Table of contents for 1787 in Auto Express

WHEN you get to page 35 and our Awards Special, there are a few things that you’ll notice. Firstly, I have to praise the team here at Auto Express, especially photographer Pete Gibson and Creative Director Darren Wilson who, this year, really have pulled out all the stops with a brilliant collection of images; I hope you like them as much as I do. We’re constantly evolving our testing processes here, as you will have seen with our latest Real-World Tests. We’re obsessive about fully understanding what your priorities are when it comes to buying a new car. And that’s why we spend so long interrogating car companies over things like finance quotes and other running costs. They matter every bit as much as how good a car is to…

PRICES and specs for Alfa Romeo’s revised Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio performance models have been confirmed, with the super-saloon costing from £78,195 and the hot SUV coming in at £87,195. Both cars feature a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 513bhp; the Giulia and Stelvio also feature an eight-speed automatic gearbox, but in the latter drive is sent to all four wheels as part of Alfa’s Q4 AWD set-up. The Giulia is rear-drive only, but both cars feature a mechanical limited-slip differential, derived from the Giulia GTA, on their rear axles to boost traction. Tweaks to the styling – including new ‘3+3’ adaptive LED matrix headlights – feature, bringing the duo’s appearance in line with the rest of the recently updated Alfa saloon and SUV model ranges. Wheel sizes for…

OUR CHOICE Dacia Jogger TCe 110 Expression (£19,595) IN mid-range Expression guise, the Jogger comes crammed with all the kit you’ll need, including eight-inch touchscreen infotainment, climate control and those nifty roof bars. And although the hybrid edition offers fractionally greater pace and efficiency, we’d save £3,400 and plump for the thrummy three-cylinder petrol model. WHY IT WINS FEW cars at any price are as versatile and family-friendly as the Jogger, which takes back-to-back wins in this category. Its mix of seven-seat MPV practicality, SUV style, compact-hatchback running costs and estate-car space is compelling, but the fact that it’s also good to drive and now comes with a hybrid powertrain makes a second win inevitable. Sitting on a stretched version of the CMF-B platform also used by the Sandero, this…

OUR CHOICE Tesla Model Y Performance (£59,990) WE wouldn’t have recommended this edition previously, because even the base model is more than quick enough. However, the huge price cut on the Performance and its impressive on-road dynamics have made it the one to have. WHY IT WINS FOR a vehicle to win our Mid-size Company Car award, it needs to offer impressive practicality, low running costs, and more than a hint of desirability. The Model Y manages to score incredibly well on all three counts. Tesla has form in our Awards, with the brand’s Model 3 scooping the overall prize in 2019. And while a huge herd of EV rivals has stampeded into the market, Tesla still holds its own. Substantial price cuts at the start of the year –…

OUR CHOICE Hyundai Tucson Premium 1.6T 48V Mild Hybrid (£33,975) THE combination of turbocharged mild-hybrid engine and smooth seven-speed twin-clutch transmission suits the Hyundai’s grown-up character, while Premium trim comes with gadgets galore. Better still, Hyundai is currently offering zero-per cent finance on its PCP deals, plus three years’ servicing for just £199. WHY IT WINS HYUNDAI has clearly got a taste for the winner’s champagne, because the Tucson has secured mid-size SUV honours for the third year on the bounce. The competition has closed in over the past year, but the Hyundai’s blend of distinctive design, class-leading space, electrified engines and cutting-edge tech means it’s still the leader of the pack in this increasingly crowded sector. With its angular exterior lines and eye-catching LED lights, the Tucson still stands…

OUR CHOICE Lexus NX 450h+ Premium Pack with Link Pro (£55,900) THIS plug-in version looks pricey on paper, but factor in its extra standard kit and it’s actually not much more expensive than the slower and less efficient self-charging AWD equivalent. You can expect to pay around £889 a month over three years, following a £6,590 customer deposit that includes £1,000 from Lexus. WHY IT WINS LEXUS is no stranger to Auto Express victories, but this is the first time the premium brand has taken back-to-back wins in our New Car Awards. However, if the distinctive and desirable NX is anything to go by, then this won’t be the last time the Japanese firm achieves such a feat. Beautiful craftsmanship and award-winning customer service are Lexus trademarks, but the NX…

