Auto Express road tests: spring 2013
Starting at only £5,995, the Dacia Sandero is the UK’s cheapest new car, and the supermini-sized hatchback took on a trio of tiny city cars in its first test.
Dacia Sandero vs Suzuki Alto vs Kia Picanto vs Skoda Citigo
March - Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire
Starting at only £5,995, the Dacia Sandero is the UK’s cheapest new car, and the supermini-sized hatchback took on a trio of tiny city cars in its first test.
Trouble was, despite its advantage on price and space, the Dacia struggled to compete – it was let down by its low-rent interior, miserly specification and ageing engine. Plus, it proved to be the least efficient car and the costliest to run.
The Sandero didn’t finish last – it pipped the tiny Suzuki Alto for third spot. But the brilliant Skoda Citigo took the win, ahead of the great-value Kia Picanto.
SEAT Leon FR vs BMW 1 Series
March - Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire
The BMW 1 Series is a long-time Auto Express favourite, but it met its match back in March, when we tested it against the SEAT Leon FR.
The new hatchback held all the aces in this test, as the 118d M Sport provided less equipment, horsepower and space, yet it cost significantly more. While we accepted that the BMW was ultimately more capable and fun from behind the wheel, the difference in this area just wasn’t big enough to outweigh its shortcomings elsewhere.
So if you want a swift, stylish, efficient and fun-to-drive family hatchback, the Leon FR comes very highly recommended.
Toyota RAV4 vs Ford Kuga vs Mazda CX-5
March - Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire
The SUV landscape has changed dramatically in the past 18 months, leaving former favourites like Toyota’s RAV4 and Ford’s Kuga off the pace. New versions of both models arrived this year, seeking to knock the Mazda CX-5 off the top of the class.
Our testers agreed that Toyota’s fourth generation of the original family off-roader was a big improvement, but could it beat the new-look Kuga?
Not quite. The Ford emerged as the better newcomer with its generous spec, good-value price and engaging dynamics. Yet neither could topple our champ, as we reported: “The CX-5 is the most expensive, but it has the most kit and costs less to run. Add a fun driving experience, and it’s still king of the hill.”
Smart ForTwo ED vs Renault Twizy
March - Sainsbury’s Beckton, E London
Electric cars don’t come any cheaper than the Smart ForTwo ED and the Renault Twizy. However, our twin test back in March highlightedhow different these battery-powered city runabouts are in character.
Driving the Twizy is undeniably a unique experience – the quirky little machine is fun and attention-grabbing in equal measure – yet the ED is the best model in the entire ForTwo range.
Our team of testers reckoned it was well worth its price premium over the cheaper Renault, as it emerged not only as the winner of this test, but also as one of the most convincing electric cars we’ve ever driven.
Fiat 500L vs MINI Countryman vs Nissan Qashqai
3 April - Chobham, Surrey
The most stylish city car on the planet made the transition into a family model this year – so we put the new super-sized Fiat 500L to the test against two very different rivals.
The Nissan Qashqai was the first competitor to fall by the wayside, on account of its low equipment count and dated interior design, leaving the Fiat and MINI Countryman to fight it out.
The 500L was undeniably the more practical and better equipped of the two, but the MINI took a narrow win on account of its brilliant fuel economy and more rewarding driving dynamics.
SEAT Leon vs VW Golf vs Kia Cee’d
April - Warwickshire
Cars like the SEAT Leon 1.6 TDI SE are the bread and butter of the compact family car class, so we arranged for it to meet two of its leading rivals: the VW Golf and Kia Cee’d.
The Leon’s cousin, the Golf, is a classy choice, but it’s expensive, and our testers agreed the SEAT was a better bet for family buyers as it’s great to drive, good to look at and just as practical as the VW.
The Kia finished third, but against two such talented rivals, there was no disgrace in that. This win had huge implications for the victor, with our New Car Awards ceremony only a matter of weeks away...
MINI Cooper JCW vs Renaultsport Megane
April - Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire
Another week, another MINI. April was showing us just how broad the company’s range had become, because after testing the new MINI Countryman SUV the week before, we got behind the wheel of the JCW GP.
This new hardcore hot hatch promised to be the fastest, most extreme model the brand had ever produced, complete with a no-frills two-seater interior and some brassy styling add-ons.
In the hunt for no-compromise driving thrills, we put the GP up against the Renaultsport Megane Cup. And despite the Renault’s extra power and practicality, the limited-edition MINI got our vote in this test. Granted, these cars are short on refinement and comfort, but the JCW GP is a car you’d drive just for the hell of it.
