Table of contents for 1847 in Auto Express

AS you’ll have already noticed, we’ve given Auto Express a refresh. It’s exciting to finally see the team’s hard work come to fruition after months of preparation behind the scenes, and we hope you like the dynamic new design and increased focus on bringing you more of the things you love. That primarily means more news and reviews in a bigger, bolder and fresher style. But we’re as passionate as ever about championing drivers, providing the best buying and owning advice, and everything you’ve always enjoyed about the magazine, including insightful features and our industry-leading product reviews. That’s as true today as it was when Auto Express launched 36 years ago, and our team remains as dedicated as ever to producing the best content in the business. WELCOME TO THE…

Jordan.Katsianis@autoexpress.co.uk IF a Volkswagen Tiguan is a bit too subtle, the all-new Cupra Terramar might just get you excited about your next family car. Since Cupra’s separation from SEAT, the brand has offered a series of eccentric models that never quite hit the mainstream. However, the Terramar has been designed to have much broader appeal. It’s destined to cost from around £34,000 when it reaches UK showroom early next year, and it’ll have a range of powertrains that the manufacturer is hoping will chime with a broad range of buyers. At launch, the Terramar will have a choice of three engine types: mild hybrid, pure petrol, and plug-in hybrid. The range opens with the 148bhp eTSI 1.5-litre mild-hybrid four-cylinder petrol engine. It drives the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch…

THE Skoda Superb has gone sporty with the announcement of a new SportLine trim, giving the family-focused model some chassis tweaks, interior upgrades and extra kit. Most notable are the styling changes that include gloss-black detailing on the grille surround and window frames, roof rails and the Skoda lettering on the bootlid. The front bumper has been tweaked, and the Superb is lowered by 15mm thanks to a sport chassis. Completing the look are standard-fit 19-inch black ‘Torcular’ alloy wheels. Inside, there are stainless-steel pedals, a three-spoke sports steering wheel, black headlining, decorative strips on the dashboard and carbon-effect door trim. The 10-inch Virtual Cockpit driver’s display has SportLine graphics. All models come as standard with electrically adjustable, massaging front seats and microsuede upholstery, but the optional ‘Suite Sport Design…

Chris.Rosamond@autoexpress.co.uk UP to half of UK drivers – and more worryingly, a significant proportion of the tyre trade – don’t know whether to put new tyres on the front or back of cars, potentially putting themselves and others at risk. That’s the verdict of Michelin UK’s technical manager Brian Porteous, who told Auto Express that tyre trade and garage staff, plus workshop and fleet managers, are asked the question before participating in the firm’s periodic safety demonstrations – just like the one Michelin invited Auto Express to take part in recently at the Horiba MIRA test track. “We have tyre technicians, depot managers, people involved in fleets, and I’d say it’s 50:50,” says Porteous, in relation to views expressed as to whether new pairs of tyres should go on the…

Alex.Ingram@autoexpress.co.uk IN many ways, the new Skoda Kodiaq has already proven itself to be one of the smartest SUVs around. Look beyond the umbrella in the driver’s door, and a 'virtual pedal' to open the tailgate, and in the shape of the new Kodiaq iV, it’s gained some trickery under the bonnet, too. That comes in the form of what Skoda calls the second generation of plug-in hybrid tech. Earlier systems were fitted to the pre-facelift Octavia and previous-generation Superb, but never made it as far as the last Kodiaq. This time, big upgrades have been made to both the combustion and the electrical sides – and in particular the battery. Plenty of PHEVs have a token EV range that can’t properly offset the weight and complexity of the electric…

Tom.Jervis@autoexpress.co.uk RENEWABLE electricity has been touted as the fuel choice of the future for a while. Although battery electric vehicles (BEVs) currently are expensive to buy, the reduced running costs and zero tailpipe emissions offered by electric powertrains make them an ideal choice as a sustainable replacement for ICE power. But are BEVs the only solution to the complex issue of decarbonisation and sustainability? Electric powertrains certainly do have their drawbacks, resulting in several other fuel types being explored as viable alternatives to petrol and diesel power. These include liquid nitrogen and synthetic eFuels, but few are as promising as hydrogen – specifically hydrogen fuel-cell tech. Japanese brand Toyota is perhaps one of the biggest supporters of what it dubs a ‘multi-path strategy’ – one that embraces the likes of…

