Volvo has launched a new offer to reimburse UK buyers of its plug-in hybrid models with a year’s worth of electricity costs.
The offer has been introduced to ensure that people use their plug-in hybrids as efficiently as possible, topping up the batteries regularly rather than relying on petrol power.
Dubbed ‘Take Charge’, the incentive is available to anyone who purchases one of Volvo’s seven plug-in hybrid models between now and June 30, 2020.
Volvo is the only brand to offer a plug-in hybrid variant across every model in its range (XC40, S60, V60, XC60, S90, V90 and XC90).
The firm will monitor the level of charge put into a car using the Volvo On Call app, and then Volvo will give the customer a rebate based on the average price of electricity.
Keeping your plug-in hybrid plugged in
The offer will help to address recent criticisms of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which do not offer any environmental benefits if owners simply use them as petrol vehicles, rather than maximising the use of the electric motor and batteries.
Kristian Elvefors, Volvo Car UK managing director, said: “At Volvo, in keeping with our Swedish roots, we’ve always taken a keen interest in looking after the environment. Our recently stated ambition to become a carbon-neutral company by 2040 shows we are serious about addressing climate change.
“It’s crucial that we help our plug-in hybrid customers understand how they can make the most of their car’s electric potential. So, by meeting their electricity charging costs for a year, we can encourage them to develop the good habit of regularly recharging their car’s battery, as well as saving them money at the same time.”
The offer is open to private and business customers too, and because Volvo is keen to encourage drivers to charge their cars, the company car driver will receive the refund at the end of the year rather than their employer.
For 40 years, the Vauxhall Astra has been a mainstay of the British car market. Since the first iteration was introduced in 1979, more than three million units have been sold and seven generations have elapsed – making it one of Britain’s favourite models.
Now, Vauxhall has revealed the mid-generation facelift for the seventh generation, and with it is offered with a series of new updates to bring up to scratch against recent arrivals in the market, like the latest Ford Focus, Hyundai i30 and new Kia Ceed – not to mention the all-new eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf that will arrive in early 2020. The Astra has also been sliding down the sales charts over the last couple years, so these changes are more than welcome.
The Vauxhall Astra currently holds a rating of 74% according to The Car Expert’s unique Expert Rating aggregator, which combines review scores from 18 of the top UK motoring website to give you an impartial overview of the media scores. That score puts it firmly in the midfield of the segment, so the new model need to step up its game against cars like the Focus and Golf.
So, can the refreshed Astra go toe-to-toe with some of the toughest rivals in the UK new car market? Let’s get behind the wheel to find out.
Surprisingly for a mid-life facelift, there’s quite a lot new here. Vauxhall, now under the stewardship of the giant French PSA Group, has added a completely new range of engines and transmissions to suit.
The firm has also been hard at work in the wind tunnel, claiming to make this Astra the most aerodynamically efficient model in its class – with the estate Sports Tourer said to be even sleeker. Chassis tweaks have been made to the Astra for improved comfort and damping control over bumps.
There has also been a rationalisation of the trim levels, with Vauxhall now offering seven specifications for people to choose from. But with that comes new features, such as touchscreen infotainment systems as standard across the line-up, while wireless charging, a digital instrument display and ergonomic sports seats are fitted to top-end models.
How does it look?
With the facelift comes a new fascia, which features more prominent chrome detailing and a new grille for a slightly sportier look. The visual tweaks are also aimed at making the car sleeker, with this Astra the smoothest yet. All of these design changes, including special flaps behind the grille to direct airflow, have been added to improve fuel efficiency.
Vauxhall also continues to offer the Astra with the class-exclusive Matrix LED headlights, with the units featuring a signature design. LED daytime running lights are fitted as standard.
The rear is almost identical to before. It’s certainly not an ugly car and we’d say it looks smarter – although we think the Sports Tourer estate version is the better looking of the two body types.
What’s the spec like?
With the refreshed model, Vauxhall has ensured that entry-level options come with a good standard of equipment. Starting from £18,885, the base SE model features 16-alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone mirroring, air conditioning, Bluetooth and cruise control – covering all the essentials.
In the Elite Nav trim we tried, Vauxhall also includes 17-inch alloys, an eight-inch touchscreen, climate control, leather seats and steering wheel with heating function, front camera system, LED headlights and an eight-inch digital instrument cluster. Prices for that start from £23,955.
Our test car also came with front and rear parking sensors – an option box we’d definitely tick – and a heated windscreen, with a few other additions besides, taking the total cost to £26,210.
What’s the Vauxhall Astra like inside?
Vauxhall has incorporated a series of new features into the cabin and has decluttered the dashboard considerably. It’s well put together and solidly built, with scratchy plastics few and far between.
It isn’t the most exciting cabin in the world, but it does the job more than well enough. The Elite Nav model we tested also came with leather upholstery throughout, with the front sports seats being very comfortable.
The facelifted Astra is also rather spacious, with even taller drivers allowing for lots of legroom in the rear. The 370-litre boot space is also well-shaped and the boot lip isn’t too high either, making it easy to load and unload.
What’s under the bonnet?
As previously mentioned, the refreshed Astra comes with a series of new engines – three to be precise. There are two petrol blocks – measuring 1.2 and 1.4 litres in size – and a single diesel unit, a 1.5-litre. All three engines are three-cylinder units.
We tried the highest output petrol, the 145hp 1.2-litre, which also develops 225Nm of torque. Alongside a six-speed manual transmission, the Astra can get from 0-60mph in 8.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 137mph.
With this combination on board, the hatchback feels more than fast enough and nice to use. You can rev the engine quite highly before needing to change gear and it feels well-refined. Through the WLTP cycle, it’s claimed that this Astra can return up to 54.3mpg and just 99g/km of CO2.
What’s the Vauxhall Astra like to drive?
Chassis changes are telling, as the Astra felt stable and composed on the bumpy test route weaving through the Leicestershire countryside. A few bumps were transferred into the cabin, but they were few and far between, while wind and road noise are well-concealed. Having only driven on 17-inch alloys, we can confirm that it feels well-damped with these alloys fitted.
There is a lack of feel due to the electic power steering, but it’s direct and only goes to understeer when really pushed. When cruising, the Astra settles down very well and will remain a favourite for those needing a cossetted hatchback for long distances.
Despite the sloping roofline and smaller rear windows, all-round visibility is good. It’s easy to get comfortable, with a steering column that is adjustable for both height and reach, and well-bolstered seats with adjustable lumbar support.
Verdict
With the new range of engines and equipment, Vauxhall has done an impressive job with this mid-life refresh for the Astra. It may not be as complete as the rival Ford Focus, but it manages to be comfortable, nice to drive and spacious – all the things a typical hatchback buyer needs.
The automatic transmission on the diesel is a major let down though, so we’d recommend going for the manual gearbox if you’re going to plum for the more efficient engine.
This mid-life update is a good step up for the Astra, and on the whole, makes it a more appealing package. It’s likely to remain popular with its core market and continue to be a strong contender in the large family hatchback segment.
The Volkswagen Passat was a large family car, the eighth generation of the long-running Passat name. It was launched in the UK in 2015, with a facelift and 2019, and ended production in late 2023 ahead of the launch of an all-new model that will arrive in early 2024.
The saloon version of the Passat was discontinued in early 2022 in response to falling sales, while the estate model continued. A similar fate has befallen its traditional family car rivals, the Ford Mondeo and the Vauxhall Insignia, which were both discontinued around the same time.
Traditional saloon and estate cars have been struggling for years as buyers increasingly choose SUVs and crossovers. However, Volkswagen continued to develop the Passat range, with a more rugged Passat Alltrack Estate and performance GTE plug-in hybrid versions added to the range.
The Passat range received largely positive reviews from the UK motoring media, with the estate version earning slightly higher scores than the saloon. The GTE model was also widely acclaimed.
The Volkswagen Passat received particular praise for its refinement, comfort and space. Its driving dynamics were not as sharp as some similar vehicles, however, and it was more expensive than many of its rivals.
An all-new Volkswagen Passat arrived in the UK in Spring 2024. It is only available as an estate, with a choice of petrol or petrol/electric plug-in hybrid power. Diesel versions are not offered.
No longer on sale, this version of the Passat has a Used Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 68%. It scores top marks for its CO2 emissions (helped by the plug-in hybrid version) and running costs, while its media reviews are also good. However, the Passat’s reliability record is only average, and its safety score is poor compared to newer cars.
