; T HE REST OF OUR PI CKS
SMALL TO BIG
SUV S
What makes a good SUV? Four-wheel drive on all models; prestige badge; comfortable interior…
MASER AT I LEVANT E
Price: from £54,335 Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cylinder diesel/271bhp Economy: 39.2mpg Maserati’s latest model – its first SUV – has been called one of the best cars ever from the Italian stable. The interior is well laid-out and nicely put together; the engine gives a good turn of speed; and luxury kit inside includes heated rear seats. The diesel engine sounds great; and if you’ve got deep pockets at the pumps there’s also a Ferrari-designed petrol option.
MERCEDES GLC COUPÉ Price: from £40,580 Engine: 2.1-litre 4-cylinder diesel/164bhp Economy: 56.5mpg
There are SUVs and then there are SUV coupés like the BMW X4 and now the Mercedes GLC Coupé. Although it shares much of its design with the GLC, the Coupé is less practical yet more expensive. Its suspension is tweaked to be sportier and it has a wider track for a more assertive stance, as well as retuned steering. The luxury German manufacturer is offering a choice between a four and a six-cylinder diesel engine, both driving through a slick nine-speed automatic gearbox.
TESLA MODEL X Price: from £70,000 (est) Motor: 90kWh electric/ 682bhp Range: 290 miles
The latest niche for newcomer Tesla to set about is the SUV class. The Model X has all the performance of the Model S executive car transplanted into an SUV body. Like its saloon sister, the X uses electricity to give warp-speed acceleration of 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds through the wonders of “Ludicrous” mode. The interior features the company’s now trademark massive central touchscreen. And there are centrally hinged “falcon wing” rear doors to make passers-by point and stare.
SMALL CARS
What makes a good small car? Diminutive dimensions; safe build; agility and frugality…
F ORD K A+ Price: from £8,995 Engine: 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol/69bhp Economy: 56.5mpg
It might be called a Ka but Ford’s new supermini, above, is closer to the Fiesta in size. The theory is to offer sufficient space for a small family along with big-car safety for city-car money. Of course there has to be a catch somewhere and that’s an interior designed to rival the Dacia Sandero and Kia Rio. So the Ka+ looks and feels more rudimentary inside than the Fiesta.
CITROËN C3 Price: from £10,495 Engine: 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol 67bhp Economy: 75mpg (est)
When Citroën launched DS as a separate brand it lost its best car, the DS3. The new C3 aims to right that by becoming a credible Ford Fiesta rival. Resembling a shrunken cross between a C4 Picasso and C4 Cactus, the new model will use the Airbump protective plastic panels on the sides. Perhaps its most interesting feature will be the Connected-Cam, a forward-facing camera mounted in the rear-view mirror to record accidents.
S MART F ORT WO BRABUS Price: from £16,000 (est) Engine: 898cc 3-cylinder petrol/108bhp Economy: 62.7mpg
efforts on previous Smart models appeared overly expensive and a little lame. The latest For-Two has the task of changing that. Engine power has been increased, but it’s underneath where the real work has been done. New firmer sports suspension reduces body roll, the gearbox has been made 40 per cent faster, the steering gives greater feedback and it even has launch control. A quirky, entertaining choice.
RENAULT CLIO Price: from £16,655 Engine: 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol/118bhp Economy: 53.3mpg
The Clio remains Renault’s best-selling model. To keep it that way, Renault has had to give it a midlife tweak. The changes are best described as minor. It looks a bit more modern and there’s more scope for personalisation. Inside, better materials have been used. However, still present are the previous lack of rear headroom and a ride that feels overly soft in corners but can’t smooth out bumps. Sadly for Renault, it still won’t be troubling the supermini class leaders.
VOLK S WAGEN U P Price: from £8,995 Engine: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol/60bhp Economy: 64.2mpg
Since its launch in 2011, the Up has consistently been among the best city cars. That looks to continue with this update, below. Design tweaks front and rear keep it in line with the VW family look and it gets a new 1.0-litre turbo engine. The interior has been left alone so remains neat and tidy with a surprising amount of room in the rear. A great small car made even better.
FORD EDGE Price: from £34,495 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cylinder diesel/207bhp Economy: 52.3mpg
Ford’s first large SUV for more than a decade is good-looking, spacious, well equipped and keenly priced. However, where it falls down compared with premium rivals is in quality and the lack of seven seats – but the three rear passengers will enjoy the masses of leg room. The clever acoustic glass and active noise control also make the cabin relaxing. But the big selling point is a price tag that is less than those of rivals.
