Auto Express road tests: summer 2013
BMW 3 GT vs Audi A5 Sportback vs Citroen DS5
June - RAF Museum, Cosford, Shropshire
Undeterred by the 5 Series GT’s lukewarm reception, BMW introduced a hatchback version of the big-selling 3 Series this year. After scratching our heads to think of direct rivals, we arrived at the eye-catching RAF Museum at Cosford in Shropshire with an Audi A5 Sportback and Citroen DS5 for company.
The BMW won the test thanks to its engaging handling, practicality and low running costs, but the Audi was the winner in the style stakes. The Citroen was a distant third behind its premium rivals.
Vauxhall Cascada vs Audi RS5 vs BMW Z4 vs Volkswagen Beetle
June - Newhaven, East Sussex
When summer finally arrived, so did a raft of new drop-top models. This prompted a four-way battle for cabrio honours, but this wasn’t a typical like-for-like comparison.
We ran the rule over everything from a 1.4-litre Vauxhall Cascada and bonkers 444bhp Audi A5 to a two-seater BMW Z4 and retro VW Beetle. Our line-up proved there’s a cabrio for all tastes, with the Cascada a capable addition to the class.
Yet the Beetle left the biggest impression – and with its head-turning looks and fun character, it would go on to be crowned Best Convertible at our New Car Awards 2013.
Top 100 Fast Fun Cars
Pure, unadulterated driving thrills were the order of the day in this bumper 32-page road test. Price and ultimate performance were less important than a car’s ability to put a smile on your face, as we put 100 fun machines under the microscope.
Highlights included the explosively quick 730bhp Ferrari F12, the gorgeous Jaguar F-Type and adrenaline-fuelled Caterham Seven. Yet in the final reckoning, it was the sublime Porsche Cayman that took the overall honours. Its mix of soulful flat-six engine, pin-sharp handling solid-gold performance car pedigree and everyday usability made it a worthy winner.
However, it was pushed hard all the way by the brilliant and bargain-priced Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch, which came a very close second.
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Peugeot 2008 vs Skoda Yeti vs MINI Countryman
June - Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire
Crossover models are a recent phenomenon, but it’s easy to see their appeal – and the success of cars such as the Skoda Yeti has made everyone sit up and take notice.
Peugeot was one of the last mainstream manufacturers to join the crossover party, and its 2008 faced stiff competition on its debut test as the Yeti – our Car of the Year back in 2010 – and the desirable MINI Countryman provided the benchmarks.
But while the slick cabin, stylish looks and fine value put the Peugeot ahead of the MINI, it couldn’t topple the hugely versatile Skoda, which secured another road test win.
Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Ford Focus ST vs Renaultsport Megane
June - Bruntingthorpe, Leics
The arrival of a new Golf GTI is always big news, and this tussle for hot hatch supremacy was one of 2013’s most exciting tests. The VW was an improvement over its predecessor virtually across the board.
With a high-quality cabin, class-leading performance and best-on-test economy, the scene was set for victory – but in the crucial measure of driving enjoyment, the clinically efficient Golf fell short.
And while the uncompromising Renaultsport Megane was the purists’ choice, it finished third on account of its limited practicality and high running costs. Our team decided that, as an all-round family hatch-cum-sports car, the Ford Focus ST had no equal.
Ford Fiesta Van vs MINI Clubvan
July - Chobham, Surrey
Another version of the MINI found its way into the Auto Express car park in July, as the stylish MINI Clubvan arrived for a road test against the Ford Fiesta Van.
Quite apart from anything else, this test signalled the beginning of one of the biggest changes in the 25 years of Auto Express being published. The new Auto Express van channel (/vans) is designed to do for commercial drivers what we’ve always done for everyday motorists – put the latest models to the ultimate test to arrive at a definitive verdict.
In our first twin test, the practical, affordable and great-to-drive Fiesta ultimately took the honours.
Range Rover Sport vs Porsche Cayenne vs Mercedes ML
July - Lainston House Hotel, Winchester, Hampshire
Competition in the luxury SUV class is tough. And rivals don’t come tougher than the sporty Porsche Cayenne and luxurious Mercedes ML. So this was a big test for the highly anticipated Range Rover Sport, which was unveiled at a star-studded launch in New York earlier in the year.