Body style: Large estate (and previously saloon) Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid Price when new: From £35,395 on-road
Launched: Winter 2014/15 Last updated: Summer 2019 Replacement due: Spring 2024
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
+
Model reviewed: (range review) “With a well-appointed cabin, powerful and economical engines and a premium appearance, the Volkswagen Passat provides an enticing alternative to an SUV.” Read review
“Ride comfort on the road is up to the standards one would expect, though choosing the sport chassis mode does stiffen matters up to a degree of choppiness.” Read review
Auto Express
+
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The VW Passat Estate is a refined, comfortable and hugely versatile family car.” Read review
Model reviewed: GTE Estate Score: 8 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat is a fantastic family car, and this GTE version is among the most accomplished plug-in models currently on sale.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat will appeal to company car buyers keen on driver assistance technology and premium appeal, and it remains spacious, practical and easy to drive.” Read review
Model reviewed: GTE Estate Score: 9 / 10 “As a proposition for the huge swathes of motorists who want a hardy family estate with the low tailpipe emissions and tax benefits of electric power, as well as the convenience of a petrol engine for longer journeys, nothing else is likely to better the classy yet efficient and practical Volkswagen Passat GTE.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The VW Passat has classy looks and a premium cabin that set it apart from the family car norm” Read review
Auto Trader
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Model reviewed: Saloon range Score: 8.6 / 10 “From conventional petrols and diesels through to a sporty plug-in hybrid the latest Volkswagen Passat stylishly combines cutting edge powertrains with the latest in-car and driver-assistance tech.” Read review
Car
+
Model reviewed: GTE saloon Score: 8 / 10 “There is nothing wrong with anything the Passat does – far from it.” Read review
Model reviewed: Passat Estate 2.0-litre diesel automatic R-Line Edition Score: 8 / 10 “The Passat is not an exciting car, and we’ve been a bit harsh with it on that basis. But, as is the case with most Volkswagens, it’s impossible to argue that the package of comfort, quality and refinement it provides aren’t appealing traits.” Read review
Car Keys
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Score: 9 / 10 “With the Passat being such a huge sales success, it’s clear that Volkswagen is doing something right with the model in this market. If the latest Passat’s comfortable ride, spacious interior and range of great powertrains are anything to go by, it’s a very compelling option next to an SUV.” Read review
Carbuyer
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Model reviewed: Saloon range Score: 8.6 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat has a quality feel and offers lots of space, but the Mazda 6 is better to drive.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 9 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat Estate is a consummate all-rounder. Refined, relaxing and with an upmarket interior, it also manages to be hugely practical.” Read review
Model reviewed: Alltrack estate Score: 8 / 10 “It’ll be a niche choice, but as a classy, comfortably and high-quality family estate with a bit of off-road ability, the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack makes sense.” Read review
Carwow
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Model reviewed: plug-in hybrid GTE estate Score: 8 / 10 “The plug-in Hybrid Volkswagen Passat GTE Estate can travel 34 miles on electricity, is hugely spacious and comfortable to drive. Private buyers may be better off with a petrol or diesel, mind.” Read review
Model reviewed: plug-in hybrid GTE saloon Score: 8 / 10 “The plug-in Hybrid Volkswagen Passat GTE can travel 34 miles on electricity, is hugely spacious and comfortable to drive. Private buyers may be better off with a petrol or diesel, mind.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 8 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat Estate is comfy, quiet and huge inside, but you’ll have more fun driving its alternatives if that’s more important to you.” Read review
Model reviewed: Alltrack estate Score: 7 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat Alltrack offers genuinely improved off-road ability and a spacious cabin. It’ll be expensive next to other Passats, though, and you don’t get much choice.” Read review
Model reviewed: Saloon range Score: 8 / 10 “It’s easy to overlook the Volkswagen Passat in favour of its obvious German saloon rivals, but its great space, comfort and tech warrant attention. That said, it is fairly bland to drive.” Read review
Company Car Today
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic R-Line “Traditional saloons and estates, once the favourite of the company car market, are now on the wane, but the Volkswagen Passat retains enough support to continue. Based on a heavily updated version of the eighth-generation car the new Passat once again offers understated class in an increasingly tough sector.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol automatic SE Business saloon “Petrol engine option not only gives more choice in the Passat range, but is also competitive on fuel and tax against the diesel versions. More so now than ever, it will pay to do the sums for your mileage needs before making a choice.” Read review
Daily Mail
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Model reviewed: Estate GT Score: 10 / 10 “Passatisfaction guaranteed …until you put your foot down! You’ll be blown away by the VW estate’s size and looks. If only it had the speed to match.” (Chris Evans) Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic SE Business estate “Used as much for work as for leisure and pleasure, these estates can take a pounding. This new version really does look and feel like the business.” Read review
Daily Mirror
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid automatic GTE estate Score: 6 / 10 “The argument for the Passat GTE – and any PHEV – is heavily influenced by how we’ll be using them. If you are going to have difficulties charging the battery at home or nearby, then a plug-in hybrid is totally pointless. For now, you’d still be better off saving money and buying a petrol or diesel version.” Read review
Fleetworld
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Score: 8 / 10 “The Passat diesel is still the de facto estate car for fleets and the latest revisions only add to its appeal. New engine technology certainly helps and successfully garners more bang for buck. Likewise, SEL trim hits the sweet spot, although desirable options quickly mount up.” Read review
Green Car Guide
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Model reviewed: plug-in hybrid estate GTE Score: 8 / 10 “If you want a plug-in hybrid estate then you’re in luck – the Volkswagen Passat Estate GTE offers electric driving for up to 33 miles, with a petrol engine for longer journeys.” Read review
Model reviewed: GTE estate Score: 10 / 10 “As well as being refined, and offering a sporty driving experience in GTE mode, it is also a large, practical car, and one that feels very high quality.” Read review
Model reviewed: BlueMotion saloon Score: 8 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion scores highly for economy and for motorway manners, but loses out on marks as an all-rounder for not being any form of driver’s car.” Read review
Honest John
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Model reviewed: Saloon range Score: 8 / 10 “The latest Passat is impressive, with good levels of refinement and notable improvements in fuel economy and performance. However, in raising its game, Volkswagen has also raised the Passat’s prices and this will alienate some buyers, especially when you consider that cheaper rivals like Skoda, use the same platform, engines and running gear.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 8 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat Estate is a very impressive car, offering plenty of space, good performance and high levels of comfort. It’s especially appealing as a tow car, particularly with the optional trailer assistance system installed. The Passat is fairly expensive, however.” Read review
Model reviewed: GTE estate “The updates for 2019 are minimal, but the Passat continues to be one of the best all-round estate cars on sale. Its interior feels well-made and premium, and it’s a comfortable long-distance cruiser. With a longer range for the plug-in hybrid model and added technology, it’s now easier than ever to recommend a Passat GTE.” Read review
Motoring Research
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Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat is one of Europe’s most popular saloon and estate cars, bridging the gap between volume models and the premium players.” Read review
Parkers
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Model reviewed: Saloon range Score: 8.4 / 10 “Passat is an accomplished, well-rounded four-door” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 9.2 / 10 “Enormously practical, impressively high-tech and pleasingly comfortable.” Read review
Model reviewed: Alltrack estate Score: 9 / 10 “If you need a spacious estate with a luxurious interior that can hold its own when the going gets rough, this car should be on your radar.” Read review
The Sun
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Model reviewed: Range overview “Chances are, if you buy a Passat, it will be the only car you buy for the rest of your life.” Read review
The Sunday Times
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Model reviewed: GTE saloon Score: 7 / 10 “The perfect family car – if you do a 20 mile daily commute.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic SE Business Score: 6 / 10 “It’s a very handsome car that handles nicely, uses little fuel and is extremely quiet and comfortable. Inside, everything is screwed together beautifully and everything is where you expect it to be. If ever I’m at an airport and the rental company gives me the keys to a car like this, I shall be very pleased.” (Jeremy Clarkson) Read review
The Telegraph
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Model reviewed: GTE saloon Score: 8 / 10 “The GTE remains one of the best plug-in hybrids out there, with a useful boost in electric range. Yes, it’s a bit vanilla, but a Volkswagen Passat should slot into your life so inconspicuously you won’t mind.” Read review
Model reviewed: Saloon range Score: 8 / 10 “With its classy interior, upmarket image and low running costs, the Volkswagen Passat is not only a rival for the Ford Mondeo, but also a viable alternative the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class, particularly for those who value space over driving thrills.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 8 / 10 “The Volkswagen Passat Estate is a great buy not only for its boot space, but also its classy image, sensible running costs and comfortable driving experience.” Read review
Top Gear
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Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 6 / 10 “Like your cars straightforward, fuss-free, and practical? You’ll really like this. (Very) quietly excellent without ever being memorable.” Read review
Model reviewed: Saloon range Score: 7 / 10 “Volkswagen serves up more of the same and it’s now better than ever.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
The Volkswagen Passat was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2014 and awarded a five-star safety rating. However, this rating expired in January 2021 and is no longer valid. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Volkswagen Passat to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Volkswagen Passat was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 331 Average repair cost: £438.35 Last updated: January 2024
The Volkswagen Passat has a good reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided to us by our partner MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current-generation Passat and previous models.
The Passat is generally reliable car, and most repair costs for Passat warranty claims are lower than average as well. The most common problems, making up around half of all claims, relate to either the suspension or braking system. Fortunately the average repair cost for both areas is around £250. What lowers the Passat’s reliability score is the cost of potential gearbox issues. While rare, a gearbox fault can cost around £1,300.
If you’re looking at buying a used Volkswagen Passat, make sure any extended warranty you purchase covers these potential 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
44 mpg
C
42 – 46 mpg
C – D
Diesel models
57 mpg
B
49 – 60 mpg
A – C
Plug-in hybrid models
229 mpg
A
188 – 257 mpg
A – A
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
145 g/km
B
135 – 178 g/km
A – C
Diesel models
128 g/km
A
123 – 193 g/km
A – D
Plug-in hybrid models
28 g/km
A
25 – 33 g/km
A – A
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Plug-in hybrid models
38 miles
D
37 – 40 miles
D – D
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
21
A
15 – 32
A – C
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£163
A
Year 2
£466
A
Year 3
£770
A
Year 4
£1,018
A
Year 5
£1,372
A
Overall
£3,789
A
For a large car, the Volkswagen Passat has a pretty good set of running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption for the petrol versions is reasonable, and the diesel versions are even better. Road tax should be good, based on the decent CO2 scores.
The plug-in hybrid version looks amazing on paper, but this is largely a function of the unrepresentative EU/UK government lab tests, which are completely unsuited to measuring plug-in hybrids. There are no real-world circumstances where you’re going to get 229 miles out of one gallon (4.5 litres) of petrol and some electricity.
Servicing and insurance costs are excellent, which will help ensure that the Passat remains affordable for at least the first five years of its life.
Security rating
Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research
The Alfa Romeo 4C sports car is reported to have been cut from production.
The Italian sports car was absent from a list of the firm’s current and future models shown at the firm’s third-quarter earnings report last week. The 4C also appears to have been removed from Alfa’s online configurator and sales listings.
The PA news agency has approached Alfa Romeo for comment.
With the sports car market proving unpredictable in recent years, the Alfa Romeo 4C has struggled to compete with more established rivals for sales. According to data collated by carsalesbase.com, just 421 examples were sold across Europe in 2018 — compared with 8,202 for the Porsche 718 in the same year.
This fresh report comes after the Italian firm also canned plans for a new GTV coupe and 8C successor. These changes in Alfa’s product plans comes on the heels of parent company FCA’s merger with French giant PSA Group, though it hasn’t been confirmed to be a direct result of it.
Instead, Alfa Romeo looks to focus on introducing more SUVs to its line-up, as well as introducing a refreshed version of its Giulia saloon. It revealed the Tonale compact crossover at the Geneva motor show in March as a near-production concept, though it looks set to hit roads soon.
It was a disappointing month for the car industry in October, with private new car sales down by more than 13%. With all the political manoeuvring around Brexit and a general election, this was not exactly a surprise – but it was still painful for many car dealers and manufacturers.
However, as always there were some makes and models that performed well among the doom and gloom. It was a good month for Alpine, Audi, Bentley, DS Automobiles, Lexus, Porsche and SEAT, which all enjoyed increased registrations of at least 10% over the same month last year.
Don’t put too much weight into the year-on-year comparisons, however, as this time last year several brands were still struggling with having enough stock available thanks to the WLTP emissions regulations that came into force in September 2018.
