The personal contract purchase (PCP) is by far the most popular way for consumers to buy new cars, and is rapidly becoming the most popular way to finance used cars as well.
But the PCP is really not well understood. Repeated research, like this study from 2015 and this one from 2017, has shown that most car buyers don’t understand how PCPs work and are often basing their assumptions on various myths and misconceptions.
Based on the thousands of questions about PCP finance from readers we have received here over the last few years, we have come up with our Top 10 PCP myths – and then busted them. Remember kids, never trust the smiling sales executive or your best friend’s neighbour’s uncle. Trust The Car Expert.
PCP Myth #1: You’re not really buying the car
There is still a misconception that PCP car finance is a lease or rental, rather than a purchase. This is simply not true, even if most buyers tend to treat it like a lease. It’s also a really important point .
A PCP is a form of hire purchase (HP), so you are buying the car over time. It doesn’t officially become your property until the last penny is paid off, just like a classic hire purchase or the mortgage on your house, but you are making payments towards eventual ownership unless you choose not to make the final payment.
It is estimated that fewer than 20% of PCP customers will ever make that final payment, with the vast majority choosing to hand the car back or part-exchange it instead. But the default option in your contract is always to make the final payment, so you are forced to take action to stop that from happening.
PCP Myth #2: You’ll have equity at the end of the agreement
PCP finance is usually sold on the vague verbal promise of equity at the end of the agreement. The idea is that your car will be worth more than the final balloon/guaranteed future value (GFV) amount, and the leftover is what you use as all or part of the deposit towards your next car.
For many car buyers, that certainly used to be the case. However, these days you will be lucky if your car is worth the balloon amount at the end of your agreement, meaning that you won’t have any equity and therefore you will have to come up your next deposit from your own savings.
For some reason, buyers tend to forget that they handed over a couple of thousand pounds for their deposit three years ago, and are now being asked to find another couple of thousand pounds to hand over for their next PCP.
Here at The Car Expert, we are building commercial partnerships with companies who can offer you competitive PCP deals on either a new or used car (as well as other types of finance if you prefer). Check these out before signing any finance agreement with a car dealer:
This car – the new Volkswagen ID.3 – is quite a crucial one for its maker. As its first ground-up electric model, it represents a voyage into a completely EV future, and when the German firm starts throwing names like ‘Beetle’ and ‘Golf’ into a car’s comparisons, you know things are getting serious.
Which is why the ID.3 really needs to be good. It’s the first car in what will become a long line of ID-badged electric vehicles for Volkswagen and as such, it’s a car which needs to succeed. We’ve been behind the wheel to see if it can do it.
Well, essentially everything is new here. The ID.3 sits on its very own architecture designed from the ground-up as an electric vehicle. So whereas Volkswagen’s previous EVs like the e-Golf and e-Up! were electric versions of existing models, the ID.3 stands proud on its own.
There’s a bespoke powertrain – which we’ll get to in more detail shortly – and while the interior of the car uses many elements from the current eighth-generation Golf, they’ve been packaged in a way which feels completely new and fresh.
How does it look?
Put the ID.3 against any other regular car currently on sale and you’ll see a marked difference. With a full light bar carrying across the width of the ID.3’s front, it has a really distinct ‘face’ and it’s one which is particularly noticeable at night.
It’s the same story around the back, too. A large section of gloss black contrasts with whichever exterior colour you’ve chosen to give a genuinely distinctive appearance and it’s one which works extremely well.
However, don’t fear that this is a car that has been designed so that people won’t fail to take notice; get it in more subdued colours and, for the most part, it blends in rather well. It’s handy if you’re after an EV which doesn’t shout about its eco-credentials.
What’s the spec like?
The I.D 3 has been initially launched in 1st Edition trim, which brings a whole host of standard equipment. Much like the new Golf, there’s a distinct lack of physical buttons with touchscreens doing the bulk of the work instead. It’s centred around a ten-inch display in the middle of the dashboard and it’s here where you’ll have access to the vast majority of functions.For satellite navigation, media and phone call access it works well. We found that during our time with the car getting through to the controls for the heating and ventilation took a little longer than it needed to be, however.
There’s also a five-inch display ahead of the driver and it’s here where you’ll find the car’s speed, as well as key information such as range and battery levels.
What’s the Volkswagen ID.3 like inside?
It’s in the cabin where things take a real step up. There’s an immediate sense of space, with a large lounge-like setup creating an instantly relaxing place to be. As we’ve already mentioned, some aspects are akin to those you’ll find in the current Golf, but whereas the Golf has to deal with mundane things like transmission tunnels and central gearsticks, the ID.3 does without – so there’s genuinely tonnes of space to play with.
There are only a few quibbles to be had. The controls for the lights are placed awkwardly in between the screen and the wheel, and the gear selector itself feels as if drive and reverse are placed the opposite way around to how you’d expect. We’re sure that you’d get used to it over time, however.
Those in the back will find themselves well-kept in terms of headroom and legroom and even the boot has a comfortably usable capacity of 385 litres.
What’s under the bonnet?
Powering the ID.3 is a 150kW motor linked to a 58kWh battery. In this setup, Volkswagen claims that you should see up to 260 miles from a single charge, while thanks to rapid charging capability, a 0-80% charge can take as little as 30 minutes via a 100kW unit. However, if you’re planning to charge your ID.3 at home – and most people will – then fully replenishing the batteries from empty will take nine and a half hours with a 7.2kW wallbox.
When it comes to performance the ID.3 does well. A zero to 60mph time of seven seconds isn’t far off what you’d get from a Golf GTI, and flat-out it’ll do 99mph.
What’s the Volkswagen ID.3 like to drive?
Volkswagen has worked to make driving the ID.3 as hassle-free as possible. As such, even the starting process is almost deliriously simple. Keep the key in your pocket or bag, approach the car and it’ll allow you in. Sit in place, use the side-mounted gear selector – which is almost identical to the one in the BMW i3 – to select drive, and away you go. There is a starter button, but you don’t need it; once you’re in the car, it’s alive and ready to go.
And being rear-driven, you’re made quite aware of how keen the ID.3 is to get going. Make no mistake, it’s not a tail-happy drift wagon, but ease out of a corner and the way the car pushes away has that distinct rear-wheel-drive assuredness. The performance on tap leaves most ordinary traffic for dead when going from a dead stop too, but even at higher speeds, the ID.3 has more than enough pep for motorway overtakes or dual carriageway merges.
Our only real complaint is directed at the forward pillars; though a section of glass does alleviate some of the issue, they’re rather thick and obscure your forward vision quite a lot.
Verdict
As we said at the start of this review, the Volkswagen ID.3 really needed to be good. Thankfully, this is one incredibly well-rounded EV, with a decent range and excellent on-road manners combining with a well made but high-end interior to result in a car which really does feel like the genuine article.
Over the next few months, Volkswagen will introduce new variants of the ID.3, both with smaller and greater battery sizes, and resulting decreases and increases in range, which open the car up to an even larger audience. However, for now, even this initial ID.3 is a confident step by Volkswagen into the fully electric future.
Model as tested: Volkswagen ID.3 1st Edition Price (on-road): £35,215* Motor unit: Single electric motor Gearbox: Single-speed automatic Power: 204 hp Torque: 310 Nm *includes £3,000 plug-in car grant
Top speed: 99 mph 0-60 mph: 7.0 seconds Battery size: 58 kWh Battery range: 260 miles Euro NCAP safety rating:Five stars (2020) TCE Expert Rating: 83% (as of January 2021)
The Bentley Flying Spur is a large luxury saloon, and the flagship of the Bentley range. This is the third generation of the Flying Spur and, like its predecessors, it is based on the Bentley Continental GT coupé.
The Bentley Mulsanne ceased production in 2020, with the Flying Spur moving up on previous generations in price and luxury to take on the role of Bentley’s flagship saloon. It’s significantly longer than the previous model to provide more rear cabin space. Initially launched only with the top-spec 6.0-litre W12 engine, the range grew with the addition of the familiar 4.0-litre petrol V8 engine about a year later, followed by a plug-in hybrid model in 2021.
The Bentley Flying Spur has received many positive reviews from the UK motoring media, with glowing reports of its luxury and driving dynamics.
Several titles have also criticised the stinginess of the Flying Spur’s level of standard safety equipment, with key equipment like autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control only available as (expensive) options, despite being standard on other Volkswagen Group models – like a VW Golf for about a tenth of the price.
The Flying Spur received a major update in the middle of 2024. Bentley pitched this as almost an all-new car, whereas the reality is that it’s more of a major update to the existing vehicle. The average person in the street (or even a Bentley customer) probably wouldn’t be able to spot any major differences, but there are major overhauls to engine, electrics and interior luxuries.
As of February 2026, the Bentley Flying Spur has a New CarExpert Rating of C with a score of 59%. It scores top marks for its very positive media reviews, but the overall rating has been dragged down by unsurprisingly high running costs.
Body style: Large saloon Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid Price: From £156,130 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2019 Last updated: Autumn 2024 Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“A superb new powertrain and an even wider range of chassis ability, between sumptuous comfort and dynamic handling, make the new Bentley Flying Spur a wonderful luxury saloon.”
Model reviewed: Hybrid (2023) Score: 8 / 10 “The V6 plug-in hybrid brings attractive tax savings to Bentley’s luxury saloon, but it doesn’t quite match the smooth driving experience of its petrol-powered V8 counterpart.” Read review
Model reviewed: V8 Score: 10 / 10 “That this new V8 edition of the Bentley Flying Spur isn’t as expensive as the W12 and offers a more engaging drive without making a compromise in any single area means it’s the pick of the line-up. Not only is this a supremely well-engineered car, with a huge breadth of ability, it’s also one that drips with desirability.” Read review
Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic Score: 10 / 10 “The new Bentley Flying Spur is a world-class flagship, balancing performance, luxury and style in equal measure. The way it drives and handles is quite astonishing for such a large car, while the opulence of the cabin and attention to detail show Bentley at its best.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “Hand-built Bentley Flying Spur luxury saloon combines breathtaking performance with majestic luxury and refinement.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The Bentley Flying Spur is a luxury saloon, and essentially a four-door version of the immensely popular Continental GT. Built to be driven or be driven in, the Flying Spur is packed with leather, wood and acres of well-appointed space.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic Score: 8 / 10 “It won’t be within reach of most fleets or drivers, but the Flying Spur heralds a new era of electrification for Bentley.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range review Score: 8 / 10 “The new Bentley Flying Spur isn’t so much an evolutionary improvement on the old model, as a giant leap forward.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Score: 7.8 / 10 “The Bentley Flying Spur is a luxury saloon that’s both great to drive and be driven in” Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The Bentley Flying Spur is one of the most luxurious, and high-tech, saloon cars on sale. Its boot could be bigger, though, and automatic cruise control should be standard.” Read review
Daily Mail
Model reviewed: 6.0-litre petrol automatic “For such a large car it handles beautifully even in the narrowest and twistiest lanes of Monaco, so should be a doddle in London, Glasgow, New York and Beijing.” Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic “Performance is toe-curling, but not the riotous drive you would expect from an out and out sports saloon. Okay, floor the accelerator and its like jet taking off, but occupants otherwise suffer no discomfort and feel as safe as you can be with such performance.” Read review
Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic First Edition “Comfort is supreme wherever you choose to sit, with everything from massaging seats to picnic tables and Champagne bottle coolers, mood lighting throughout and a rotating central display in the dash, plus touch screen remote control in the rear.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: V8 Score: 9 / 10 “New ‘entry-level’ Bentley Flying Spur is the pick of the limos.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “All-new Bentley Flying Spur is one of the few, if not the only, luxury car that is as good to drive as it is to be driven in.” Read review
Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 10 / 10 “The Bentley Flying Spur is a glorious way to travel, with acres of legroom, electric window blinds, even massaging armchair-style seats.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.8 / 10 “Four-door Bentley is a fast, elegant and comfortable alternative to a private jet.” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic “The Bentley Flying Spur is a fusion of cutting-edge tech and artisan craftsmanship.” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic Score: 8 / 10 “The Bentley Flying Spur is a fine car spoiled by a shabby ride.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “Perhaps the most compelling four-door Bentley’s built since the Arnage” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Bentley Flying Spur has not been tested by Euro NCAP. Previous generations of Continental have never been tested by Euro NCAP, so we don’t expect that this one will be, either.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of February 2026, the Bentley Flying Spur has not yet been tested by Green NCAP.
The Flying Spur weighs about three tonnes with passengers on board and is powered by either a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine or a 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine, so it’s safe to assume it won’t be winning any environmental awards.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of February 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Bentley Flying Spur to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Flying Spur, we’ll publish the score here.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Bentley Flying Spur
2023
2022
2021
2020
Date: May 2023 Recall number: R/2023/131 Model types: All Build dates: 11/2020 to 10/2022 Number of vehicles affected: 353 Defect: On affected vehicles the retention bracket holding the rear entertainment screens located in the rear of the front seats may have been installed in the incorrect orientation. Remedy: Check the orientation of the retention bracket in both front seats. Any seats found to be fitted with the incorrect bracket orientation will be reworked to replace the retention bracket assembly.
Date: March 2022 Recall number: R/2022/078 Model types: All Build dates: 06/2018 to 08/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 32 Defect: Incorrect front passenger seat belt assemblies without an automatic locking retractor (ALR) function may have been installed. Remedy: Inspect the affected front seat belt assemblies and replace if necessary.
Date: June 2021 Recall number: R/2021/221 Model types: All Build dates: 06/2018 to 05/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 2,462 Defect: Inconsistent fitment of the fuse box and the electrical harness may prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to its resting position. Remedy: Check and if necessary rework the A-post lower trim ensuring correct clearance of the trim to the accelerator pedal.
Date: April 2021 Recall number: R/2021/113 Model types: All Build dates: 07/2019 to 03/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 221 Defect: The knee roll airbag wiring may be incorrect at the Airbag Control Module connector. Remedy: Correct the wiring at the Airbag Control Module Connector.
Date: June 2020 Recall number: R/2020/145 Model types: All Build dates: 01/2020 Number of vehicles affected: 2 Defect: A small number of vehicles may have an adhesive bond between the sunroof and the vehicle body which does not meet the specification. Remedy: The sunroof glass or sunroof assembly will be replaced.
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been five DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the current-generation Bentley Flying Spur to address various different issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Bentley dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Flying Spur, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Petrol models
21 mpg
E
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
299 g/km
E
Plug-in hybrid models
75 g/km
A
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Plug-in hybrid models
26 miles
E
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
50
F
The Bentley Flying Spur is a very expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The petrol car’s fuel economy of 21 mpg is one of the poorest fuel consumption stats in our Expert Rating Index (the plug-in hybrid is presumably better, but we don’t have confirmed numbers for that engine), while insurance premiums are in the most expensive bracket too.
Bentley doesn’t provide servicing cost data, but it’s probably safe to assume that it will be expensive.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Bentley Flying Spur has received
2021
Auto Express Awards – Best Luxury Car
2019
Carwow Awards – Best Luxury Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Bentley Flying Spur, you might also be interested in these alternatives
The SEAT Leon is a mid-sized family car that’s based on the current Mk 8 Volkswagen Golf and other cars in the Volkswagen family, like the Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia.
The current Leon was launched in the summer of 2020, replacing the previous model that had been on sale since 2012. As before, it is available as either a five-door hatchback or an estate. A plug-in hybrid powertrain joined the usual petrol and diesel options shortly after launch.
The SEAT Leon is considered more refined, although somewhat less sporty than the previous model. It’s also no longer considered quite the value-for-money choice that the previous model was. The plug-in hybrid version has received particular praise, but you need to be able to charge it daily to get value for the additional asking price.
As of March 2026, the SEAT Leon has a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 71%. It scores top marks for its low average CO2 emissions (helped by the plug-in hybrid models), while its safety rating and running costs are also good. The only downside is that reliability has been sub-par.
