 69%. It has an excellent safety rating and low average CO2 emissions, while its media review scores are also good. However, its running costs are only average, while its reliability record and Nissan’s new car warranty coverage are poor.
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual N-Connecta Score: 7 / 10 “The Nissan Qashqai is a great all-round performer that will serve most households in a most satisfactory manner, and the mid-spec N-Connecta is a good choice if your budget allows for it. The mid-sized SUV class is a part of the market where you’re certainly spoilt for choice. Several of these rivals are outstanding in a particular area, but few are as complete a package as the Qashqai. Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The new Nissan Qashqai is not particularly revolutionary but it does what Nissan claims it wanted to do – keep all the good bits and add some new and better bits. It drives well, offers lots of space and a quality of fit and finish that compares with most of the competition. The technology additions are generally useful and the safety package top-notch.” Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Few sectors of the car market are more competitive than the one where the Nissan Qashqai plys its trade, but Nissan’s effort stands out by offering consistency across the board rather than excelling in any one area. Good to drive, efficient, practical, well-equipped, and tightly priced, despite not being a class leader, the lack of weaknesses gives it an edge.” Author: Steve Walker, Ellis Hyde Read review
Model reviewed: e-Power N-Design Score: 8 / 10 “It’s easy to see why the Nissan Qashqai is so popular with UK buyers, and this mid-life update does just enough to see it keep pace with a huge pool of extremely talented rivals. The e-Power hybrid is the perfect amuse-bouche for those not ready for a full EV, and this sporty-looking N-Design model looks to represent decent enough value, too. It throws in plenty of cool kit, for less than you’d pay for a top-spec Tekna+ car.” Author: Richard Ingram Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric e-Power Score: 8 / 10 “This is the most appealing variant in the Qashqai line-up. Nissan’s e-Power tech has addressed our issues with the Qashqai’s lacklustre engine line-up, and while the car still falls short in some areas, the extra refinement, efficiency and performance e-Power brings seems worth the cash to us given the potential to recoup running costs. Not to mention the improved driving experience.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The new Nissan Qashqai is an eminently usable and usefully practical family SUV. It might only be so-so to drive, but it nails the basics that some family SUVs don’t, making it an affordable and relatively successful evolution of the Qashqai formula for this third generation.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “Designed, developed and built here in Britain, the Qashqai is a deserved family favourite, this new one set to continue Nissan’s top ranking in the crossover field.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Qashqai 1.3 138hp N-Connecta Score: 7 / 10 “Excellent practicality, equipment and easy to drive. Although, fleets might get turned off with no diesel or PHEV models.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Despite the onslaught of more than 20 C-segment crossover rivals, the Qashqai Mk2 was the class best-seller. This slicker, thoughtfully engineered, handsome and more rewarding to drive version has the capabilities to stay there.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Nissan has really moved the game forward with the new Nissan Qashqai, with a range of big advancements in the key areas that matter – how it drives, the technology on offer and its practicality. Though it doesn’t quite rival the class best, it’s a very appealing crossover nonetheless that deserves all the success it will likely get.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7.8 / 10 “The new Nissan Qashqai improves on the old model in all the right areas.” (Andy Goodwin) Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol manual Tekna+ “An intelligent evolution rather than a revolution. New hybrid model will provide a much-needed efficiency boost, but the driving experience, cabin quality, improved kit levels and sharper front-end are all evidence of the big advances over the second-generation Qashqai.”