After some major fluctuations in September, the top ten list settled down a bit in October. Let’s have a closer look:
The UK’s ten best-selling cars, October 2019
1. Ford Fiesta
After being bumped off its perch in September by the Vauxhall Corsa, it was situation normal in October as the Ford Fiesta returned to the top of the charts. Incidentally, the Corsa fell out of the top ten altogether in October, so maybe Vauxhall has run out of cars as its now out of production and the new model doesn’t arrive until early next year.
The Fiesta currently holds an Expert Rating of 86% in The Car Expert’s all-new New Car Ratings
database, which compares reviews from across the UK motoring media.
This is higher than any other car in the supermini class and the
second-highest rating in this month’s top ten best-sellers list, so it
seems that motoring journalists and the buying public are in agreement
on the Fiesta’s qualities.
The Nissan Qashqai claimed the runner-up spot this month, the highest it has ranked for a long time. The British-built crossover edged out the third-placed VW Golf by less than 100 units, which also closes it to less than 300 units behind the Mercedes-Benz A-Class in year-to-date sales.
The Nissan Qashqai currently holds an Expert Rating of 74%
in our New Car Ratings database, which is midfield for the compact
crossover segment and in the bottom half of scores for a Top Ten-selling
car.
October was a much better month for Volkswagen as far as the Top Ten was concerned, with the Golf bouncing back up to third and the Tiguan and Polo joining it in the best-sellers list. A handy margin over its arch rival, the Ford Focus, also helped the Golf to edge further ahead in second place for year-to-date sales as well. With only two months to go in 2019 and the Golf now out of production, this could be critical.
It’s still hard to believe that Mercedes-Benz is the third-most-popular brand in the UK, ahead of the likes of Vauxhall and Toyota. That’s partly because of the enormous model range now on offer, but also the huge (and increasing) popularity of the A-Class hatchback and saloon.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has an Expert Rating of 77% in The Car Expert’s New Car Rating system. The overall score is dragged down somewhat by lower ratings from a couple of performance car titles (Evo and Top Gear), otherwise it would be a solid 80% or more. However, it does rank highly for safety, winning awards from Euro NCAP, Thatcham and What Car? for its protective qualities.
The Ford Focus improved one place from sixth to fifth this month, less than 50 units behind the Mercedes A-Class. However, a stronger month for the Volkswagen Golf means the Focus lost a but more ground to its arch rival in the year-to-date race. It will need a strong finish to the year to overhaul the Golf, although the VW is now out of production so supply might be more difficult.
The Ford Kuga had another good month in October. Its sixth place and a good haul of customer means that it is closing in on the Mini hatch for seventh place in year-to-date sales, now just over 500 units behind and closing the gap quickly.
The current model is not long for this world, with an all-new replacement announced back in March. The current model has a relatively poor Expert Rating of 65% on our New Car Ratings aggregator, which is the lowest score in the top ten this month.
It was a good month for the Kia Sportage, improving from eighth place in September. It narrowly pipped the Volkswagen Tiguan to seventh place by just 41 units in October, but is now pretty comfortable in tenth place for year-to-date sales with just two months remaining.
The Sportage currently holds an Expert Rating of 72% in our aggregated New Car Ratings database, which is midfield for medium SUVs but a couple of points behind the best-selling Nissan Qashqai and quite a margin behind the top cars in the mid-size SUV segment.
The Volkswagen Tiguan returned to the top ten in October, and was the fourth of five SUV/crossover models in the best-sellers list this month. The Tiguan range comprises the regular model and the longer seven-seat Tiguan Allspace.
The Volkswagen Tiguan holds a strong Expert Rating of 79% in our New Car Ratings aggregator, which is not quite the best in class but certainly among the leaders.
Like the Tiguan, the Volkswagen Polo made a return to the top ten list in October. It was ninth for the month and remains in ninth place for year-to-date registrations. With just a couple of months to go for 2019, it looks like it will stay that way.
The Polo holds an Expert Rating of 79% in The Car Expert’s New Car Ratings calculator, which is good but a fair way behind the class-leading Ford Fiesta.
It’s always nice to see a new face. Making its debut in the top ten this month is the new Range Rover Evoque. The baby Rangie had a great month to claim the final spot in the list, and was less than 60 units behind the Volkswagen Polo.
The Evoque currently holds an Expert Rating of 82% in our aggregated New Car Ratings database, which is very good and places it alongside the Volvo XC40 as joint best in class.
Rolls-Royce has revealed a new Black Badge version of its luxurious Cullinan SUV.
Previously featured on the firm’s Wraith and Ghost models, the Black Badge specification brings with it a range of touches which help the Cullinan to stand out even further.
It’s also been given a boost in power, with a mild ECU refresh and a new exhaust system increasing the car’s output by 28hp and 50Nm of torque — now up to 600hp and 900Nm of torque.
The chassis has been given some small tweaks too, with a set of vented brake discs added along with a series of edits to the suspension components. The car’s throttle response has been sharpened as well.
Notable styling changes include a set of 22-inch forged alloy wheels finished in black, along with a blacked-out radiator grille and a black chrome Spirit of Ecstasy figure on the bonnet.
Buyers are able to choose from one of 44,000 paint colours, though it’s likely that most people opting for the Black Badge will go for a new signature black paint, which is cured and then polished ten times to achieve the right finish according to Rolls-Royce.
Inside, all Black Badge models come with naked-weave carbon-fibre interior trim, and red-tipped dials too.
The Cullinan range has been a significant sales success for Rolls-Royce, helping it to achieve recored sales for the first nine months of this year. According to The Car Expert’s unique Expert Rating system, the Cullinan currently holds a rating of 79% based on reviews from 18 different UK motoring websites. It has received praise for its interior comfort and interior quality, but criticism for its poor cabin proportions and very high fuel consumption.
Rolls-Royce has yet to announce official pricing for the Black Badge Cullinan but expect it to be above the £250,000 price tag that applied to the launch version of the car.
Once ridiculed for gopping looks and ‘not being a real Porsche’, the Porsche Panamera was revitalised as a head-turning and genuinely appealing option when it moved into its second generation in 2017.
In a very un-Porsche-like fashion though, there has been something of a gulf in the Panamera’s range of offerings. Entry-level 4 and 4S models have given a more efficient if perhaps lacking in power option at a relatively reasonable price point, while a jump up to Turbo models delivered a sufficient power boost, but at a £20k premium.
That gap looks set to have been filled though by this — the Panamera GTS.
Borrowed from its Turbo brethren is the 4.0-litre turbocharged V8, albeit in a detuned state to give a range-appropriate level of performance.
Porsche GTS models have always been angled more towards performance than outright comfort too, and as such an air suspension system has been fitted that drops the car’s ride height by a centimere. Larger brakes also aim to improve stopping power.
Visual changes are subtle, but they do exist — with black trim fitted to both bumpers, while a fresh set of 20-inch alloy wheels come as part of the package too.
How does it look?
Styling changes to the Panamera are few and far between with the GTS package, but that’s nothing to be disappointed with.
In its first generation, the saloon was a very questionable-looking thing that at no angle sat easily on the eye. Fortunately, it’s a different story with its successor which now sports a more athletic and pleasing look. There’s still an element of ‘fat 911’ in the rear styling of the saloon version, however, which you don’t get in the more angular tailgate of the Sport Turismo estate.
The subtle additions with the GTS — its gloss black trim highlights and new alloy wheels — only serve to better its look. We’re big fans of the Mamba Green Metallic paint finish as sported on our test car as well, which proved to be a real head-turner in our time with it.
What’s the spec like?
Pricing for the Porsche Panamera GTS kicks off at £107,179 — a hefty bump over the base car’s £72,890. That does bring with it a shedload more performance though, so it’s not an unjust increase.
Standard equipment is reasonable here, with highlights including a sports exhaust system, the firm’s Sport Chrono package, an active rear wing, dual-zone climate, cruise control, 18-way electric and heated seats up front and an Alcantara-wrapped heated steering wheel.
Ticking the options box ramps the price up though, like in the case of our £131,672 test car. Options include the Dynamic Chassis Control system (£3,527), carbon composite brakes (£6,707) and adaptive cruise (£1,787).
Unsurprisingly, the Porsche Panamera hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP, so it doesn’t have an independent safety rating.
What’s the Porsche Panamera GTS like inside?
Little has changed for the Panamera in its move to GTS trim, save for some badging, though that’s no bad thing. There are a plethora of high-quality materials — predominantly a combination of leather and Alcantara in the case of our test car — and everything feels impressively put together.
It’s also an exceptionally spacious car, with four adults easily getting into the car with comfort. A fifth seat is optional, though really this is best reserved for short trips at best.
Boot space comes in at 495 litres — by no means particularly generous — but does come in above the BMW M8 Gran Coupe’s 440-litre capacity, which is a key rival. Those desperate for more capacity can at least opt for the Sport Turismo, which has 520 litres of space.
What’s under the bonnet?
As mentioned earlier, powering the Porsche Panamera GTS is a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine spitting out 460hp and 620Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed double-clutch automatic gearbox. This translates to a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds, with a 181mph top speed possible.
In terms of fuel economy and efficiency, Porsche says the car is capable of 22.5-23.5mpg on the combined WLTP cycle while emitting 235g/km of CO2.
Power from the unit comes early on and low down in the rev range, while remaining consistent throughout, resulting in a car that picks up pace effortlessly. Its performance isn’t delivered in a brutish manner but is equally as devastating at full pelt.
What’s the Porsche Panamera GTS like to drive?
Despite being a massive saloon car, the Panamera has always excelled in driving dynamics and fortunately, the GTS only serves to further that.
Handling is exceptionally sharp when pressing on, with a remarkable turn-in response that’s no doubt in part thanks to the car’s rear-wheel steering system. The car does a respectable job of trying to mask its own sheer mass, though its size and heft is hard to ignore.
Despite being a ‘racier’ model, the GTS doesn’t lack in refinement at motorway speeds either. Cabin noise is low, and ride quality is generally very impressive — though it’s not velvety-smooth and doesn’t cover up every nook and cranny in the road.
Verdict
Porsche’s latest Panamera has long been a supremely impressive car, and that’s no different with the GTS — which may just be the sweet spot of the range.
It adds a strong level of performance to the saloon without compromising on its everyday usability and looks as good as ever, too. Though handling is impressively sharp, it doesn’t deliver a rushing thrill when behind the wheel — more a cool and calculated driving experience.
