Description

It’s the final edition of DieselCar & EcoCar to bear the date 2019, and we’ve got an absolute corking issue to close the year for you. 14 new car tests and 132 packed pages, with the cover revealing the exciting new Ford Mustang Mach-E pure electric SUV that’s set to go on sale here late next year. We’ve also got the first details of the sharp new Skoda Octavia, and the first details on the deal that will see the PSA Group merge with FCA, creating a mighty motor group that looks after 14 brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall.

Our testers have been putting the 2020 model year Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio through their paces, and we’ve also driven the latest Land Rover Discovery Sport and the mighty Audi SQ8 TDI. With a facelifted Vauxhall Astra arriving in showrooms just about now, we’ve tested it against its biggest rival, the Ford Focus. Which one is victorious? We’ve also got first tests of the thrilling new Ford Focus ST diesel in hatchback guise and driven the Mercedes-Benz G 350 d 4Matic.

In EcoCar, we’ve put the Renault Clio through its paces on UK roads and tested the Mazda3 Saloon with the groundbreaking SkyActiv-X engine under the bonnet. Toyota’s updated C-HR is driven, too, as is the all-electric DS 3 E-Tense, Kia Soul EV and facelifted Niro PHEV.

With the festive season in full swing, we have Christmas Product Inspector, giving you four packed pages of gift ideas for those that are difficult to buy for. In 12 cars of Christmas, we discuss the cars that we’ve love to see a diesel engine under the bonnet of, and there’s our traditional Christmas crossword to sink your teeth into.

Our used car buyer’s guide features the Honda HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC, and we’re very sad to say a fond farewell to our long-term Land Rover Discovery Sport and Volvo V60 R-Design. And if you haven’t already seen a copy of the facelifted Diesel Car & Eco Car magazine, then get yourself a copy now, because we’ve freshened the layout and design, and made it easier to read. There’s brand new features and items being added in every issue. That’s in addition to all your favourites, including Doctor Diesel, The Extra Mile, Marketplace and Legal i. And of course, we have the most up-to-date data section in the business. You really can’t miss it.

News:

• Ford Mustang Mach-E
• Honda Jazz Hybrid
• Honda Civic Facelift
• Mazda MX-30
• PSA/FCA merger
• Skoda Octavia

Tested:

• Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.2 Ti Lusso Automatic
• Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2 Veloce Automatic
• Audi SQ8 TDI Automatic
• DS 3 Ultra Prestige E-Tense Automatic
• Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue
• Kia Soul EV First Edition Automatic
• Kia Niro 3 PHEV 1.6 GDi Automatic
• Land Rover Discovery Sport SE D180 AWD Automatic
• Mazda3 Saloon Sport 2.0 SkyActiv-X
• Mercedes-Benz G 350 d 4Matic AMG Line Automatic
• Renault Clio Iconic TCe 100
• Toyota C-HR Orange Edition 2.0 VVT-i Hybrid Automatic

Twin test:

• Ford Focus Titanium 1.5 EcoBlue vs Vauxhall Astra Elite Nav 1.5 Turbo D

Long-term test reports:

• Citroen C5 Aircross Flair Plus BlueHDi 130 Automatic
• Ford Focus Estate ST-Line X 2.0 EcoBlue Automatic
• Honda Civic EX 1.6 i-DTEC Automatic 4-door
• Kia XCeed 3 1.6 CRDi
• Land Rover Discovery Sport HSE SD4 Automatic
• Peugeot 508 GT-Line 2.0 BlueHDi 160 Automatic
• Renault Kadjar S Edition Blue dCi 115
• SEAT Tarraco Xcellence 2.0 TDI (181bhp) DSG Automatic
• Skoda Scala SE 1.6 TDI
• Volvo V60 D3 R-Design Pro Automatic

Features:

• 12 cars of Christmas
• Christmas Crossword
• Christmas Product Inspector Gift Guide

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Honda HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC

Regulars

• News and views
• What’s On
• Marketplace Statistics
• Marketplace In The Pipeline
• Marketplace What’s New
• Marketplace Interview
• Doctor Diesel
• Highway Cod
• Legal i
• The Extra Mile
• Buying, Selling and Maintaining
• Doctor Diesel’s Heroes or Zeroes
• Product Inspector
• EcoCar News and views
• EcoCar Marketplace
• EcoCar Bright Spark