OUR CHOICE Honda Civic Type R (£49,090) IF there’s a fly in the ointment, it’s the fact the Honda costs an eye-watering £49,090, which is nearly £15,000 more than the old car. However, with limited numbers coming to the UK and the brand’s hint that this could be the last of the pure-ICE Type Rs, the Civic is already a guaranteed future classic. WHY IT WINS HOW do you improve on perfection? If you’re Honda’s engineers, you take the old FK8 Civic Type R and tweak it a little in almost every area. The result is the all-new FL5, which takes our Hot Hatch crown at a canter. Being based on the new 11th-generation Civic means the Type R is a sleeker and more subtle choice than before, yet its…

OUR CHOICE BMW M2 Sport Auto (£64,890) IT’S nice that the M2 is still available with a six-speed manual gearbox, but it feels like the car has been designed to work best with the eight-speed automatic. Given that it’s faster and easier to live with when you’re not on your favourite road, it’s our pick. WHY IT WINS THE M2 could be the last great petrol-only sports car to come from BMW’s M division, and it’s a high watermark for its brutish performance machines. The M2 has lots of power in a compact body, which delivers an engaging personality. Performance cars should be fun, and while there’s complexity under the skin, the M2 feels simple and enjoyable to drive. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six packs 453bhp and 500Nm of torque, giving…

OUR CHOICE Honda Civic e:HEV Sport (£33,815) WITH just one hybrid powertrain on offer, maximum affordability in the Civic range comes in Sport trim. Adaptive cruise control and wireless smartphone charging are standard, while the efficiency, driving dynamics and practicality are common to every model. You can feel just a hint of Type R hot-hatch magic, too. WHY IT WINS WITH the model in its 11th generation, there are few names as recognisable as the Honda Civic’s. One of them is arguably the VW Golf, but the Civic is now a step ahead – and its clever hybrid powertrain that delivers claims of close to 60mpg means it won’t break the bank to run. A cleaner cabin with high-quality materials and a much slicker infotainment system than its predecessor means…

OUR CHOICE VW ID. Buzz Cargo Commerce Plus £44,610 (ex. VAT) THERE are just two trim options on offer, but Commerce Plus justifies its extra cost with sharper looks and a suite of standard-fit safety and driver-assistance tech. Even better, strong residuals mean that monthly finance rates are very competitive when compared with electric van rivals. WHY IT WINS THE arrival of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo has injected some much-needed style into the electric van class. Here’s a work vehicle that, with its striking Type 2-inspired looks, turns heads wherever it goes, which could be ideal if you want your company to stand out from the crowd. However, this is an electric van that backs up its style with plenty of substance. Under the skin, it uses the same…

WHY IT WINS THIS is the third year in a row that Porsche tops the Driver Power manufacturer survey. It’s surely testament to the admiration that owners hold for the iconic sporting marque, and their engagement with it, even though the majority of the cars it sells these days are family-focused SUVs. Not that the sporting DNA isn’t there, of course, because Porsche owners rank their cars in first place in the survey for driving characteristics, as well as for design and build quality. As you would expect, the powertrains are a highlight that delight owners, but Porsche knocks it out of the park when it comes to handling, steering response and driving pleasure, which are all rated as the best in the survey. Economy isn’t such a highlight, of…

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NEW PRODUCT DeWalt McLaren tools Price: from £69.99 Contact: screwfix.com FORMULA One fans in the market to start or refresh their collection of power tools can now combine their passions after DeWalt launched a McLaren-branded range. The firm is the official tool and storage partner for the McLaren F1 team and it has put together a limited-edition collection that includes not just cordless tools, but also suitable storage. At the heart of the new range, which is sold exclusively through Screwfix, are a brushless hammer drill driver and an impact version of the same unit. The former offers two speeds and 15 torque settings, and comes with a couple of 18V 1.7Ah li-ion Powerstack batteries, all packed into a protective case. It costs £269.99. The impact driver is the same price…