For a car that does it all, the Porsche Panamera GTS might just be the one to go for. That is, as long as you’re willing to stump up its steep price and be prepared to dip into your wallet more for much-needed options.
The popular Toyota C-HR crossover has been given a mid-life update, with Toyota dropping the 1.2-litre petrol model to concentrate only on petrol-electric hybrid options.
The hybrid powertrain is now available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, as debuted on the new Corolla, which joins an updated version of the existing 1.8-litre unit.
The C-HR has been on sale since 2016 and is one of the company’s most popuar models. It’s also well regarded by critics, currently holding an Expert Rating of 76% on The Car Expert’s unique Expert Rating system, which aggregates media reviews from 18 of the top UK motoring websites.
The 120hp 1.8-litre model has been upgraded with a new lithium-ion battery while receiving size, weight and efficiency improvements across the entire powertrain, resulting in lower CO2 emissions of 109g/km and fuel economy of 54.3–58.9mpg.
The 2.0-litre version, which makes 182hp, emits 109g/km of CO2 and returns 49.6–54.3mpg. Models with this engine also get an uprated suspension and improved refinement.
Inside, the C-HR gets Toyota’s latest infotainment system included as standard, which incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as satellite navigation with over-the-air updates.
Entry-level Icon models, starting from £25,625, are only available with the 1.8-litre hybrid system, with the 2.0-litre unit available from the Design trim and up and costing from £29,645. Standard equipment on the Icon trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, dual zone air conditioning and LED headlights.
Extras added in higher trim levels include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights all-round, leather upholstery, and safety sensors.
The updated Toyota C-HR is on sale now with prices starting at £25,625 on-road. Deliveries are expected to begin in January 2020.
Private new car sales fell by more than 13% during October as customers stayed away from showrooms, according to results published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
With all the political manoeuvring around Brexit and calls for a general election, this was not a really surprising result. Elections always tend to create paralysis for car buyers, so it’s likely that November and December’s sales figures will also be impacted by the decision to hold a general election on 12 December.
Business registrations also fell sharply, while fleet registrations – the largest buying sector – remained stable, fractionally up on the same month last year. This meant the overall market was down by a little under 7%.
Diesel continues its downward trend
Although it wasn’t a surprise to see sales of diesel cars continuing to fallm it was a surprise to see the extent of that fall during October. The numbers are slightly deceptive now that the SMMT no longer includes mild hybrid models in petrol and diesel numbers, but it still amounts to a 23% fall overall compared to the same month last year.
Diesel-powered cars (plus mild hybrid diesels) made up just over a quarter of all new car registrations in October, as fleet buyers turn away from diesel in increasing numbers.
It was another good month for electric vehicles, which again took more than 2% of the total registrations. Plug-in hybrids also improved compared to the first nine months of the year to take more than 2%, while regular hybrid continued their year-long improvements to take more than 5% of the market. Combined, electrified cars made up almost 10% of the total marketplace.
A long winter for new car sales?
Car dealers will not be looking forward to the next few months. A general election and a lack of resolution to the Brexit saga will likely keep buyers away until a new government is in place and a decision is made on what’s happening with Brexit.
That takes care of November and December, and then January and February are always quiet months anyway, so the glimmer of optimism for dealers will be next March…
Fiesta back on top as Corsa vanishes from Top Ten
It was a return to normality for the Top Ten as the Ford Fiesta resumed its usual spot at the top of the table. Last month’s upset best-seller, the Vauxhall Corsa, disappeared from the Top Ten altogether in October.
it was also a good month for the Nissan Qashqai, which took second place ahead of the Volkswagen Golf. The rest of the Top Ten was made up of the usual suspects, with the exception of the Range Rover Evoque, which popped up in tenth place.
As usual, we will be looking more closely at the Top Ten results in coming days so stay tuned.
Good month, bad month
Against a 7% drop in the overall marketplace, it was a good month for Alpine, Audi, Bentley, DS Automobiles, Lexus, Porsche and SEAT, which all enjoyed increased registrations of at least 10% over the same month last year.
Don’t put too much weight into the year-on-year comparisons, as this time last year several brands were still struggling with having enough stock available thanks to the WLTP emissions regulations that came into force in September 2018.
The high-performance Mini GP John Cooper Works will be offered from £34,995, the firm has revealed.
Set to arrive on UK roads next year, just 3,000 examples of the hot hatch have been slated for production. The car has been teased during the summer but is yet to be officially revealed. Demand is expected to be high for a model that has traditionally played a role as the run-out model for its respective Mini generation.
Little has been confirmed about the car so far, but we do know it will be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 305hp. That puts it equal with the latest Mini Clubman John Cooper Works for the title of the British firm’s most powerful car ever.
As well as a potent engine, images revealed of the car’s test mule have suggested major bodywork revisions will be made to the car in order to make the most of its power. These include an aggressive bodykit with flared arches and a large rear wing — the latter of which is visible in a new teaser image of the car.
Other confirmed introductions to the GP John Cooper Works include light alloy wheels, large air intakes for improved cooling and a bespoke suspension setup.
The two previous generations of the GP — produced in 2006 and 2013 respectively — also received performance-oriented enhancements such as the removal of rear seats, grippier tyres and uprated brakes too. It’s likely similar improvements will be made to the new car.
The Mini GP John Cooper Works will make its official debut at the Los Angeles motor show, taking place from November 22 to December 1. Expect to hear more on order books opening and exact availability following its unveiling.
If you have had a car on a PCP finance agreement for a few years, you may have received a phone call from the dealership with the “good news” that you are eligible to change your car several months before your contract runs out. Wow, an early upgrade – good news indeed, right? Well, possibly but not necessarily.
Let’s say you are two years through a three-year PCP. One day, the dealer calls you out of the blue with the fantastic news that you are one of a lucky group of customers who have been selected to receive a special early upgrade offer (actual script may vary, but it’s more or less the same thing).
Why exactly do you think you have been chosen for this amazing opportunity? Unfortunately, it’s because it suits the dealer, not because they think it suits you.
Sorry, it’s not because you’re special
The simple reason for offering you an early upgrade is that the dealer or finance company is trying to get you back into the showroom to sell you another car. By calling you up with the promise of a fantastic offer on an early upgrade of some sort, they are setting out the terms of the negotiation (which are always designed to suit them, not you) rather than waiting for you to decide you’re ready for a new car and what you might like.
Dealers love to be in control of the negotiation – their whole process is based around controlling the customer. What they are trying to achieve here is to come up with an offer that sounds appealing enough to entice you in, before you’ve really started to look around at your options.
So how does it work?
The early upgrade spiel usually follows the same sort of script: it targets existing customers who are in the last third of their PCP agreement and therefore will be looking to change their car over the next year; it is a finance offer that usually works out slightly more expensive than what you are paying now; and the offer is always limited to a specific car or choice of cars.
Targeting existing customers
As I said earlier, the exact script will vary depending on circumstances. You may have been ‘chosen’ because you’re ‘a loyal customer’, or maybe because you’ve had a problem with your current car and the manufacturer has ‘approved a special offer to make up for the inconvenience’, or maybe ‘we have a shortage of used car stock right now, and the boss is prepared to pay more for your part-exchange’.
The actual excuse for calling you is irrelevant; all they want is to get you into the showroom to take a shot at selling you another car.
The new offer is never cheaper than the old one
Again, the excuse for this will vary, but you are unlikely to be offered a new deal that sees you paying less than your current car. It’s always about the same or slightly more.
Why is this so? Because they know that if you’re happy enough with your current car and ready to consider another one, you’ll probably shell out a few more quid per month to upgrade. And since the whole thing is being pitched as an ‘early upgrade’, of course it will cost more. You expect to pay a bit more for an upgrade, don’t you?
So straight away, you’re receptive to the idea of paying more than you do now, which is the exact opposite of what most people want when looking at car finance offers.
It’s only on certain cars
The early upgrade offer is never as simple as a nice discount on anything in the range. It’s always a specific finance offer on certain specific vehicles, as decided by the dealer or manufacturer, not by you.
Why is this so? Because these cars are inevitably ones that they really need to get rid of right now – they may be old models, or just very unpopular at the moment, or maybe someone made a typo when ordering stock from the factory, and the dealer ended up with 22 green cars instead of two. Regardless, the dealer presents you with a small selection of cars with some fantastic-looking offers, rather than asking you what sort of car you would like.
How good are these early upgrade offers?
The carrot being dangled in front of you will vary according to whatever the dealer wants to offer you, and often there isn’t any special saving over and above their normal offers – it’s simply dressed up to sound special (even at their so-called “VIP events”).
Whether any deal is a good one depends on whether what’s being offered suits your needs. If you’re not that keen on your current car and the offer happens to be a good deal on just the sort of car you’re looking for, then it may be a good opportunity. But if you are simply changing a perfectly satisfactory car for a newer version, it’s probably not in your best interests – regardless of how the dealer spins it.
PCP agreements are designed to work over a set period of time. You pay a deposit up front, and your monthly payments are worked out to meet up with your vehicle’s depreciation at the end of the agreement.
If you want to change the car before the agreement is up, you not only have to find another deposit earlier than planned, but also potentially have to clear any negative equity, meaning you won’t be able to carry over any value into your next car.
The early upgrade offer being presented might go some way to helping with that, but it’s still a deficit that needs to be paid for, so it effectively means paying more on your next car.
When calling you up to pitch their early upgrade offer, the dealer is simply trying to get you into the showroom, and they are hoping that that they can work out a “great deal” for you once you’re in their lair. If the numbers simply don’t add up, it gives them an excuse to stay in touch over the next few months to try again when the numbers might work out better.
What you need to keep in mind at all times is the overall cost of any offer, not just the cashflow aspect. Having to come up with another large deposit, or pushing the term out for another year longer, might make an early upgrade a very expensive exercise.
Remember that they are making you this offer for their benefit, not yours. If it also happens to work well for you, then great. But always be mindful of what you are wanting to achieve, rather than accepting what a dealer tells you.
Disclaimer
Most car finance agreements in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and anyone involved in the selling of car finance must be accredited by the FCA. You should always consider the terms and conditions of any agreement carefully before taking out any form of car finance, as you are making a substantial ongoing commitment and there may be significant costs if you change your mind or are unable to meet your commitments at a later date.
This article was originally published in October 2015. Last updated November 2019.
