Table Of Content

i X T H E #bornelectric ALL-ELECTRIC SCANHERE* Mpg(l/100km):Notapplicable.CO emissions:0g/km.Electricenergyconsumption(combined):20to21kWh/100Km/3–3.1miles/kWh.TheiXxDrive40electricrange: 2 246-257miles.TheiXxDrive50electricrange:366-382miles.Thesefigureswereobtainedafterthebatteryhadbeenfullycharged.TheiXisabatteryelectricvehicle requiringmainselectricityforcharging.Figuresshownareforcomparabilitypurposes.Onlycompareelectricrangefigureswithothercarstestedtothesametechnical procedures.Thesefiguresmaynotreflectreallifedrivingresults,whichwilldependuponanumberoffactorsincludingthestartingchargeofthebattery,accessoriesfitted (post-registration),variationsinweather,drivingstylesandvehicleload. *ParticipatingRetailersonly.Testdrivesubjecttoapplicantstatusandavailability. CONTENTS Newsweek NewNissanAriyadriven 8 FirstverdictonJapanesebrand’scrucialnewall-electricSUV News|NewCars|Features|Tests|Products|Buyingcars|Sport COVER HybridQashqaihitstheroadatlast 12 Tricke-PowertechnologytransformsNissan’sbestseller COVER NewMG4settotargetVW’sID.3 14 Officialpicsandinfoonelectrichatch,inshowroomssoon EUbringsincompulsoryspeedlimiters 16 Newrulesays‘intelligent’systemswillbeturnedonbydefault Firstrideinall-newRangeRoverSport 19 Latestgenerationshowspromiseontrackand(slightly)offroad Citroenboostse-C4’sfamily-carcredentials 20 Newelectric-onlye-C4Xislongerandhasmorebootspace Features COVER MarkingHondaCivic’shalfcentury 22 Weintroduceoriginalmodeltoitsspiritualsuccessor Skoda’sstudentsgetdirtywithKamiq 36 LatestinseriesofconceptstakesbabySUVproperlyoffroad 25 New cars BRILLIANT WINNERS ToyotaCorolla 26 Updatedhybridtechlookssettomakehatcharealcontender LamborghiniHuracánTecnica 30 Notthecraziestedition,northemildest,butperhapsthebest 41 BRITAIN’S BEST CARS REVEALED VauxhallAstraSportsTourer 32 Estateversionboostsmodel’spracticality,butitstilllacksaUSP Mercedes-AMGEQE53 34 Timetorateperformancedivision’smostpotentEVyet NEW CAR AWARDS Introduction 41 Luxurycar 68 Citycar 42 Hothatch 70 Supermini 44 Coupé 72 Familycar 46 Convertible 74 8 First verdict on key new Nissan Ariya 12 Trick hybrid Qashqai e-Power driven Estatecar 48 Performancecar 76 Smallcompanycar 50 Affordableelectriccar 78 Mid-sizecompanycar 52 Premiumelectriccar 80 Largecompanycar 54 Affordablehybridcar 82 SmallSUV 56 Premiumhybridcar 84 Mid-sizeSUV 58 Pick-up 86 LargeSUV 60 Electricvan 88 SmallpremiumSUV 62 Van 90 Mid-sizepremiumSUV 64 Technology/HallofFame 92 LargepremiumSUV 66 CaroftheYear 94 Products 14 Official info on MG4, due here soon 19 OntrackinnewRangeRoverSport Hot kit 97 Mio focuses on value with its latest dash-cam offering Newontheshelves 98 FreshpairofVaxcleanerslookidealforin-caruse CCTVminitest 99 NewcomerfromEZVIZfacesWansviewtestchampion Pliers 100 Werateeightofthebestoptionsforgettingagrip Buying cars 26 Updated hybrid tech boosts Corolla 36 Skoda turns Kamiq into Dakar racer Owners’verdictontheVWGolf 105 Mk8hatchisfarfromperfect,butrunningcostsappeal Usedbuyer’sguide:SsangYongRexton 106 Ruggedfour-wheel-driveSUVlooksasolid,practicalbuy COVER MercedesGLAvsVolvoXC40 108 Second-handpremiumbabySUVsdobattle,from£17k Regulars Sport 113 McLarenconfirmsdetailsofitsinauguralFormulaEentry Backchat 114 MikeRutherfordonwhyrailstrikesputfocusoncarusage 22 Original Civic meets Honda e SpecialIssue 5 NEW! Proven Technology THIS WEEK Visitautoexpress.co.ukforallthelatestnewcarsnews How good is next year’s Editor-in-chief:SteveFowler Deputyeditor:JohnMcIlroy