Body style: Five-door hatch and estate Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid Price: From £23,335 on-road
Launched: Summer 2020 Last updated: N/A Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual FR “There’s no two ways about it – the new SEAT Leon is a brilliant car. It looks great, it’s practical, it’s quiet and comfortable to drive, and comes packed full of kit. The down side? The Volkswagen Golf does all of those things, and the extra cash won’t be too offensive when divided across the monthly payments of a finance deal.” Read review
Auto Express
Score: 8 / 10 “The SEAT Leon offers the tech and driving experience of the VW Golf, but for a lower price.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol (mild hybrid) automatic estate Score: 8 / 10 “Like the hatchback, the new SEAT Leon Estate is an evolutionary update of its predecessor. The estate easily passes muster on practicality and is even fun to drive in some cases, but it’s neither as refined nor as premium-feeling as its Skoda Octavia Estate sibling.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid FR hatchback Score: 8 / 10 “With price on its side, the SEAT Leon instantly becomes one of our favourite plug-in hybrid family cars. Also available as an ST estate, this new Leon e-Hybrid could well be the consummate all-rounder.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual FR hatchback Score: 8 / 10 “Existing Leon owners will find plenty to like on the new-generation car. But dynamically not a lot has changed here, and that means much of the car’s appeal will come down to how much cheaper it is than a Golf. With that in mind, sporty FR trim has never been our sweet spot in any SEAT range, and there’s not really anything on the new Leon that’s going to change our mind on that.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Hatchback range Score: 8 / 10 “Always wanted a Volkswagen Golf or Audi A3 but thought they were a bit pricey for your budget? Here’s the answer – say ‘Hola!’ to the SEAT Leon, possibly the best all-rounder in the family hatchback market.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: E-Hybrid FR Score: 8 / 10 “The SEAT Leon E-Hybrid has much to recommend it, particularly for those seeking to minimise their tax liability while having a great-looking hatch on their driveway. Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual FR Score: 6 / 10 “Overall it’s a polished effort from SEAT, which manages to feel distinctive and good value.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid hatchback Score: 6 / 10 “In terms of driver enjoyment the relatively heavy and automatic SEAT Leon leaves a bit to be desired in comparison with other warm hatches, but as a family-hauler capable of 40 miles of pure electric driving, it offers a brilliant turn of pace that will leave a few people surprised and delighted.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The new Seat Leon is a seriously accomplished all-rounder. It’s quiet, comfortable and spacious, while good levels of standard equipment mean that you’re not feeling short-changed regardless of the specification you opt for.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.2 / 10 “New technology narrows the gap between the SEAT Leon and the latest VW Golf.” (Andy Goodwin) Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The SEAT Leon gets many of the good bits from the latest Volkswagen Golf, yet it’s cheaper to buy. But from a brand that’s supposed to be sporty, the Leon is not as fun to drive as you might hope.” Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: PHEV “The lower trim levels of the Seat Leon PHEV make the most sense for corporate drivers, thanks to the big BiK advantage of the extra mile or two of range as well as the lower price tag for a decent level of equipment. It’s also an attractive car, to look at and from behind the wheel.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate The Seat Leon estate is sensible and good-looking and offers practicality and well-controlled running costs.” Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual FR hatchback Score: 10 / 10 “The SEAT’s quality is very close to the VW’s but, even if you ignore the cost saving, the new Leon’s styling wins it for me and the fact it is a great car to drive.” Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: plug-in hybrid hatchback E-Hybrid FR Score: 7 / 10 “Introduction of hybrid technology adds extra appeal to the new Leon as it mixes SEAT’s two core values: dynamics and efficiency.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual FR Score: 7 / 10 “An impressive spread of abilities was always on the call sheet, but the balanced chassis and impressive calibration take the package further.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Hatchback range Score: 8 / 10 “The SEAT Leon is a stylish family hatch that will appeal to buyers looking for something a little sportier than a Volkswagen Golf. It’s great to drive, comes with a wide range of efficient engines and the interior is leagues ahead of the old model.” Read review
Model reviewed: Estate range Score: 7 / 10 “The SEAT Leon Estate manages to be both sporty and practical, with a touch of premium-ness chucked in for good measure. It’s not going to break the bank, either, with competitive list prices and a range of efficient petrol and hybrid engines.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview “SEAT is looking to build on the sales success of the Leon with a new generation of its popular family hatchback.” Read review
Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Spanish Volkswagen Golf is now prettier than the German one. It’s certainly sportier-looking, with a more focused interior. Otherwise, beneath the surface, it’s identical. Pretty compelling, given how you’re paying thousands less for the privilege. The SEAT Leon is the perfect family hatch for those who think the latest Volkswagen Golf just a bit… awkward-looking.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.2 / 10 “Sporty SEAT packed with the latest tech” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual FR “The new SEAT Leon is a cheaper, more youthful version of the Golf. Just don’t have it in Magnetic Grey because it’s D-U-L-L.” Read review
The Sunday Times
Score: 8 / 10 “The SEAT Leon is cheaper and more practical than an SUV.” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual FR hatchback Score: 8 / 10 “A fine blend of ride and handling, combined with a pleasingly understated interior. The bodywork isn’t the most distinctive, but it’s handsome enough. What mars this car, like so many of its contemporaries in the VW Group stable, is its confusing and distracting touchscreen.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Spain’s strongest attempt to out-Golf the Golf yet. A stylish, well-equipped and cheaper version of its German cousin.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Clean Air Index: 6.7 / 10 Energy Efficiency Index: 6.5 / 10 Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.6 / 10
The SEAT Leon 2.0-litre diesel automatic estate received a three-star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021. Green NCAP said: “The Leon greatly impresses in this fourth-generation 2.0-litre diesel form. Equipped with the latest emissions abatement technology – three-way catalyst, selective catalytic reduction and a diesel particulate filter – the car scores well in all three areas of Green NCAP’s assessment.
“Pollutant emissions are very well controlled and energy efficiency is high, helped, no doubt, by the well-matched seven speed automatic gearbox with which the test car was equipped. Emissions of N2O reduce performance for greenhouse gas emissions to a relatively low index of 3.6/10 but the Leon emerges from Green NCAP’s tests with a solid and very creditable three-star rating.”
This rating only applies to the 2.0-litre diesel (TDI) automatic estate version of the SEAT Leon, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range (although there will be no significant difference between saloon and hatchback body styles).
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 245 Average repair cost: £757.95 Last updated: April 2025
As of April 2025 (our most recent data point), the SEAT Leon has a reliability rating of 43%, which is below average according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Motorway. The Leon’s rating applies to both the current model and earlier (pre-2020) models.
To date, the average repair cost for a Leon is about £750, which is fairly high for this class of car. It’s also considerably more than the cost of a used car warranty, so that’s worth considering.
Engine repairs are the most common and most expensive faults, clocking in at an average of more than £1,200 to date. Gearbox repairs are also about £1,100 on average.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the SEAT Leon has received
2021
Parkers New Car Awards – Best Medium Family Car (Leon Estate)
2020
DrivingElectric Awards – Best Small Plug-In Hybrid
Tow Car Awards – Best tow car, 1,100 – 1,200kg
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the SEAT Leon, you might also be interested in these alternatives
In the lucrative small car market, there’s one car that’s been largely underrated. While the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa dominate the sales charts, the Honda Jazz has quietly pootled on, offering reliability, low running costs and impressive practicality – but not troubling the top dogs in terms of sales.
Now, however, there’s a new model in town that Honda will be hoping changes that somewhat. It’s got a funky new look and a hybrid powertrain to keep running costs low. It’s time to find out if it retains everything buyers loved while enticing new customers across from the big sellers.
The main talking points are the looks and the powertrain, two things we’ll delve into more later in this review. However, the quick overview is that the Jazz retains similar proportions and silhouette to its predecessor, now with a more quirky front end, while under the bonnet the hybrid should be inexpensive to run.
Other updates of note include the new design with a much narrower A-pillar to improve visibility, while the infotainment touchscreen has been updated and gets new connectivity functions.
How does it look?
While the previous generation Jazz might best be described as nondescript, the new model goes some way to add a little character. From most angles it’s just as uninspiring as before, blending into the background, but that understated design will be appealing to some.
However, where it’s better is around the front, where the oddball chunky headlights and narrow grille give it a funky, retro Japanese kei car look. It could prove divisive, but in a segment where character is often key it could help pull mainstream customers across.
What’s the spec like?
The Honda Jazz starts at £18,985 in SE trim, with standard equipment including adaptive cruise control, climate control, ‘Magic Seats’, and auto headlights. Upgrade to SR, starting from £20,585 and there’s fabric and leather upholstery, Wireless AppleCarPlay (which only works intermittently in our test car, frustratingly), front and rear parking sensors and the nine-inch Honda Connect infotainment system.
Step up to the top-spec EX trim seen on our test car, with prices starting at £22,185, and there’s an impressive equipment list that includes smart entry and start, 16-inch alloy wheels, heated steering wheel and front seats, rear-view camera, and Garmin navigation integration for the infotainment system.
The EX feels like the best value, because jumping up just a few thousand pounds gains you an impressive amount of kit. The entry level SE feels like good value with decent equipment, but it does only have a five-inch infotainment system and lacks Apple CarPlay.
In terms of safety, the Honda Jazz scores highly. It was awarded a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, conducted using the tough new 2020 testing protocols. If things go wrong, it’s a good place to be.
What’s it like inside?
The previous Jazz’s trump card was the cavernous interior, and the new model continues this trend. When you drop behind the driving seat, there’s a massive glasshouse around you that makes the cabin feel extra spacious as well as offering fantastic views of the road ahead.
The dashboard design echoes the minimalism of the exterior, with a great compromise between relegating physical buttons to the touchscreen but keeping popular functions, such as the climate controls, on the dash. The single spoke steering wheel is a fun design, but the small instrument screen does already feel a little dated.
What’s under the bonnet?
For Honda, the powertrain is the key talking point, because the Jazz is the first of the company’s cars to wear the new e:HEV badging that will adorn future electrified models.
It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, with the car trying to drive on electric where possible and the engine largely being used as a generator to feed the battery. It means that when you’re driving around town in particular, it’s a lot like driving a fully electric vehicle.
When the engine does kick in, it’s smooth to do so, but does have a rather coarse sound that’s particularly noticeable under acceleration. Like an EV it’s responsive to inputs as well, but the CVT-like gearbox isn’t massively appealing.
What’s it like to drive?
It’s immediately clear that the Jazz continues its ethos of being safe and dependable from behind the wheel. That powertrain might be responsive but it’s not quick, and encourages a more sedate driving style that’s easy to settle into.
Thanks to that massive windscreen, visibility is fantastic, so as an inner-city commuter there are a few rivals that are easier to thread through traffic. It rides pleasantly too, whether in town or cruising on the motorway, though it’s definitely more comfortable at lower speeds.
Verdict
It’s immediately clear when driving the Honda Jazz that this new version will do nothing to change the model’s perception of being relatively dull but dependable. It’s a shame the Japanese firm couldn’t inject a little fun into this supermini, which works so well for its rivals.
However, it’s carved its own niche in being the ultra practical option in this segment that will massively appeal to those who aren’t passionate about their mode of transport. It’s the ultimate head-over-heart supermini.
The Renault Zoe was a small supermini-class five-door hatchback. Unlike most cars of similar size, the Zoe was available only as an electric vehicle. This model was launched in late 2019, and was a major update on the pioneering original Zoe rather than an all-new model.
Although similar in design to the original model, the second-generation Zoe represented a sizeable evolution in abilities and went a long way to addressing some of the critical shortcomings of electric vehicles – the most important of which was battery range.
Like the first-generation Zoe, this model received considerable praise from the UK motoring media for matching the convenience of a petrol car for city driving, while also providing the smooth and powerful drive of an electric car. However, the latest Zoe also had to face some serious rivals that were not around when the original was launched – namely the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric, as well as alternative choices like the Kia Soul or BYD Dolphin.
In December 2021, independent safety test body Euro NCAP issued the Renault Zoe with a worst-possible score of zero stars. It summarised the result by saying that the Zoe “… offers poor protection in crashes overall, poor vulnerable road user protection and lacks meaningful crash avoidance technology, disqualifying it for any stars.”
Euro NCAP reported that Renault had actually removed important safety equipment from the second-generation Zoe that had been standard on the original model, mainly head airbags that protect the passengers in a side impact.
The Zoe’s production life ended in late 2023, and will be replaced during 2024 by the all-new, retro-styled Renault 5 electric hatch.
No longer on sale, the Renault Zoe has a Used Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 70%. Although it gets top marks for its low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions, its abysmal safety rating means that we can’t in any way recommend buying a Zoe.
Body style: Small five-door hatchback Power: electric, battery-powered Price: From £29,995 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2019 Last updated: N/A Discontinued: Winter 2023/24
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: R135 ZE 50 “The Zoe didn’t need to change much to get a positive review, but Renault has been clever to overhaul it where it needed it and lightly fettle where it didn’t. The result is a smart-looking EV with a delightfully punchy motor that makes it more fun to drive than any conventionally powered alternative.” Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “The Renault Zoe is a capable small electric car, but is ultimately let down by its poor safety rating.” Read review
Model reviewed: R135 ZE 50 GT Line Score: 8 / 10 “The Renault Zoe continues to lead the way in the small, affordable electric car segment. It’s cheaper than the Nissan Leaf, more practical than the Vauxhall Corsa-e, and delivers more range than either of them.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Renault Zoe is one of the best EVs you can buy, and not just because it’s one of the cheapest. It’s impressively practical for its size and nicely finished inside, while on the road it combines comfort, quietness and fun in a well-rounded dynamic package. All that, and zero tailpipe emissions.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: R135 Score: 9 / 10 “Grown-up and a big step on from its earlier self, we are impressed at how the Renault Zoe manages to consolidate its place in an increasingly competitive market. The new Zoe could realistically become an even bigger name in fleet, and now can even work as a feasible small family car too.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: R135 Score: 8 / 10 “With every update and facelift that passes, the Renault Zoe becomes more and more desirable for mainstream car buyers. The trouble for Renault is that all of its rivals have more than zero Euro NCAP stars. And no matter how low the risk of an accident, that rating is surely always going to be at the back of your mind.” (Adam Binnie) Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The Renault Zoe is a hugely accomplished EV that can rival cars three times as expensive when it comes to its seriously impressive 245-mile range. The appealing driving experience and vastly improved interior are all bonuses to what is a seriously well-rounded electric car.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7.2 / 10 “The Renault Zoe is a stylish electric supermini that’s affordable and has a decent range, making it very convincing.” (Andy Goodwin) Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Renault Zoe is a small electric car with punchy performance and an impressive range. It’s far from the roomiest EV on sale, however, and feels cheap in places.” Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: R135 ZE50 GT-Line “Improved range is welcome and Renault has combined that with a series of minor upgrades that help keep the Zoe in the mix against a raft of new small electric hatchback rivals.” Read review
Daily Mail
Model reviewed: GT Line R135 “The Renault Zoe is a testament to how far electric cars have come in a relatively short time. Buy a new Zoe today – with its 238-mile range – and unless you regularly do 100 mile-plus journeys then you’d probably notice very little practical difference to running a conventional petrol or diesel car.” Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: R135 ZE 50 GT Line Score: 6 / 10 “With a wall box at home, the latest Renault Zoe would be very easy to live with. The improvement in quality has made a difference and the range now removes all hint of battery anxiety. It’s a practical and useful urban runabout that’s more than fast enough if you select the more powerful motor.” Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: GT Line R135 ZE 50 Score: 8 / 10 “Renault hasn’t changed the formula too much since the Zoe was launched in 2012. It set out as an affordable small, electric family car for the masses and it just about still is (bearing in mind electric cars still don’t cost the same as their petrol equivalents).” Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The current Renault Zoe has a better interior and longer range than the original – but a low safety score comes as a surprise.” Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 5 / 10 “It might be one of the least expensive electric cars, but the Renault Zoe is a solid little hatchback with a long driving range and some decent tech. We worry about the crash safety rating though.” Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed: Range overview “The Zoe is smart and modern, and to help make the switch to electric driving, Renault will fit a home charger free at any buyer’s property. With the electric revolution now a certainty in the motoring world, battery electric cars will become more and more popular, especially among everyday models.” Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: R135 Z.E. 50 GT Line Score: 8 / 10 “We liked the Renault Zoe when it first appeared, and we still like it today. It’s always offered electric motoring at a relatively affordable price, it has decent interior space in relation to its footprint, it looks good, and it’s essentially good to drive.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “The Renault Zoe is conclusive proof that the modern electric car is fit for purpose. It is a pleasure to drive and later models have the range to be viable in single-car households.” Author: Andrew Brady Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “A good electric car, now tainted by a zero-rated safety score.” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: Van Business+ “Renault’s Zoe works well as cute, trendy, good range electric car but not as a practical van” Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: R135 ZE 50 GT Line Score: 7 / 10 “Despite a few niggles, the Renault Zoe is a pretty brilliant compact family car that’s most at home on school runs, shopping trips and commutes, though is capable of stretching its legs when needed, especially if the DC rapid charging option has been fitted.” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: R135 Score: 8 / 10 “While this big round of changes has, by and large, brought the Renault Zoe up to date, they can’t entirely hide its age. Rear seat space is now decidedly below par and, try as it might, the Zoe simply doesn’t have the same dynamism as its younger, fresher rivals.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “Renault mends the bits that needed mending and leaves the bits that didn’t. A big step forwards.” Read review
Model reviewed: GT Line “The Renault Zoe could serve as your only car. But only if you are careful to spec the optional CCS (ie DC) charger port. That’s the first time it’s been available on a Zoe. Grrr: it costs extra. On the other hand, you get a free 7kW home wallbox.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
In December 2021, Euro NCAP assessed the Renault Zoe and awarded it the lowest-possible score of zero stars – only the third car in Euro NCAP’s history to ever receive such a poor score.