Councils across the UK have been urged to take advantage of government funding to build up the country’s EV charging infrastructure.
This fresh call comes as the Department for Transport has published a ‘league table’ to illustrate the UK’s publicly-available charging infrastructure — revealing just 23 charging points are available per 100,000 members of the population.
This week, Grant Shapps, transport secretary, has written to authorities encouraging them to utilise a variety of available funds in a bid to make electric car ownership more accessible to the public.
These include the £5m on-street residential chargepoint scheme, the £10,000 per business workplace charging scheme and £500 per point homecharge scheme.
Significant holes in charging point coverage
Nearly 100 local authorities have fewer than 10 public charging devices per 100,000 population, according to figures published by the Department for Transport.
London currently leads the way with almost 4,000 chargers across the capital, while Scotland has in excess of 1,500 available to use. In contrast, Barrow-in-Furness has been exposed as the only region in the UK with no publicly-available charging points.
An analysis of data from electric vehicle charging platform Zap-Map shows there are more than 15,000 charging devices across the UK. Scotland is leading the way nationally with 32 per 100,000 people, ahead of England (22), Wales (17) and Northern Ireland (16).
Shapps said: “A postcode should play no part in how easy it is to use an electric car, and I’m determined electric vehicles become the new normal for drivers.
“It’s good news there are now more charging locations than petrol stations, but the clear gaps in provision are disappointing. I urge local councils to take advantage of all the government support on offer to help ensure drivers in their area don’t miss out.
“To help increase the provision of charging locations, the government is offering grants for the installation of chargepoints on the street, in work and at home. We are also offering grants to lower the upfront cost of these cars so everyone is able to experience the benefits.”
The Ford Mondeo was a large liftback, estate and saloon model. The latest iteration arrived in the UK in early 2015, and was updated last in early 2019.
The Mondeo received generally positive scores from the UK motoring media, although scores have been falling in recent years as newer rivals have come onto the scene. The hybrid version also doesn’t score as well as the rest of the range, which has dragged down the Mondeo’s overall rating.
The Ford Mondeo received praise for its comfort, refinement and equipment levels. However, it was criticised for interior quality and infotainment systems that are not up to the levels of some rivals.
Like many large saloon and estate vehicles, Mondeo sales struggled in later years as buyers have switched to SUV models. As a result, the Mondeo finally ended production for good in early 2022.
As of February 2026, the Ford Mondeo range holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 60%.
Body style: Large saloon and estate Engines: petrol, diesel, hybrid Price when new: From £27,155 on-road
Launched: Winter 2014/15 Last updated: Winter 2018/19 Discontinued: Spring 2022
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The Ford Mondeo Hybrid isn’t one of the company’s finest creations. The gearbox cripples the driving experience, while fuel economy isn’t that impressive.”
“A solid and impressive vehicle, although doesn’t quite come up to the standard of the Volkswagen Passat.” Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo is more refined, spacious and high-tech than ever before, but rivals have leapt ahead in this class.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Liftback range Score: 6 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo was once one of the most common sights on British roads, but the rise of the SUV has come at the expense of the family car. There’s still plenty to recommend the Mondeo. It delivers a great balance of ride and handling, great refinement, and it’s spacious and practical.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 7 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo estate delivers a great balance of ride and handling, great refinement, and it’s also a spacious and practical family car.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Hybrid Estate Score: 6 / 10 “Like all Mondeos, the Hybrid Estate has decent cornering ability and ride quality.” Read review
Model reviewed: Hybrid saloon Titanium Score: 6 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo Hybrid is an interesting prospect on paper, but it sadly has too many shortcomings in Europe to let us recommend it. The Hybrid gets its own ‘Smartgauge’ interface to help you drive better and improve your economy, but the best way to do that would be to buy the Ford Mondeo 1.5 TDCi for five grand less.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Score: 8 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo’s a handsome, roomy, comfortable choice – albeit a slightly forgettable one. It’s not as boring as VW’s Passat, which feels as if drains the colour from the trees as you drive past, but neither is it as fast, as economical or as nice inside.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic AWD Vignale Score: 6 / 10 “Vignale feels like a defensive move, and Ford doesn’t expect a stampede of Audi buyers. The execution will have to be much sharper with the forthcoming S-Max and Kuga Vignales. The Mondeo feels more Aldi than Audi.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid automatic estate Score: 7 / 10 “By now offering the Mondeo Hybrid in Estate form, it’s opened the model up to far more consumers who might be thinking of moving out of a diesel model and into an electrified car instead.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Liftback range Score: 7.6 / 10 “The most recent Ford Mondeo is a quiet and relaxing cruiser, with efficient engines, but previous versions were more fun to drive” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 7.8 / 10 “The latest Ford Mondeo Estate is more stylish and spacious than previous models, although its handling isn’t quite as entertaining” Read review
Model reviewed: Hybrid Score: 6.4 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo hybrid is hard to recommend over the diesel equivalent – unless you’re a company car driver.” Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Vignale estate range Score: 4 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo Vignale estate is as plush and well equipped as the Mondeo gets, but it costs as much as some much more prestigious and desirable cars.” Read review
Model reviewed: Vignale liftback range Score: 4 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo Vignale may be packed with equipment, good to drive and luxurious inside, but it’s too expensive for what it is.” Read review
Model reviewed: Hybrid saloon Score: 3 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo hybrid is as spacious for passengers as any Mondeo, but it’s expensive and not particularly economical.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 6 / 10 “Spacious, practical and comfortable to drive, the Ford Mondeo estate makes a very good family car, but it’s not as big as the Skoda Superb or as classy as a VW Passat.” Read review
Model reviewed: Liftback range Score: 5 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo is a medium-size hatchback, that offers improved interior quality and efficiency over the model it replaces. The Volkswagen Passat and Mazda 6 are its closest rivals, but many buyers also consider more expensive models such as the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.” Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Hybrid Estate “Handy option for fleets, albeit not cheap, and diesel may well still be the better bet for higher-mileage drivers.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic AWD ST-Line “ST-Line looks great and the price cuts give the Mondeo a much-needed new impetus, while revised trim levels offer welcome extra equipment.” Read review
Daily Mail
Model reviewed: Titanium Score: 10 / 10 “Ford, you and your cars continue to be brilliant. What can I say? I’m almost moved to tears.” (Chris Evans) Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: Hybrid estate Titanium Edition Score: 6 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo Hybrid Estate offers tempting BiK rates for company car users with a green agenda, but if you’re a family looking for other petrol hybrids you may want to consider the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, which is cheaper and slightly faster, with a bigger boot and lower CO2 levels.” Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid saloon Score: 5 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo Hybrid is no longer available to buy new, while a diesel engine better suits the character of the car.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo offers a lot for the money, and while it can’t quite match the dynamics and badge snobbery offered with a BMW 3 Series, it significantly undercuts the German alternative on its starting price.” Read review
Fleetworld
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid automatic estate Titanium Score: 6 / 10 “A 27% BiK rate and low 113g/km emissions make this Ford Mondeo Hybrid attractive to fleet buyers, but the drivability issues would make us consider more modern alternatives.” Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Hybrid Vignale Score: 6 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo Vignale Hybrid is a comfortable car, it’s good-looking in most people’s eyes, and it has a touch of luxury about it in Vignale spec. However there’s not much performance, and the economy isn’t outstanding either.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “If you had the Ford Mondeo as your company car you would be happy with it. It’s comfortable, spacious, has a good ride, enjoyable handling, decent performance, and respectable economy. It’s also decent value and promises sensible running costs. In other words, it does everything that you would expect a large family saloon/estate to do.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Liftback range Score: 6 / 10 “The Mondeo used to be the jewel in Ford’s crown. It was a common sight on motorways, business parks and suburban streets. However tastes change, and where once every family had a big saloon, Ford now sells far more SUVs than conventional family cars, and company car buyers all go for posh premium cars.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 5 / 10 “Few cars have ended up so marooned by changing consumer tastes as the Ford Mondeo. Once it was so popular it could be used as shorthand to describe whole swathes of the population – now it’s largely forgotten.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The market might be decline, but the Mondeo remains head and shoulders above its diminishing competition.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel 210hp Estate “Not only is the new 2.0-litre TDCi responsive and packed with torque, but it’s also quiet and efficient. That makes it a rewarding experience in a family car. Some will find the soft ride and dumb-downed steering to be a switch off, but it’s difficult to argue against the huge gains made in refinement and practicality.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel 150hp automatic liftback “The Mondeo feels a lot softer and smoother than before, thanks to a new electric power steering system and revised rear suspension. As a result, the suspension is supple and comfortable, soaking up undulations in the road and providing excellent stability in the corners,” Read review
Model reviewed: Vignale “But, thinking about it, what other big estate car with all the luxuries of the Ford Mondeo Vignale can you find for £36,000? No Mercedes, BMW or Audi offers the same package under £50,000.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Liftback range Score: 7.6 / 10 “Ford’s large family car is comfortable and refined.” Read review
Model reviewed: Saloon range Score: 8 / 10 “There is a decent list of standard equipment, but we would find it difficult to recommend this latest effort from Ford.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 8 / 10 “Family wagon has been around a while, but 2019 facelift keeps it fresh” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Titanium Estate “The 180hp 2.0 diesel lump sounds quieter than a mouse trying to stifle a fart at his second cousin’s christening.” Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Vignale Hybrid Score: 8 / 10 “Upmarket, but is there a market?” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Titanium Score: 8 / 10 “The best value you can possibly get” (Jeremy Clarkson) Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Hybrid Estate Vignale Score: 4 / 10 “The Mondeo Hybrid is cheaper to buy than a plug-in, and there are areas where it’s passable. But they’re too few and far between – and everywhere else, it’s way off the competition. Yes, this estate version is more versatile than the saloon, but there are plenty of much more practical alternatives.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 7 / 10 “While good to drive and spacious for passengers, the Ford Mondeo Estate doesn’t offer enough extra boot capacity over the equivalent hatchback to justify its price premium. If you need a big estate car, a Volkswagen Passat Estate is a better bet.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Ford Mondeo is a big, practical family car that’s surprisingly enjoyable to drive.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 7 / 10 “More grown up and all the better for it. Priced very keenly too – it’s a smart shout.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “Looks a bit like the old one but brings solid gains in comfort and tech. Back at the competitive sharp end.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
The Ford Mondeo has an average reliability score of 62% as of April 2025 (our most recent data point), according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partner MotorEasy. That’s a significant improvement over the previous 12 months, but only brings the Mondeo up to the midfield.