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: Qashqai 1.3 DiG-T Tekna+ Score: 8 / 10 “If you’re upgrading from the current Qashqai you will find yourself in a hugely improved new model.” Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview “The latest version of the big-selling family SUV is now on sale, with sharp new look and hybrid-only engine range.” Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed: Range overview “Bigger, better all round and with ultra-modern technology the mild hybrid powered model is a car of our times and comes as the company gears up to take the Qashqai into the mainstream electric age.” Read review
Fleetworld
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Better-looking, with higher levels of standard equipment and it’s keener to drive. The original crossover should keep its crown, despite keen rivals.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “It’s practicality where the 2021 Nissan Qashqai shines the most. From the generous stowage areas to the rear seats that fold flat, doors that open incredibly wide and extensive list of standard safety equipment, there’s no doubt that this is a car designed with families in mind.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Hybrid power and increased practicality mean the new Nissan Qashqai can proudly fight it out against the Hyundai Tucson, Citroen C5 Aircross and Skoda Karoq.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.4 / 10 “The all-new Qashqai is good to drive and a very polished performer.” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: “Nissan has moved the game on massively. Qashqai is posh, practical, hybrid, hi-tech and still sensibly priced from £23k.” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: e-Power Tekna Score: 8 / 10 “The Nissan Qashqai is not a battery electric car, but it’s lighter and less expensive, and filling the 55-litre tank takes a couple of minutes. This gives a range, according to our test, of 624 miles, so stick that in your charging port. You won’t be able to boast about how you’re saving the planet at parties, but if you want a smart, reliable, thoroughly competent car that’s designed and engineered in Britain, look no further.” (Andrew English) Read review
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol manual Tekna+ Score: 8 / 10 “The new Nissan Qashqai has a workmanlike, tough-as-boots quality, with software systems that are well thought through and simple to operate; the model has a track record for longevity and reliability, too. Oh, and it’s built in Britain.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: e-Power Score: 7 / 10 “The e-Power drivetrain is around two grand more than an equivalent ‘normal’ Qashqai. Given the extra performance and economy on offer, it feels like good value and it’s probably safe to assume it’ll be more desirable second-hand, boosting its future value. If you’re keen to dip your toe into the world of EVs but have no ability to charge one, perhaps the ubiquitous Qashqai has just gained an increasingly vital USP. Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “Into generation three, the Qashqai remains, like even its best rivals, a car for owners rather than drivers. If you want fun, spend the same money on a hatch or estate.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Clean Air Index: 7 / 10 Energy Efficiency Index: 3.9 / 10 Greenhouse Gas Index: 2.1 / 10
The Nissan Qashqai had its emissions tested by Green NCAP in October 2022 – achieving a two-and-a-half star rating. This rating only applies to 1.3-litre petrol unit versions with mild hybrid support, and does not cover ‘e-Power’ versions.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Petrol models
44 mpg
C
Hybrid models
54 mpg
B
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
146 g/km
C
Hybrid models
121 g/km
B
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
22
B
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£230
C
Year 2
£587
C
Year 3
£919
C
Year 4
£1,101
C
Year 5
£1,442
C
Overall
£4,279
C
The Nissan Qashqai is pretty average in terms of its running costs, according to five-year service and maintenance data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The e-Power hybrid models are good in terms of fuel consumption, while the regular petrol models are only average. Across the board, the Qashqai scores consistent B and C grades for running costs.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 1023 Average repair cost: £691.71 Last updated: April 2025
As of April 2025 (our most recent data point), the Nissan Qashqai has a reliability rating of 55%, which is poor according to warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current Qashqai and the previous (pre-2021) generations.
Average repair costs for the Qashqai are reasonably high, at about £700. This is obviously more than the price of a used car warranty, which is worth keeping in mind if you are considering a used Qashqai.
Gearbox problems are particularly expensive to fix, at an average repair of £2,300, while engine repairs are also quite costly at an average repair cost of more than £1,000.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Nissan Qashqai
Overall rating
D
31%
Petrol or diesel models
E
17%
Electric or hybrid models
C
56%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Vauxhall’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better).
In addition to the standard new car warranty, the e-Power hybrid versions of the Qashqai have an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Warranty on a used Nissan Qashqai
If you are purchasing an ‘Approved Used’ Qashqai from an official Nissan dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Qashqai from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Qashqai from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Date: February 2024 Recall number: R/2024/021 Model types: All Build dates: 05/2021 to 09/2022 Number of vehicles affected: 9,536 Defect: The capacitive mat for hand-on detection may have been damaged during manufacture of the steering wheel. The steering wheel may falsely detect the driver has their hands on the wheel with ProPilot engaged and not give a warning to place hands back on the wheel. Remedy: Inspect the steering wheel serial number and replace with a new countermeasure part where necessary.
Date: July 2023 Recall number: R/2023/232 Model types: All Build dates: 03/2022 Number of vehicles affected: 4 Defect: The child lock function on the rear door locks may be out of specification. The child lock may become disengaged when the inside door handle is operated. Remedy: Replace the rear door lock assemblies on both sides with a countermeasure part.
Date: November 2021 Recall number: R/2021/386 Model types: All Build dates: 09/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 7 Defect: Some steering rack trial parts were reintroduced into the normal production process. Remedy: Replace the steering rack with a countermeasure part.