Executiveeditor:StuartMilne Car of the Year going to be? News,reviewsandtests Associateeditor:SeanCarson Newsandreviewseditor:JamesBrodie Chiefreviewer:AlexIngram Seniortesteditor:DeanGibson Videocontentproducer:YousufAshraf Staffwriter:AlastairCrooks Chiefcolumnist:MikeRutherford Consumer CONTACT Consumerandfeatureseditor:ChrisRosamond Deputyconsumerandfeatureseditor:TristanShale-Hester DETAILS Products Productseditor:KimAdams Production News02038903938Tests02038904039 Managingeditor:StuartMorton Chiefsub-editor:AndyPringle Consumer&Products02038903881 Sub-editor:PaulAlton Deputyexecutiveeditor:MattRobinson [email protected] Digital Subscriptions03303339491 Groupwebsiteeditor:SteveWalker Webproducer:PeteBaiden facebook.com/autoexpress Onlinereviewseditor:PaulAdam @AutoExpress Seniorcontenteditor:AndyGoodwin Contenteditors:ShaneWilkinson,HarryWaring,CharlieHarvey youtube.com/autoexpress Carbuyer&DrivingElectriceditor:RichardIngram Carbuyercontenteditors:BenCustard,MilesGoodson,TomJervis DrivingElectricmanagingeditor:StephenErrity DrivingElectriccontenteditor:EllisHyde Design&Pictures Creativedirector:DarrenWilson FORthoseofuswho’vedrivenandjudgedthisyear’s Seniordesigner:VictoriaCoquet AutoExpressCaroftheYear,itdidn’ttakeuslongto Pictureeditor:DawnGrant Seniorphotographer:PeteGibson realiseitwasawinner.Theverybestcarsarealwayslike Filmteam that–withinmomentsofsittinginthemanddriving Headofvideo:EthanSmale Seniorvideoproducers:GregDowswell,JackJoy away,youknowyou’reinsomethingspecial.Andthat’s Filmmakers:MichaelMoreira,TejBhola Videoeditor:WillWard definitelythecasewiththisyear’stopcar. SpecialContributors Whathasamazedme,though,isthespeedof SteveSutcliffe,VickiButler-Henderson, improvementwe’reseeinginthecarindustry,and NicolaHume,DrAndyPalmer,AndreasConradt, EuanDoig,SarahBradley,RobKeenan,OtisClay notonlyinfull-electriccars.Inthisissuewehavethe SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE Advertising&Promotions firstdriveoftherevisedToyotaCorolla–notanall-new Clientsalesmanagers:PierreClements,NealeSalt Accountmanagers:DemiMeredith,MilesTaylor car,butwhatwe’dusuallyrefertoasa‘facelifted’model. Commercialpublisher:SarahPerks Senioroperationsmanager:KerryLambird Yetthechangesmadeinthemiddleofitssevenoreight- SubscribetoAutoExpresstodayandgetsixissuesforjust Seniorproductionmanager:DanStark Digitalbranddirector:AmritBaidwan yearcyclehavetransformedanalreadygoodmachine £1.Ifyoucontinuetosubscribe,you’llpayjust£26.99 Publisher:HollyJerram intosomethingthatrivalstheverybestintheclass. everythreemonths–43percentlessthantheshopprice. Publishingmanager:SophieValentine Marketingmanager:LukeTutt Muchastherearemanymultiplewinnersamongst HeadofPRandcommunications:KarenParry Visitautoexpress.co.uk/subscribe thoseinthisyear’sAwards,therearesomethathave slippedfromthetopspotnotthroughanyfaultoftheir tosubscribe,andenterthecodeD1736 own,butbecauseofthebrillianceofnewcomers.Last orcall03303339491 year’soverallCaroftheYear,theHyundaiIoniq5,may AutoviaLimited nolongerbeawinner,butit’sstillafantasticcar(andone Sixissuesfor£1 Every13issues:£26.99 Financedirector:KerryOkikiade CEOAutovia:NicolaBates ofthebestpiecesofautomotivedesign,inmyeyes).It’s Sixmonths:£53.99 Annualsubscription:£105.99 CONTENTSYNDICATIONSALES justthatayearisalongtimeintheautomotiveworld. Ourcontentisavailableforsyndication. Europe:£130 Restofworld:£200 [email protected] Anotherexampleofthespeedofprogressisthenew call+44(0)2038903998formoredetails. RangeRoverSport.Itookarideinthenewcarwiththe [email protected] Copyright©AutoviaLimited2022.Allrightsreserved. AutoExpressisaregisteredtrademark. talentedMattBeckerbehindthewheel–amanwhose OnlinesubscriberserviceChangeyouraddressandrenewyour teamatJLRseemsetondefyingphysics.Here’salarge, AutoExpressispublishedweeklybyAutoviaLimited.Autoviaisatradingname subscriptionatyoursubscription.co.uk ofAutoviaLimited,registeredinEnglandandWalesno.13018565.Registered heavySUVthatisn’tembarrassedonaracetrack–which address:31-32AlfredPlace,LondonWC1E7DP.VATnumber494616317. Neitherthewholeofthispublicationnoranypartofitmaybereproduced,stored iswhereBeckerwasdrivingit–butcanalsohandlea inaretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeanswithoutthe writtenpermissionofthepublishers.Registeredasanewspaperatthe gravelsurfacewithallthecalmandpoiseofaluxurycar. PostOffice.PicturessubmittedtoAutoExpressaresentatowners’risk.While everycareistaken,neitherAutoExpressnoritsagentsacceptanyliability Great-handlingcarsthatprovideasafeand forlossordamage.OriginatedonApplecomputers. comfortablerideusedtobeanimpossibility.Now, Creativerepromanager:DaveKinnard Creativereproartworker:RenatoDeAraujo throughthewondersoftechnologyandengineers’ PrintedbyWalsteadBicester,LauntonRoad,Bicester,OxonOX264QZ. Distribution:Marketforce(UK)Ltd,121-141WestbourneTerrace,Paddington, genius,youcantrulyhavethebestofbothworlds. LondonW26JR.Tel:02037879101,Website:www.marketforce.co.uk AccordingtoBecker,youmaysoonbeabletodownload AUTOEXPRESSROADTESTS AllAutoExpresstestsarecarriedoutatprivateprovinggroundswhere bespokesettingstoyourcar Tell us about your car for a chance carsaredriventothelimitandperformancetestedusingRacelogicVBox computertimingequipment.AutoExpressalsoassessesthecarsover dependingonwhereyoudrive to win £100 of Amazon vouchers manymilesofmixedpublicroadsbeforedeliveringitsRoadTestVerdict. it.It’stheBuckinghamshire DON’TWANTTOMISSANISSUE? potholesettingforme,then. TheUK’snumberonecarownershipsurvey,DriverPower, Ifyoucan’talwaysfindacopyofAutoExpress, wantstohearfromyou.Oursurveyissimplertousethanever helpisathand.Speaktoyourlocalnewsagent andcoversnewandusedcars,pluspetrol,diesel,hybridand andthey’llreserveanissueforyou.Justask! STEVEFOWLER electricmodels,aswellasarangeofmotoringissues. AutoExpressispartofthe Editor-in-chief AutoBildGroupnetworkofmagazines ●Whatdoyouloveandloatheaboutyourcar?●Howgood arethedealers?●Wouldyourecommendyourcartoafriend? [email protected] Tohaveyoursay,scantheQRcodeaboveorgoto @stevefowler Thepaperusedwithinthismagazineisproducedfromsustainable www.autoexpress.co.uk/driver-power fibre,manufacturedbymillswithavalidchainofcustody. www.autoexpress.co.uk SpecialIssue 7 TOP STORY Visitautoexpress.co.ukforyourdailynewsupdates Essentials ● We’re behind the wheel of Nissan’s all-new electric SUV ● Model offers up to 250 miles of range in an upmarket package NissanAriya63kWhEvolve SeanCarson as‘e-PedalStep’.Thecarwon’tcometoa Price: £47,840 [email protected] haltonitsown,butthelevelofregeneration Powertrain: 63kWhbattery/1xe-motor isenoughtoblendinandoutofthethrottle Power/torque: 215bhp/300Nm NISSANisanelectricpioneer.Thebrand duringmostconditionssoyourarelyhave Transmission: Single-speedautomatic, front-wheeldrive beatitsrivalstomarketwiththeLeaf totouchthebrakes,againcontributing 0-62mph: 7.5seconds electrichatch,launchedmorethanadecade towardstheAriya’seasygoingnature. Topspeed: 100mph ago,butdespitethis,theAriyaisonly Somerivalsoffergreaterconfigurability Range: 