The great news for British car fans is that the Sport lived up to its billing. It saw off its hugely capable rivals thanks to sports car pace, agile handling, cosseting luxury and gritty off-road ability. Given the quality of the opposition, it has to be one of the most impressive victories of the year.
Audi RS6 vs Mercedes E63 AMG
July - Santa Pod, Northamptonshire
Few cars genuinely merit a trip to the drag strip – especially not estate models – but the Audi RS6 Avant and Mercedes E63 AMG Estate were in their element over a standing quarter-mile.
Eye-popping performance, epic exhaust notes and monumental traction set these executive holdalls apart – so off to Santa Pod we headed.
The four-wheel-drive Audi should have had the edge, but the Mercedes put a bigger smile on our faces thanks to its more characterful engine.
It’s rewarding to drive even when you’re pottering around town and was the unanimous choice of our team of road testers on this occasion.
Renault ZOE vs Nissan Leaf vs Toyota Yaris Hybrid
July - Brooklands Museum, Surrey
This triple test was a highly charged affair as we put the new Renault ZOE through its paces. As the UK’s first proper all-electric supermini, it has plenty going for it – plus the advanced hatch looks great and, at around £14,000 (plus battery rental of £70 per month), it’s reasonably affordable, too.
Up against the ZOE was the world’s best-selling electric car, the updated Nissan Leaf, complete with an improved range and better packaging. Finally, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid represented petrol-electric power.
But the Yaris was the first to fall, leaving the two electric cars to fight it out. “The ZOE is better looking, nicer to drive and cheaper to buy,” we said, “so it wins this test.”
Renault Captur vs Peugeot 2008 vs Nissan Juke
July - Trinity Buoy Wharf, Docklands
Although Renault was a little late joining the compact crossover party, it made sure its all-new Captur would get noticed.
Bold design and a wide range of personalisation options meant the new model turned heads, while a practical interior, hi-tech infotainment system and decent refinement ensured there was plenty of substance to back this up.
The package was certainly strong enough to see off the challenge of the fun but flawed Nissan Juke. Sadly, the Captur couldn’t repeat the feat against the very capable Peugeot 2008, which had both rivals in this test beaten for quality, driving manners and performance.
SEAT Leon SC vs Kia Pro_cee’d vs Vauxhall Astra GTC
August - Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire
Expectations were sky-high for the sleek SEAT Leon SC. Its practical five-door brother had scooped the prestigious Car of the Year title at our 2013 New Car Awards ceremony, while the head-turning three-door design promised to make the new SC one of the most desirable models money could buy.
And happily, the stylish SEAT didn’t disappoint – particularly in sporty FR trim, complete with a strong turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine, sharp handling and plenty of standard equipment. Still, the Pro_cee’d GT proved that Kia could build a convincing hot hatch, while the handsome Astra was let down only by its claustrophobic interior and high price.
Mercedes A45 AMG vs BMW M135i
August - Blyton, Lincolnshire
Traditionally, Mercedes and BMW could be found fighting for executive or luxury car honours, but they’ve downsized in recent years – and this trend has brought us two of the finest hot hatches around.
The all-wheel-drive A45 AMG and rear-wheel-drive M135i have very different characters, so it’s not a case of one being better than the other – it all comes down to personal taste.
We’re prepared to sacrifice some straight-line pace for more dynamic engagement in corners, so we chose the BMW – but if you want speed and the reassurance of four driven wheels, the A45 will be for you.
Eighties hot hatch shoot-out
August - Chobham, Surrey
To celebrate Auto Express’s 25th birthday, we headed back to the future...
When the magazine first hit the shelves back in 1988, hot hatches were all the rage, while the current crop of pocket rockets is the best ever. Or is it?
To find out, we pitched a trio of eighties legends against three of today’s high-performance heroes. In the final reckoning it was 2-1 to the modern cars, with the 21st century VW Golf GTI and Ford Fiesta ST getting the better of their ancestors, while the latest Renaultsport Clio had to give best to Renault’s illustrious 5 GT Turbo.
Overall honours went to the sublime Fiesta ST. We’d already crowned this great car Best Hot Hatch 2013, and it proved again that big thrills don’t have to mean big bills.
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