The safety organisation slammed the Zoe, stating: “The Renault Zoe offers poor protection in crashes overall, poor vulnerable road user protection and lacks meaningful crash avoidance technology, disqualifying it for any stars.”
Matthew Avery, the chief research strategy officer at the UK’s Thatcham Research, said: “It is a serious concern to see results like this in 2021, especially from a carmaker who has previously performed well in Euro NCAP testing. The adult occupant score of 43% for the Renault Zoe is the lowest we have seen in 11 years.
“Drivers should not have to trade off safety for zero emissions. Motorists can still save the planet and enjoy a car that could play a vital role in saving their family in the event of a crash. There are many other options of a similar price and size that have achieved solid ratings and feature a host of active safety systems as standard too.”
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
230 miles
C
Electrical efficiency
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
4.5 m/KWh
B
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
21
B
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£104
A
Year 2
£243
A
Year 3
£415
A
Year 4
£543
A
Year 5
£779
A
Overall
£2,084
A
The Renault Zoe is a very cheap car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Its electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for petrol and diesel cars) is excellent, which means that the Zoe still gets a decent driving range despite a fairly small battery.
Insurance and servicing costs are also very cheap compared to almost any other car on sale, while road tax for electric cars is currently free, so you won’t have that to worry about, either.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Renault Zoe has received
2023
Auto Trader Awards – Best Car for New Drivers
2021
Auto Express Awards – Best Affordable Electric Car
Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best Car for New Drivers
Carbuyer Awards – Best Small Electric Car
2020
Carbuyer Awards – Best Small Electric Car
Fleet World Awards – Best Green Fleet Car
Top Gear Awards – Best City Car
Top Gear Electric Awards – Best Supermini
2019
DrivingElectric Awards – Car of the Year + Best Small Electric Car
Top Gear Awards – Best City Car
Similar cars
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The colour choice for Britain’s new cars is not as black and white as you might think. In fact, it’s actually a mixture of both: grey is once again the UK’s most popular new car colour.
It’s the third year in a row that the dull hue has taken top spot, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), and it shows that Britain’s motorists are in a monochrome mood. With grey sitting firmly at the top the top of the colour chart in 2020, black was second choice with white taking third spot.
This trend by UK motorists to choose grey, black and white for their new car, proves that they have turned their backs on the more exciting reds and blues of the past for their new wheels, and have chosen instead to go for a more monochrome look. That might be a consequence of the continuing Covid lockdown restrictions, or maybe it’s rubbing off from motor dealers who have had a tough 12 months in terms of new car registrations. New car registrations for last year fell more than 29% to 1.6 million, compared with 2.3 million in 2019.
The UK’s most popular new car colours, 1999 – 2020. Source: SMMT
In total, almost a quarter (24%) of all new cars were painted grey and, with black and white so high among the choices, more than six in ten (62%) of all new cars entering British roads in 2020 were painted in these three monochrome colours.
Yellow increased its market share by 50% but equivalent to only 6,816 sales. Red saw its registrations drop below 200,000 for the first time in a decade to 147,222, recording its worst tally since 1997.
While the top colour for both petrol and diesel cars was grey – 248,182 and 84,489 registered respectively – white was the most in-demand tint for zero emission battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with 25,689 painted in it. Black was the most popular shade for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) with 17,989 registered.
Unlike 2019, which saw Scotland and the Channel Islands bucking the national trend, in 2020 grey was the unanimous colour of choice across the UK. Indeed, the only counties to not opt for grey cars as their number one choice were the Isle of Wight and Borders, where blue was the most popular tint, and Strathclyde which saw white take the top spot.
Leicestershire, meanwhile, was the most popular location for pink cars, with 24% of the UK’s total registered in the region, while buyers in the West Midlands snapped up the most orange cars. While white was the most popular shade for the mini segment, luxury saloons and executive cars were most likely to be black.
Overall, there were 106 different distinct colours registered throughout the year. And the least popular colour? Maroon.
Why is grey so popular?
The last 20 years of new car registrations have all been pretty monochrome: grey, white, black and silver. You have to go back all the way to 1999 to find a time when an actual colour – blue – was more popular than greyscale options.
One of the key reasons that monochrome tones are so popular is their neutrality. Most people don’t actively dislike grey, so it can be a compromise option. This also helps when it comes to selling your car down the track: you might love your car in neon green, but a majority of buyers won’t. That makes it harder to sell and potentially reduces its value.
The popularity of particular colours can also create a loop that becomes self-perpetuating. If a dealer has a car on the showroom floor in a certain colour, more customers will tend to order a similar model in the same colour. This is often because they can see the car for themselves in that colour, rather than relying on a brochure or a small square of paint sample to try and guess what the car will look like in real life. Stuart Masson, Editor
GAP insurance is arguably one of the most misunderstood types of insurance. A lot of that is down to the infrequency in which we come across it; usually, at the dealership, while we’re trying to negotiate a great price on a new car.
What most people don’t realise, or take the time to investigate, is that GAP insurance is available from a number of insurance companies. So taking GAP from the dealership is one option, rather than your only option, if you decide that GAP is something you’d like to have.
It’s also worth noting that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced new laws back in 2015 to prevent dealers from selling you GAP insurance on the same day that you buy their car. There is now a mandatory two-day waiting period so that car buyers can look into the options available for GAP insurance, although many consumers don’t take advantage of this.
What’s GAP insurance again?
GAP insurance stands for Guaranteed Asset Protection and covers the initial years of new car ownership, in the event theft or a serious collision occurs, leaving your new vehicle a ‘total loss’.
If your car becomes a write-off in the first couple of years of ownership, depreciation plays an important part in how significant your losses could be. Your regular insurance policy might cover the value of the car in today’s market. GAP insurance, however, can help mitigate the difference between that and what you paid – particularly if the car was bought on finance. Who wants a whopping great debt and no car to show for it?
Since dealers capitalise on the fact most buyers haven’t got a clue what it would cost elsewhere, they tend to offer the most expensively priced GAP insurance policies. Therefore, it’s worth doing your homework before going to purchase your next motor.
Online providers, like many other insurance products, offer a range of prices based on the type of policy you take out. As we’ve mentioned previously, there are different types of GAP insurance. The two most popular for consumers are:
Return to Invoice: The difference (or the ‘gap’) between what your car insurance has paid you and the original Invoice Price* of the car
Finance GAP: The difference between what your car insurance has paid you and what you owe the finance company to settle your finance agreement
* Invoice Price is the price of the car, not including registration, road tax or any other extras
Buying GAP insurance from a car dealer
GAP insurance is one of the most common extras that dealers try to sell car buyers on either a new or a used car, and you’ll usually get a long-winded description of how it works under the pretence that this information is essential or required by law (it’s not).
Often, it’s bundled in with other finance or insurance extras like scratch & dent insurance, or tyre insurance, or an impressive-sounding ‘comprehensive paint protection system’ (ie – a car cleaning kit) so you don’t really see how much you’re actually paying for GAP itself.
Most car salespeople will have targets for the number of GAP policies they’re expected to sell each month, which explains why they’re always really keen to explain it all to you and get your agreement. Plus, they get a nice commission on every policy they sell.
The main advantage of buying GAP from a dealership is convenience. All you have to do is say ‘yes’, and the dealer will arrange a standard GAP policy based on the value of the car you’re buying. The dealer doesn’t actually provide the GAP cover itself and is acting as a broker for the insurance company – you’ll generally only find out who this is once you’re collecting your car.
The other thing a dealer can do is bundle up your GAP payments (and any other extras) into the overall purchase price of the car, so it effectively becomes part of your monthly payment. There is usually a level of financial shuffling going on in the background to achieve this, but that tends to be invisible to the customer.
The main disadvantage of buying GAP from a dealer is that you pay a high price for that convenience – often it’s more than twice as expensive as buying a specialist GAP policy online.
Pros
Convenience
GAP payments can be bundled into overall monthly payment
Cons
Much more expensive
Less clarity on how much you are actually paying for GAP
Limited flexibility in type of cover offered
Buying GAP insurance online
If you’re prepared to do a small amount of your own research (and it’s literally only a few minutes), you’ll discover that there are a number of specialist insurance providers that offer equivalent GAP policies to dealerships. And, usually, the price will be much lower – in many cases, hundreds of pounds lower.
Here at The Car Expert, we are partnered with ALA Insurance who have a special offer of 10% off any GAP policy for our readers. However, there are also other providers available so it’s always in your best interest to find the best deal for you and your car.
With an online policy, you can specify exactly what you’d like your policy to cover rather than taking the dealership’s standard offer. This may mean an increased or decreased level of coverage depending on the value of your car, or maybe a longer or shorter term, or maybe a certain level of Finance GAP coverage to make sure you definitely won’t be left owing the finance compay money in the event of a total loss. However, even comparing like-for-like with the dealer’s offer, you’ll probably find an online policy is a lot cheaper.
There is inevitably more work required to sort this out yourself rather than letting the dealer do it for you, but it’s a small price to pay to potentially save hundreds of pounds.
Pros
Substantial cost saving
Clear information about how much you are paying for GAP
Greater choice of providers and type of cover available
Cons
You have to arrange it yourself
Separate payment (although can usually be spread monthly)
So you’ve bought or leased a new car and, like most proud owners, you’re probably promising to keep it well maintained, looked after and regularly serviced.
Certainly, our advice here at The Car Expert is to check regularly your car’s condition. It makes sense to maintain your pride and joy – it’ll help keep its value, and it ensures your own safety too.
But regular servicing is not cheap and some owners find this extra expense more difficult to sustain than they had originally planned. And that’s why many owners start to look away from the supplying manufacturer’s workshops and more towards an independent garage.
But is this allowed under the terms of your car’s warranty? Could it invalidate the valuable guarantee you have against costly parts and labour fees in the event of a breakdown or failure? Are you permitted to look elsewhere for your servicing?
The choice is yours
It’s your choice when it comes to selecting where your car is going to be serviced and by whom. As well as being required to offer at least a two-year unlimited mileage warranty on all their new cars – regardless of any change of ownership – car makers in the UK cannot force a buyer to have their vehicle serviced by their official dealership network.
And that means they also can’t refuse to honour a new car warranty simply because a car has been serviced elsewhere. It’s all part of an agreement called the European Union Block Exemption legislation, which has been active for many years and which, even though the UK has now left the EU, still stands.
However, manufacturers do have the right to set a servicing schedule for their vehicles, which must be adhered to. So, if you do choose to turn your back on the main dealer and go instead to an independent engineer or mechanic, make sure you have your service book stamped, ensure you keep records of any work you have had done and insist that approved parts and lubricants are used in any repairs, in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
“Nothing much has changed in respect of the Block Exemption regulations, even though the UK has now left the EU,” says a spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). “And to be honest, we don’t see anything changing in that respect for the foreseeable future.
“It’s important that you follow the manufacturer guidelines concerning service intervals, such as one year or 10,000 miles, and you must use the approved parts. But otherwise, you can’t be forced to use a dealer’s workshop for your car’s service.”
Servicing and your new car warranty
Many manufacturers offer new car warranty terms that are longer than the minimum two-year period, but you need to check that the warranty provided is the same for the whole warranty period.
Some importers offer a longer period, but after two years the warranty is provided by the local importer rather than the vehicle manufacturer, so the terms and conditions may be different. Check your paperwork or ask the dealer if in doubt.
If you do want to have your car serviced by an independent garage or mechanic, make sure you choose a good, reputable organisation. It’s your car at stake here, and your safety too, so don’t try to cut too many corners in terms of cost.
For workshop suggestions, try The Good Garage Scheme which lists local garages that perform services to a strict code of conduct for quality and safety.
If your vehicle is under warranty, it can be serviced by a Good Garage Scheme member without invalidating the warranty conditions, but keep detailed invoices and receipts for all work done so you have proof that the car has been serviced according to its schedule.
Warranty repairs
If your car requires repair work for failed parts under its new car warranty, the manufacturer has the right to insist that this work is undertaken by its official dealerships. They are paying got the repair so this is entirely fair.
A good rule to remember is that if you’re paying for the work, you have the right to choose who carries it out. If the manufacturer is paying, they have the choice.
Not all warranties are provided by the vehicle manufacturer. Many dealers will offer extended warranties for a new car, or a used car warranty of some description, but these are not usually provided by the manufacturer and are aftermarket insurance policies.
As such, the requirements may be different and may tie you to a particular dealer or franchise for servicing.
What about my car finance obligations?
It is important to understand that although your new car warranty will not be affected if you service your car outside the dealer network, it may affect your car finance agreement.
Many PCP agreements will insist that the car has to be serviced by an approved franchised workshop to maintain its guaranteed future value (GFV) if you want to give the car back at the end of the agreement. So if you have a lease deal you might also be expected to service the car with a dealership.
This isn’t a warranty issue but rather a question of used car value. In theory, a car with a full manufacturer service history will be worth more than a car that’s been serviced at an independent garage, and the GFV is based on a car with a full manufacturer service history.
“It’s important to understand that, if you are only leasing a car as opposed to buying it outright, the finance company might specify which workshop you have to use,” says the SMMT.
“The difference is that rather than the car being yours, it really belongs to the finance company.”
Summary
Although not a legal requirement, it may be advantageous for you to take your car to a franchised dealer for servicing, depending on your car and your circumstances.
The Audi A8 is a large luxury saloon, sitting above the smaller A6, A4 and A3 saloon models in the Audi range. The current model is the fifth-generation Audi flagship saloon, and the fourth to carry the A8 name.
The latest Audi A8 arrived in the UK in early 2018, initially with a choice of petrol or diesel engines and more recently with a plug-in hybrid option. It was facelifted in 2021 with a relatively subtle update, bringing more chrome, more LED lights and more technology to the existing car.
There also is a high-performance model called the S8, which joined the range several months after the lower-level models were launched.
The A8 has received high praise from the UK media for its overall comfort and technology, even by the lofty standards of the luxury saloon market, as well as its driving dynamics. However, several reports have suggested that it’s not as comfortable in the back seats – which is where many owners will likely be sitting – as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
As of February 2026, the Audi A8 holds a New Car Expert Rating score of D (56%) and a Used Car Expert Rating score of E (just 49%). Its driving and comfort qualities are countered by poor reliability and high running costs, which affect its used car score more than the new car score.
