Long-term tests

Long-term tests

Every Auto Express long-term test, ever...

The Auto Express long-term test is a rigorous examination of a car’s design, engineering and practicality in real world conditions - often accompanied by some slightly silly photos of our experts with their cars. 

Our team lives with each car for a period of around six months, subjecting each to the trials and tribulations of our own daily routines. School runs, shopping trips, commutes, days out, family holidays, visits to the rubbish dump; we live with these cars so you can understand what it would be like to. 

And, of course, we’re car journalists so we regularly go above and beyond the typical use patterns for our long-term test cars. Track and off-road driving, in suitable models, gives a further insight into their qualities. So do the big mileages we cover on roads of all types right around the UK and across Europe, not to mention the photographic and video shoots.  

If you’re in the market to buy a new car, the Auto Express long-term test reports provide an invaluable insight into what your own life might be like as the owner. In combination with our in-depth reviews and group tests, these pages form the most comprehensive evaluation of new cars you’ll find anywhere. 

Over thousands of miles of testing, our experts really get under the skin of all the most popular models on the market and if you have specific questions about the cars we’re running now or have run in the past, we’re here to help… 

What’s on fleet?

Cars we’re reporting on now plus recent long-term test fleet arrivals and departures 

Scroll down for all our long-term test reports...

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £2,502 off RRP*Used from £10,695
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,117 off RRP*Used from £11,301
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £6,182 off RRP*Used from £12,795
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,644 off RRP*Used from £9,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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Long-term test: Skoda Elroq vRS
Skoda Elroq vRS - side header

Long-term test: Skoda Elroq vRS

Second fleetwatch report: The Skoda’s bright lights don’t impress me, but my daughter has taken to them like a swan to a lake
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: Mazda CX-80 Homura Plus
Mazda CX-80 Homura Plus - service garage

Long-term test: Mazda CX-80 Homura Plus

Second report: Our CX-80 emerges from its first service with flying colours. If only there were a few more in the cabin
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five
Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five - damp header

Long-term test: Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five

Fifth report: after a spell of bad weather and even worse efficiency, we take the R5 for some longer drives to see how it fares
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: MINI John Cooper Works
MINI Cooper - standing through sunroof

Long-term test: MINI John Cooper Works

Second fleetwatch report: the MINI JCW’s recent £2k price bump has us questioning its price point
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport
BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport - charging with Phil

Long-term test: BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport

Second report: our man wrestles with PHEV guilt, but loves the running costs
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: Volkswagen Golf R
Volkswagen Golf R - battling the elements

Long-term test: Volkswagen Golf R

Third report: winter-weather prowess makes us warm to VW’s hot hatch even more
Long-term tests
13 Feb 2026
Long-term test: Cupra Terramar V2
Cupra Terramar V2 - header

Long-term test: Cupra Terramar V2

Second fleetwatch: playing with the settings in Cupra’s family SUV ends with the neighbours experiencing a constant lightshow
Long-term tests
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Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce: long-term test
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica - Dawn with car charging

Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce: long-term test

Third fleetwatch: the Junior’s boot has been able to manage the luggage for most of our trips, but adding an extra family member throws a spanner in t…
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Long-term test: Nissan Qashqai e-Power Tekna+
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Long-term test: Nissan Qashqai e-Power Tekna+

First report: popular family SUV makes a good first impression on our fleet
Long-term tests
10 Feb 2026
Long-term test: Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R - Civic and Golf

Long-term test: Honda Civic Type R

Final report: Type R gets a standing ovation as it bows out of the UK on a high
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor
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Long-term test: Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor

First report: At the risk of starting an argument with our testers, who prefer a different edition, the editor welcomes long-range SUV to our fleet
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: Audi A5 Avant TDI quattro S Line
Audi A5 Avant - front 3/4

Long-term test: Audi A5 Avant TDI quattro S Line

First report: after enjoying an A3, our VP takes a step up Audi’s range
Long-term tests
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Abarth 600e Scorpionissima long-term test: Italian EV’s ride stings on unforgiving roads
Abarth 600e Scorpionissima - first fleetwatch

Abarth 600e Scorpionissima long-term test: Italian EV’s ride stings on unforgiving roads

First fleetwatch: a short break from the Abarth highlights just how stiff its suspension really is
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: BYD Sealion 7
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Long-term test: BYD Sealion 7

First report: Will the large SUV buck the trend and demonstrate that Chinese cars come with a soul?
Long-term tests
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Volvo EX30 Extended Range RWD Plus long-term test: EV’s space is starting to shine
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Volvo EX30 Extended Range RWD Plus long-term test: EV’s space is starting to shine

Second report: EV passes its practicality test with flying colours
Long-term tests
7 Jan 2026
Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: size matters when it comes to electric MPVs
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Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: size matters when it comes to electric MPVs

Final report: Huge EV has cruised off into the sunset leaving a big, practical hole that will be hard to fill
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Best long-term car tests 2025: the daily drivers we miss most
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The best way to get to know a car inside out is to live with it, and our long-term fleet allows us to do just that
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Long-term test: Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI
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Long-term test: Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI

Third fleetwatch: whether it’s Yorkshire’s difficult roads or long motorway commutes, Audi’s premium hatch has handled everything we’ve thrown at it
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Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: spacious and stylish but far from flawless
Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT - photos out the back

Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: spacious and stylish but far from flawless

Final report: our photographer has unique needs that the 5008 caters for superbly
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Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: small SUV is playful but polished
Mazda CX-30 Homura - front cornering

Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: small SUV is playful but polished

Final report: small SUV has won many friends during its time on our fleet, but the Japanese model isn’t perfect
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Long-term test: Polestar 4 Dual Motor
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Long-term test: Polestar 4 Dual Motor

Final report: sleek Swedish SUV leaves our fleet having impressed our man with its huge breadth of talent
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Long-term test: Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS
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Long-term test: Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS

Final report: before we bid farewell to the Grandland GS, we put its value for money to the test
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Long-term test: Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid
Dacia Duster LT - front 3/4

Long-term test: Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid

Fourth fleetwatch: almost 4,500 miles on clock and our Dacia still impresses on economy and practicality
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