Description

The first issue bearing a 2018 date is a whopper, with 12 first tests packed into the January issue. We’ve got behind the wheel of the Jaguar E-Pace, DS 7 Crossback, facelifted Ford EcoSport, new Volvo XC40, updated Kia Sorento, Fiat Fullback Cross and all-new BMW X3, as well as testing the Jeep Compass, Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain, Fiat 500L and ST-Line and Vignale versions of the Ford Fiesta on UK roads for the first time.

Nissan’s facelifted X-Trail is pitched up against the all-conquering Skoda Kodiaq – which one reigns supreme in the seven-seat SUV sector? We’ve also been driving the new twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport, tested the BMW 520d M Sport Touring and put the updated SEAT Leon X-Perience through its paces. The UK’s best-selling diesel car joins the DieselCar long-term test fleet, with Nissan’s Qashqai spending the next six months with us.

In EcoCar, we drive the Hyundai Ioniq plug-in hybrid and examine another set of alternative engines, this time HCCI. There’s also the penultimate long-term test report with our Suzuki Ignis SHVS. All of this is in addition to the DieselCar & EcoCar regulars, including Doctor Diesel, The Extra Mile and the most up-to-date data section in the business, as well as extensive coverage of the latest news in the world of diesel and alternative fuels.

Tested:

• BMW 520d M Sport Touring Automatic
• BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport
• DS 7 Crossback Ultra Prestige BlueHDi 180 Automatic
• Fiat 500L Lounge 1.6 MultiJet
• Fiat Fullback 2.4 Cross Automatic
• Ford Fiesta ST-Line X 1.5 TDCi 3-door
• Ford Fiesta Vignale 1.5 TDCi 3-door
• Ford EcoSport ST-Line 1.5 EcoBlue TDCi AWD
• Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid Premium SE 1.6 GDi
• Jaguar E-Pace First Edition 2.0 D (180) AWD Automatic
• Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport 2.0 D (240) AWD Automatic
• Jeep Compass Limited 2.0 MultiJet II 4×4 Automatic
• Kia Sorento GT-Line S 2.2 CRDi Automatic
• Nissan X-Trail Tekna dCi 177 4WD X-Tronic
• Mercedes-Benz E 350 d 4Matic All-Terrain Edition
• SEAT Leon X-Perience SE Lux 2.0 TDI 4Drive DSG Automatic
• Skoda Kodiaq Edition 2.0 TDI 4X4 DSG Automatic
• Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design

Long-term test reports:

• Audi A5 Sportback S line 2.0 TDI ultra Automatic
• Citroen C3 Flair BlueHDi 100
• Ford Kuga Vignale 2.0 TDCi AWD Automatic
• Mazda CX-5 Sport Nav 2.2 AWD
• MINI Countryman Cooper D
• Mitsubishi ASX 4 1.6 DI-D 4WD
• Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta dCi 110
• Peugeot 3008 Allure BlueHDi 120
• Renault Scenic Dynamique S dCi 130
• SEAT Leon ST SE Dynamic Technology 1.6 TDI DSG Automatic
• Skoda Octavia SE L 2.0 TDI
• Suzuki Ignis SZ5 SHVS 1.2 Dualjet Mild Hybrid

Features:

• High Mile Club – 260,000 mile Volkswagen Caravelle
• Talkback – Big brother Beemer
• New Year Product Inspector
• Alternative Engines Part III

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Peugeot 3008 1.6 HDi/e-HDi/BlueHDi 120