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been three DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the current Nissan Qashqai to address different issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Nissan dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Qashqai, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
The mid-sized SUV class is one part of the market in which you’re really spoilt for choice. Amongst the many comparisons, the closest to the Qashqai are the likes of the Peugeot 3008, Citroën C5 Aircross, Skoda Kamiq, Volkswagen Tiguan and Ford Kuga. Several of these rivals are outstanding in a particular area – the Peugeot has an excellent-quality cabin, for example. But few are as complete a package as the Nissan.
The Ford Puma ST arrived in 2020, a year after the mainstream version of Ford’s new small SUV and added potency to go with the coupe-like looks of the model – Ford describes the ST as the brand’s “first performance SUV in Europe.”
ST models are intended to be powerful and fun to drive – the Puma is based on the chassis of the Fiesta, and so the ST gets the Fiesta ST’s turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine of 200hp, producing a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds. Other ST DNA includes tuning the suspension for better handling and adding sporty visuals inside and out.
Generally, testers like the concept – Auto Express reckons Ford has created “the best handling compact SUV on the market” and adds that for its capability, the Puma ST is “a bit of a bargain.”
The engine earns praise for enough power to be fun alongside daily-use practicality. Eurekar describes the performance as “very impressive, pulling strongly and with a respectable getaway and pulling power for overtaking.”
Minus marks for the Puma ST include its wheels, which are 19-inch only and according to some reviews a size too big for the car. Testers add that the steering is too sharp and fast-reacting, which makes for nervous cornering.
Taking a seat inside, some find the narrow sports seats restrictive, the Sunday Times adding that the interior “doesn’t feel very premium – the door inserts are cheap, hard plastic and some of the buttons a bit cheap and tacky.”
As of February 2025, the Ford Puma ST holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 71%. It gets high praise from motoring journalists for its driving dynamics, while safety and CO2 emission scores are also good. Running costs are average, however, and more expensive than other small SUVs.
Body style: Small SUV/crossover Engines: petrol Price: From £31,760 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2020 Last updated: N/A Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
+
Model reviewed: Score: 9 / 10 “The Ford Puma ST provides the most fun it’s possible to have in a crossover.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre 3cyl turbocharged petrol Score: 9 / 10 “In the Puma ST, Ford has created the best-handling compact SUV on the market – and by some margin. True, it’s more expensive than the Fiesta ST with which the Puma ST shares so much – and not quite as thrilling to drive – but if this is the sort of car you want, it’s the best of its type.” Read review
Auto Trader
+
Model reviewed: “Ford decided to give its already sporty little Puma crossover the full ST treatment, based on the engine and other bits from the brilliant Fiesta ST. In the process we think it might just have reinvented the hot hatch as we know it.” Read review
“The Ford Puma is one of the best crossovers on the market, so the Puma ST performance edition looked incredibly promising. But changes made in the pursuit of speed have been aggressive, so it’ll be down to your driving style as to whether they suit you.” Read review
Business Car
+
Model reviewed: Performance Pack Score: 8 / 10 “As a package, the Puma ST shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it demonstrates the talent of Ford’s engineers as this car must be the most fun to drive small crossover on-sale right now.” Read review
Car
+
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Score: 10 / 10 “The Ford Puma ST feels just as pliable and adjustable as the Fiesta ST supermini on which it’s based; from the seating position – which simply feels a little higher than the Fiesta’s – to the powertrain, which actually improves on the superminis. The result is an unlikely all-rounder.” Read review
Car Keys
+
Score: 10 / 10 “Combine one of the most fun hot hatches with one of the best-driving crossovers and the result is brilliant. The Ford Puma ST is unquestionably one of the best cars of its type to drive, offering just that bit more practicality than the Fiesta ST with its larger boot and more generous rear-seat space.” Read review
Carbuyer
+
Model reviewed: Score: 8.4 / 10 “The Ford Puma ST is great to drive, has a brilliant engine and offers all the practicality of an SUV with hot hatch thrills.” Read review
Carwow
+
Score: 7 / 10 “The Ford Puma ST is the sportiest version of the Puma compact SUV, with meaner looks and a racier setup, but it’s very uncomfortable around town.” Read review
Daily Mirror
+
Score: 8 / 10 “Those already in the crossover camp who want a family car with more sparkle will undoubtedly love the Puma.” Read review
Eurekar
+