Andy.Pringle@autoexpress.co.uk YOU can learn an awful lot when you go through the photos on your phone. And what the past few months’ snaps have taught me is that the BYD Dolphin wasted no time in becoming part of the family. So alongside all the photos I’ve taken to remind me of family days out, my daughter’s football team and her theatrical triumphs, my photo stream is also full of snaps of the Dolphin. Since Auto Express snapper Pete Gibson took the first pictures of our BYD in March, I’ve taken more photos on trips to National Trust properties, at various sports tournaments and even at recycling centres in Sussex. The sheer range of locations and activities shows just how integral the car became to our family life. Mind you, that…

HAVE you got a wireless in your car? For a new generation this doesn’t mean an old-fashioned radio, but instead a cable-free connection to your smartphone. This goes beyond Bluetooth and allows Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to be used on compatible infotainment systems – all without a wired connection. This is much more convenient, because it means you won’t have to get the phone out of your pocket or bag when you get in the car, and makes the interior look neater too, with no cables to get in the way. While some newer cars will have wireless connections as standard, there are many that will need an adaptor. These plug into the car’s USB port and should give you the same functionality as the factory-fit devices. We tried…

Richard.Ingram@autoexpress.co.uk THE Audi Q5 is a huge global success story. Worldwide, the brand’s mid-size model outsells everything from the A1 to A8, and all of the models in between; the SUV’s appeal knows no bounds. It was launched in 2008, then the second-generation Q5 followed in late 2016 and built on the successful formula with a subtle new look and improved technology. It’s much the same story for the Mk3 model. This new Q5 (and the hot SQ5 that has also appeared) is the second car to use Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) system, and its design is influenced by the mechanically similar A5 saloon and Avant. At the front, the Q5 gets a wide single-frame grille and new-look badge, plus slim LED headlights and a pair of air intakes.…

Ellis.Hyde@autoexpress.co.uk SMART is trying its luck in the hugely competitive midsize SUV segment with the new all-electric Smart #5. It’s the largest, most practical and most versatile model the brand has made to date. Measuring 4,705mm long, it’s about 50mm longer than a Skoda Enyaq or Tesla Model Y, with a 2,900mm wheelbase that unlocks plenty of interior space. With the rear seats folded, boot space is 1,530 litres, and there’s 72 litres of extra storage under the bonnet. The Smart #5 has a boxy and more rugged look than the smaller #1, including unique lighting designs. But there are some shared characteristics, such as very short overhangs, frameless doors and a glass ‘panoramic halo roof’. The Land Rover Defender may have offered some inspiration for the design, because the…

THE Michelin brothers got their start in the tyre business after patenting a removable pneumatic bicycle tyre in 1891, and were the first company to offer similar pneumatic tyres for motor cars. We’ve been riding on air ever since, paying the price for the smoother ride with the risk of punctures. Michelin, which claims to spend more on research and development than the rest of the global tyre industry combined, is continuing its quest to eliminate that risk through a possible return to solid tyres. Its latest concept, the Vision, is a 3D-printed composite wheel and tyre you replace in one go when needed, which takes that idea to its logical conclusion. It’s a fantasy for now, but Michelin already sells its one-piece airless Tweel for use on construction sites,…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk ON paper, Maserati could face big challenges when it comes to electrification – a marque known for characterful engines that suddenly has to deliver zero-emissions silence, while retaining emotional appeal. And yet the Italians are pushing ahead with an all-electric Grecale, the company's rival for the Porsche Macan. We were intrigued by the Grecale Folgore (as the EV is known) when we drove it on the continent in the spring, but now we’ve tried it in the UK, albeit in left-hand-drive guise. The task is made harder because Porsche has fleshed out the Macan Electric range with new models. The base single-motor version costs £67,200, while the Grecale-matching 510bhp Macan 4S comes in at a fraction over £75k. Even the 630bhp Turbo will give you change from £100,000. But…

TESLA MODEL 3 NO, we haven’t gone back in time. I’m running a five-year-old Tesla Model 3 Performance. We want to see if Tesla’s used-car scheme eases the hassle out of buying a second-hand EV, and if early Model 3s are a reliable used proposition. If one thing’s for certain, it’s there’s no lack of second-hand stock. And with EV prices continuing to drop, a second-hand Tesla might just be phenomenal value; or a little past its used-by date. Jordan Katsianis POLESTAR 2 OUR Polestar 2 LRSM returned from former keeper John McIlroy’s French jaunt, just in time to miss my own trip to Germany. We used the campervan, leaving me just a few days to get used to the EV, and to play with my new charger. With accounts…

