Description

It’s a bumper month for new car tests, with what is expected to be one of the biggest hits in the crossover market driven by our reviewers. The Audi Q2 not only adorns the front cover, but is also tested in full by Phil Huff. While it’s one of the smallest Audi’s to go on sale, it’ll be one that’ll be largest selling and you’ll see them everywhere.

It’s a bit of an Audi-fest this month, with first drives of the updated A3, the muscular SQ7 and the supercar-rivalling SQ5 Plus. We’ve also been trying out the hugely capable Toyota Hilux pickup, the facelifted Renault Clio and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupé, as well as the fantastically comfortable Renault Megane. Our road testers have also been putting the updated Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Shooting Brake through its paces, the Jeep Renegade and the Skoda Rapid Spaceback with 1.4-litre TDI three-cylinder engine. We’ve also been really impressed with the Volvo XC90 – with the new PowerPulse-equipped D5 engine.

Kia’s brand new Sportage has been facing up to the Nissan Qashqai in the crossover arena – which one wins? We welcome the latest DS 5 to the long-term fleet and it is joined by the Kia Optima in saloon guise. This month’s used car buyer’s guide is the Subaru Outback 2.0D with Boxer diesel engine, while features look at shared spaces and how town planners are slowing down traffic by mixing people more closely with cars, and examine which of the vast array of optional extras are worth selecting when buying a new car. Completing the feature list this month, we check out the best prices on the hottest new diesels on sale right now so you can be armed when you buy your ‘66’ plate motor.

In our EcoCar supplement, we get behind the wheel of the new Hyundai Ioniq, we take a look at the market for fuelling our cars by gas, and speak to a Honda Civic Hybrid owner that has racked up a huge amount of miles.

Tested:

• Audi A3 Sportback S line 2.0 TDI quattro
• Audi Q2 S line 2.0 TDI quattro Automatic
• Audi SQ5 Plus 3.0 TDI quattro Automatic
• Audi SQ7 4.0 TDI quattro Automatic
• Jeep Renegade Limited 1.6 MultiJet II 2WD
• Kia Sportage 2 1.7 CRDi
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 d AMG Line Shooting Brake Automatic
• Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 d 4MATIC AMG Line Coupe Automatic
• Nissan Qashqai Tekna 1.5 dCi
• Renault Clio Dynamique S 1.5 dCi 110
• Renault Megane Dynamique S 1.5 dCi 110
• Skoda Rapid Spaceback SE Sport 1.4 TDI
• Toyota Hilux Double Cab Invincible 2.4 D-4D Automatic
• Volvo XC90 Momentum D5 AWD PowerPulse Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Audi A4 S line 3.0 V6 TDI (218) quattro Automatic
• DS 5 Prestige BlueHDi 180 Automatic
• Ford S-MAX Titanium Sport 2.0 TDCi (180) AWD PowerShift
• Honda HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC EX
• Kia Optima 3 1.7 CRDi
• MINI Clubman Cooper D
• Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 DI-D GX4
• Renault Captur Dynamique Nav dCi 110
• SEAT Ibiza FR 1.4 TDI 5-door
• Skoda Superb Estate Laurin & Klement 2.0 TDI

Feature:

• ’66’ plate new registration plate special. We examine the best prices of the most popular diesel and alternative fuel vehicles so you know what to pay on your ’66’ plate motor
• Shares spaces – how the town planners are merging cars with people to bring the speed down
• A look at the future of gas powered vehicles

Used Car Buyer’s Guide:

• Subaru Outback 2.0 Boxer Diesel