Model reviewed: ST-Line X Vignale “What really makes this car such a winner is it’s driving experience and fun nature – starting with its smart design.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview “It’s not quite in the same league as the Kuga and that is arguably its toughest rival, but it delivers more of what I think a driver wants in terms of style and image. And it has that captivating ST badge.” Read review
Evo
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “A slightly more grown up and practical take on the excellent Fiesta ST that we can’t help but wish was less crossover and more coupe.” Read review
Honest John
+
Model reviewed: Range overview “The Puma’s sporty styling – including a sloping roofline silhouette and pronounced wheel arches – lends itself to a more extreme Puma ST design that combines form and function.” Read review
Parkers
+
Model reviewed: Range overview “The whole car feels just as pliable and adjustable as the supermini on which its based; from the seating position which simply feels a little higher than the Fiesta’s – to the powertrain, which actually improves on the superminis.” Read review
The Sun
+
Model reviewed: Range overview “It’s loads of fun. Just brilliant fun – and it’s even practical.” Read review
Model reviewed: “It’s a lot of fun to drive in a hurry, extremely well engineered and worthy of the ST badge. If just a little pricey.” Read review
The Sunday Times
+
Score: 6 / 10 “The Ford Puma ST is fun but flawed.” Read review
The Telegraph
+
Score: 8 / 10 “A combination of a high-performance drivetrain and a modish supermini SUV looks a winner on paper, but in practice the Ford Puma ST pricey and too harsh.” Read review
Top Gear
+
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The right badge on the wrong car? Perhaps not. It’s a cracker to drive.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
The Ford Puma ST shares its Euro NCAP result with the rest of the Puma range, which was tested when it launched in 2019. The car gained a top five-star rating, testers noting the full marks scored in the more challenging side-barrier and side-pole tests, and the effectiveness of the standard-fit autonomous emergency braking.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of February 2025, the Ford Puma ST has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of February 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Ford Puma ST to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Puma ST, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
47 mpg
C
42 – 47 mpg
C – D
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
150 g/km
B
136 – 155 g/km
B – B
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
21
A
20 – 21
A – A
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£208
B
Year 2
£529
B
Year 3
£856
B
Year 4
£1,133
B
Year 5
£1,507
B
Overall
£4,233
B
The Ford Puma ST is a bit more expensive to own and run than the regular Puma models, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Average servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years are likely to be about 40% more expensive than a regular Puma, while fuel economy is about 6mpg worse as well.
The good news is that insurance costs are expected to be very good, which is a pleasant surprise for a performance model.
Security rating
Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research
The Ford Puma (which includes the ST version) performed well in Thatcham’s testing programme to measure anti-theft protection.
A Superior rating is the highest score, and the Puma also passed the new relay attack test, which measures the security of a car’s keyless entry and/or keyless start system. This means that the Puma is resistant to thieves intercepting the car’s keyless signal and using it to steal the car.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford Puma ST, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Performance compact SUVs are not exactly plentiful, but if you desire one there are some alternatives to the Puma ST, though generally they are 4x4s and so cost more money, while according to reviewers offering arguably less fun.
Alternatively, within the Ford family you could always look at the Fiesta ST, since it shares most of its underpinnings withe the higher-riding Puma.
Ford will launch an all-new version of its Tourneo Connect MPV in Spring 2022, in two lengths both offering seven-seat accommodation.
Replacing the previous five-seat Tourneo Connect and seven-seat Grand Tourneo Connect and based on the Transit Connect van, the new vehicle will also be offered with a range of digital technologies seeking to lift it from its budget people-carrier status to effectively take the place of Ford’s discontinued C-Max models.
The second and third row of seats are removable to increase load space. The front passenger seat also folds back to accommodate items up to three metres in length such as flat-pack furniture or timber.
Power is provided by either a 1.5-litre petrol engine or a 2.0-litre diesel engine, which is available in two power outputs. Both engines are available with manual or automatic transmissions, while the more powerful diesel unit is also available with all-wheel drive.
Entry-level Tourneo Connect models will be supplied with an infotainment system using an eight-inch screen – a ten-inch version is standard on all other models and can be specified for the entry-level car. Sport versions also include a ten-inch digital display for the driver, which is an option on other models.