AS our favourite small crossover, the Arona was always going to give the Vitara a hard time, and sure enough, there was quite a big gap in desirability between the two. The SEAT’s engine was more torquey than the Suzuki’s, and when this was combined with an extra gear ratio, it meant noticeably swifter acceleration. When that performance was blended with greater refinement, a better steering weight and a sharper ride/handling balance, the Arona had the Vitara licked dynamically. Incidentally, until July 2021 the SEAT was available with a 1.6 TDI diesel engine, and the brand claimed this was capable of returning up to 57mpg – the same figure that the cheaper 1.0 TSI could deliver. The Arona also offered more cabin and boot space, a much better-quality interior and…

ALPINE has elaborated on its EV plans, outlining that the brand intends to have seven electric models on sale by 2030 – and a sports car is still in the product plan, despite the French firm’s deal with Lotus to help develop low-slung models reportedly collapsing recently. The company’s A290 hot hatch, derived from the upcoming Renault 5 EV, will arrive next year, while a sporty crossover will follow in 2025. The next-generation A110 coupé will go all-electric by 2026 and it will sit on the new Alpine Performance Platform; this architecture will also spawn an A110-based roadster, the brand says. A new A310 four-seat sports car will be based on APP, too, while Alpine confirmed last week that its range will be completed by two larger cars (D/E segment,…

OUR CHOICE Hyundai i10 1.2 Premium (£17,520) WHILE the sporty N Line will produce the most smiles, it’s the mid-range 1.2-litre petrol in Premium trim that we like the most. It’s a smooth, revvy unit with enough performance for the open road. WHY IT WINS AT a touch under 3.7 metres long, the Hyundai i10 is the smallest winner in our 2023 New Car Awards, but rarely has victory in the City Car class been more significant. With urban streets becoming ever more crowded, and so many buyers trying to trim their bills in any way they can, cars like this become more appealing by the minute. The i10 is the best of the bunch. An update for 2023 has introduced some cosmetic tweaks, but it also brought in the…

OUR CHOICE Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 1.8 VVT-i Hybrid Design (£33,115) THE 1.8 hybrid powertrain is the one to have. After Toyota’s revisions earlier this year, performance is great and the 1.8’s boot is slightly larger than the 2.0-litre car’s, while Design trim has all of the kit you really need at a competitive price. WHY IT WINS OVER the past few years, the winner of the Estate Car category has been one of the safest bets in our New Car Awards. However, that’s all changed for 2023, because the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports has barged its way to the top. It’s a well deserved result that has been achieved through improvements across the entire Corolla line-up that introduced uprated hybrid tech. The Toyota’s new battery has 14 per cent…

OUR CHOICE BMW iX xDrive40 M Sport (£72,905) WHILE the 50 model offers that vast range, the more affordable xDrive40 edition can still cover genuinely long distances between charges thanks to sound efficiency. Yet it still feels every bit as special to drive and to sit in as the priciest model. WHY IT WINS EVEN the highest-flying company car users want to trim their bills where they can, which is why our Large Company Car shortlist for this year is dominated by electric cars. And why 2023 brings a win for the fantastic BMW iX: a car that combines minimal Benefit-in-Kind costs with staggering ability elsewhere. After the slog of a long working day, it’s easy to appreciate a relaxing, comfortable car, and little else on the market comes close…

OUR CHOICE Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI SE Drive DSG seven seats £35,840 IF you want to cash in on Skoda’s trademark value-for-money reputation, then well equipped SE Drive trim with the brand’s punchy 1.5 TSI petrol engine is your best bet. Skoda is offering a £1,500 contribution, so with a £4,000 deposit, you’ll be looking at £489 a month over three years. WHY IT WINS SKODA has become something of an SUV specialist, so it’s no surprise that its flagship Kodiaq wins for the second year running. Its blend of practicality, value and sharp driving dynamics lift it clear of the pack. At the heart of the Kodiaq’s appeal is its spacious and versatile interior, which is available with seven seats. It’s also packed with lots of Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’…

OUR CHOICE Range Rover Sport P460e Dynamic SE (£92,980) A COMBINATION of 454bhp and an all-electric range of 75 miles from its 3.0-litre six-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain gives the Sport an unmatched mix of performance and zero-emissions potential. WHY IT WINS IT’S another win for Land Rover and its new Range Rover brand pillar in the Large Premium SUV category. But 2023 sees last year’s winner, the Defender, nudged aside by the Range Rover Sport. The victory is a sign of the huge optimism that the brand can feel; this is a car that has taken on the best alternatives from Germany and elsewhere, and managed to come out convincingly on top. The previous Range Rover Sport had the big, posh SUV concept nailed, and by refining the formula across the…