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: A8 L 60 TFSI Score: 7 / 10 “Audi’s largest saloon is still every bit the hi-tech tour de force you expect and, whether you’re in the driving seat or reclining in the back, the facelifted Audi A8 is a consummate professional.” Read review
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic S8 Score: 8 / 10 “If you want a fast flagship limo, then the Audi S8 ticks the right boxes. The S8 isn’t a car you buy with an eye on the budget, and while the V8 suits it, the car is still flawed in some small ways.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Audi A8 features impressive tech and a luxurious interior, but can’t match the Mercedes S-Class for comfort.” Read review
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid automatic A8L 60 Score: 7 / 10 “The Audi A8 60 TFSIe quattro is probably the most convincing model in the limo’s line-up – particularly when you consider that cars like these tend to spend most of their time waiting, crawling around city centres or queuing at airports.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic S8 “The Audi S8, simply put, is a phenomenal limo that blends exceptional comfort with mind-boggling performance and suspension technology. It delivers on all its key metrics, then goes beyond them by being ridiculously good fun to drive. Well worth a look.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “Even alongside other luxury saloons, the Audi A8 looks like a very impressive machine. It’s lavish and spacious, luxurious to ride in and good to drive. Yes, plenty of the ground-breaking technology on show costs you extra, but even without it, the A8 is a fine luxury limousine.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 60 TFSIe L Sport Score: 7 / 10 “The hybrid powertrain offers a really smooth transition between electric and petrol propulsion too and the car is amazingly rapid when the driver requests it. It can stay in EV mode up to 84mph and has a luxurious ride quality, adaptable via various driving modes.” Read review
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 50 TDI L Score: 9 / 10 “Technologically brilliant, comfortable and pretty faultless to drive, the new Audi A8 is a triumph, a masterclass in interior luxury and refinement. It’s one of the few cars we’d actually prefer to be a passenger in, so we can fully appreciate the full breath of its talents.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: A8 L 60 TFSI Score: 8 / 10 “We can see why Audi is so proud of it, especially in terms of ride and handling. It’s comfortable, good to drive and incredibly capable, but starting to feel its age inside compared with S-Class.” Read review
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic S8 Score: 10 / 10 “There’s no getting away from the Audi S8’s super-serious outlook on life but it’s supremely well-built, sports car fast, sounds fantastic and handles like a much smaller car due to a suspension system that crushes the laws of physics.” Read review
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 60 TFSIe Score: 8 / 10 “The Mercedes S-Class is more opulent in the rear and BMW 7 Series more fun to drive, but the subtly styled Ingolstadt car is the sharpest looking and most technologically impressive. Silent, seamlessly powerful and emissions-free in town – this plug-in version of the Audi A8 is the only one you need.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 10 / 10 “We love the tech on offer, and thanks to some very clever thinking in and around its interior, it all seems to work pretty seamlessly. To drive, it’s a triumph. Simply put, the Audi A8 is a great car. And one that’s at or very near the top of the luxury state of the art.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 60 TFSIe Score: 9 / 10 “A good luxury car needs to feel special, while offering exceptional comfort and refinement, and the Audi A8 does just that. The only slight issue is that this update doesn’t go far enough – particularly next to a brand-new Mercedes S-Class. That said, the A8 remains an outstanding luxury saloon.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The new Audi A8 has shifted the luxury limousine game onto new levels. The technology it showcases is breath-taking both inside and outside with its game-changing suspension, steering and safety systems. Whether you’re in the front or rear, you will be very happy either way.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic S8 Score: 7.4 / 10 “The Audi S8 combines the luxury of Audi’s flagship saloon with a powerful V8 engine and clever active air suspension” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.6 / 10 “The latest Audi A8 is the smoothest, most technologically switched-on version yet.” Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The Audi A8 is a comfortable luxury limo with powerful engines and a classy, spacious interior. That said, its touchscreen infotainment system is a pain to use when driving.” Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Plug-in Hybrid “A handy addition to the A8 range, but the Audi A8 PHEV is not cheap, there are some boot space compromises and the official electric range is less than 30 miles.” Read review
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 50 TDI LWB Score: 8.1 / 10 “Many, many strengths, but it’s a shame the new Audi A8 isn’t a bit more efficient or a bit more visually different from its predecessor. Still, there’s quality in abundance.” Read review
Daily Mail
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 50 TDI L Score: 8 / 10 “If this car were a superhero, it would be Batman, as like the Caped Crusader it really comes alive at night. The daytime grey is a servile blank canvas waiting for the sun to set and the light show to begin. Whereupon the true class of Audi’s minimalist design begins to shine.” (Chris Evans) Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic 55 TFSI S line “There aren’t many motors in which a rear seat passenger – and that, of course, is where the CEO usually sits – can write a letter in the traditional way with a fountain pen and paper. Such is the magic carpet ride of the Audi A8, however, that this exercise is accomplished with consummate ease.” Read review
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic 55 TFSI L “The Audi A8 L is a smart, comfortable and effortless drive, with a strong V6 heart and embracing suspension. The interior is exquisite, with some truly futuristic feeling tech. The modern touch-screens with feedback make for a truly Star Wars feeling ride.” Read review
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 50 TDI “I hadn’t covered more than a handful in the new Audi A8 before I began to understand why this car is the holder of the World Luxury Car of the Year 2018 title. It’s a car that eats up the miles in terms of comfort, quietness and performance and really does spoil you.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: S8 Score: 7 / 10 “Impressively agile and always effortless, the tech-packed S8 is still more limo than sports saloon.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “High-tech and slick inside and out, the Audi A8 is an impressive luxury car – if not quite as compelling as an S-Class.” Read review
Fleetworld
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic “Audi has once more raised the bar for cabin design and quality. The experience is serene and comfortable thanks to the adaptive air suspension. On-road refinement is impressive; it offers little in the way of driving appeal, but if it’s a relaxing drive that you’re after, the Audi A8 delivers in spades.” Read review
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 60 TFSIe L Score: 8 / 10 “Plug-in power shows a more efficient side to Audi’s flagship.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 Like most Audis, the A8 is a fabulous all-rounder, which helps solidify its place at the very top of the class. If you find yourself in need of a luxury limousine, there’s now a different ‘only sensible choice’. Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Audi A8 is a luxurious saloon, sophisticated and packed with tech, that wouldn’t look out of place in a James Bond movie while its autonomous driving capability and remote parking features provide a fascinating insight into what Audi has planned for its next-generation of everyday cars.” Read review
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 50 TDI “Despite a few chinks in its armour, as a total package the Audi A8 has astonishingly wide breadth, able to delight both driver and passengers alike.” Read review
Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Audi A8 offers luxury, space and performance in abundance, making for a genuine alternative to the (much pricier) Bentley Flying Spur.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9.6 / 10 “Brilliant, tech-laden luxury car.” Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: S8 Score: 8 / 10 “Ride comfort is exceptional, with the “predictive active suspension” able to shrug off bumps in the road thanks to a forward-facing camera that can detect imperfections and adjust the set-up accordingly.” Read review
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 50 TDI Score: 8 / 10 “A 7-series-beater for those excited by APR” (Jeremy Clarkson) Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Audi A8 has been the perennial bridesmaid in this class, and these fairly mild updates are unlikely to change that. Despite the modernity and tech pizzazz it has, from its 48V mild hybrid system to headlights that can do serviceable lighthouse duties, there is something refreshingly straightforward about it.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “A8 sits at the top of the many-branched Audi tree. Has all the tech your A4 probably will in five years’ time.” Read review
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic S8 Score: 7 / 10 “The most boring 560bhp car (in a good way)” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of February 2026, the Audi A8 has not been tested by Euro NCAP.
Previous generations of the A8 have never been crash-tested, and we’re not expecting this one to be tested, either, due to its high price. If it does happen, we’ll update this section accordingly.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of February 2026, the Audi A8 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 132 Average repair cost: £658.23 Last updated: April 2025
The Audi A8 has a below-average reliability rating of 32%, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current model (2018 onwards) and previous generations.
For such a complex and expensive vehicle, the average repair bill of just over £650 is quite competitive. However, gearbox problems – although fairly rare to date – are expensive with an average repair cost of £2,400. Suspension problems are also relatively common, with an average bill of £900.
If you own an Audi A8 or are looking at purchasing a used model, a used car warranty is certainly worth considering. Make sure it covers all of the problem areas shown above.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Petrol models
29 mpg
E
Diesel models
39 mpg
D
Plug-in hybrid models
151 mpg
A
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
225 g/km
E
Diesel models
190 g/km
D
Plug-in hybrid models
43 g/km
A
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Plug-in hybrid models
37 miles
E
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
49
E
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£403
D
Year 2
£977
E
Year 3
£1,586
E
Year 4
£1,882
E
Year 5
£2,441
E
Overall
£7,289
E
Running costs for the Audi A8 range are quite expensive, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel economy is disappointing for petrol models and not much better for diesel-engined versions. The plug-in hybrid models look amazing on paper, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids. There is no way you will ever travel for 151 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity…
The battery range of the plug-in hybrid model is rather poor when compared to most rivals, with about 37 miles in real-world electric-only driving.
Compared to the rest of the large saloon sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are pretty average. Insurance costs likely to be high, though, based on data from the UK’s insurance group assessor, Thatcham Research.
Date: February 2022 Recall number: R/2022/036 Model types: All Build dates: 11/2019 to 02/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 5,327 Defect: Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed. Remedy: The wheel alignment must be checked and if necessary the suspension must be serviced on the affected vehicles.
Date: June 2021 Recall number: R/2021/236 Model types: All Build dates: 11/2019 to 02/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 10,089 Defect: One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links. Remedy: The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Date: May 2020 Recall number: R/2020/135 Model types: All Build dates: 09/2019 to 12/2019 Number of vehicles affected: 1,568 Defect: It is possible that gear oil may escape due to a faulty welded joint on the gearbox oil line. Remedy: The production date of the gear oil line must be checked first on the vehicles affected and the gear oil line must be replaced if necessary.
Date: February 2020 Recall number: R/2020/032 Model types: All Build dates: 10/2019 Number of vehicles affected: 6 Defect: The rigidity of the rear shock absorber forks may be impaired. Remedy: Replace the rear shock absorber forks on affected vehicles.
Date: July 2019 Recall number: R/2019/229 Model types: All Build dates: 01/2019 to 03/2019 Number of vehicles affected: 2 Defect: The rigidity of a component securing the seat rail for the front passenger seat may be impaired. Remedy: Both guide rails for the front passenger seat must be replaced on the vehicles affected.
Date: February 2019 Recall number: R/2019/065 Model types: All Build dates: 11/2018 to 12/2018 Number of vehicles affected: 31 Defect: A casting process error may affect the rigidity of the front shock absorber fork. Remedy: Replace the affected shock absorber forks.
Date: April 2018 Recall number: R/2018/111 Model types: All Build dates: 01/2018 Number of vehicles affected: 6 Defect: On vehicles with active head restraints, the retaining clip which holds the extendible part of the head restraint in its end position may not have been installed. Remedy: Manufacturer to recall all affected vehicles to check for missing clip and replace if necessary.
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been seven DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Audi A8 covering various different issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Audi dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used A8, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Well, wasn’t that a year to remember? With a terrible year finally consigned to the history books, we now look back at the UK’s best-selling cars of 2020 to review exactly what happened.
Overall, new car registrations were down by 29% compared to 2019, with private sales down by 27% and fleet registrations down 31%. That was a huge drop for the car industry, especially for about ten weeks in Spring when dealerships were pretty much closed down all over the UK.
On a brighter note, 2020 saw a substantial kick-start to the sales of electric cars, which improved sales by 186% on the previous year (against an overall market fall of 29%, remember). Plug-in hybrids were also up by 91% and regular hybrids improved by 12%. The flip side of that was diesel sales continuing to collapse, ending up about 48% down on 2019 levels.
As we all cross fingers and pray to the gods for a better 2021, let’s look back at the ten best-selling cars of 2020.
The UK’s best-selling cars of 2020
1. Ford Fiesta
For the 12th year in a row, the Ford Fiesta was the UK’s best-selling car. Job done, roll on 2021. Right?
Well, not quite. This was a tough fight for the champ, with sales down by 37% compared to 2019 against a market fall of 29%. Even worse, Fiesta sales have basically halved over the last two years, so we could be seeing the end of its reign atop the sales charts (although it shows how dominant the Fiesta has been that it can lose half its sales and still top the tables…)
Vauxhall’s new Corsa outsold the Fiesta slightly in the second half of the year, with most of the Fiesta’s final margin coming right back in the first two months of the year. In addition to a resurgent Corsa, the Fiesta also suffered friendly fire from the successful launch of the Ford Puma, which is basically a Fiesta on stilts. A late push in December ensured that the Fiesta held onto its crown for one more year, but it looks like we could be in for an intriguing battle for sales honours in 2021.
The Fiesta currently holds an Expert Rating of 82% in The Car Expert’s unique Expert Rating index, which aggregates reviews from 25 of the UK’s top motoring websites. That puts it second in class, only a point behind behind the SEAT Ibiza, and some 11% better than the Corsa.
The all-new Vauxhall Corsa moved up from fourth place in 2019 to second in 2020, and was the UK’s top seller over the second half of the year. Its charge failed to steal the crown from its arch-rival, the Ford Fiesta, but we could be in for a ding-dong battle for 2021.
The new Corsa may have sold up a storm in 2020, but it hasn’t really wowed the critics. The regular petrol and diesel Corsa models currently hold an Expert Rating of 71% on our unique aggregator scale, which drops it into the bottom half of the supermini class. The all-electric Corsa-e does score slightly better with an Expert Rating of 74%, but both scores are well behind the mechanically identical Peugot 208 and e-208 models.
Like the Corsa, 2020 saw an all-new generation of Volkswagen’s top-selling model. The Mk 8 Golf came with all the usual fanfare associated with the latest version of one of the world’s most popular cars, and it proved equally popular with buyers.
Indeed, this is probably the last generation of the Golf as we know it, as the world moves to electric vehicles. This was shown in December, when the Golf’s electric counterpart, the all-new Volkswagen ID.3, made its debut in the top ten. The Golf may still be Volkswagen’s most important model in the present, but the ID.3 represents VW’s future.
As more local reviews of different UK-spec Golf models have been published in the media, the Golf’s initial stellar Expert Rating is gradually starting to slip. The much-vaunted ‘all-digital’ interior has drawn criticism from several reviewers who have found it inferior to the more conventional cabin of the previous-generation model. It’s not exactly disastrous news for Volkswagen, but it is interesting to see review scores that are consistently below the previous model’s results.
It may have been outsold by the Volkswagen Golf, but the Ford Focus is still one of the best-selling cars of 2020 and an excellent choice in the family hatchback market.
Like its little brother, the Fiesta, the Focus picked up some mild hybrid engines in the second half of the year, but it still lacks a fully-electric or plug-in hybrid option. It’s likely that we’ll see the PHEV setup from the Kuga mid-sized SUV drop into the Focus sometime soon, and Ford dealers will be looking forward to having a strong performer in the electrified family car marketplace.
In terms of critical appraisal, the Ford Focus currently holds an Expert Rating of 80% in our Expert Ratings database, which is now level with the slowly-slipping Golf and three points better than than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
After two-and-a-half years on sale, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class isn’t losing any popularity. It ended up in fifth place for the second year running, and even topped the charts in October.
With hatchback and saloon body styles, a plug-in hybrid powertrain option and bonkers Mercedes-AMG hot hatch models, there’s pretty much an A-Class to suit everyone these days.
The Mercedes A-Class has an Expert Rating of 77% in The Car Expert’s unique aggregated Expert Rating index, based on 45 UK reviews. That’s a reasonable score, although a few points behind the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. It ranks highly for safety, winning awards from Euro NCAP and Thatcham for its protective qualities.
2020 will mark the final full year on sale for the current version of the most popular car that’s actually built in Britain. The second-generation Nissan Qashqai has been around since 2014, and an all-new model will be unveiled in early 2021 before going on sale later in the year.
The 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. The replacement will probably score better than that, but the new model will have a tough job to live up to the sales success of the outgoing one over its seven-year run.
Another elderly model still selling strongly is the Mini hatch, which finished the year in seventh place and was pipped to the post as the top-selling British-built car of 2020 by the Nissan Qashqai.
Another update to the Mini is due to hit UK streets in early 2021, which will try to keep things fresh for its fashion-sensitive buyers until an all-new replacement eventually reaches showrooms in 2022 or 2023.
The Mini hatch holds a very solid score of 80% in our Expert Ratings aggregator, which is better than most cars in its class despite being much older than many of its rivals. We’ve now indexed the new Mini Electric model as well, and interestingly its score is currently only 73% – although this may change by a few points (either up or down) as more reviews are published.
It was a quiet end to another good year for the Volkswagen Polo, which hasn’t been seen in the top ten since September. In the end, it clung onto eighth place (up from ninth in 2019) to hold off the charging Ford Puma by just under 700 units.
The supermini class is a tough battleground, and the Polo is facing competition from all directions. The Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa obviously take the largest sales volumes, while the Peugeot 208, Renault Clio and SEAT Ibiza are wooing more and more potential Polo purchasers all the time. Plus there are electric options like the e-208, Corsa-e and Renault Zoe, as well as in-house faux-SUV models cutting its lunch – the VW T-Cross and T-Roc.
The Polo holds an Expert Rating of 80% in The Car Expert’s New Car Ratings calculator, which is good but still a few points behind its Spanish cousin, the SEAT Ibiza.
The new Ford Puma arrived with a bit of a bang in the UK market, becoming the critics’ favourite mini-SUV/crossover thing and scoring highly with customers as well. It featured in the top ten for the last five months of the year, ending up ninth overall and just falling short of catching the Volkswagen Polo.
While that may all sound like good news for Ford and its dealers, it appears to have come at a hefty price as the Puma looks to be stealing sales from its hatchback sibling, the Fiesta, as well as other Ford models like the Focus and EcoSport. As long as those customers are staying within the Blue Oval family, however, Ford won’t be too worried.
The bug-eyed small SUV has been popular with critics, currently holding a rating of 83% on our unique Expert Rating index. This remains a best-in-class result, but it has slipped a couple of points in the last month as we’ve added some new reviews and other sources have revised their initial opinions. A hot new ST version may help swing that score back upwards in coming months, however.
Rounding out the top ten is the highly regarded Volvo XC40, which has been steadily growing in popularity over the last couple of years. It placed in the best-sellers’ list for the last four months of 2020 after popping up sporadically earlier in the year.
The XC40 has been leading the charge for Volvo, which has seen a steady growth in its market share for the last five years, and that trend seems set to carry on into 2021.
The Volvo XC40 is the class leader among small SUV/crossover models, with an Expert Rating of 83%, although that score has fallen a couple of points from a previous high of 85% in recent months. A new plug-in hybrid model has recently joined the range, while a fully-electric version is now in production and set to arrive in UK showrooms in early 2021.
If you are looking at buying a second-hand car, there can be considerable confusion as to what to expect in terms of a used car warranty and what your rights are when something goes wrong.
