50 best road tests of 2011: 46-50

Range Rover Evoque vs Range Rover and Audi A5
Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk (July)

Facing its sternest possible test, the new Evoque was driven back to back with its flagship Range Rover stablemate. Would the luxurious 4x4 brand be compromised by the addition of a new entry-level variant?

Not at all. Here was a model that lived up to the hype, a fitting understudy to one of the world’s best premium cars.

The Evoque also beat Audi’s A5 Sportback, proving how adept it is on the road, too. Little wonder we named it Car of the Year.

Audi A1 vs Citroen DS3
Longcross test track, Chobham, Surrey (March)

Audi's A1 had a serious challenge in April when it met our favourite diesel-powered premium hatchback. And the head-to-head between the German model and Citroen DS3 left us in two minds.

In the end, the Audi’s mature appeal and financial advantages edged it ahead of the more entertaining DS3.

Yes, drivers might miss the Citroen’s handling on the odd twisty road, but we decided the A1’s broader spread of abilities made it the better choice for everyday ownership.

Test top 10s
Fastest cars tested in 2011

MINI Coupe vs Peugeot RCZ
Innsbruck, Austria (September)

We could find little to separate the MINI Coupe and Peugeot RCZ when we tackled some fantastic roads and unseasonally early snow blizzards in the Austrian Alps in September.

The British brand’s sporty new Coupe offered all of the appeal of its hatchback siblings with a little extra sharpness, but it lacked the RCZ’s comfort and composure. Add the Peugeot’s sleek appearance to the mix and the balance tipped in the RCZ’s favour.

Less powerful versions of the Peugeot are not as good to drive as the flagship tested here, though, so a test of lesser models could result in a different outcome.

Nissan Juke vs MINI Clubman
Longcross test track, Chobham, Surrey (February)

Back in cold, wet February, we attempted to beat the winter blues with two highly unconventional models that add a dash of sparkle to the small car market.

The British-built MINI Clubman’s unusual rear doors and boxy shape add practicality to the package, but there was another model which is made in this country aiming to stand out even further from the crowd. Nissan’s Juke had been designed to tempt buyers with its quirky looks and practicality, but could it match the established appeal of the Clubman?

Not quite. A higher quality cabin and an extra dose of desirability made it a MINI adventure to remember, while much better dynamic abilities also helped the Clubman to victory. We were left largely unconvinced by the radical, opinion-splitting styling of Nissan’s challenger.

Tester's notes 
Lesley Harris, Road tester

Winter always means challenging times for road testers. Wet and windy test tracks, plus limited daylight, often have me struggling to leave my warm duvet.

Anything that adds a bit of sparkle to the proceedings is always welcome, so I was in my element when Nissan’s Juke 1.5 dCi tackled the MINI Clubman Cooper D.

The damp and dismal weather meant it was dark enough at 3.30pm to start our fireworks ‘spectacular’. The inclement conditions scuppered our original plan, as our Roman candles generated so much smoke you could barely see the cars.

Plan B involved sparklers and lots of running around. Road test colleague Graeme Lambert and I pranced around the cars like a couple of kids, but the resulting picture was a hit back in the office.

Art director Darren Wilson was inspired, and ordered a job lot of fireworks for July’s New Car Awards shoot. The spectacular results made our antics on that damp winter afternoon worthwhile.

Tow Car Of The Year
Millbrook, Bedfordshire (October)

Pulling a caravan can have a serious impact on handling, so ensuring you’re driving the best match for your trailer is crucial.

We help to judge the Caravan Club Tow Car Of The Year awards, and this year the VW Jetta won overall, as it was the most adept puller when cruising, cornering, accelerating and braking. Other victors included Skoda’s Superb, VW’s Touareg and Volvo’s V60.