OUR CHOICE Toyota GR86 (£32,495) THERE’S just the one GR86 to choose from, so all you have to do is pick the colour. If you do want one, our advice is to register your interest with Toyota, so you can be informed as soon as the latest allocation becomes available. WHY IT WINS WHEN order books for the Toyota GR86 opened back in April 2022, Britain’s limited allocation sold out within just 90 minutes. Since then, Toyota UK has been working tirelessly to grab a greater share of the production – and it has succeeded. With cars now on sale again – priced from £32,495 – the GR86 is eligible for our Coupé of the Year award. And it jumps straight into the top spot. That price is £2,500 more…

OUR CHOICE MG4 SE Long Range (£29,495) WHILE the top-spec Trophy trim gets loads of kit, if you’re after maximum affordability (and range), then the SE Long Range is the one to go for. It has the key features you need, drives as well as the Trophy, and offers an extra 11 miles of range for £3,000 less. WHY IT WINS AS it stands, EVs are expensive, due to the cost of the materials and tech needed to build them – but nobody seems to have told MG that when it built the MG4. Prices start from £26,995, meaning this all-electric family hatch is on a par with a regular petrol five-door model for cost, yet you don’t have to sacrifice technology, practicality, driving dynamics or usability. With the largest…

OUR CHOICE Mercedes C 300 e AMG Line (£52,025) THE comprehensively kitted-out AMG Line gets all the equipment you’ll need, including the smart-looking 11.9-inch infotainment screen with augmented-reality sat-nav instructions, heated seats and reversing camera. And while £52,025 is a lot of cash, you’ll reap plenty of financial reward at the pumps and in lower tax bills. WHY IT WINS IF you’re after a zero-compromise plug-in hybrid, then look no further than the Mercedes C 300 e. Snatching its second win in a row in this category, the classy German compact executive saloon continues to impress with its low running costs, exceptional electric range and slick in-car tech. Thanks to its 25.4kWh battery, the C 300 e can travel a claimed 70 miles (WLTP) on electricity alone. That’s not only…

OUR CHOICE Renault Kangoo ML19 Blue dCi 95 Advance (£21,150 ex. VAT) THE Kangoo is great value in Advance guise, which features kit such as smartphone connectivity, a two-seat passenger bench, rear parking sensors and a Thatcham-approved alarm. Renault is currently offering a three-year/60,000-mile service plan with selected finance offers, too. WHY IT WINS IT has been a long time coming to the UK, but the arrival of the all-new Renault Kangoo was worth the wait, because it improves on its predecessor in every conceivable area. And that’s why it’s our 2023 Van of the Year. On the outside, the latest Kangoo has a bolder look, with wide-set headlights and a familiar Renault badge on the nose. A narrower glass area adds some dynamism, but this doesn’t come at the…

NEW PRODUCT Ring Solar Battery Maintainers Price: from £24.99 Contact: ringautomotive.com ELECTRONICS specialist Ring has three new options for drivers looking to keep the battery topped up on their little-used car away from mains power. They all use 18mm-thick monocrystalline solar panels, which Ring says are more efficient than the older amorphous cells. Having an IP65 moisture and dust rating means they are water resistant. They all come with a three-metre charging lead, with a choice of crocodile clips for direct battery connection, or a 12V socket, making them suitable for all sorts of uses from caravans and motorcycles to golf trolleys and jet skis. Ring says the panels work even in overcast conditions, plus there’s protection against a wrong connection. The trio are also compatible with the optional (£14.99) RSPOBDN…

THIS Vitara is the fourth-generation car. Shown as a concept in 2013 and launched in production form in 2014, it went on sale in the UK in 2015. By the time we tested it in 2019, the Suzuki was getting a bit long in the tooth in a fast-paced segment packed with technology. The reason for us testing the Vitara was the then-new 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, added to the line-up as part of a range-wide facelift. The revised Vitara was billed as ‘the most technically advanced Suzuki to date’ by its maker, but it still had a five-speed manual gearbox, which was a ratio less than the SEAT offered. The three-cylinder turbo engine was willing, helped by the Vitara being relatively light. With decent refinement and relatively sprightly performance,…