Price: £29.99 Rating: Contact: ringautomotive.com RING took a literal new twist on workshop lighting when it launched the MAGFLEX 1000, with its ribbon of highly flexible LEDs. We tried the eye-catching Ring alongside our current work-lamp favourite, the Philips Xperion 6000 Slim, and our preferred large-space light, the MAGflex Utility, because the Superflex is promoted as being suitable for both tasks. The Superflex has two magnets at each end, with just one pair capable of supporting the light, so mounting it is a breeze. The ribbon of LEDs can be twisted through 160 degrees within the end blocks to give further options. Maximum output is 1,000 lumens, but there are two eco modes as well. While the Superflex just has the edge for brightness, it was close, and Ring’s newcomer has…

THERE was a lot of noise recently about used electric cars reaching price parity with their petrol equivalents, which is an important step on the road to more widespread adoption of EVs. The more people drive an electric car, the more the fear of the unknown is removed. And most EV drivers I’ve met are advocates for the tech and counter the scaremongering with solid personal experience. Supply was always going to outstrip demand when lots of electric cars came off three or four-year company-car leases and onto the used market – which is what has happened. That’s driven down prices as EVs find their natural level, but there’s a chance that the decline may have bottomed out. And as word spreads and more used-car buyers decide to take the…

Shane.Wilkinson@autoexpress.co.uk SMALL SUVs are a very common sight on UK roads, with many drivers being attracted to the combination of practicality and low running costs that these cars offer. Here, our expert road testers have whittled down the field to give you the top 10 best small SUVs to buy right now. 1 Dacia Duster Prices from £18,745 JUST like its predecessor, the latest Dacia Duster follows the brand’s proven recipe of combining simplicity, capability and affordability. The ace up the new model’s sleeve, though, is that it’s bigger inside than its predecessor, which means more passenger space and a substantial 517-litre boot. Up front, there’s a bespoke infotainment system for the neat dashboard. For those who enjoy a spot of green-laning, the Duster still comes with the option of four-wheel…

Jordan.Katsianis@autoexpress.co.uk ASTON Martin has just raised the stakes once again with its next flagship front-engined sports car, and is relaunching a much-loved nameplate in the process. The fresh Aston Martin Vanquish has lots of headline-grabbing numbers, including packing the most powerful iteration of the 5.2-litre V12 engine yet, as well as a whole new body, uprated chassis and a luxurious new interior. But as Aston’s flagship front-engined series-production model, it’s impossible not to compare the latest Vanquish with Ferrari’s new 12Cilindri, reigniting a generations-long battle royale between the two iconic sports-car manufacturers. Sitting above the recently renewed Vantage and DB12 in the British brand’s line-up, the new Vanquish is available to order now from “around” £333,000, with Aston Martin building no more than 1,000 units every year. A highlight of…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk YOU could argue there wasn’t a whole lot broken on the Kia EV6, which is exactly why the Korean brand hasn’t felt the need to fix much in the popular model’s mid-life update. Instead, Kia has confidently given the EV6 a mild makeover that includes a variety of subtle design touches inside and out, and some updated tech to maintain its reputation. The result is an EV that, on the evidence of a pre-production example, remains at the top of its game. Apart from the exterior refresh – which features Kia’s new ‘Star Map’ lighting technology and some subtle changes around the nose and tail – the headline news concerns the car’s powertrain. There’s a larger 84kWh battery (previously rated at 77.4kWh) which delivers more range and faster charging,…

Tom.Jervis@autoexpress.co.uk PRESSURE is mounting on the UK Government to impose additional import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, as Canada becomes another nation to erect trade barriers in response to what has been dubbed an ‘unfair subsidisation’ by Beijing. From the beginning of October, Chinese vehicles imported from China will be slapped with an additional 100 per cent import tariff, potentially doubling their price for the consumer. This mirrors the action taken by US President Joe Biden earlier this year, who described the supply chain as “dominated by unfair trade practices from China”. Professor of Business and Sustainability at Cardiff University Peter Wells told Auto Express that “Canada had little choice but to mirror the US position, because its industry and market are closely integrated with those of the US.” The…

IT has been confirmed that Hyundai’s long-awaited, electric seven-seat SUV will be called the Ioniq 9. Previewed by the Hyundai Seven concept in 2021, the new flagship EV will borrow much of its design language from the existing Ioniq 5 and 6, and also share many key technical details with the Kia EV9. We know that the Ioniq 9 will be unveiled this year, and it’s rumoured that the reveal could take place at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November. The California event is where the Hyundai Seven was first presented. Prototypes of the Ioniq 9 have been spotted testing already, with the concept’s bluff front end, large vertical running lights embedded in the bumper, and horizontal headlights all clearly visible. More production-friendly wheel sizes will be used, but…