Safety levels have been improved on the new model with up to 19 driver assistance technologies on offer. Standard specification on all versions includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping, cruise control, hill-start assistance and front and rear parking sensors.
Orders for the new Tourneo Connect open in early 2022 at prices yet to be specified. Ford expects the car to appeal to a wide range of potential buyers, from families who regularly need to carry sports and camping equipment to small businesses transporting personnel and stock.
September is always one of the two biggest months of the year for new car registrations as new number plates bring buyers into showrooms, but 2021 continues to ignore the usual scripts.
Toyota was the country’s biggest-selling car brand for the month, ahead of Kia, while perennial sales leader Ford slumped to ninth. EVs hit a new record market share, while diesel’s market share crashed to a new all-time low. And most car manufacturers struggled to get enough of any cars at all to sell to customers.
Ongoing shortages of crucial semiconductor chips continue to have a massive impact on new car registrations, and the top ten list for September reflected these supply issues. The Ford Fiesta, for example, had an absolutely disastrous month with fewer than 1,800 registrations – which doesn’t look good compared to the Vauxhall Corsa’s 5,200 sales for the month…
We’ve published our normal reporton the monthly new car registration figures, with plenty of detail that you won’t find elsewhere. So let’s now look at the mixed-up top ten results for September 2021.
It’s not the first time that the Tesla Model 3 has topped the new car sales charts, but to do so in September is probably Tesla’s strongest sales achievement yet. The American company continues to dominate the electric car scene, which will have other manufacturers scratching their heads as to why their own EVs are not selling up a storm in the same way.
The Vauxhall Corsa recovered strongly in September after a poor couple of months, and it now looks a nailed-on favourite to end 2021 as the UK’s best-selling car with a lead of more than 6,000 units with only three months to go for the year. Vauxhall will presumably be begging its Stellantis overlords for as many cars as it can get to finally bring the Ford Fiesta’s long reign to an end.
The petrol and diesel versions of the new Corsa currently hold a rather poor Expert Rating of 63% on our industry-leading Expert Rating index, although the all-electric Corsa-e manages a few points better at 67%. Those scores put the Corsa in the bottom half of the supermini class, suggesting that journalists are not as excited about the Corsa as customers seem to be.
The BMW 3 Series continues its strong run through the second half of the year, improving from fifth last month to third in September. That also means that the 3 Series is closing in on the Toyota Yaris for eighth place in year-to-date registrations with just three months of the year to go.
The 3 Series currently rates two points better than the electric Tesla Model 3 in our Expert Rating Index, and a long way ahead of other petrol/diesel/plug-in rivals from Audi, Mercedes and others. As of October 2021, it has an overall score of 85%, which is exceptionally high.
It was another great month for the Toyota Yaris, with fourth place in September resulting in selling a lot more cars than third place in August or second place in July. Toyota is coping much better with semiconductor supply than most manufacturers, which is certainly helping Yaris sales at the expense of rivals like the Ford Fiesta.
The Yaris currently holds an overall score of 67% on our Expert Rating Index, which has dropped from its previous rating of 76% since we updated our unique algorithm. This is a bigger fall than affected the Polo or Fiesta, but still keeps it four points above the Corsa.
September marked the market introduction of the all-new third-generation Nissan Qashqai, replacing one of the UK’s most successful vehicles and hoping for more of the same.
Nissan will be hoping that it can get production up to speed and maintain that level without being dogged by supply problems in order to give the new Qashqai a solid start in life. It’s certainly been a good start, and everyone up in Sunderland will have their fingers crossed…
We don’t yet have enough reviews of the new Qashqai to produce our Expert Rating report, but this will be coming soon. The previous model was competitive with other mainstream medium SUVs throughout its life, and the new one is a marked improvement in pretty much every area.
September was almost certainly the last big hurrah for the current Sportage, ahead of its replacement by an all-new model before the end of 2021. The Sportage also inched closer to the Volkswagen Polo in year-to-date sales, but the end-of-year result will very much depend on how much stock Kia has of both the outgoing car and the new model.
The Sportage currently holds an Expert Rating of 64% in our industry-leading Expert Ratings index, which puts it firmly in the bottom half of the medium SUV sector. Kia will hoping that its boldly styled replacement can improve on this score.