250miles(WLTP) Nissan’ssecondfullEVmodelforEurope. whenitcomestoenergyrecovery,and Charging: 130kW(20-80%28mins) But–spoileralert–it’sagoodone. maybeanothermodeintheAriyawouldbe ONSALE Now WhilecompetitorssuchastheVolkswagen nice,butthefactthesystemiswellcalibrated ID.4feelliketheyhavebeenrushedthrough andeasytouseismoreimportant. inplaces,theAriyaismoreconvincing. ThereismuchmoretotheAriyathanhow Underneaththesvelte,coupéSUV-style itdrivesanditsfunctionalfactors,however. bodysitstheRenault-NissanAlliance’s Nissanispushinginapremiumdirection CMF-EVplatform–thesamebasisasthe andisproudofitsJapaneseheritage,so MéganeE-TechElectricfamilycrossover. thecabinfeatureslightingtogivetheeffect TheAriyaisbigger,however,at4,595mm oftraditionalpaperlanterns.It’sanice longandwitha2,775mmwheelbase.Its touchthatliftstheinteriorandgivesan batteryoptionsarealsodifferent,because individualfeelinacrowdedclass. theNissanrangekicksoffwitha63kWh Coupledwithasmartwood-liketriminlay optionthat,whenconnectedtoa215bhp thathousestheseparatehapticclimate electricmotordrivingthefrontwheels, controls,theinteriorisadelight.Itfeels TECHAllAriyamodelsfeatureapairof servesupaclaimed250milesofrange.Our muchmorespecialthancarssuchasthe 12.3-inchscreens.Thegraphicscouldbesharper, testefficiencysuggestedtheAriyashould ID.4andToyotabZ4X,butcomparedwith butthere’sloadsoffunctionality,includingAlexa integrationandasmartrouteplanner easilydeliverareal-world225milesfroma thoserivals’set-ups,thepairof12.3-inch fullchargewithoutanyconcessionstowards screenscouldofferslightlysharpergraphics. eco-focuseddriving,whichisimpressive. Sat-nav,AppleCarPlayandAndroidAuto Whenthebatteryisnearlyempty,130kW plusAlexaintegrationandafunctionto rapidchargingmeansa20to80percent thermallyconditionthebatteryforthemost top-upwilltakeasector-standard28 effectiverechargingallfeature,alongwith minutes,whileovernightchargesat acleverrouteplannerthatcanselectthe homewilltakearound10hours. mostenergy-efficientrouteandsuggest Moreimportanttoperformanceisthe chargingstopsalongyourjourney. DRIVEN Nissa motor’s300Nmoftorque.Itmeansthe Thebase-specAdvancemodelfeatures 0-62mphsprinttakes7.5seconds,which plentyofstandardkit,includingwireless isfarfasterthancombustion-enginedcars phonecharging,dual-zoneclimatecontrol, ofasimilarsize.Butthebigbenefitisthe aheatpump,LEDlights,19-inchalloys, easeofaccelerationandhowrelaxedthis heatedseats,apoweredtailgateandplenty makestheAriyafeelwhenonthemove. ofsafetyanddriver-assistancesystems. Optforthelarger87kWhbattery,andyou Listpricesstartfrom£43,845,witha haveachoiceof239bhpsingle-motorand £3,995jumptoEvolvetrim,whichadds FIRST VERDICT Japanese firm’s all-new electric SUV sets 302bhpdual-motore-4ORCEpowertrains, adaptivehighbeamlights,apanoramic withabest0-62timeof5.7seconds. Inourlower-poweredcar,there’sverylittle motorwhine–itonlybecomesapparent whenyouaskforfullpower–andthislevel ofrefinementextendstothecar’sride. There’satautedgetothesuspensionset-up andbodycontrolfeelsrelativelygood,even thoughourtestroutewasn’tthetwistiest. Itwasrepresentativeofhowthiscarwill beused,though–commuting,schoolruns andurbanandsuburbandriving–andthe Ariyadealtwithbumpsfluidly,offering complianceoverbadridges,gridsandroad repairs.OnsomesmoothSwedishforest roadsthesteeringfeltdirectandoffereda niceweightintheStandarddrivemode. Nissan’sfamiliare-Pedalset-upfromthe LeafappearsintheAriya,thistimebranded “There’s very little motor whine and this level of refinement extends to the car’s ride” 8 SpecialIssue