Richard.Ingram@autoexpress.co.uk “It’s so refined you’ll feel the need to turn down the volume on the world when you get out of it” THERE’S no getting around it, the Volvo EX90 is an expensive car, with prices starting at a whisker under £100,000. But while that’s a lot, the big electric SUV has very few rivals. Neither Audi nor BMW offers an EV with seven seats, and the Mercedes EQS SUV is £30k more. The Volvo is currently only available in Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance guises, too, with single-motor models coming later. Those will offer more modest performance, with a lower price – and could easily be the pick of the range. On the road, the EX90 is comfortable and remarkably refined. So refined, in fact, you’ll feel the…

Ellis.Hyde@autoexpress.co.uk THE incredibly well rounded Mk2 Hyundai Kona scored a hat-trick of wins in the Auto Express New Car Awards last year, including the coveted Car of the Year title. But in our eyes the golden child of the SUV range has always been the Kona Electric, and now it’s available in N Line specification, which is designed to inject some sporty appeal into the sensible EV. The big change for the Kona Electric N Line is its bodykit, which includes more aggressive bumpers front and rear, new side skirts, and a bespoke set of 19-inch wheels. Inside, meanwhile, there are sport seats with the N Line logo and red contrast stitching, a steering wheel with more red detailing, extra red accents across the dashboard and air vents, and aluminium…

WHAT WE WOULD CHOOSE VOLKSWAGEN Options include a £1,220 panoramic sunroof that bathes the cabin in light, while a set of weighted wheel centre caps (£141) ensure the VW badges stay upright. We think the £325 surround camera system is more useful. SKODA The £450 Winter Package Plus adds a heated windscreen and steering wheel, and both are great features for the colder months. The £600 Light and View Package’s reversing camera is useful, given the Octavia’s size.…

Ellis.Hyde@autoexpress.co.uk I’VE been living with the BMW iX1 fleet car for a few months now. During a busy summer of trips across the country, running around town, hauling miscellaneous loads and occasionally taking on taxi duties, this very handsome EV has been nothing but a solid, dependable companion. Admittedly, unlike some of my colleagues, I don’t have any rugrats to take on weekend getaways to the seaside that would require me to fill my car right to the roofline with their assorted paraphernalia. But even so, I’ve yet to find the limits of the iX1’s practicality. The 490 litres of boot space is decent and the handy underfloor storage keeps all the charging cables out of sight. No passengers have complained about space in the back, either. Even with the…

RUNNING your smartphone’s battery flat while you’re out and about can be anything from inconvenient to disastrous, so having a power bank to hand makes a lot of sense. We’re pitting the new Cuktech 10 against the winner (MSC QI/QC) and second-placed (Dudao K16) units from our previous test back in May. We used each to cable-charge a Samsung Galaxy S20 smartphone (4.5Ah battery) for 15 minutes, from around 50 per cent. We noted how much battery charge it took to achieve the result and logged the technical specifications, such as capacity, type and number of ports, battery-state indication and the price. The Cuktech 10 has an impressive spec and speed, but it’s pricey and worked its battery hard. We still rate the does-everything MSC, along with the impressive Dudao…

OWNER VIEWS ON THE UK’S BEST CARS “It’s very reliable, cheap to run and looks good. Also, with four doors, it’s easy to get my elderly relatives in and out.” “The sound quality of the standard-fit stereo is really poor and there’s no option for a CD player, which I would prefer.” “It’s small and good looking. My Fiesta is also very easy to drive and has good acceleration for a small car.” THE Ford Fiesta’s long life ended last summer, but deliveries continued for some time after, which justifies its inclusion in the 2024 Driver Power survey. Yet the scores aren’t great and the shortage of warmth from owners perhaps goes some way to helping the car’s demise. Its best virtues, according to those who own one, are the…

SECOND-HAND products are having a good year. Most Brits aren’t used to living in brand-new homes or driving factory-fresh vehicles, and that’s cool. As are the old movies, retro furniture, vintage clobber and other ageing but good stuff they increasingly seek to buy. This has to be a good thing. Scrappage bad, circular consumption good, I say. The business of buying, servicing and selling second-hand vehicles in Britain ain’t perfect. It still attracts too many complaints, and improvements must continue. But considering the complexity, scale, number of people involved, and the billions swilling around the used-car game, it works reasonably well. And credit where it’s due: the trade is dealing with the potentially disastrous fact that demand for generally more expensive electric cars has been disappointingly low. Yet at the…