The Volkswagen Polo’s 2021 renaissance continued in September with another strong result. The facelifted Polo was supposed to have arrived in time for the September sales rush, but Volkswagen dealers are apparently still waiting to see the new models. Fortunately, they seemed to have about 4,000 of the current model in stock to deliver to customers…
The Polo currently holds an Expert Rating of 76%, which makes it one of the top-rated small cars according to our industry-leading Expert Rating index. Whether this will improve further once the facelifted model arrives remains to be seen.
Helping Toyota top the sales charts in September was a fantastic result for the Aygo city car, making its first appearance (that we can remember, anyway) in the top ten.
The Aygo has been around since 2014, so it’s certainly in the autumn of its life and a new model is expected to arrive sometime next year. As of October 2021, it holds an Expert Rating of just 54%, so it’s well off the pace of other city cars like the Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Up.
The Kia Niro made a return to the top ten for the first time since February, helping Kia to second place in overall manufacturer registrations, just behind Toyota. Overall, the Hyundai-Kia collective appears to have managed its supply of semiconductors better than most car manufacturers, which has very much helped the results for both brands.
The Niro currently holds an Expert Rating of 62% in our aggregated Expert Ratings index, while the e-Niro is far more highly rated with a score of 84% – a whopping 22% better than the hybrid versions.
After disappearing from the top ten altogether last month, the Volkswagen crept back into tenth place in September. Mind you, that was still enough to overhaul a 1,600 unit deficit to the Ford Fiesta and overtake it for second place in year-to-date registrations. Volkswagen also strengthened its overall lead in the manufacturer sales race, and looks pretty certain to displace Ford as the country’s most popular car brand for 2021.
It seems that almost every manufacturer is pining for ‘premium’ perfection these days, aiming to release that one family-friendly model that scores so highly with the media and general public that it gives them the pedigree to bump up their prices. But which of these brands deserves to charge a premium?
It’s relatively easy for a brand to produce a high-performance model that has car journalists drooling, but those cars tend to serve as halo models that get headlines, while we’re interested in the real volume-selling models.
By consulting our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, we’ve ranked the best manufacturers with premium reputations by their overall Expert Rating, across all the family-oriented models in their range (saloons, hatchbacks, SUVs and so on) – deliberately ignoring sports cars and low-volume high-performance models (like BMW M or Mercedes-AMG models) that can skew the overall scores.
We’re also making an arbritary judgment on what counts as a ‘premium’ brand here. We’re looking at car companies that are selling in large volumes but are priced above the mainstream manufacturers. That means we’re not counting luxury brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, or niche supercar brands like Ferrari or McLaren.
With more than 8,700 different reviews from the UK motoring media powering our rankings, you can be confident that this is the definitive guide to the best premium car brands selling their models in the UK right now.
Like most car companies, Jaguar has invested heavily into SUVs in recent years. The E-Pace, F-Pace and I-Pace models now comfortably outsell the traditional XE and XF saloons, while the flagship XJ saloon has been pensioned off altogether. The F-Type coupé and convertible are not counted towards Jaguar’s score here.
Jaguar’s current range of executive and family models is a small but solid line-up, but its the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace that is the pick of the bunch. It’s well-regarded among the media for its lavish interior, thrilling performance and excellent safety features.
Every car across the range has been praised for its driving dynamics, but whatever new Jaguar catches your eye, you may find that the prices are a bit higher than for rivals from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Finance offers aren’t helped by residual values that are generally lower than the German rivals, leading to higher monthly payments.
There have also been doubts about the long-term reliability of Jaguar cars, while the infotainment systems installed by the British manufacturer have been well off the standards set by other premium brands. A new system called Pivi Pro has closed the gap in this regard, but it’s still not a match for the likes of BMW’s iDrive.
Overall Expert Rating: 74% Stand-out model: BMW 5 Series (87%)
BMW is a global brand with considerable pedigree, particularly notable for its very wide selection of impressive high-end models at attractive prices. Labelled the fourth best premium brand by our Expert Rating Index, BMW has been ranked higher than its key competitors Audi and Mercedes-Benz, who both failed to make the top five.
Although the BMW 3 Series deserves a lot of praise, it is the BMW 5 Series that is the most beloved by the UK media. It has received more than 25 industry awards since its launch in 2017, thanks to its cars almost always offering a superior driving experience, as well as plenty of refinement and high build quality.