OUR CHOICE Dacia Sandero 1.0 TCe Essential (£13,795) EVEN the base Essential trim gets air-conditioning and cruise control as standard, yet with a £1,500 deposit on a three-year PCP with a 10,000 mile annual limit, it costs only £221 per month. WHY IT WINS FOR the first time in three years, a new car has taken our supermini crown. In 2023, it’s the turn of the revised Dacia Sandero to lead the way – and while the updates for this year are only minor, its chief qualities of value for money and practicality have become more relevant than ever. Prices for the Sandero range start at £13,795, making it one of the cheapest new cars on sale today. But a car needs to be much more than simply cheap for…

OUR CHOICE Hyundai Kona Electric Advance Comfort Pack (£39,145) THE tax benefits of pure-electric motoring are so strong that it’s impossible to look past a pure EV; it’s no surprise that our three choices are all zero-emissions. The Kona Electric has everything you need in base Advance trim – but do add the Comfort pack if you want heated seats. That car would cost a higher-rate taxpayer £313 in BiK tax per year – which is astounding value for a cutting-edge EV with all the kit you could reasonably wish for. WHY IT WINS COMPANY-CAR choosers have never had better options to tempt them into zero-emissions motoring, saving a tidy packet on Benefit-in-Kind tax while enjoying cutting-edge tech. And there’s no better example of this than the all-new Hyundai Kona,…

OUR CHOICE Hyundai Kona Electric Advance Comfort Pack (£39,145) YOU can take a Kona Electric north of £45k – but we’d go for the 65kWh battery, in basic Advance trim with the optional Comfort pack. That makes a £39,145 car with 17-inch wheels, two 12.3-inch displays, a rear-view camera, and heated front and rear seats. WHY IT WINS THE original Hyundai Kona scored highly because, in pure-electric form, it packed a relatively large battery into a compact SUV body. But customers soon said that they’d like a bit more space in the rear, and a more capable boot – and that’s precisely what the Korean manufacturer has delivered with this all-new generation. The latest Kona switches onto the same multi-powertrain platform as the Kia Niro, but feels like a mini-Tucson,…

OUR CHOICE BMW X1 sDrive20i xLine (£36,325) A FIRM ride is one of the few small chinks in the X1’s armour, but you can mitigate this by going for xLine trim. Its set-up is much easier to live with than that of the harder M Sport variants. For private buyers, the mild-hybrid sDrive20i makes the most financial sense. WHY IT WINS IT’S not as if the Small Premium SUV class has been short on competition this year, with newcomers such as the stylish Alfa Romeo Tonale joining the ever-appealing Audi Q3 and Range Rover Evoque – not to mention last year’s winner in this category, the Mercedes GLA. But the brand-new BMW X1 still stood head and shoulders above the competition to take the award for 2023. The third generation…

OUR CHOICE BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport (£118,470) M SPORT badging may suggest some degree of sportiness, but the additions here are only cosmetic and don’t compromise the i7’s peerless comfort and refinement. The 537bhp xDrive60 powertrain offers the best blend of performance and range. WHY IT WINS WE always await a new BMW 7 Series with huge anticipation, but in many new areas, the latest G70 edition exceeded our expectations – especially in all-electric i7 form. The silence and smoothness of a fully electric powertrain are ideal qualities to instil in a luxury vehicle. However, BMW has not merely relied on them to deliver superb refinement, using them instead to raise comfort and refinement to a level that we’ve rarely experienced in a new car. The i7’s ride comfort…

OUR CHOICE MINI Cooper Sport (£28,540) IN many respects it’s best to keep it simple with the MINI, because the Cooper’s characterful 134bhp 1.5-litre motor delivers a perfect blend of eager acceleration and fuel-sipping economy. However, we’d recommend adding the Sport upgrade that brings racier looks and adaptive dampers to the standard car’s already-generous equipment list. WHY IT WINS THE sun shows no signs of setting on the MINI’s drop-top masterpiece, which has secured an incredible sixth consecutive win in the Convertible category. The addition of an all-electric model has broadened the British baby’s appeal, but it’s the open-topped marvel’s combination of wind-in-the-hair thrills, endless customisation options and low running costs that continues to make it such topless treat. This MINI allows you to make the most of any breaks…