At one end of the spectrum, you will have near-new used cars that are still covered by their new car warranty, while at the other end you will see cars being advertised and sold with no warranty given at all. In between is a bewildering variety of used car warranty offers which have different meanings and consequences for car buyers.
One of the big considerations facing used car buyers is whether to purchase a warranty to cover them if they’re suddenly faced with a big garage bill.
And it’s quite a consideration: on one hand, there’s great peace of mind knowing that you would have some financial support if your car needed some costly repairs. But on the other hand, you have to weigh up whether the warranty’s annual premiums will be less than any repair charge you might encounter. Decisions, decisions…
So what used car warranties are available, what do they cover and what are your rights? In this article, we will look at the different types of warranty and what protection you can expect – even if the car is sold without any used car warranty at all.
Warranties available on a used car
A warranty is a form of insurance cover against certain faults the car may develop, over and above your statutory rights. It does not override or replace your rights under the Consumer Rights Act, but it covers a wider range of faults which would not be acceptable reasons for rejecting the car altogether.
There are several different types of warranty that may apply to the used car you are buying, and it is important to know which applies to you.
New car warranty
A fairly new used car (less than three years old) will almost certainly still be covered by whatever is left of the manufacturer’s new car warranty. This is the best kind of cover you can have, as it is usually more straightforward to make a claim via a franchised main dealer.
The car has to be regularly serviced for the manufacturer’s warranty to stay valid and, although the car companies prefer you to have any work carried out by a franchised dealer, they can’t force you to. However, if you have it serviced by a non-official workshop, make sure it’s done to the manufacturer’s schedule and using approved parts.
Most manufacturers offer a three-year warranty on their new cars, but some offer more. Many also offer extended warranties at extra cost, but be aware that these may not offer the same terms and benefits as the original warranty.
Main dealers of big brands will also usually have an “approved used car warranty” of some sort, usually for 12 months. These are usually branded as a manufacturer warranty, but are mostly managed and underwritten by a third party insurer.
Often this type of warranty has an attached requirement that the car has to be serviced by either the selling dealer or another franchised dealer for the warranty to be valid. This is enforceable because, unlike the new car warranty, the cover is not actually provided by the manufacturer.
Aftermarket used car warranty
The majority of traders will offer some form of warranty on their used cars, but the value of these warranties vary massively.
The term offered may be as little as a week or maybe a few months – anything more than three months is fairly unusual – and there will be very specific areas that are excluded from the warranty cover (usually the most expensive components to repair).
Older, cheaper, higher-mileage cars tend to be offered with warranties that cover significantly less than those offered on newer and more expensive cars, so check what level of cover you’re getting.
Usually, the dealer will hope to sell you a longer-term used car warranty over and above what’s included in the purchase price. Bear in mind that, like most things, a dealership is about the most expensive place around to buy extras like warranties and insurance.
If you’re interested in protecting your investment over and above what’s included when you buy the car, shop around online to compare what’s available with what the dealer is peddling. You’ll almost certainly find an alternative that’s cheaper and/or more comprehensive than the dealer’s offer.
No warranty at all?
A warranty is not a legal requirement for a used car, and it’s fairly common on very cheap used cars (less than a couple of thousand pounds or so) to be sold without any warranty at all.
Unlike your statutory rights, a dealer can also offer you a discount in return for waiving the warranty. However, you should be very wary of any dealer who makes this offer, as it is making you financially responsible for any fault that is not significant enough to reject the car.
A dealer may tell you that if you bought the same car privately you wouldn’t get a warranty, and it makes it impossible for a dealer to trade profitably if they have to provide an expensive warranty on a cheap car. By not offering a warranty, they can pass on the savings to you. That may be true, but it does leave you exposed so consider your position carefully.
Your statutory rights on any used car
Many buyers confuse warranties with their legal rights, but they are two different things. Warranty or not, you are still covered by your statutory rights if the car you’ve bought is faulty or not roadworthy.
Any used car purchase by a private individual from a trader is covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which means you can reject the car if it is not as described or is faulty. You are also covered by the Road Traffic Act 1988, under which it is an offence for a trader to sell an unroadworthy vehicle (unless the buyer knows that the vehicle is unroadworthy and has no intention of driving it on the road in its present state).
It does not matter whether a used car is priced at £500, £50,000 or £500,000; if you are private individual buying a car from a trader then you are covered by the Consumer Rights Act. These rights also cannot be waived in return for a discount or any other offer.
Although there is no specific legal description, a faulty used car is generally considered to be a car that is not roadworthy and/or is not safe. Secondary or more minor issues, like a broken stereo or paintwork problems, are generally not acceptable reasons to reject a car under the Consumer Rights Act. However, the legislation wording is not very clear, so ultimately it can come down to who makes a better case in court, should it get that far.
If you end up taking your case to court, the judge will take things like age and mileage into account when considering whether a fault is considered significant enough to reject the vehicle. So if your car is ten years old car with 100,000 miles on the clock, it will probably be given considerably more leeway than a two-year-old car that has done 10,000 miles.
The key thing to remember if you are considering rejecting a used car is that:
“A car with a fault is not necessarily a faulty car”
The Car Expert
Ask questions about the warranty being offered
When buying any car from a trader, it is important to ask about the used car warranty being offered and exactly what it covers. Don’t accept half-answers or being told that you’ll be given a booklet when you pick up the car. Get proper answers and ask for a copy of that booklet before you agree to buy the car.
Beware of a trader who writes “no warranty” on a sales contract without any prior explanation. If a warranty is not offered, you need to know that before reading it on the contract. Although it’s not illegal, it’s usually a sign that the dealer hasn’t been completely up-front with you about the vehicle’s condition.
It is very important to read the fine print on any warranty, but especially so on an aftermarket product as the terms and conditions can vary significantly. It’s much better to know how it works and what is covered before you have a repair to pay for.
There may be a specific process for claiming on the warranty; some will require you to get authorisation from the warranty company before proceeding, while others may require you to pay for any work up-front and then reimburse you afterwards if your claim is approved. There will also be a cap on how much money the warranty will contribute towards a repair: bear in mind that this might not cover the total cost of the fix.
When buying a used car, it is your responsibility to make sure you question anything you’re told, and don’t simply take the salesman’s word for it. Once you sign a contract, you are legally committed and it doesn’t matter what you’ve been told verbally. So make sure you understand exactly what you are paying for on a used car warranty so you can rely on it to cover you when you need it.
Private new car sales were down by 14% in December according to data published yesterday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), bringing a difficult year for the car industry to a muted end.
Fleet registrations were slightly stronger, being ‘only’ 8% down on the same month a year earlier, meaning that the overall market was down 11% compared to the previous December. As coronavirus restrictions affected some regions of the country towards the end of the month, it’s not surprising that private new car sales suffered more than fleet numbers as some dealerships were forced to close. Retail customers tend to buy their new cars from showrooms while fleets tend to go through brokers or fleet departments, which were less affected by closures.
The December results complete the full-year data for 2020, which showed that the private new car market ended up nearly 27% down on 2019. The fleet market was down 31%, meaning that overall new car registrations were down 29% on the previous year. We’ll have a more detailed look at the whole year numbers in a separate article over the next few days.
Massive month for electric cars
However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. December was a huge good-news month for electric cars, with the Tesla Model 3 topping the charts and the new Volkswagen ID.3 making its UK debut in fourth place. Pure electric cars outsold diesels for the first time ever, and electrified cars overall (which includes hybrids and plug-in hybrids) made up almost 30% of all new car registrations in December.
While this was inevitably bad news for sales of new diesel cars, which fell to a new all-time low of 16%, the growth of electrified cars also took a large chunk out of petrol car sales as well. This will only continue as more electrified cars arrive on the market in 2021.
Good month, bad month
As always in December, there were some car companies who were desperate to clear stocks of the current models or try to inflate their sales numbers, leading to some odd-looking data that was almost certainly due to self-registration of vehicles. Meanwhile, other companies clearly decided that they were satisfied with their overall position and didn’t make such attempts to finish off the year with any big numbers.
Meanwhile, numbers were well down for Alpine, Bentley, BMW, Citroën, Dacia, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Renault, Subaru and Suzuki. All of these brands reported registrations that were at least 10% worse than the overall market – and some were massively down, suggesting that those manufacturers were making no effort to offer any particular deals to lure customers out for Christmas bargains.
Tesla to the top in electric power surge
For the third time this year, the Tesla Model 3 topped the sales charts. However, unlike April and May, when the whole UK was locked down and most car companies couldn’t deliver new cars to customers, this was a seriously good result from Tesla. Almost 5,800 Model 3s found new homes in December, compared to 658 and 852 in April and May when it was also the country’s best-selling car.
Also impressive was the debut of Volkswagen’s new ID.3 electric hatchback, which took fourth place in the best-sellers charts. Even more impressive was that VW’s new ‘electric Golf’ didn’t seem to hurt sales of the actual Golf, which sold nearly 4,500 units.
The rest of the top ten looked fairly familiar from recent months’s results. The Ford Fiesta outsold the Vauxhall Corsa to end a tough 2020 on a positive note as it wrapped up yet another year as the country’s best-selling car. But the Corsa looks to be a serious chance to take that title next year, which will be interesting to watch.
The only other point of interest in the top ten was that the Volvo XC40’s strong run continued in December, which allowed it to finish the year as the UK’s tenth best-selling car, taking the final spot from the BMW 1 Series right at the end of the year. We’ll have our usual analysis of the top ten in coming days, as well as a look at the overall best sellers of 2020.
It’s one thing starting the New Year with a bang, but what if your 2021 starts with a prang? Not nice, but they happen to someone, somewhere every day.
Being involved in a collision – even one without injury – is an unpleasant and scary business. Often, it’s nobody’s fault, just simply an accident, especially when snow and ice on the roads is involved. But do you know what to do if you have an unplanned coming together with another driver?
These 10 top tips, compiled with the help of safety organisation IAM Roadsmart, can help you sort out the mess of an accident and get you on your way again, safely and legally.
1. Stop your vehicle
Stop your vehicle as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so. Failing to stop after an accident is an offence. If you can’t stop at the scene, you must report the collision to the police as soon as practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.
2. Stay safe
If you’re involved in a collision on the motorway, and you’re uninjured and able to safely get the vehicle to the hard shoulder or emergency refuge, make sure you move to a safe place like behind the crash barrier.
If you are in a live lane and are unable to move your car, put your hazard lights on and call for help. Stay in your car if possible and keep your seatbelt on – avoid
In a residential area, ensure your hazard lights are on and move to a safe place to inspect your vehicle.
3. Hazard lights
Switch on your hazard lights to alert other motorists. Regardless of whether you’ve left your car or are still in it, make sure that other drivers have the best chance of seeing you.
4. Keep calm
Remain calm. You may be in shock and it’s normal to feel shaken after a collision, but it’s important you do not drive away until you feel able to do so safely.
5. Speak to the other party
Speak to the other driver or drivers involved. You need to supply your name and address, the details of the owner of the car and the insurance details if you have them. Make sure you record these details from the other drivers as you will need them if you make an insurance claim.
There’s no need, and no point, getting in to an argument about who was at fault for the shunt. It’s likely to be a stressful enough time already, so avoid making any unnecessary comments to the other party involved.
6. Do you need an ambulance?
If you or any other party is injured, call an ambulance.
7. Take photos
Take photos of any damage on both your car and theirs. Try to get at least one photo which includes the registration number, to confirm that it’s actually your car that your photographing. Shots of the area where the collision happened may also be useful.
While you’re at it, take at least one photo of the other car(s) involved, and again make sure you have the registration number in case you need it later. It can happen that another driver gives you a false name and phone number, so at least have the registration number of their car.
In short, it’s better to take too many photos than too few. You can always delete them later if you don’t need them.
8. Don’t admit anything
Do not admit liability. Stick to the facts and report these accurately to your insurance company. Again, there’s no need to agree or disagree with the other driver about who was right or wrong in the shunt
9. Speak to witnesses
If there are witnesses, make sure you speak to them and get their details. They may be able to give a statement to the police or your insurance company.
10. Check your dash camera
If you have a dash camera, the footage could be useful to the police and your insurance company to help apportion blame. Make sure you save it and don’t allow it to overwrite.
You should call the police if:
anyone is injured
the road is blocked
the accident is causing a hazard or danger
the collision involves a large animal or a dog and the owner is not present
you think the other driver is under the influence of drink or drugs or is guilty of a traffic offence
if the other driver doesn’t stop, refuses to exchange details or leaves the scene
If you are unsure about anything or have any suspicions, speak to the police. They may not attend the scene but will record the call and give advice.
“Being involved in a collision can be stressful. Even a minor bump can disable a car and prove costly,” says Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards.
“Make sure you get as much information as you can from the other driver and any witnesses. Try to stay calm. It is likely that no matter who is to blame, the other party is feeling just as much stress as you are. The main priority is to make sure everyone is safe while dealing with the collision.”
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a mid-sized crossover vehicle, based on the A-Class hatchback and similar models (B-Class, CLA). The current model is the second generation, which arrived in the UK in summer 2020.
The GLA was originally launched with a range of petrol and diesel engines, with a plug-in hybrid option added to the range later in 2020. A higher-performance model called the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 is also available – we are building a separate page for this model, so check back soon.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has received generally good reviews from the UK motoring media since launch. It is considered a significant improvement over the original GLA, with more space and far better driving characteristics. It has also been praised for its sophisticated technology compared to rivals. The biggest criticism is its high price tag compared to similar cars.
As of July 2025, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has an Expert Rating of B, with a score of 69%. Although media review scores haven’t been much better than average, the GLA gains points thanks to its excellent safety rating and low CO2 emissions (helped by the plug-in hybrid model). Running costs are only middling, however.
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid Price: From £35,625 on-road
Launched: Spring 2020 Last updated: Autumn 2023 Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a stylish small SUV with a posh interior and plenty of high-tech features. It’s not as practical nor as fun to drive as other premium SUVs, though.”
Model reviewed: 250 e 2021 Score: 7 / 10 “The new Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e is a competent all-rounder that offers a decent range, predictable handling and a plush, tech-filled cabin – not to mention low emissions and favourable company car tax rates Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic GLA 220d AMG Line Premium Plus Score: 8 / 10 “The latest Mercedes-Benz GLA is a huge improvement over its predecessor. It now looks, drives and feels like a small, premium SUV. It has one of the finest cabins in its class and can now comfortably accommodate a small family.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid GLA 250e Score: 8 / 10 “The new Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e is plug-in hybrid motoring at its best, and for many prospective buyers this could be the GLA to go for. Impressive all-electric running combines with surprisingly sporty yet economical hybrid drive when the petrol engine is brought into play.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “From hybrids to hot-hatch derived performance models, there’s a Mercedes-Benz GLA to suit all tastes and the tech and quality impresses on all – it comes at a price, however.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: 220d 4Matic AMG-Line Score: 8 / 10 “The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA looks a more accomplished performer than its predecessor.” Read review
Car
Score: 6 / 10 “Good-looking and spacious and decent-ish to drive, the most (supposedly) on-trend small Mercedes actually loses out in the charm and practicality race to the new GLB.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “Good-looking and spacious, the snazziest small Mercedes is overwhelmingly expensive yet not as appealing overall as the more purposeful GLB. It’s a decent small SUV, but by trying to offer everything to everyone, this small Benz has lost some of its focus.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.2 / 10 “The Mercedes-Benz GLA is now a real contender in the small SUV class but it’s not cheap.” (Richard Ingram) Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: “PHEV makes company car sense financially, and the Mercedes GLA PHEV is priced within reach of the regular petrol and diesel models.” Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre diesel automatic 220d AMG Line Premium Score: 6 / 10 “It’s a big improvement on the outgoing car, but still one that doesn’t measure up to its rivals in key areas. If you’re a Mercedes loyalist I’d strongly suggest having a look at the GLB before you sign up for a new GLA.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “While the old Mercedes-Benz GLA was little more than an A-Class with a moderate increase in ride height, the new model is a genuinely desirable little premium crossover.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Mercedes-Benz GLA throws into the mixing bowl everything you like about the Mercedes A-Class – its posh image, high-tech interior and strong range of engines – adds an extra spoonful of practicality and a dash of SUV ruggedness.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.6 / 10 “Good-looking and spacious, the snazziest small Mercedes is overwhelmingly expensive yet not as appealing overall as the more purposeful seven-seater GLB or spacious GLC. Looks apart, there aren’t many game-changing qualities. The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a good car in most departments, but it fails to enthral.” Author: Keith Adams Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 220d 4Matic AMG Line Premium Score: 6 / 10 “It’s hard not to smile when behind the wheel of this car, but it’s very expensive and around town the drivetrain and ride quality are uncouth. That it drives better than it has a right to doesn’t alter the fact the German rivals do the job just as well if not better, and for less money.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 5 / 10 “Crossover’d A-Class is an improvement on the old one and will no doubt sell very well indeed, but it’s not without its problems…” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
As of April 2025 (our most recent data point), the Mercedes-Benz GLA has a better-than-average reliability score of 75%, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score and data cover both the current GLA and previous (pre-2020) models.