The only universal criticism that BMW regularly receives is that many of its optional extras are often standard features on other, cheaper brands. Oh, plus the styling of most models is most politely described as “polarising”.
The second entrant in these rankings from the Jaguar Land Rover family, Land Rover is a prestigious brand that many British motoring journalists look upon with fondness and a patriotic lens. This is likely why Land Rover is placed 3rd in this list, its Overall Expert Rating just inching ahead of BMW.
The Land Rover range comes highly recommended by the UK media for its impressive off-roading talent, as well as its lavish interior trims, every-day practical features, and quality infotainment. Reviewers also expect that the Land Rover range will be slower to depreciate in value than other competitors in the premium SUV classes.
However, much like Jaguar, the motoring media collectively shares concerns about the long-term reliability of Land Rover models, which are rather notorious for developing faults, and point out that Land Rover SUVs are not the economical choice for those looking to count their miles per gallon.
With these drawbacks, some reviewers struggle to find justification for Land Rover’s comparatively high pricing, when there are more reliable and economical high-end SUV options available for less.
Renowned for scintillating performance and fantastic engine quality, Porsche has successfully managed to take the thrilling driving dynamics and sleek and sporty interior of its 911 sports car, and tweak that formula for the premium family car market.
Porsche’s family-orientated options only consist of two SUVs and two large saloons; the exceptionally fun driving experience and surprising practicality being the key positives for buyers interested in this range.
Launched in 2019, the Porsche Taycan is the choice of our Expert Rating Index, which offers the perfect balance between the practical sensibilities of a family saloon and the blistering pace and performance of a hypercar.
Much like BMW, the major criticism that frequently crops up in Porsche reviews is the expensive price of optional extras, which should really be available as standard.
Bringing our rankings to a close, our Expert Ratings index has decided that Tesla is on top when it comes to choosing a premium brand for your next family car. With only three models in the Tesla line-up, there really isn’t too much choice, but all three have proved popular with both critics and the buying public.
In fact, the Tesla Model 3, praised for its fantastic performance, driving dynamics and minimalist style, regularly pops up in the UK’s top ten sellers list, including recently taking the top spot as the country’s best-selling car in the UK in September 2021.
Tesla has been universally admired for the exterior styling of its models and its practical tech features, but reviewers are quick to criticise the quality of interior materials and overall build quality, as well as ergonomic issues caused by concentrating almost all the car’s controls into a single touchscreen.
For the definitive rankings of the top five premium brands, we’ve used The Car Expert’s industry-leading Expert Rating index.
The index analyses new car reviews from 25 of the top UK motoring websites, using an advanced algorithm that we have developed specifically to compare review scores. It constantly recalculates and updates the Expert Rating score for every single car in real time to make sure you’re getting the most accurate and reliable ratings for every new car.
MG has unveiled an updated version of the ZS electric compact SUV, extending the car’s range by up to 110 miles.
Fitted with the new 72kWh battery, the ZS EV has an official battery range of up to 273 miles, compared to 163 miles for the existing model.
Charging of the new battery takes 10.5 hours on a standard 7kW charger, or 42 minutes using a 100kW rapid charger. The car comes fitted with a combination Type 2 and CCS charger and now includes a charging status indicator by means of LEDs inside the charging port.
Other updates to the latest version of the MG ZS include styling changes that follow the updates already applied to the petrol ZS range. The electric model now sports a bespoke front end, featuring a stamped-effect grille to improve aerodynamics and a new side-opening charging port.
LED headlights and bespoke daytime running lights are included while the rear bumper has been redesigned and new wheel designs added.
Inside, MG is fitting its latest connectivity system – this connects via a smartphone app, and offers remote control of various car, climate, security and charging functions.
Coinciding with the updates the car’s trim levels have been renamed, with the ZS EV now available in SE or Trophy variants.
The ten-inch tablet-style touchscreen in the centre console now has new graphics and has been made easier to use. A new instrument cluster is fitted while Trophy versions also offer wireless phone charging.
The MG ZS EV goes on sale in November – prices are yet to be announced. The ZS is the best-selling of MG’s now three-strong electrified range that also includes the MG 5 estate EV and larger MG HS plug-in hybrid SUV.
MG intends to introduce an additional lower-cost electric model to the ZS EV range in 2022, fitted with a 51kWh battery giving up to 198 miles between charges.