TOPSTORY NissanAriya an Ariya aims to impress s new standards for quality and technology for the marque INTERIOR Ariya’scabin isthebest we’veyetseen fromNissan. Wood-liketrim inlaysand Japanesepaper lantern-style illuminationare lovelytouches CLEVER KITSlidingcentreconsoleonEvolve trimmoveselectronicallyandofferssomegood storage.There’sahiddencompartmentthat emergesfromunderthedashboard,too www.autoexpress.co.uk SpecialIssue 9 TOPSTORY NissanAriya WHATARIYA NEEDS TO BEAT USABILITY Standard-fit powered FordMustangMach-E tailgatereveals a466-litre boot,witha Standard flatloadfloor. Range There’splenty ofspaceinside Price: £47,530 thecabin,too Battery: 70kWh Power: 265bhp 0-62mph: 6.9seconds Range: 273miles Charging: 115kW(10- 80%38min) FORD’SMustangMach-Eisoneofthebest-drivingelectricSUVs onsale.It’sfirmerthantheAriyaandthereforenotascomfortable, however.A70kWhbatteryontheStandardRangecardeliversa claimedrangeof273miles,butit’spricierandtheFord’s rechargingcapabilityisn’tquiteasgoodastheNissan’s,either. HyundaiIoniq5 58kWh170PS Premium Price: £41,900 Battery: 58kWh Power: 168bhp 0-62mph: 8.5seconds Range: 238miles Charging: 350kW(10- 80%18min) roof,ventilatedfrontandheatedrearseats, needstoscorehighly,andinthisinstance ASaformerAutoExpressCaroftheYear,theIoniq5isagreatEV.The a10-speakerBosestereo,ahead-up theAriyaisanappealingproposition. 58kWhPremiummodelistheclosestonpricetoourAriyatestmodel, display,ProPilotPark,adigitalrear-view Revolutionarynewelectriccarsarefew butitfallsshortonrangeandpower,meaningthistwo-wheel-drivecar mirrorandaslidingcentreconsole. andfarbetweenthesedays,butasa isn’tquiteasfast.That’snotthecasewithchargingit,becausea Thelattermovesbackandforthelectrically, successfulevolutionoftheformula,Nissan’s 350kWfeedmeansan80percentchargetakesjust18minutes. creatingmorelegroomforamiddlerear next-generationmodelisaconvincingline ToyotabZ4X passenger,orrevealingextraroominthe inthesandfortheJapanesebrand. front,addingtotheAriya’sspaciousfeel. PAGE12:NissanQashqaie-Powerdriven 71kWhFWD There’splentyofspaceintheback;the Motion batteryis33percentslimmerthanaLeaf’s, Verdict sothefloorisrelativelylow,helpingdeliver Pricefrom: £45,750 plentyoflegroom,whileheadspaceisgood, Battery: 71kWh despitethesleekroofline.There’salsoan THEAriyaisaleapintherightdirection Power: 201bhp electricallyoperatedcompartmentthat forNissan.It’sthebrand’smostpremium 0-62mph: 7.5seconds emergesfromthelowersectionofthedash, productyet,anditbacksthisupwith Range: 271miles whileitslidgivesyousomewheretopropup greatengineeringandtech.Performance Charging: 150kW(10- adevicetowatchifyou’rechargingatapublic andrefinementareimpressive,asis 80%30min) point.ThisreallyhighlightshowNissanhas range.Individualtouchesinsideand thoughtabouthowbuyerswillusethecar. plentyoffunctionalfeatures,combined DESPITEToyota’sexperienceofelectrificationwithitshybrids,thebZ4X Bootspaceis466litres,whichisplenty, withinterestingdesignandmaterials, isthebrand’sfirstfullEVforEurope.Thefront-wheel-drivecarmatches andthedepthandwidthmeantheAriya makeitanappealingchoicethatproves theAriyaforperformance,andalthoughclaimedrangeishigher,our willtakeabuggyorgolfbagatanangle. Nissan’sEVpushisreallygatheringpace. experiencesuggestsit’llonlyreallymatchitsrival.Itdoesn’tfeel It’sthiscombinedmixoffactorsinevery (cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1) anywherenearasupmarket,either,evenifitcostsalittleless. areathatanewcar–especiallyanewEV– 10 SpecialIssue www.autoexpress.co.uk