The average repair cost of less than £500 is also about average for a mid-sized car, although still more than the cost of a used car warranty, which is worth bearing in mind if you own a GLA or are considering buying a used one.
The most commonly reported faults to date have been with the car’s electrical and braking systems, although these are relatively inexpensive with average repair bills of less than £300. Gearbox faults have been the most expensive issues, with an average repair bill of about £1,650. Thankfully, these appear to be relatively rare.
If you’re considering a used Mercedes-Benz GLA, make sure that any used car warranty you buy covers all of these problem areas.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Mercedes-Benz GLA
Overall rating
B
68%
Petrol or diesel models
C
41%
Hybrid or plug-in hybrid models
A
82%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
Unlimited miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Mercedes-Benz’s new car warranty is only average, and not as attractive as some other cars in a similar price bracket as the GLA.
The duration is three years, with no limit on mileage – although, in reality, the mileage numbers are likely to be fairly irrelevant as most cars only cover about 10,000 miles each year.
In addition to the standard new car warranty, the GLA plug-in hybrid models have an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components. The overall rating above is a mix of the different models.
Awards
Significant UK trophies and awards that the Mercedes-Benz GLA has received
2021
Auto Express Awards – Best Small Premium SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz GLA, you might also be interested in these alternatives
If you’ve taken a look through some of the top carmakers’ line-ups recently, you could be fooled into thinking they’re only making crossovers and SUVs. For sure, the trend for small, relatively inexpensive city cars has dwindled in recent years, overwhelmed by the sudden and consistent demand for vehicles which offer a higher ride height and chunkier looks.
But Hyundai thinks differently. It believes that there’s still a place for the city car, which is why it has launched an all-new i10 model into the market. We’ve been out on the UK’s roads to find out what it’s like.
Though this is a new Hyundai i10, the overall package still remains impressively simple. You’ve got a small, efficient engine up front, enough space for four in comfort in the middle, and a usable boot at the back. It’s all wrapped up in a skin which looks sharper than ever thanks to tweaks and changes which help it to appear a little more premium than the car it replaces.
The interior has been given a more premium edge too, utilising materials which are both good to look at and hardwearing. This isn’t some garage showpony car after all; the i10 is a car aimed at those who want a reliable, practical and easy to use way of getting around.
How does it look?
We’d argue that the Hyundai i10 is one of the best-looking cars in the segment. Of course, looks are down to the individual, but the Hyundai’s sharp styling and premium touches help to give the car a genuinely good appearance, be that on the move or parked up.
It also ties in nicely with the previous i10 – those bright LED running lights are a nod to its predecessor – while the brighter palette of colours available really do help the car to stand out. The relatively large alloy wheels on our car added a certain amount of flair to the car’s overall look, yet even on smaller wheels, the i10 manages to look the part.
What’s the spec like?
Our car came in luxurious Premium specification, which brings a whole raft of creature comforts above the i10’s standard – and quite impressive – list of equipment. Features such as a large eight-inch central display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, alongside Bluetooth connectivity and air conditioning. Premium specification brings additions like cruise control – with controls on the multifunction steering wheel – and you also get an additional two rear speakers to join the pair mounted up front.
When it comes to safety, however, the story is a little more problematic. On paper, things look good for the i10. A raft of safety equipment – including features such as lane departure control and driver alertness monitoring – is fitted across the board, even on entry-level cars. The problem is when the theory meeets reality, in the form of independent safety assessors Euro NCAP running the i10 into a wall and other solid objects as part of its crash testing programme.
The Hyundai i10 scored a below-par three stars out of five from Euro NCAP, with the lowest possible grade of ‘poor’ in a couple of key tests. For a brand-new model, this is a poor showing.
What’s the Hyundai i10 like inside?
Of course, being priced at the lower end of the new car market means you shouldn’t expect to find ultra-wide displays, a raft of cutting edge tech nor the most luxurious materials inside the i10, but what has been done has been done successfully. Everything feels well put together and solid, while those sitting in the front have space to stretch out and enjoy the ride.
It’s not so bad for those seated in the back, either, where there’s a decent amount of headroom and legroom – surprising, given the car’s compact dimensions.
When it comes to boot space, you’ve got 252 litres to play with when the rear seats are in place, but this can be extended up to a heady 1,050 litres with them folded down. For the size of car that’s an impressive amount of room, and means that the i10 will be able to cope with much larger items than you might expect.
What’s under the bonnet?
The i10 makes use of a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine with 84hp and 118Nm of torque, sending power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. It allows for a 0-60mph time of 12.4 seconds, while all-in it’ll do 106mph. We’d argue that it’s only this engine or the turbocharged 1.0-litre unit which are the ones to go for, with the entry-level non-turbocharged 1.0-litre engine proving too breathless for even the lightweight i10.
No, with this 1.2-litre engine the i10 gets up to speed quick enough and won’t cost the earth to keep running, either.
What’s the Hyundai i10 like to drive?
The i10 manages to feel big without actually being, well, big. Out on the open road, it’s remarkably refined, and it’s only on the motorway and at higher speeds where you actually notice the little four-cylinder thrumming away ahead of you. Even then, the well-damped ride means you’re not shaken to bits each time you drive over a bump in the road.
The five-speed gearbox might not be the most feelsome in the business but it’s light and easy to operate while the clutch – which is even lighter still – will be a big hit with those cutting their teeth on the roads, which is a segment of people the i10 is particularly aimed towards.
There’s a bit of wind and road noise when travelling at speed, but this is to be expected from a car of this size. Plus, when you do reach some bends the i10 is good fun to whisk along while its relatively mundane performance figures belie just how zippy it feels to take from bend to bend.
Verdict
The Hyundai i10 may sit at the budget end of the car-buying market, but it feels like anything but a budget offering. In fact, given the way the i10 has been put together, coupled with the level of standard equipment available and the way it drives, this Hyundai offers exceptional value for money.
The flip side to this is its recently-uncovered safety shortcomings, which have soured an otherwise strong performance from the i10. Which? magazine immediately downgraded the car to ‘Don’t Buy’ status, as is its policy for any car that scores three stars or lower in Euro NCAP testing. Other media sources have not yet altered their ratings, but may do so when the reviews come around for periodic updating.
If you’re after a car which will be low maintenance, cheap to run and yet still exciting enough to provoke a grin on the odd B-road, then the Hyundai i10 will tick your boxes. However, if you want the best chance of surviving an accident, the all-new i10 is really no better or more sophisticated than its rivals.
The Volkswagen ID.3 is a medium-sized five-door hatchback, and Volkswagen’s first dedicated mass-production electric vehicle (the e-Golf and e-Up were based on existing petrol models). It was launched in late 2019 before going on sale in the UK in summer 2020.
The ID.3 is a similar size to the latest Volkswagen Golf, and is generally being positioned as an electric alternative to the Golf. As such, there is no longer an electric e-Golf model in the Volkswagen range.
The Volkswagen ID.3 has been praised for its performance and decent battery range, as well as overall comfort and ease of use. However, some of the interior materials are considered below Volkswagen’s usual standards and the over-reliance on a touchscreen to control almost every aspect of the car has been criticised. It’s also an expensive car to buy although, as with all electric vehicles, this is at least partially offset by much lower running costs and higher predicted resale values.
A mid-life update to the ID.3 arrived in summer 2023, consisting of some minor updates and improvements.
As of August 2025, the Volkswagen ID.3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 75%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions, while its safety rating and media review scores are also good. However, Volkswagen’s new car warranty coverage is only average.
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“Think of the Volkswagen ID.3 as an electric Golf, and you won’t be too far off the mark. It certainly has the traits of VW’s ubiquitous hatchback, and a lot of the tech on board will be familiar to modern Golf drivers, while its all-electric powertrain and dedicated EV platform deliver a good driving range and composed performance.”
“The Volkswagen ID.3 is an all-electric hatchback with a sleek design and comfortable cabin, but it can be quite pricey and the infotainment system can be annoying.”
Model reviewed: 1st Edition “The Volkswagen ID.3 is an incredibly well-rounded EV, with a decent range, excellent on-road manners and a well-made, high-end interior.” Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Pro S 77kWh Score: 8 / 10 “The updates to the Volkswagen ID.3 are so subtle that you might not register them all. But that doesn’t detract from what remains an appealing EV. It’s far from a class leader, but as more rivals emerge, the ID.3’s position as a solid mid-pack runner has been cemented – and these upgrades only boost its appealing blend of qualities even further. We’d have liked the new screen tech sooner and even more software improvements, though.” Author: Sean Carson Read review
Model reviewed: 58kWh facelift model Score: 8 / 10 “The updated Volkswagen ID.3 shows progress in plenty of places, but that slow, glitchy infotainment system remains a bone of contention. Our advice would be to hold out for another 12 months and see whether further improvements in this area materialise – upgrades to this key touchpoint could easily earn the electric Volkswagen an extra half-star. Especially as elsewhere, the ID.3 finally feels worthy of its billing as the people’s EV.” Author: Richard Ingram Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: 2023 facelift overview Score: 8 / 10 “Fresh tech and improved quality help freshen up VW’s all-important ID.3 electric hatchback.” (Dan Trent) Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview (pre-facelift) Score: 7 / 10 “While the Volkswagen ID.3 looks good on paper the overall rating reflects the lack of stardust or excitement, which others in the game successfully achieve.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: First Edition Score: 8 / 10 “The first of a new generation of electric cars from Volkswagen could be a big success with fleets.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Volkswagen ID.3 occupies the same premium volume position in the market as the Golf, meaning it’s more expensive than the mainstream, but not quite up there with the posh alternatives. It’s too pricey to excuse some of the basic plastics and odd ergonomics, but if you can get by with that and don’t mind the slightly numb steering, then the Volkswagen ID.3 has wide-ranging appeal.” Author: Keith Adams Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Score: 9 / 10 “The Volkswagen ID.3 has certainly lived up to the internal hype and the long wait, with this new EV combining a generous electric range with a high-quality interior and great dynamic tweaks – and there are very few things wrong with it as a result.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.8 / 10 “The Volkswagen ID.3 is a strong EV contender that’s good to drive, practical and has a decent range, and now there’s a sporty GTX model too.” Author: Andy Goodwin, Antony Ingram Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Life 58 kWh Score: 7.7 / 10 “The long-awaited Volkswagen ID.3 arrives as EVs are building momentum. It looks like an excellent all-rounder at a time fleets will relish such
a cost-effective option.” Read review
“NThe Volkswagen ID.3 is a nice package and a welcome addition to the mainstream EV offering to broaden fleet’s choices, but not a step change in the technology.” Read review
Daily Mail
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Power “The Volkswagen ID.3 is a worthy and challenging rival for the Nissan Leaf electric car which has been an early contender in this sector. Nothing like a bit of competition to raise everyone’s game.” Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Score: 8 / 10 “The Volkswagen ID.3 isn’t quite the game-changer the Beetle was, or even the Golf, but it’s a very appealing newcomer to the EV world. We’ll see plenty on the road, especially when the cheaper models arrive.” Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Power 58kWh Score: 9 / 10 “At this price point, we think prospective buyers will be prepared to stretch a few grand to a Polestar 2 or an entry-level Tesla Model 3. The cheaper versions of the ID.3, however, will have a lot more appeal and present stiff competition to most of the players in the same segment.” Read review
Eurekar
“The Volkswagen ID.3 looks stunning, drives beautifully, is well priced and offers a decent range between charges.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “Finally there’s a mainstream EV that takes advantage of its elements to be a thoroughly well engineered modern everyday vehicle.” Read review
Fleetworld
Score: 8 / 10 “Get past question marks over the digital cockpit and infotainment and the Volkwagen ID.3 is a stylish and high-quality electric hatch.” Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: GTX Performance Score: 9 / 10 “The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance retains most of the features of the standard ID.3 but adds a dose of sportiness. Aside from some visual tweaks, this means 326hp of power and 545Nm of torque, resulting in a top speed of 124 mph and a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 5.7 seconds. You benefit from more relaxed ESC settings for the rear wheels, but you also lose some secondary ride comfort due to the large wheels and low profile tyres.” Author: Paul Clarke Read review
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Power Score: 9 / 10 “The Volkswagen ID.3 feels like it has been a long time coming. One outcome of this is that expectations for it may be high. If so, then the overall driving experience will please most people, being refined, quiet, comfortable, responsive, easy to drive, and with a decent driving range.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “The Volkswagen ID.3 has all the hallmarks of an electric car that was rushed into production. The electrical gremlins that plagued early models have now been dealt with, while its interior has been given a welcome update for 2023. It’s now a much more pleasant family hatch… but is a modest facelift enough to keep it fresh in a competitive market?” Author: Andrew Brady Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Volkswagen ID.3 will slot into your life as easily as, well, a petrol- or diesel-engined Golf. It’s a good all-round package that combines a comfortable interior with low running costs and a relaxed driving experience.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7.8 / 10 “We rather like the Volkswagen ID.3. Its exterior design makes a statement without shouting about its eco-piety, while its interior feels innovative and distinctive. The higher quality trims also make this revised model feel more like you’re getting your money’s worth.” Author: Keith Adams Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: 1st Edition “The Volkswagen ID.3 is everything you want in an electric car.” Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: First Edition Score: 9 / 10 “Feels like a significant moment in motoring history” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Pro Performance First Edition Score: 10 / 10 “The VW Golf has become a part of the furniture because it’s such an accomplished all-rounder. The ID.3 will take over its mantle, not just by replacing it in Volkswagen’s range by the time 2030 comes around, but also by succeeding it as the go-to do-it-all family hatchback of choice.” Read review
Model reviewed: First Edition 58kW Score: 8 / 10 “Nicely designed on the outside, with a lightweight and stiff bodyshell and a comfortable but assured ride quality. What lets the Volkswagen ID.3 down is its initially promising but ultimately annoying fascia and the interior that looks and feels cheap compared with the Golf it replaces.” Read review
Top Gear
Score: 7 / 10 “Inoffensive, well thought-out and easy to use. So, just like a Golf, but happens to be electric.” Read review
Which EV?
Model reviewed: Score: 8.3 / 10 “The Volkswagen ID.3 is one of the more mature EVs on the market, now that we gave new models from Kia and Hyundai despite being available for less than two years. It’s a practical EV, with decent amounts of space for passengers and cargo. While there’s more and more choice for EVs arriving all the time, the ID.3 remains a solid choice for a practical, everyday electric hatchback.” (James Morris) Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Clean Air Index: 10 / 10 Energy Efficiency Index: 9.6 / 10 Greenhouse Gas Index: 10 / 10
Green NCAP said: “Green NCAP assesses vehicles only on what is emitted at the tailpipe so the ID.3 gets maximum points in two of the three areas of assessment – Clean Air and Greenhouse Gases – as emissions of these are zero. Energy efficiency is also extremely high and, overall, the car emerges comfortably with a maximum five-star rating.”
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
311 miles
A
Electrical efficiency
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
4.5 m/KWh
B
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
28
C
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£321
D
Year 2
£617
C
Year 3
£952
C
Year 4
£1,189
C
Year 5
£1,469
C
Overall
£4,548
C
The Volkswagen ID.3 is a very cheap car to run and own, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
A perfect set of straight-A scores is let down only by the car’s insurance group rating – however, if you get one of the entry-level models then it qualifies for an A rating on our charts.
Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is very good, making the ID.3 one of the most efficient EVs on the market. This also helps maximise battery range, which is more than 300 miles according to the EU/UK government lab tests. Even in real-world driving, 250-odd miles should be very comfortable for most drivers.
Servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years are also very cheap compared to most new cars.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of August 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen ID.3 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the ID.3, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Volkswagen ID.3
Overall rating
C
56%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Volkswagen’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better).
In addition to the standard new car warranty, the ID.3 has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Warranty on a used Volkswagen ID.3
If you are purchasing an ‘Approved Used’ ID.3 from an official Volkswagen dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used ID.3 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used ID.3 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Date: March 2023 Model types: All Build dates: 04/2021 to 12/2022 Number of vehicles affected: 11 Defect: On certain vehicles, the front passenger airbag may not be securely bolted in place as intended. Remedy: The front passenger airbag is to be deactivated until this recall campaign is carried out. It must then be inspected and if necessary re-secured.
Date: November 2021 Model types: All Build dates: 03/2021 to 04/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 2 Defect: Possible missing bearing bush in the area of the steering worm gear. Remedy: On all affected vehicles the steering rack must be replaced.