Crucially needed updates for budget EV SUV The improved battery range and updated infotainment system address two of the key concerns raised by reviewers on the original model, which contributed to the ZS EV’s relatively poor Expert Rating of 56% as of October 2021.
A (claimed) battery range of 273 miles is far more competitive with other small electric SUVs, and for many households it will make the ZS EV a far more viable option than before.
However, the update is unlikely to address the car’s other main criticisms, which were a dull driving experience and poor quality interior materials. Stuart Masson, editor
The Car Expert launches a game-changing ranking for new cars
Ratings aggregated from 25 of the UK’s top motoring websites
Invaluable market intelligence for car manufacturer
London, 7 October 2021:The Car Expert has this week unveiled its unique Expert Rating Index – the most powerful new car review and ranking platform ever seen in the UK. It’s designed to be the new gold standard for rating the best and worst new cars for consumers, and the ultimate brand performance barometer for car manufacturers.
The Expert Rating Index brings a level of sophistication never before seen in ranking the best and worst new cars in the UK. The Car Expert’s team compiles new car reviews from 25 of the UK’s top automotive sites, then applies an advanced algorithm to produce a definitive rating for each car.
It provides car manufacturers with unique market intelligence on how each media title is reporting on individual car brands and models, harnessing the combined weight of more than 8,500 new car reviews and increasing every week.
The index brings science and data analysis to the subjective and old-fashioned world of reviewing new cars, using established aggregating principles in a similar fashion to sites like Rotten Tomatoes – the world’s most famous review aggregator site – Metacritic and others.
Developed entirely within the UK but capable of being applied anywhere in the world, this is the first time that aggregated ratings technology has been used to publicly rate and rank new car reviews.
“After three years of research, development and public testing, the Expert Rating Index is now the most accurate and reliable method ever developed to rate new cars,” said Stuart Masson, editorial director of The Car Expert.
“It’s the new gold standard for ranking the best and worst new cars for both consumers and car manufacturers. Think of it as ‘the Rotten Tomatoes of car reviews’.”
The Car Expert will publish quarterly reports from the Expert Rating Index, the first of which is scheduled to be out by the end of October.
What’s an Expert Rating?
The Expert Rating score for a car is an aggregated rating made up of a number of individual review scores from up to 25 different sources. This can be as few as 12 reviews and in some cases is more than 60 (as some cars have multiple variants of engines, body styles and trim levels, or are simply more widely reviewed).
The Expert Rating Index factors in the age of each review, so that newer reviews carry more weight than older reviews. It also breaks down the complex web of different scoring systems that different websites use in their reviews.
All the data is pulled together with hundreds of calculations to produce a definitive score for each new car – the only number that you can trust.
Licensing
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BMW has unveiled the second-generation version of its 2 Series Active Tourer, promising more space and updated powertrains to go with the bold new look.
Observers will have no difficulty telling the new compact MPV from its predecessor, the front-end dominated by the grille which under BMW’s controversial latest styling language has significantly grown in size. It houses a radar detector, part of an expanded suite of driver-assistance systems.
Other styling changes include a new front headlamp design, revised side styling and smaller rear lamp clusters.
The interior has undergone much greater changes, according to BMW following the example of the iX electric SUV. There is more space available, thanks to a bigger body shell in all dimensions and both the front and rear wheels being spaced wider apart.
The cabin is dominated by a one-piece curved display unit in which is mounted both the driver’s 10-inch digital instrument panel and a central touchscreen of 11 inches. This accesses the latest version of the BMW iDrive infotainment system, the first time this has been offered in one of the brand’s smaller cars.
The system operates in a similar fashion to a smartphone, enabling many traditional buttons and switches to be removed from the cabin.
Two petrol engines and a diesel will be available from the car’s launch, all with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox. The petrol units, which both include mild-hybrid technology, are a 1.5-litre unit of 170hp and a 2.0-litre 218hp, while the diesel is a 2.0-litre unit with 150hp.
BMW intends to expand the engine offerings in mid 2022 with plug-in hybrid variants, each able to travel up to 50 miles on electric power alone and offering either 245hp or 326hp.
BMW dealers are now taking orders for the new 2 Series Active Tourer – prices start from £30,265 and first cars are expected don UK roads in March 2022.