This score covers both the current-generation Mondeo and previous (pre-2017) versions.
Braking problems are the most common issue reported to date, and the good news is that the average repair cost has been quite inexpensive at about £170. The bad news, however, is that gearbox problems are quite common and the average repair bill for those is currently running at about £2,300 – which is eye-wateringly expensive, even compared to much more expensive cars.
Engine repairs have also been common, and are expensive at more than £1,000. All of this means that the average repair cost for a Mondeo has been almost £700 to date, which is considerably more than the cost of a used car warranty.
Given the so-so reliability score and high cost of repairs, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase for a Ford Mondeo covers all of these potential problem areas.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Diesel models
50 mpg
C
Hybrid models
48 mpg
C
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Diesel models
148 g/km
C
Hybrid models
132 g/km
B
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
25
B
The Ford Mondeo is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
We don’t have a complete set of data, due to the car’s age. But the diesel models should be cheap to be run, while insurance ratings are very competitive.
Awards
Significant UK trophies and awards that the Ford Mondeo has received
2016
Tow Car Awards – Best petrol tow car
2015
UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Family Car
Honest John Awards – Car of the Year + Most Popular Large Family Car
Fleet News Awards – New Company Car of the Year + Best Upper Medium Car
Tow Car Awards – Best petrol tow car
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The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport is a seven-seat SUV that was the largest model in the Mitsubishi SUV family when the company decided to withdraw from the UK market in September 2021.
It is based on the popular L200 pick-up, which is reflected in it being more functional and less luxurious than the car-based crossovers from other brands.
The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport received praise for its off-road ability, towing ability and overall spaciousness, but was criticised for its poor on-road driving experience, poor fuel consumption and general lack of refinement. Overall, its media review scores were some of the worst of any new car when it was still on sale.
No longer on sale, the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 56%. However, this is based on relatively limited information as we don’t currently have any reliability data. Check back again soon.
Body style: Large SUV Engines: diesel Price when new: From £29,999 on-road
Launched: Spring 2018 Last updated: N/A Discontinued: Autumn 2021
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
“As a pure SUV, it falls flat compared to the likes of the Kia Sorento and SsangYong Rexton. And if you’re after just a seven-seat family bus, a Skoda Kodiaq will prove far superior.” Read review
Auto Express
Score: 4 / 10 “Delivering a compromised driving experience with disappointing fuel consumption from an unrefined engine, the Shogun Sport is neither cheap to buy nor run and lags behind its rivals in many areas.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 5.6 / 10 “The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport is a capable seven-seat SUV that’s good off-road, but trails its key rivals in almost all other areas.” Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 5 / 10 “Need to transport seven people in comfort across harsh terrain? Few do it better than the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport. Plenty of alternatives are better to drive on-road and nicer inside, though.” Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.4-litre diesel automatic ‘4’ “The ride quality is way off the class best, but it’s dependable, durable and very capable off-road, though not exactly a budget choice.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 4 / 10 “The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport offers many elements that are popular with modern buyers – seven seats, rugged SUV styling and the ability to drive over all kinds of tricky surfaces.” Read review
Honest John
“Ride quality and handling on the road are not up to Land Rover Discovery standards, obviously, but once you get used to the Shogun Sport, you accept it for what it is.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Based on the L200, the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport is a seven-seater that’s powered by the same 2.4-litre diesel from the pick-up. However, the four-cylinder diesel engine gets more power.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 5.8 / 10 “Excellent off-roader fails to convince on-road” Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 2.4-litre diesel automatic ‘4’ Score: 4 / 10 “Spacious and capable off road, but below par in too many other areas” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.4-litre diesel automatic Score: 4 / 10 “Its undoubted space advantages, as well as knee room for rear-most seat passengers, don’t make up for the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport’s noisy engine and agricultural dynamics. Put simply, it isn’t really good enough.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: (range review) Score: 3 / 10 “Unless you need proper off-road ability and colossal towing capacity, give this one a miss.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport was not crash tested by Euro NCAP during its production life.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport was not lab 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 March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 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 Shogun Sport, we’ll publish the score here.
Similar cars
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More than a fifth of motorists plan to buy an electric vehicle as their next car, which would lead to electricity overtaking diesel to become the nation’s second-favourite choice of powerplant if it actually happens.
While petrol continues to be the most popular choice, a survey of 7,205 motorists on behalf of electric vehicle website Driving Electric found 22% intended to buy an EV next, compared with 19% for diesel, 16% for hybrid, and 37% for petrol.
This indicates a shift in attitudes compared with a similar survey of 13,289 motorists two years ago by the site’s sister publication Auto Express. Back then, just 10% of buyers were said to be considering electric vehicles.
Of course, buying plans can very often change, so there is no certainty that all these people would go through with purchasing an electric car once it comes to signing on the dotted line. Despite the Auto Express research two years ago showing that 10% of buyers intended to switch to electric, the number of electric cars sold today is still only about 1% of total new car registrations.
The website says conversations with its readers also indicate that electric vehicle buyers are now more concerned with practicalities such as the extra boot space EVs tend to offer, rather than an eco-friendly image or fuel cost savings, indicating a switch to more mainstream buyers.
Vicky Parrott, associate editor of Driving Electric, said: “We’re now seeing a breakthrough in the perceptions of electric vehicles, from a niche phenomenon to a genuinely mainstream choice.
“The views of car buyers are clearly maturing as electric vehicles become more common. This means that the original chief selling points of EVs, such as very low running costs, are now being tempered by more traditional considerations around practicality, style, infotainment and comfort.”
Despite shifting attitudes, more choice in the market and increased sales, pure electric vehicles still make up a small share of new car sales in the UK. Between January and September this year, just 1.3% of sales were EVs, up from 0.6% in the same period last year.
The boards of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Fiat, Alfa, Jeep, etc.) and PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall, DS) have announced plans to merge, creating the world’s fourth-largest car company.
The merger would bring together Italian-American Fiat Chrysler, with its strong footprint in North America where it makes at least two-thirds of its profits (through its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands), and France’s PSA Group, the second-largest car manufacturer in Europe.
Both lag in China, despite the participation of the Chinese shareholder Dongfeng in PSA Peugeot, and are catching up in the transition to electrified powertrains.
The 50-50 merger is expected to create synergies of more than £3 billion and enough scale to confront what the firms say is “the new era in mobility”.
The new company would have combined revenues of almost £150 billion, an operating profit of almost £10 billion and produce nearly 9 million cars a year — behind only Toyota, Volkswagen and the Renault–Nissan alliance. The combined market capitalisation would be around £43 billion.
The merger decision comes about five months after a similar deal with French rival Renault fell apart, mostly over French government concern about the role of Renault’s Japanese alliance partner Nissan. There were no signs of resistance to this deal, beyond concerns for jobs.
The companies said head offices would continue to operate in France, Italy and the US, and shares would be traded in the main exchanges in those three countries. The parent company would be based in the Netherlands, as is currently the case with Fiat Chrysler.
Another nervous wait for Vauxhall’s UK factories?
The companies said they expect to achieve without any factory closures — a concern of unions in the UK, France and Italy where the makers have more model overlap.
However, industry experts are not convinced. Professor David Bailey of Birmingham Business School said British plants may not be closed immediately, but will likely remain under threat.
He told the PA news agency that the Italian government will want to preserve factories at Fiat in Italy, while the French government – a part-shareholder in PSA Group – will be keen to maintain jobs in France.
He said: “I think, given the merger of these two giants, there will be pressure to take capacity out and British plants will be vulnerable.”
“I have a real fear that if this merger goes ahead then the likes of Ellesmere Port, which is actually a very efficient plant, could be sacrificed to get the sort of savings that the company is looking for especially in the context of all the uncertainty over Brexit.”
PSA Group announced in June that it planned to build the next generation of the Astra at the Ellesmere Port factory, but warned this was conditional on the final terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
Vauxhall currently employs 3,000 people in the UK.
The Toyota C-HR was a medium-sized SUV/crossover, which was launched onto the UK market in 2016 and quickly became one of the brand’s most popular models. Mildly updated in late 2019, this crossover was replaced by a new C-HR model in late 2023.
The C-HR received broadly positive reviews from the UK motoring media when it was new to the market, although scores fell slightly over time. Referred to by Car as “an interesting alternative to all the usual suspects in the growing crossover segment”, the Toyota C-HR received particular praise for its distinctive styling, driving dynamics and hybrid option.
That said, it was criticised for being somewhat compromised on space and visibility as a result of the swoopy styling. In addition, Top Gear was not all that enthused about the crossover’s infotainment, which it called a “let down”, and Parkers said that the selection of engines available was pretty slim when compared to the options rival brands offer.
No longer on sale, it has an overall Used CarExpert Rating of B with a score of 66%.
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The compact Toyota C-HR crossover offers daring design, hybrid drive and decent handling.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Auto Express
“The Toyota C-HR is a stylish family car with the option of two cheap-to-run hybrid engines. It’s not quite as practical as plenty of other less eye-catching SUVs, though.”