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been two DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Volkswagen ID.3, but only covering a very small number of vehicles. These cover airbag and steering issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Volkswagen dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used ID.3, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen ID.3 has received
2022
EV Fleet World Awards – Best EV Lower Medium SUV
2021
UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Small Hatch
Auto Express Awards – Best Small Company Car
Business Motoring Awards – Best Electric Car
Carbuyer Awards – Best Small Company Car
Carwow Awards – Best Family Electric Car
Motor Trader Industry Awards – Car of the Year
Parkers New Car Awards – Best Medium Electric Car
2020
Carbuyer Awards – Best Family Electric Car
DrivingElectric Awards – Best Electric Family Car
Top Gear Awards – Game Changer of the Year
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Subscribe to a Volkswagen ID.3
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It wasn’t that long ago that the very concept of the latest Peugeot 2008 would raise a few eyebrows. Peugeot no longer accepts its place in the mainstream, instead straddling a position somewhere between its traditional rivals and more premium manufacturers.
If you’ve spent any time around the French manufacturer’s cars recently you’ll know it’s perfectly capable of mixing it with the big names, with stylish cars and high quality interiors mixed with genuine character. This cool-looking small SUV is up against some brilliant rivals, though, so does it have what it takes?
For Peugeot, the key selling point is the ‘choose your powertrain’ ethos, so there’s the usual petrol and diesel options, but also an electric e-2008 version with an impressive 193-mile range.
It’s built on the firm’s newest vehicle platform called Common Modular Platform, which gives it more space than before, helped by the fact it’s 14cm longer than before. One great aspect for those considering the EV is that the 360-litre boot is the same across all powertrains, meaning the EV doesn’t lose practicality because the batteries don’t eat into the boot space, unlike many rivals.
It also gets the usual funky Peugeot styling, the 3D i-Cockpit, and plenty of driving assistance technology.
How does it look?
Styling is the 2008’s real draw. While many cars in this segment are guilty of looking like copies of each other, the Peugeot 2008 truly stands out with its combination of muscular fenders, sharp edges and intricate designs.
The front end has a striking headlight design, with the ‘three-claw’ running lights the stand out feature, while the low centre section of bonnet and higher edges give a butch attitude to go with the chic details. Meanwhile, the rear lights follow the claw theme and make the car look extra-wide as part of a full-width bar.
What’s the spec like?
Priced from £26,150, our GT Line model comes very well-equipped, and looks fantastic with its extra styling touches. Standard equipment on this trim includes extensive safety kit, the 3D instrument display, perforated leather steering wheel, DAB radio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and full LED headlights.
Our test car came equipped with some optional extras, with the £300 adaptive cruise control feeling like a good value upgrade, as does the £750 panoramic roof. However, £200 for blind spot monitoring is a little disappointing given the starting price of the car, while £1,500 is a bit steep for full leather upholstery (though this does also add a massage function).
Music fans should opt for the upgraded stereo system, which adds another £590 to the price.
What’s the Peugeot 2008 like inside?
The style continues inside, too. While many manufacturers are going minimalist these days, Peugeot is committed to having something with a bit more character. As such, there are funky lines, wedges and curves that means no surface is boring.
The central toggle switches look and feel great to use too, but style has definitely affected functionality in the cabin. For example, the quick navigation buttons are an odd touch-sensitive symbol above the toggle switches, and they provide no feedback, so they feel odd to touch but don’t let you know that they’ve been activated. Meanwhile, the small wheel still blocks the view of the digital cockpit for most driving positions, which quickly becomes irritating.
What’s under the bonnet?
There are three petrol engines offered, with the entry level option getting a six-speed manual, the top GT version getting an eight-speed automatic, and the middle having a choice of both gearboxes. The sole diesel, meanwhile can only be had with the manual.
Our car had the middle-spec 1.2-litre PureTech petrol making 130hp. It’s not the most inspiring unit, but it feels like the pick of the bunch because the engine is responsive without impacting fuel economy too much.
What’s the Peugeot 2008 like to drive?
Fortunately, it’s not style over substance, because out on the road the Peugeot 2008 is great to drive. The steering is light around town, meaning that despite the fact it’s an SUV it’s easy to drive in urban areas – ideal for the school run. However, it remains composed on twisty country lanes so it’s good to drive wherever you live.
The gearbox is great, too. While manuals are slowly dying out, it’s good to see that some manufacturers are committed to providing a good system for those who want to shift themselves.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a family SUV that’s a bit more interesting than most of the near-identical models on the market, you’ll no doubt be swayed by the brilliant styling of the 2008 – inside and out.
The fact it backs it up with a great driving experience and decent practicality means the Peugeot 2008 is certainly worthy of your attention. Yes, top-spec models are priced to compete with the likes of the Audi Q2, but it’s much more interesting and bigger, too, so feels like good value.
If you can get past the interior quirks, there’s very little to disappoint.
It’s that time of year again where we leave for work when it’s dark, head to our cars and realise all of the windows have misted up as a result of the cold nights.
It’s not quite as bad as the windows all freezing over in the winter, but there’s no doubt it’s an annoying part of life. Fortunately, demisting a modern car is a very simple and easy task — but one that’s also quite easy to take longer than necessary if you’re unfamiliar with it.
Want to know how to clear your windows that little bit quicker? We have a few tips…
Stick the heater on cold to start demisting
It may be tempting to jump into your car and whack the heater up on full considering the freezing weather, but doing this will likely fog your windows up even more and delay your morning further.
The first thing you should do when demisting your car is putting the heater on a low temperature, and press the windscreen demisting button should your car have one (most do these days). It doesn’t have to be its lowest setting, but below 20 is usually a good starting point.
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Direct at windows, and gradually turn the temperature up
Your windscreen should have a set of vents directly below it, so you can let that do its thing. For the rest though, aim them towards the side windows if these are also fogged up.
Gradually start increasing the temperature to aid in demisting the glass. A degree every ten seconds is a solid starting point — increasing it too soon will slow the process down.
Use the air-con to boost demisting
Got working air-con? Stick it on to keep the atmosphere in the car moisture-free. This will help in preventing condensation reforming on your windows before setting off and hopefully set you on your journey in a timely fashion.
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No climate control? Roll the windows down
If you’re running an older car with no air conditioning, or are unfortunate enough to have the feature broken, there’s an alternative to clearing the windows effectively than just sitting and waiting.
Simply rolling the windows down will allow dry and cold air from outside into the car quickly, which should go some way to combating condensation.
Greater technology, improved development and better build quality means that cars have become more reliable, economical and built with parts that should last longer. As a result, car manufacturers can now offer longer and more attractive service intervals.
The likelihood of your new car being able to go two years or 20,000 miles between main services is quite high now, and that’s a welcome and attractive proposition for car buyers on a budget.
But even though your pride and joy might not officially need a visit to the main dealer for months or even years – according to its service schedule – that doesn’t mean you should neglect regular safety checks on it. Car technology, while excellent these days, is not magic. Parts and equipment still need regular checks to make sure they are operating correctly and safely.
‘Safe’ in the knowledge that your car won’t need to be professionally inspected for the next 18 to 24 months, it’s easy to forget and neglect vital safety checks of your own on the vehicle. Today’s new cars are well-designed, more economical to run and better built to last. But tyres don’t automatically stay inflated and undamaged between services, bulbs won’t necessarily continue to be illuminated and engine oil can deteriorate, even if you have the luxury of an indicator warning lamp.
The POWDER principle
Safety organisation RoSPA recommends car users adopt the POWDER principle which outlines six simple weekly inspections a responsible driver should carry out.
Rebecca Needham, RoSPA road safety officer for England, says: “We advise all drivers to do a weekly check, and also before driving the vehicle for the first time or for a long journey, following the POWDER procedure.
P for Petrol: Check to see you have enough fuel.
O for Oil: Check your oil levels and top up if needed.
W for Water: Check and top up if necessary.
D for Damage: Have a good look around the car for any damage that you may not already know about, and that could cause an issue with the vehicle’s operation.
E for Electrics: See that everything is in working order.
R for Rubber: Check your tyres for wear and tear, make sure that they have sufficient tread depth and that they are inflated to the pressures recommended by the manufacturer.
Additionally there are things to look at on a regular basis, to make sure all is in good running order:
Wheels: It’s easy to damage wheels, especially alloys, in the hustle and bustle of a busy week. Potholes, kerbs and general poor surfaces are all culprits – damage can be inside the wheel as well as the part you can see.
Lights: Walk round your car at dusk or night to see if all bulbs are shining as they should. Replace any that are blown or dim.
Leaks: Look under the car for signs of unusual patches of fluid on the road or driveway. Moisture is OK, but the patches could be fuel, oil or brake fluid, which is not good news.
Glass: Inspect your windscreen for chips or small cracks. Chances are these will grow, so they’re going to need repairing, or the screen replaced, sooner or later.
Your car is an important tool for you and your family, so give it back the great service that it’s been giving you. These checks could help it last longer and continue to look good – and they could even save your life.
One the face of it, a 32% fall year-on-year in private new car sales for November seems pretty terrible. However, when you consider that showrooms across England were closed for basically the whole month, it’s a lot more positive.
Compared to the lockdown months of April and May, where almost no new cars were sold, the car industry was a lot better prepared in November. Many more manufacturers and dealerships were geared up to deliver cars to customers’ homes, or operate click-and-collect services, meaning that they could keep their businesses moving to a much greater degree.
Fleet deliveries did better than private sales for the first time in months, down 22% year-on-year, which meant that the overall market ended up down 27%. We analysed the market results last Friday, but it was more of the usual – diesel down, electrified cars up.
The UK’s best-selling cars, November 2020
1. Vauxhall Corsa
The Vauxhall Corsa returned to the top spot in November, continuing its best-selling run over the last six months. With only one month to go this year, the Corsa is probably too far back to overhaul the Ford Fiesta for full-year honours – it needs to outsell the Fiesta by about 2,500 units in a month, which is highly unlikely – but Vauxhall will be justifiably happy with the first-year performance of its new supermini.
The petrol and diesel versions of the new Corsa currently hold an Expert Rating of 71% on our unique aggregator scale, based on 25 reviews we have gathered so far. That puts it in the bottom half of the supermini class, although the all-electric Corsa-e does score slightly better with an Expert Rating of 74%.
The Volkswagen Golf enjoyed a similarly strong month to the Vauxhall Corsa to take a comfortable second place in the sales charts. It has also solidified third spot in the year-to-date results, sitting almost 2,000 units ahead of the Ford Focus.
More local reviews of different UK-spec Golf models are being published in the media, and the Golf’s formerly stellar Expert Rating is gradually starting to slip. The much-vaunted ‘all-digital’ interior has drawn criticism from several reviewers who have found it inferior to the more conventional cabin of the previous-generation model. It’s not exactly disastrous news for Volkswagen, but it is interesting to see review scores that are consistently below the previous model’s results.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class was the country’s top-seller last month, and remained highly popular in third place this month. It is the fourth-biggest-selling car in the UK with one month to go, and that’s where it’s likely to end up with decent gaps to the Ford Focus above it and the Nissan Qashqai below it.
The A-Class has an Expert Rating of 77% in The Car Expert’s unique aggregated Expert Rating index, based on 45 UK reviews. It ranks highly for safety, winning awards from Euro NCAP and Thatcham for its protective qualities.
After falling out of the top ten in October, the Nissan Qashqai bounced back up into fourth place in November. It also retains its title as the best-selling British-built car, and looks set to hold onto that title for another year.
The ageing 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. A replacement is due to be revealed early next year, but the new car will have a tough job in living up to the sales success of the current model over its seven-year run.
Surprisingly, the Focus was Ford’s best-selling model in November, outselling its little brother Fiesta by about 400 units. The Blue Oval’s big-hitting family hatchback has been under constant attack from rivals this year, with the Focus surrendering sales honours to its arch-rival, the Volkswagen Golf, and almost being usurped by the Mercedes-Benz A-Class as the year draws to a close.
An improved fleet market helped the Focus improve from eighth place last month to fifth this month, with fleet buyers appearing more loyal to Ford than private customers who seem to be lured away to a German badge. In terms of critical appraisal, the Ford Focus currently holds an Expert Rating of 80% in our Expert Ratings database, which is currently only one point behind the Golf and three points better than the A-Class.
The Mini hatch improved one place from seventh to sixth in November, although it remains in seventh place for year-to-date sales, and likely to remain there with only one month to go. It had been closing the gap to the Nissan Qashqai, but a strong performance from the Qashqai in November put paid to any hopes that the Mini might sneak past it by the end of the year.
The Mini hatch holds a very solid score of 80% in our Expert Ratings aggregator, which is better than most cars in its class despite being much older than many of its rivals. We’ve now indexed the new Mini Electric model as well, and interestingly its score is currently only 73% – although this may change by a few points (either up or down) as more reviews are published.
The new Ford Puma makes its fourth appearance in four months. While that may be good news for Ford and its dealers, it appears to have come at a significant price as the Puma looks like it is stealing sales from its hatchback sibling, the Fiesta, as well as other Ford models like the Focus and EcoSport. As long as those customers are staying within the Blue Oval family, however, Ford is probably not too bothered.
The bug-eyed small SUV has been popular with critics, currently holding a rating of 83% on our unique Expert Rating index. This remains a best-in-class result, but it has slipped a couple of points in the last month as we’ve added some new reviews and other sources have revised their initial opinions. A hot new ST version may help swing that score back upwards in coming months, however.
The Ford Fiesta looks almost certain to retain its crown as the UK’s best-selling car in 2020, but it’s limping heavily towards the finish line. It was another disappointing month for the Fiesta in November, down in eighth place and only the third best-selling model from the Ford family.
Fiesta registrations were down by 36% compared to last November against an overall market that was down by 27%, as the UK’s favourite supermini continues to be assaulted by a combination of the successful Vauxhall Corsa and friendly fire from the Ford Puma – which is basically a Fiesta on stilts.
The Fiesta currently holds an Expert Rating of 82% in The Car Expert’s unique Expert Rating index, which aggregates reviews from 25 of the UK’s top motoring websites. That’s only a point behind behind the SEAT Ibiza as class leader and some 11% better than the Corsa, so hopefully that will cheer up Blue Oval fans.
The Volvo XC40 seems to be getting comfortable in the top ten, making its third appearance in as many months. This will be cheering news for Volvo dealerships, and helped the brand to another excellent month – Volvo sales were only down about 4% compared to the same month last year in a market that was down 27% overall.
The XC40 is the class leader among small SUV/crossover models, with an Expert Rating of 83%, although that score has fallen a couple of points from a previous high of 85% in recent months. A new plug-in hybrid model has recently joined the range, while a fully electric version is now in production and set to arrive in UK showrooms in early 2021.
After making its debut in the UK best-sellers list last month, the new Audi A3 hung onto its tenth place again this month. Available as both a five-door hatchback and a saloon, the new A3 went on sale in summer of this year and supplies now appear to be moving freely.
The Audi A3 has received generally good reviews from the UK media since it was launched, with an Expert Rating of 78% that puts it a few points behind the BMW 1 Series (81%) and just ahead of the Mercedes A-Class (77%). It’s still quite new to the market, so we may see this score fluctuate as more local reviews are added in coming months.
We have entered the coldest, darkest months of the year. And with those dark days come less light, worsening weather conditions and more stress for driver and car.
You as the driver might be prepared for the journey, and hopefully your car will be in the correct condition for the trip. But you do need some vital supplies. So to cover off all eventualities, here is a useful check list of essential items you should keep in your car in the colder months, according to road safety group IAM RoadSmart.
Scrape through
Keep an ice scraper in your car throughout winter. It will make fast work of any ice on your windows, to make sure your vision is clear when you head off. Use one with a sturdy handle to prevent frozen fingers. Much better than an old CD case or credit card.
Remember to properly clear all your windows before driving off, not just part of the windscreen directly in front of your steering wheel. While you’re at it, scrape ice off your headlights and tail lights to make sure you can see and be seen. It will only take an extra minute or two.
Fuelled and ready
Start any long journey with a full tank of fuel. Don’t put off filling up – it’s sensible to keep your tank at least half full at all times during the coldest weeks of winter. This will prevent you getting caught short later if you come across heavy traffic, long queues or snow-bound roads.
Dark arts
If you’ve broken down on the side of the road, the last thing you want is to be fumbling around, unable to see your way in the dark. So always keep a torch and set of batteries in your vehicle. Check it every so often to make sure it actually works.
Warming up
Some people still set off with very little clothing, crazily relying solely on the car’s heater. But if you do have to stop and get out of the car in sub-zero temperatures you could end up in serious trouble. And if you’re stuck in a broken-down car, you’ll find it gets very cold very quickly once the engine’s no longer running to drive the heater. So take plenty of warm clothes, a blanket and a high-visibility jacket.