Porsche Cayman S vs Lotus Evora S vs Audi TT RS Plus
April - Snetterton, Norfolk
Any group test involving a Porsche is sure to be enjoyable, but the introduction of the new Cayman S prompted one of the most oversubscribed road tests of the year. Joining the Porsche on the grid at Snetterton were the Lotus Evora S Sports Racer and the 355bhp Audi TT RS Plus.
Initially, we’d have been happy to keep any of these impressive machines, but our winner was in a class of its own – the latest Porsche Cayman is better than ever.
Its combination of pace, ability and practicality takes some beating, and it even made sense financially in this company. The Lotus was great fun, but not good enough to justify the £15,000 premium it commands over the Porsche. And while the TT provided pulsating performance and sure-footed handling, it just wasn’t as entertaining as it needed to be to win here.
Jaguar F-Type vs Jaguar E-Type
April - Chobham, Surrey
We can’t think of a more hotly anticipated new car this year than the Jaguar F-Type. And thanks to the marque’s rich heritage, we didn’t need to think too hard about what to test the new roadster against on its debut.
That’s right – we looked to the past for inspiration, putting the stylish newcomer head-to-head with its spiritual predecessor, the beautiful and iconic E-Type convertible. We weren’t looking for an outright winner, of course, but we wanted to find out if Jaguar’s latest creation had drawn on its famous ancestor for more than just its styling and name.
Fans of the brand will have been reassured by our verdict: “We’re happy to report that the F-Type has enough of the E-Type’s intoxicating DNA to prove a worthy successor – it’s one of the best sports cars on sale today.”
MINI Paceman vs Range Rover Evoque
May - Chertsey, Surrey
The MINI Paceman looks like the result of an illicit tryst between a MINI Countryman and a sports car. It’s part three-door hatchback, part crossover and 100 per cent new MINI.
In range-topping Cooper SD ALL4 trim, it costs nearly £25,000 and is about as far from the original Mini’s brief as you can possibly get. It faced the most successful style statement in recent memory in May, when it went up against the Range Rover Evoque – a former Auto Express Car of the Year. At this price point, the Evoque got the nod, as the MINI simply didn’t feel as special to look at, sit in or drive.
Ford Fiesta ST vs Renaultsport Clio vs Peugeot 208 GTi
May - North Wales
Our road test team scored an early summer scoop when it brought together three of 2013’s most eagerly awaited hot hatches. But would the pulse-quickening Ford Fiesta ST or stylish Renaultsport Clio come out on top? Or would Peugeot mark the return of its legendary GTi badge, on the 208, with victory?
In the end there was a clear winner. Fast Fords are part of the establishment, and although it had been a while since the brand had turned out a go-faster supermini worthy of the name, the ST delivered in every way. It combines sublime handling, perfectly weighted controls and lively performance with neat styling tweaks.
Second place went to the best hot Peugeot for a generation, while our former champion, the Renault, had to settle for third.
Dacia Sandero diesel vs Fiat Panda vs Kia Rio
May - Chobham, Surrey
If you want diesel economy, you won’t find a cheaper option than the Dacia Sandero dCi. But a low price alone isn’t enough to guarantee sales success, and in May we wanted to find out if it made as much sense on the road as on paper.
Faced with competition from the Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi and Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet, the Sandero wouldn’t find this test a walkover. However, in the end, its space, efficiency and price were enough.
The Kia was leagues ahead in quality terms, but the small engine made driving the car hard work. It finished second, ahead of the Fiat, which proved too costly and impractical in this company.
Fiat Panda 4x4 vs Suzuki Jimny
May - Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire
If ever a small car had some big boots to fill, it was the latest Fiat Panda 4x4. The previous version was one of our favourite models, so the arrival of a replacement was big news...
We needn’t have been worried about the new Panda living up to the legend. Faced with a proper off-roader in the boxy Suzuki Jimny, it came out on top and is still one of the most fun, versatile small cars.
The Jimny has the edge in the rough stuff, but the rugged Fiat was still more than capable enough in the mud, and it clinched victory with its superior on-road dynamics and more user-friendly design.
Kia Carens vs Ford C-MAX vs Toyota Verso
May - Sutton, Surrey
Kia’s been snapping at the heels of the big boys for a few years now, but the all-new Carens elevated it into the big league once and for all. Faced with the popular Ford C-MAX and Toyota Verso, the new seven-seater compact MPV was the clear winner.
The Kia drives well, looks smart and is superbly thought-out. It has a real price advantage, too, so the big surprise here wasn’t the identity of the winner but the car to receive the wooden spoon.
The Ford finished last due to its inferior performance, economy and 6+1 seating. And the Toyota emerged as a solid all-rounder that simply needs a bit of joie de vivre behind the wheel.