PERFORMANCE CARS
What makes a good performance car? Punchy engine; low driving position; taut handling…
FIAT/ ABAR TH 124 SPIDER
Price: from £22,295 Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol/138bhp Economy: 44.1mpg The Mazda MX-5 has been a hit already so the 124 Spider, which shares mechanical components, is off to a good start. Fiat engines and snazzy styling that evokes the 1960s version suggest a winner. The Abarth is quicker than the Mazda, and all models are better equipped with a more luxurious cabin than their Japanese relative.
AUDI A 5 Price: from £35,500 Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel/187bhp Economy: 67.2mpg
The A5 coupé, below, has always been one of the German maker’s betterlooking cars. This rework looks more sensible and distinctly less sporty than its predecessor. But while this car is more refined and roomier than the model it replaces, it is 60kg lighter, so it should feel more agile.
LOAD CARRIERS
What makes a good load carrier? Ease of access; flexible interior; huge boot
MERCEDES E-CLASS ESTATE
Price: from £37,935 Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel/194bhp Economy: 72mpg (est) The latest Mercedes EClass load lugger will become the most practical premium estate car in its class. There’s a massive boot and optional third row of seats – a trump card over rivals. The beautifully built interior is well equipped.
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA TOURER Price: from £19,000 (est) Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol/140bhp FAMILY CARS
What makes a good family car? Spacious cabin; big boot; wide range of optional equipment…
FIAT TIP O
Price: from £12,995 Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol/95bhp Economy: 49.6mpg After years out of the family hatchback class, apparently trying to make as many versions of its 500 as possible, Fiat’s back. The Tipo is aimed squarely at non-premium rivals such as the Hyundai i30 and the Citroën C4. Externally it looks more than up to the task with a handsome design. It also has a big boot. But the cheap-feeling interior doesn’t match the positive first impressions.
NISSAN G T-R PURE
Price: £79,995 Engine: 3.8-litre 6-cylinder petrol/563bhp Economy: 23.9mpg The GT-R has always had supercar-baiting form and this latest model continues the theme. Improved breathing means the engine develops more power and more torque, so the sub 3second 0-62mph time and near 200mph top speed remain intact. Ride quality and sound deadening have been improved. But be reassured, at heart it’s still a most ferocious beast.
VW GOLF GTI CLUB SPORT Price: from £35,000 (est) Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol/306bhp Economy: 38mpg (est)
When it comes to making hot Golfs, Volkswagen just cannot seem to stop itself. The Clubsport S is the fastest Golf GTI ever, with 30bhp more than the regular Clubsport but 30kg less weight to worry about. On the downside, there are no back seats so sharing its joys is limited. Oh, and only 150 examples of this GTI are coming to the UK.
Economy: 42.2mpg
The Zafira has been in the news for two safety recalls over potential fire hazards so Vauxhall will hope a refreshed version of the seven-seat Tourer people carrier will attract positive attention. The front looks more Astra-like and the dash has been updated. The Flex7 seating and carrying options, such as the Flex Fix bike carrier, stay – as does the large load area.
VOLVO V9 0
Price: £43,450 Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel/232bhp Economy: 58.9mpg The latest V90 has a steeply raked rear screen, slightly reducing load carrying. But it’s less boxy than its predecessors, and combines a beautiful interior with a chassis tuned for comfort.
PORSCHE PA N A MER A
Price: from £88,700 Engine: 2.9-litre 6-cylinder petrol/434bhp Economy: 27mpg (est) Despite looks that only a parent could love, the outgoing Panamera found a certain following. The new model should build on that simply because its rear end looks far more elegant. Inside, the copious buttons on the centre console have been replaced by an iPad-inspired 12.3in touchscreen. Naturally the explosive Porsche performance remains but it is also more fuel-efficient and cleaner. And for the first time the range will include a “shooting brake” estate version.
RE NA UL TM É GA NE
Price: from £20,400 Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel/108bhp Economy: 76.4mpg Taking the fight to the VW Golf and Vauxhall Astra is a big job for the Mégane. The all-new design certainly looks the part inside and out. While the cabin does have a quality feel to it with a huge touchscreen as well, overall the vehicle does not feel as solidly built as some of its rivals. The space in the back is adequate while the boot is one of the biggest for cars in this category.
ALFA ROMEO GIULIA
Price: from £29,180 Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel/178bhp Economy: 67.3mpg Alfa Romeo’s BMW 3-Series competitor has been long in the making. The Italian maker hasn’t even been represented in this category since 2012 so the Giulia has a lot of work to do. While Alfa hasn’t launched a class topper, its new rearwheel-drive model is definitely a contender. While you won’t find Audi levels of quality in the cabin, it feels well built. A credible and charismatic challenger.