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre Hybrid Dynamic Force “The Toyota C-HR is one of the more expensive cars in its class, but it makes up for it with low running costs. It’s easy to live with and boldly styled.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol hybrid automatic Score: 8.6 / 10 “The Toyota C-HR scores highly for style, quality, equipment and road manners – but performance doesn’t quite live up to its swoopy looks.” Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid Score: 8 / 10 “Available on all but the entry-level trim, this new 2.0-litre hybrid C-HR is worth the extra £1,640 over the 1.8, thanks to its better performance and on-road refinement.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Score: 8 / 10 “It’s distinctive looks and high-quality cabin complement a surefooted and composed driving experience, while the punchy 1.2 turbo would be our choice over the efficient but flawed hybrid.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid automatic Orange Edition Score: 8 / 10 “The Toyota C-HR remains an interesting alternative to all the usual suspects in the growing crossover segment. It looks good, has an interesting interior that’s well-made and packed with kit (even entry-level Icon models), it drives very well and is cheap to run.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Toyota has built a genuinely interesting and engaging vehicle here – and while the Qashqai will hardly be quaking in its boots, the C-HR is certainly a breath of fresh air in the rather staid family crossover segment.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2021 update Score: 8 / 10 “The Toyota C-HR is seriously well-equipped, great to drive and also very efficient.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid automatic Score: 8 / 10 “The C-HR Hybrid is a solid effort all-round by Toyota, as it can offer excellent running costs, a practical layout and lots of equipment – in what is an over-crowded and incredibly competitive segment.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.6 / 10 “The Toyota C-HR gives the small SUV class a boost thanks to its fresh styling and the choice of a hybrid.” Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid GR Sport “If you’re sold on the looks and motorsport link, go ahead, but this Toyota C-HR costs over £31k. We think the sweet spot lies further down the range.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre hybrid automatic Excel “The Toyota C-HR is better than ever, both to drive and to live with. The fact that the numbers stack up is the cherry on top.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Excel “Not the cheapest or most practical, but the Toyota C-HR is good to drive and looks great.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “Lacks the performance to do justice to a capable chassis, but there’s still plenty to like about the C-HR” Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol hybrid automatic Score: 8 / 10 “The Toyota C-HR is essentially a good car to drive, and better than most other recent Toyota models.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Hybrid “Now solely a self-charging hybrid in the UK, it comes with two grades of drivetrain, both involving petrol engines.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “There’s not much wrong with the Toyota C-HR. The bold styling might not be everyone’s cup of tea and the lack of a diesel engine will reduce the appeal for high mileage drivers. But the generous standard equipment, strong build quality and excellent road manners make up for any shortcomings.” Read review
Model reviewed: Hybrid automatic “The verdict is for town work, suburbs, and motorway journeys, get the C-HR hybrid. For fun, get the 1.2 manual.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review Score: 9.2 / 10 “Toyota’s stylish challenger brings coupe flavour to crossover segment” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol hybrid automatic “The Toyota C-HR is a tech-savvy, good-value town car — small but also clever.” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid Excel Score: 8 / 10 “These upgrades might at first glance look like little more than a mid-life primp. But there’s more to it than that; the new engine and suspension setup have improved the Toyota C-HR considerably, boosting not only its power and performance, but also its comfort, handling and efficiency.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.8-litre hybrid automatic Excel Score: 6 / 10 “A little underwhelming in this form – go for the 1.2 to fulfil the Toyota C-HR’s full potential – but still a refreshing alternative to the SUV norm, and one that makes you feel good whether you’re looking at it or sitting in it.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “The Toyota C-HR handles well and looks quirky, but hybrid and infotainment systems let the package down.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Clean Air Index: 6 / 10 Energy Efficiency Index: 6.9 / 10
The rating above only applies to the 1.8-litre hybrid automatic variant of the Toyota C-HR. It does not apply to any other engine/gearbox combination.
Green NCAP, on publishing the results of this 2020 test, commented, “Fuel efficiency in the standard lab tests is very good and pollutant emissions are well controlled. The lack of a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) is regrettable as this would improve its performance even more. Green NCAP is informed that, from the end of 2020, a GPF is fitted to the C-HR. As tested, the C-HR delivers good, balanced scoring in all areas of assessment and the car emerges with a creditable 3½ star rating.”
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of April 2025 (our most recent data point), we don’t have enough reliability data on the Toyota C-HR 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 C-HR, 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
Hybrid models
56 mpg
B
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Hybrid models
115 g/km
B
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
18
A
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£196
B
Year 2
£511
B
Year 3
£818
B
Year 4
£1,007
B
Year 5
£1,321
B
Overall
£3,853
B
The Toyota C-HR is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption is very good according to the EU/UK government lab tests, but being a hybrid it will depend on how carefully you drive it to get maximum use out of the battery and electric motor.
Insurance and servicing costs are also excellent, with the C-HR being one of the cheapest new cars to live with overall.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Toyota C-HR has received
2020
Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Crossover
2019
Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best Car for City Drivers
2017
Carbuyer Awards – Best Hybrid SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Toyota C-HR, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Young drivers are being warned to avoid so-called ‘ghost brokers’ on social media who offer car insurance at too-good-to-be-true prices.
Insurance comparison site GoCompare says motorists should ‘trust their gut instincts’ to avoid getting struck by fraudsters posing as a legitimate insurance broker.
Research by Action Fraud last year found young men are the most likely to fall victim to ghost brokers, which GoCompare says is likely because they’re not only inexperienced at buying insurance, but also face the highest premiums. The research also found non-English speaking communities at high risk.
It’s said there are three key tactics used by these brokers, who typically ask for cash upfront. They often forge documents with no insurance set-up at all, create fake documents to artificially lower the price, such as using a lower-risk address, or genuinely set-up insurance before cancelling it shortly after, pocketing the driver’s fee and the insurance company’s refund.
Drivers who are the victim of these scams are then unwittingly driving without insurance and could face a fine, penalty points, a driving disqualification, a criminal record, and the risk of having their car seized.
Fleur Lewis, head of fraud detection and prevention at GoCompare Car Insurance, said: “Younger, less experienced drivers pay more to insure their cars, which makes them particularly susceptible to adverts for heavily discounted insurance.
“Ghost brokers often operate on social media, especially Facebook and Instagram, where they often use imagery and logos of established insurers to enhance their believability.
“So, we’re warning people to be highly suspicious of cheap insurance advertised on social media or websites where the deal they are being offered looks too good to be true. Drivers can save money by shopping around for cover, but if the insurance offered is significantly less than you could get on a comparison website – be suspicious.”
Ben Fletcher, director of the Insurance Fraud Bureau, added: “Ghost broking is a serious issue, which shows little sign of slowing down. A third of all our investigations are focused on bringing ghost brokers to justice.
“When buying car insurance, we urge the public to make sure they’ve done the right checks first, so they are confident they are taking out cover from a trusted source. Consumers can also help in the fight against fraud by reporting any suspicious activity to the IFB Cheatline.”
Mitsubishi has given the Outlander SUV an update for 2020, bringing improved on-board technology and a lower emissions figure for the petrol model.
CO2 output for the Mitsubishi Outlander petrol has been reduced to 169g/km from 196g/km, cutting the model’s first-year vehicle excise duty rate by £325.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV continues to be the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle. It currently holds a middling Expert Rating of 67% according to The Car Expert’s unique Expert Rating system, which compares new car reviews from 18 of the country’s top motoring websites.
Equipment levels have also been improved across the range with the addition of a new eight-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A rear-view camera is also included, while top-specification models get integrated TomTom satellite navigation.
The dashboard has been given a new look through a redesigned climate control panel, while the driver’s seat now benefits from electronic lumbar support. Meanwhile, the rear seats feature new padding and a Red Diamond exterior paint colour is now offered.
Safety systems remain unchanged on this latest update. The Mitsubishi Outlander was awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP back in 2013, but this score is not directly comparable to the tougher tests conducted today that all-new models are subjected to.
Trim level names have also been changed to bring the petrol Outlander in line with the rest of the range. The entry-level petrol model, starting at £28,085, will be called Design and gets seven seats, four-wheel drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and an automatic transmission as standard.
The top trim level is now called Exceed and adds leather upholstery, a 360-degree camera, LED headlights and fog lights, heated steering wheel and blind-spot warning. Prices start from £30,385, with the car now available.
Few people could argue with Maserati’s decision to launch the Levante back in 2016. You see, though the introduction of an SUV may jar with the Italian firm’s roots in sports and supercars, the growing appetite for high-set vehicles means that the Levante made commercial sense when it arrived three years ago — and continues to do so today.
It’s why there’s now an entry-level petrol engine to make the Levante even more accessible and build on the car’s success. Believe it or not, it’s now Maserati’s most popular model, with 55,000 units sold globally since its launch. We’ve been out to see what this new ‘cooker’ model is all about.
It’s safe to say that while this new entry-level Levante provides an access point into both the range and the firm as a whole, it’s not lacking in performance as a result.
There’s still a Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6 engine under the bonnet, and all manner of driver aids to keep things on the straight and narrow. Two distinct trim levels have been developed too – GranLusso and GranSport – the former leaning heavily on outright luxury and the latter on, understandably, sportiness.
We’re in the first of the two today, which is why our test car is decked out in high-quality leather and plenty of buttons for all those tech-savvy buyers out there.
How does it look?
Of course, a car’s design success is down to the individual, but we’d argue that the Levante is a handsome looking brute. It’s large – there’s no way of getting around that – but the various angles and curves do help to mask its outright size. The optional 19-inch alloys fitted to our car gave it plenty of presence too, while the red callipers (a £200 extra) highlighted the car’s performance too.
It’s a well-executed design, that’s for sure, and one which helps the Levante to appear as the sleeker, perhaps more understated option on the SUV spectrum.
What’s the spec like?
The Levante’s main infotainment offering is based around a central eight-inch display. It’s pleasingly easy to navigate, but it’s just lacking in the kind of functionality or detail that we’ve come to expect. The mapping system, for instance, does well to get you where you want to go – but it’s clunky in its orientation and doesn’t have the most high-definition readout.
Pairing your phone is simple, however, while the new central rotary controller in partnership with the touchscreen system helps to give you options on how you want to navigate the main screen. All in, there’s plenty of technology on offer here, and though the cabin materials may not be quite up to the standard set by the close-to-£70,000 price tag, the wealth of standard equipment certainly helps mitigate this.
What’s the Maserati Levante like inside?
You’d like to think that for £69,425 you’d be getting a high standard of fit-and-finish, but this isn’t entirely the case when you get inside the cabin of the Levante. The materials don’t feel as classy as those found in rival offerings, while the main displays and dials lack the clarity we’ve come to expect – particularly at this price point.
That said, the ergonomics are okay, and there’s plenty of adjustment to be found for the driver too. When it comes to practicality, the Levante does well enough to keep its head held high. Around the back, there’s 580 litres of boot space. Although somewhat smaller than the load area you’ll find in cars such as the BMW X5, it’s still large enough to accommodate several large bags.
What’s under the bonnet?
As we’ve already mentioned, there’s a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 under the bonnet of the Levante, which holds its origins with Maserati’s friends over in Maranello. It churns out 350hp here (with S-badged models pushing out considerably more at 430hp), but there’s a decent slug of torque to work with – 500Nm, in fact.
It’s sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, and there’s plenty of off-road wizardries to help when the Levante goes off the beaten track which, as we imagine will be the case for most cars, won’t be very often.
Performance-wise this entry V6 model punches well above its weight, going from 0 to 60mph in a snick under six seconds and onwards to a top speed of 156mph. When it comes to efficiency it isn’t the best, however; Maserati claims 23.5mpg combined, while CO2 emissions are a chunky 278g/km.
What’s the Maserati Levante like to drive?