Food and drink
Don’t forget some small items of food and drink to stop your energy levels from dropping. Again, if you’re left stranded by the side of the road, you could be there for quite a while. Bottled water is a must, along with some snacks and sweet treats.
First things first
You never know when you’ll need a first aid kit, so keeping one in the boot of your car is always handy for either yourself or another road user if you’re the first person at the scene of an accident. It’s also a useful thing to have handy if you manage to do yourself an injury while you’re out and about, so make sure you replace any items that you take out of the kit.
Jump to it
The battery on your car can go flat at any time, whether you’re driving around town, your local area, or heading out on your first long motorway journey after several weeks off the road due to the coronavirus lockdown. Make sure you keep a set of jump leads in the car so you can start your engine with help from another driver’s vehicle if you need to.
Reflective glory
A reflective warning triangle gives you extra security for a number of reasons such as breaking down in the dark. Put it out in accordance with the Highway Code which advises to “put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (roughly 50 paces) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways.”
Right direction?
Most of us use a satnav to travel to unfamiliar places. But what if your battery dies and you can’t find the charger for your windscreen-mounted satnav, or what if the navigation takes you the wrong way? Be ready to refer to a trusty road atlas – and make sure it’s reasonably up to date.
Don’t lose contact
Finally, don’t forget your mobile phone and a charger. Switch it to silent and place it in the glove box to avoid any temptation to touch it, but it will be there ready to use when and if you need it.
“A journey can be a pleasant experience with the right planning,” says Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards. “But it can turn into a nightmare if circumstances change and you do not have the right tools for the job at hand.
“Getting stranded either in suddenly changing weather conditions or in hours-long traffic will be more bearable if you can let people know where you are and stay in relative comfort until you’re finally able to safely get to your destination and your next cup of tea.”
The month-long lockdown of car showrooms in England rendered the overall new car sales figures for November pretty worthless, although the industry was far better prepared this time around than it was back in the Spring and still managed to deliver a strong number of new cars.
Private new car sales were down 32% on the same month last year, according to data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) today, while fleet registrations were down 22%, for an overall drop of 27% on November 2019’s numbers.
Of course, the other way of looking at the data is that the industry still managed to deliver about three-quarters of the total number of cars delivered this time last year, despite showrooms in England being closed all month and enormous economic uncertainty for millions of families across the UK. When viewed from that angle, it looks like a pretty decent result.
Since the first national lockdown, considerable efforts have been made industry-wide to improve click-and-collect and home delivery services for new car buyers. This work looks to have paid off, avoiding a return to the catastrophic business losses of April and May. As showrooms re-open in England this week, dealers will be hoping for a strong month to at least end a tough year on a positive note.
Fleet registrations outperform private sales
For the first time in most of the year, it was fleet buyers leading the way in November. The SMMT press release didn’t speculate on the reasons why fleet registrations suddenly showed significant improvement, but there are several factors that could have contributed.
1) A large percentage of fleet sales bypass dealerships anyway, being handled by large leasing firms or brokers directly with the manufacturer fleet sales departments. With workshops still able to operate during the lockdown, these orders could still be processed.
2) With new car prices expected to increase in 2021, regardless of whether the UK and EU ever manage to sort out a trade deal, some fleets may have decided to bring forward orders from the next few months to beat any price rises. In the same vein, businesses that had been putting off fleet renewals for most of this year may have decided to commit now ahead of those price increases.
3) Some brands did considerably better than the overall market average, suggesting that they may have been pre-registering thousands of unsold cars to help clear out unwanted stock.
Full-electric vehicles snared 9% of the new car market, while plug-in hybrids (the only other kind of new car likely to be on sale in 2030) took nearly 7% market share. Regular hybrids were slightly below their 2020 run rate at just over 6%, although that’s still better than the same month last year. Combined, that makes a total of more than 22% market share for electrified cars.
Diesel had yet another worst month ever for market share, at 18% (including mild hybrid diesels), while petrol models slipped to just under 60%, which is the lowest it’s been for a while. Expect this direction of travel to start accelerating in 2021 as the shift away from pure petrol and diesel cars accelerates.
Diesel’s market share will keep slipping, albeit probably more slowly as the only customers still buying diesel cars are the ones who genuinely need them. Petrol’s market share will start falling more dramatically, repeating the fate of diesel over the last three or four years as the move towards electrification gathers pace.
Good month, bad month, worse month
There were very few brands who actually sold more cars in November 2020 than they did in November 2019. In fact, there were two. Porsche sales were surprisingly up 17%, while Smart more than doubled its results from the same point last year (although this was still less than 100 cars, so not exactly an earth-shaking result).
In a market that was down by 27% year-on-year, some brands did better than others. Audi, Bentley, BMW, Maserati, MG, Mini, Nissan, Peugeot and Volvo all finished at least 10% better than the overall market.
Meanwhile, several brands struggled badly, especially those that either don’t have strong fleet sales or don’t have a strong online sales presence. Dacia, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, SEAT, SsangYong, Subaru and Suzuki all ended up with registration figures that were at least 10% worse than the overall market (and in some cases, a lot worse).
Given that Porsche, Bentley and Maserati all had very good months, it seems that either the rich aren’t struggling too much as a result of coronavirus or there may be some unusual registration activity going on. Conversely, a lot of budget brands performed poorly – even MG was well below its usual record-setting pace. This may be because those brands rely more on private customers than fleet business, and/or they don’t have a strong online sales presence and struggled without showroom traffic.
Corsa on top again, closing gap to Fiesta
Over the last six months of the year, the new Vauxhall Corsa has been the stand-out seller. And November saw it once again hit the top of the charts, edging out the Volkswagen Golf and puling closer to the Ford Fiesta in year-to-date sales. With only one month left in this cursed year, it seems unlikely that the Corsa can overhaul a 2,400-unit deficit unless Ford runs out of Fiestas to sell sometime next week, but it will probably come close.
The Fiesta fell to equal eighth place in November, tied with the Volvo XC40 and just behind the Ford Puma. It’s been a tough year for the perennial champ, and its cause probably hasn’t been helped by the Puma starting to cannibalise a chunk of its sales.
The Nissan Qashqai bounced back into the top ten after disappearing in October, while the BMW 1 Series fell back out after its brief appearance last month, but otherwise it was the same models as last month in a slightly shuffled order. In year-to-date sales, there were no changes in the top ten this month and probably won’t be in the last month of the year – unless the Ford Puma can leapfrog the Volkswagen Polo at the last minute.
We’ll have our usual analysis of the top ten sellers in the next day or so.
The A5 Sportback is a slightly more practical, slightly more passenger-friendly version of Audi’s popular A5 coupé. In a never-ending quest to fill in any blanks left between models, the A5 Sportback slots in between the A4 saloon and the A6 saloon, providing drivers with the sleek looks of a coupé but with the spaciousness of a saloon. That’s the idea, anyway.
It’s been updated this year and the car you see here is a 2.0-litre petrol version in the popular S line trim. We’ve been behind the wheel to find out what it’s like.
The 2020 updates are a relatively subtle mid-life refresh by Audi. Exterior changes are minimal, though they do make a difference. The headlights have been given a new design while there’s an additional grille piece at the front – though we’ll get into the way the car looks in more detail below.
Equipment and technology levels have been bolstered too, while a clean petrol engine beats underneath the A5. Given that diesel is the traditional go-to choice in this fleet-dominated segment, the fitment in a non-performance orientated model jars somewhat, but given the sweeping trend towards petrol and hybrid over diesel, it’s a move that can be understood.
How does it look?
The Audi A5 Sportback is a svelte, well-designed looking fastback that does manage to encapsulate some of the charm of its coupé sibling. The rear doors aren’t all that noticeable, while the raked roofline manages to disguise some of the car’s length.
As we alluded to earlier, Audi has given the A5 quite a subtle lift in terms of design. The front bumper has been restyled, for instance, while the three air vents located above the grille mirror those found on the smaller A1 and the range-topping R8 supercar. In addition, LED headlights are now standard across the board, and these give the car a little more visual presence too.
It’s a well-judged and premium-looking car, and one that certainly looks good when out on the road. Is it the most exciting car to look at? Probably not. But for those after a car with some high-end presence then it’ll likely fit the bill.
What’s the spec like?
The level of standard equipment which accompanies the A5 Sportback is generous, to say the least. And while it might not boast the very latest widescreen infotainment setup that you’ll find in the latest A6 and A7, the pop-out-style display is more than adequate. It now measures ten inches and accompanies the 12-inch digital cockpit display ahead of the driver. The infotainment setup is now standard regardless of trim level – it’s not an optional extra for this or any other A5.
Before any extras, an A5 Sportback 40 TFSI S line starts off at £40,575, which means you’re already into the higher road tax bandings. In addition to that, our test car carried optional extras such as a head-up display (£1,025) and a panoramic sunroof (£1,400), as well as a driver assistance package that brings a range of active safety features (£2,700), to bump its price up to £48,275. While you do get a lot of kit for that money, it does also mean that you are starting to rub shoulders with some serious executive cars in the next tier up, like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi’s own A6.
In terms of safety, the A5 Sportback is well equipped – even without our car’s optional driver assistance package. The A5 Sportback and coupé models share their Euro NCAP safety rating with the A4 family, since they’re all structurally much the same under the sheet metal. The A4 was awarded a five-star rating back in 2015, and this score was confirmed ealier this year for the facelifted model seen here.
What’s it like inside?
In typical Audi fashion, the cabin of the A5 Sportback is an area helped no end by the inclusion of plenty of high-quality materials, which are in turn met by exceptionally strong build quality. Though there are one or two cheaper plastics lower down the cabin, by and large it’s an area which is resoundingly well made and well finished.
There’s plenty of space, too. Those sitting up front have a bright and airy area to enjoy, while those in the back have plenty of room to stretch out. The A5 is technically a five-seater, but three abreast in the rear of the car will likely prove a squeeze for most. Its boot space is also good at 465 litres with the back seats in place, but lower them and – thanks to the hatchback design – there’s an impressive amount of luggage room to play with.
What’s under the bonnet?
This particular A5 has a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine beating away under the bonnet, producing 190hp and 320Nm of torque. Sent to the front wheels, in this instance, via a seven-speed automatic gearbox, it makes for a 0-60mph time of 7.2 seconds, while all in it’ll manage a healthy 150mph.
When it comes to economy, Audi claims 39.8mpg for this S line variant, while emissions stand at 161g/km of CO2. If you’re after the most fuel-sipping petrol A5, then you’ll want the entry-level Sport version, which both cracks the 40mpg barrier while also offering lower emissions thanks, in part, to a smaller wheel size.
What’s it like to drive?
The Audi A5 Sportback is a car that isn’t difficult to quickly and easily become acquainted with. You get behind the well-sized and adjustable wheel, click the gearstick into drive and you’re off, wafting along, savouring the refinement and comfort that the car offers.
Audi’s long-running gearbox niggles remain, however. Request some additional power from the throttle – particularly from a standing start – and it’ll take a few moments longer than you’d expect for it to translate into forward motion.
This isn’t a car which goads you into driving quickly or more spiritedly, but rather invites you to take things at a somewhat more relaxed pace. On the motorway – where we expect the vast majority of Sportbacks to spend much of the time – it feels comfortably at home, with minimal road noise and refined suspension helping to create a car which really does breeze through the miles with minimal fuss.
Verdict
The Audi A5 Sportback is refined, premium-feeling and good to look at, which will no doubt help it to find favour with business users and long-distance drivers. This petrol-powered variant might not be the most obvious choice, but its smoothness and quietness make it a genuinely plausible option without too much of a downturn in efficiency nor economy.
The small updates to the overall package made by Audi have certainly increased its appeal even further, making this A5 Sportback a resoundingly good option in the executive saloon segment.
Model tested: Audi A5 Sportback 40 TFSI S line Price: £48,275 Engine: 2.0-litre petrol Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 190 hp Torque: 320 Nm Top speed: 150 mph 0-60 mph: 7.2 seconds
Fuel economy (combined): 39.8 mpg CO2 emissions: 161 g/km Euro NCAP safety rating:Five stars (2015) TCE Expert Rating: Not yet rated (as of November 2020)
Think of Kia and the traditional view is likely that of a budget brand. However, the South Korean car manufacturer has been flying under the radar in recent years, quietly building itself up to offer premium appeal for less cash than rivals in this segment.
That’s most true of the Sorento, which is Kia’s flagship SUV. It’s big, handsome, and hopes to provide an alternative for those who want something like a Volvo XC90 and can’t – or don’t want to – pay its asking price. It’s not cheap, but it’s trying to bridge the gap between the mainstream and premium markets.
The Kia Sorento sits on a new vehicle platform that allows for electrification, with a standard hybrid available now and a plug-in hybrid coming at a later date. It has a longer wheelbase and is slightly taller and wider than its predecessor, but has the same length overall.
Other improvements include more legroom in the second and third seating rows, seven seats and four-wheel-drive are fitted as standard, while improved technology is also on offer. On the outside, the new Sorento has a chunky, modern look that gives it real road presence.
How does it look?
Kia has done a fantastic job with the Sorento, moving it from its frumpy predecessors to a genuinely handsome SUV with true premium appeal. Remove the badge and, from the front, this could easily be passed off as coming from one of the big German premium brands, with its blocky design and chrome details.
However, it’s the rear where the Sorento’s character lies, thanks to its vertical taillights and sharp angles. It has real presence on the road, not trying to hide its size and instead embracing it successfully.
What’s the spec like?
Kia’s pricing structure is simple, with trim levels called ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ (there’s no ‘1’). Prices start at £38,845 for the 2, bringing 17-inch alloy wheels, rain sensing front wipers, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, an eight-inch infotainment screen and a heated, leather-trimmed steering wheel.
Upgrade to the 3 and prices start at £41,245 for the diesel – the only trim level it’s available on – or £42,745 for the hybrid. Here, the alloy wheels increase to 19 inches, and you get black leather upholstery, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a ten-inch infotainment system with sat nav.
What’s it like inside?
It’s not just the outside where Kia is onto a winner. There are quality materials used throughout and a smart, modern design that feels like it crams a lot in without being too fussy. Although you feel somewhat dwarfed by the cabin, everything feels close to hand and easy to use.
Thanks to its seven seats and massive interior, family buyers will love the space on offer. There’s no need to cram people in because the rear-most seats don’t feel like afterthoughts shoved in the boot, they’re genuine seats. If you’re regularly carrying plenty of passengers there can be few better propositions at this price point.
What’s under the bonnet?
At launch, you get a choice of a 200hp 2.2-litre diesel engine or a 226hp hybrid model that uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol and electric motor combo. We tested both, and found the diesel to be surprisingly quiet and refined, making it ideal for those who regularly take longer journeys.
But it’s the hybrid that will likely appeal to most buyers in this new age of electrification. However, with this being a ‘self-charging hybrid’ the fuel economy isn’t fantastic, ranging between 38.2 and 40.9mpg depending on specification. Meanwhile, its CO2 emissions of 158 to 169g/km aren’t a great deal better than the diesel’s 176.
If true economy and eco credentials are key to your purchase, it might be best to wait for the plug-in hybrid.
What’s it like to drive?
When you head out onto the road the Sorento feels large, so if you’re upsizing to a seven-seat SUV and find the dimensions intimidating it’s worth bearing in mind. Certainly some rivals hide their size better.
That being said, once you’re on the road it’s a comfortable and relaxing drive, with a ride that’s only slightly on the stiff side despite not introducing much roll when turning. Kia has found a good compromise between comfort and handling, then.
For those who spend a lot of time in town, the hybrid’s smooth and quiet powertrain will be appealing, but the petrol engine does rather roar under harder acceleration, so motorway on-ramps could become a chore.
Finally, 4 starts at £46,945 and gets a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, wireless mobile phone charging, and a 360-degree camera system.
Verdict
There’s no getting away from the fact that, at this price, the Sorento is pitching itself as a rival for more traditionally premium models like the Land Rover Discovery Sport. However, what’s most impressive is that it’s not outgunned in this company.
It’s big and practical, while also feeling like it’s made of top quality stuff inside. The equipment levels are decent, too.
Perhaps the only caveat to place on its recommendation is that the best engine isn’t available yet. The self-charging hybrid is decent but it’s not massively economical, and while the diesel will be great for longer drives, it’ll be wasted on short school runs. Once the plug-in hybrid arrives, it’s likely to be the one to have.
Model tested: Kia Sorento Hybrid 2 Price: £38,845 Engine: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid Gearbox: Six-speed automatic
Power: 226 hp Torque: 350 Nm Top speed: 119 mph 0-60mph: 8.7 seconds
Fuel economy (combined): 38.7 mpg CO2 emissions: 158 g/km Euro NCAP safety rating: Not yet rated (as of November 2020) TCE Expert Rating: Not yet rated (as of November 2020)