OUR CHOICE BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport (£57,890) GO for the entry-level Sport and you’ll get all the kit you’ll need, plus its smaller wheels help improve aerodynamics and deliver that impressive 365-mile range. Better still, BMW is currently offering to supply and install a free 7kW Pod Point home charger, or provide £750 towards public-charging fees when you’re out and about. WHY IT WINS THE EV market is changing fast, but the brilliance of the BMW i4 is underlined with a second win on the trot. A raft of fresh-faced rivals have challenged the all-electric machine over the past 12 months, but none has managed to match its blend of abilities. While other brands have delivered bespoke designs for their electrified compact execs, BMW based the i4 on the same…

OUR CHOICE Ford Ranger 3.0 EcoBlue Wildtrak (£44,721 ex VAT) IT costs a little more, but we reckon the extra muscle and refinement of the 237bhp V6 diesel is worth the premium. Wildtrak trim also comes bursting with premium SUV kit, plus a raft of driver safety aids and the Soft Ride suspension for greater comfort. WHY IT WINS THE name on the trophy is the same, but this year’s pick-up champ is new from the ground up. Retaining the old Ranger’s rugged abilities and unrivalled versatility, this box-fresh version adds a big dollop of refinement, tech and style to take a dominant win. With cues from its bigger US cousins, the latest Ranger’s chiselled looks and distinctive C-shaped LED running lights give it real kerb appeal. Once again there’s…

WHY IT WINS THE Citroen C4 and electric e-C4 rack up an incredible six top-10 category placings in the 2023 Driver Power New Car Survey, then add four more results in the top 20 for a total score that proves easily enough to beat all comers in the UK’s most eagerly anticipated satisfaction index. Casting an eye over the results, the C4’s best showing is third for ride and handling – including top spot for ride smoothness – but superb scores across the board make the C4 unbeatable. Another first place for overall quality helps the Citroen to fourth place in the reliability category, and the company is also able to celebrate fourth places for economy and servicing costs, sixth places for the number and ease of use of safety…

WHY IT WINS JUST to win a category in the Auto Express New Car Awards is an incredible achievement, but to take the overall prize, a car needs to have that little bit extra. We judge a car on everything, from its performance, ride and handling, refinement, practicality and tech, to how much it’ll cost to run – and if it’s better than its rivals in all of those respects, it’s in with a very strong shout. For 2023, the Hyundai Kona is the car that stands out for all of those reasons and more. Its predecessor was a worthy car, but it could have been better. Hyundai proved it had the humility to listen to feedback from testers and buyers, and took it on board while developing the second-gen…

NEW PRODUCT Viofo A139 Pro 3 Channel Dash Cam Price: £264.21 (plus memory card) Resolution: 4K front + 1080P interior + 1080P rear Rating: Contact: viofo.com WE’VE tried the non-Pro version of the A139 previously and only given it a middling score. This edition uses the same screenless body and two independent cameras, but adds extra definition to the front-facing footage. The additional processing capability also seems to have improved the capture quality of the rear and interior cameras, which are noticeably better than when previously tested. A polarising filter is fitted as standard, with the result that the Viofo isn’t fazed by bright sunlight and reflections, either. Unlike its rivals here, the Viofo’s interior camera is a separate unit, which allows it to be sited more discreetly, and the overall…

SUZUKI is one of the most enigmatic car makers around, because it tends to do things differently and it doesn’t have the high profile of its more mainstream rivals. While its cars are rarely class-leading, this is a company that was well ahead of the curve with its introduction of a small off-roader as long ago as 1970. In Mk3 form in 1998, that car would become the Jimny in the UK, but a decade before this we had our first taste of the Vitara. It transformed buyers’ perceptions of Suzuki, and it was a huge success when it arrived because the Vitara had pretty much no competition. By the time we pitted a Vitara against the class-leading SEAT Arona in 2019, things had changed somewhat. There was now a huge choice…