There’s a decent amount of expectation when you hop into the seat of the Levante and see that prominent trident badge sparkling away on the steering wheel ahead of you. Maserati, after all, knows a thing or two when it comes to making comfortable yet powerful long-distance cruisers, so you’d expect to the Levante to at least capture an essence of that.
To begin with, things are good. That V6 burbles away joyfully, giving all manner of character to your forward progress. The steering is well-judged too, with plenty of weight and accuracy. The ride is left wanting, however, as even when riding on air suspension like our test car, the Levante transfers a lot of the road imperfections into the cabin. They’re less obvious when travelling at speed, but for around town, the refinement isn’t what we’d expect.
Verdict
It’s easy to understand the Levante’s success. It’s good looking, feels reasonably purposeful to drive and has plenty of kit bundled in as standard. This entry-level V6 makes even more sense, particularly as droves of potential buyers leave the idea of diesel behind and find the idea of a cleaner petrol more palatable.
It may not quite match its rivals for outright interior quality, but few will notice the smaller foibles. Those who drive the Levante for the first time will likely be swayed by that burbling exhaust, its sleek design and the competent way in which it clings on around bends – and that’ll likely be more than enough to seal the deal.
When looking for a practical everyday car, the booming SUV market may have you believing a high-up car is the way to go — but there’s an alternative.
Step in the humble estate car. Once the bread and butter of UK roads, the saloon/hatch-turned-workhorse formula has fallen by the wayside in recent years, yet they remain a truly compelling option for those after space above all else. Not only that, they can be properly fun to drive too.
In no particular order, we’ve picked out some of the best options the used estate car market offers at a £20k price point.
Skoda Superb
When it comes to sheer space, it’s hard to beat Skoda’s (frankly) Superb estate. In its latest guise, it offers a whopping 660 litres of load space — beaten pretty much only by vans.
It’s far from just a load-lugger, though. The Volkswagen Group-designed model is an exceptionally comfortable machine, with a solidly built cabin as well as a reputation for reliability. With our budget, high-spec examples with below 30,000 miles from 2017-18 come into play, though sacrificing on equipment brings early 2019 models into the mix.
Who said estates had to be boring? Certainly not Ford, which has long offered a more practical version of its loveable Focus ST hot hatch.
Powered by a 250hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine, it’s certainly no slouch — capable of 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds — and tops that off by being a complete riot in the corners. All that, while offering 476 litres of boot space. Examples from as recent as 2018 with miles well under 10,000 are available at a £20,000 price point.
When it comes to cars that cover all bases, there may be none better than the BMW 335d Touring. This practical estate boasts a respectable 495 litres of boot space, comfortable seating for five, a high-quality cabin and a claimed fuel return of 39.2mpg.
It’s pretty quick, too. With 315hp and 630Nm of torque, it can cover 0-60mph in under five seconds before going on to a limited 155mph top speed — perfect for heading on a European road trip with the family via the German autobahn. Our budget brings cars as recent as 2016 into the spotlight, with miles around the 50,000 mark.
It’s far from the most inspiring vehicle on this list, but there are good reasons why the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer is one of the UK’s top repmobiles.
Impressive efficiency, good looks and a respectable amount of kit makes it a car that’s easy to live with and one that’s leaning on the side of desirable. With our price point, nearly new examples are available — sporting as little a 4,000 miles.
Mercedes may be cheating a little bit by using the ‘Shooting Brake’ moniker for its CLS estate — with the term normally referring to boxy two-door models — but we’ll forgive it considering how good the car looks.
Its dramatic bodywork hides a practical machine, too. You have 590 litres of boot space on offer, while our budget allows for an impressively efficient 220d model — which Mercedes says can return 56.5mpg in mixed driving conditions.
Looking for a premium alternative to the usual German suspects? The Volvo V90 may just be the practical machine you’re looking for.
Our budget may only allow for lower-specification Momentum models if you’re looking for recent examples, though this still delivers big on comfort and efficiency — a claimed 50.4mpg if you opt for a D4 engine. It also boasts a remarkable 560 litres of boot space.
Even those wanting a supremely rare Japanese performance car are catered for in the estate market, thanks to the seldom-found Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Wagon.
There was no compromise on performance when compared with the saloon version for the estate. Its 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder dumps 280hp through an incredibly clever all-wheel-drive system to deliver one of the most exciting and practical cars money can buy. It was never officially sold in the UK though, so all examples are imported from Japan and price fluctuates wildly depending on the condition, age and levels of modification.
Order books have opened for the Mii Electric, SEAT’s first all-electric car, with prices starting below £20,000.
The SEAT Mii Electric is priced from £19,300 including the government’s plug-in car grant, and the first 300 customers will receive a wall box home charger, home charge cable, three years’ servicing and roadside assistance free of charge.
SEAT has also revealed a PCP finance offer of £199 per month with a £4,399 deposit with a manufacturer deposit contribution of £500 and 6.9 per cent APR. Terms and conditions apply, so speak to your local dealer for all the details, then check out The Car Expert’s guide to understanding a PCP car finance quote.
The Mii Electric is available in only one trim level with a choice of five colours: black, white, red, blue, and silver. Exterior equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, dark-tinted rear windows and LED daytime running lights.
Inside, there are heated front seats with cloth upholstery, leather trim for the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, and a chrome-effect dashboard. On-board technology includes Bluetooth, smartphone integration, a five-inch infotainment screen and rear parking sensors.
Rounding out the equipment levels is air conditioning, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, comfort suspension and electronic stability control.
The SEAT Mii Electric uses a single-speed transmission linked to a motor that makes 85hp and 212Nm of torque, with a claimed 0-31mph time of 3.9 seconds hinting at the model’s impressive acceleration. The 36.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack should be good for 161 miles between charges, and can be topped up from zero to 80% in about an hour at a 40kW fast charger.
Richard Harrison, managing director of SEAT UK, said: “The arrival of Mii Electric marks the start of a comprehensive programme to electrify the SEAT range, which will see further electrified models arriving in 2020.
“Mii Electric is the ideal first step into full electric motoring, and we’ve made it even easier for the first 300 customers, by including a free home charger, free servicing and free metallic paint, with a very attractive monthly PCP payment. But you’ll have to be quick as we expect customer demand to outstrip available production.”
The new eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf has been revealed with a lightly updated exterior design but big advancements inside.
There are four powertrain options in the form of petrol, diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid, with improved efficiency one of the key advancements in each unit. Volkswagen says it has introduced a new combustion process to its petrol models to improve efficiency and used twin AdBlue injectors to significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in diesels.
In terms of electrified options in the UK, only the more powerful GTE plug-in hybrid model will be available. Promising 245hp, this latest generation version has a new 13kWh lithium-ion battery for increased electric-only range.
Meanwhile, three mild hybrid petrol powertrains will be available, using 48-volt technology to cut consumption by around 10%.
The exterior is familiar when compared with the previous generation, but particularly at the front, there are subtle design differences. For example, the new, narrower headlight design houses LED technology, while each panel has been tweaked in the wind tunnel to reduce its drag coefficient.
Golf GTE
Golf GTE
Inside the changes are more evident, with the large twin-screen set-up standard on all models. Numerous controls are now digitalised, which has decluttered the dashboard giving a cleaner appearance.
In terms of technology, Volkswagen’s We Connect Plus is included free for the first three years of ownership, bringing streaming, Internet radio and other online features to the car. It also includes voice control and an integrated Alexa system to ask questions and communicate with compatible devices at home.
Driver assistance and safety features include a smart cruise control function that can steer, accelerate and brake automatically at speeds of up to 130mph, emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring.
There are four trims available for the UK called S, SE, SEL and R-Line. Standard equipment includes a ten-inch infotainment screen, LED headlights and taillights, and various driver aids.
Volkswagen is keen to introduce performance trims early in the new model’s life cycle, saying the GTI, GTI TCR, GTD and R models will join the line-up in 2020.
Mazda has revealed its first all-electric car – the MX-30 crossover – at this week’s Tokyo motor show.
Set to arrive in the UK in 2021, it has been developed for ‘customers who don’t want to sacrifice driving pleasure’ when buying an electric car, said the Japanese firm.
Almost identical in size to the internal combustion-engined CX-30, the Mazda MX-30 takes on a very distinctive look when compared with the manufacturer’s other offerings. Although its head- and tail-lights are very similar to those used across the rest of its range, its two-tone paint finish, thin front grille and sharp cuts in the bodywork allow this particular Mazda to stand out.
Perhaps its most notable design feature are the so-called ‘suicide’ doors that are rear-hinged for access to the back of the car. It’s not the first Mazda to use such a set-up though, with the long-discontinued RX-8 sports car offered with them too.
Powering the car is a 35.5kWh electric motor. Details on performance and drivetrain specifications are currently scarce beyond that, but the firm says the MX-30 will have a range of approximately 125 miles between charges.
‘Eco-friendly’ materials have been used throughout the cabin, while vegan-friendly upholstery replaces traditional leathers. Climate control buttons have also made way for a low-set touchscreen display that can be used to operate the air conditioning.
Pricing and specifications for the Mazda MX-30 have yet to be confirmed, but the firm is accepting expressions of interest via a dedicated website.
Honda has pulled back the covers on its brand-new Jazz at the Tokyo motor show — with the model debuting with a sole hybrid powertrain.
It’s not the first time the supermini has been offered as a hybrid, but it’s the first time a hybrid has been the only option. Honda has set itself a target for all of its cars sold from 2025 onwards to be electrified, and this is the next step towards that goal.
Exact details on the hybrid setup have yet to be detailed, though Honda describes it as an ‘advanced two-motor’ system. Honda’s other European hybrid offering — the CR-V — mates a 2.0-litre petrol engine to an electric motor, but the new Jazz will likely use a smaller-capacity unit.
The model takes on a new look too — though remains recognisable as a Jazz thanks to its boxy silhouette. Design details like its headlights and grille take on an evolved form, though horizontal rear lights now feature.
Inside the car, Honda says the car offers unrivalled levels of comfort and spaciousness within its segment. The firm’s versatile Magic Seat technology makes a return too — allowing for extra space by folding the seats flat or lifting them up with ease.
Its most notable tech feature is a new infotainment system for the car’s central LCD display, which supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity for the first time.
Finally, a host of safety assistance technology has been introduced to the new Jazz. They include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and an enhanced collision mitigation brake system which can now detect cyclists and pedestrians during the night.
A UK launch date has yet to be confirmed for the new Jazz, though Honda says it will arrive in Europe in the middle of 2020.
