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...

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Omoda 5

Omoda 5

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Dacia Spring

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Volkswagen Polo

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Audi A3

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Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long term test: composed hatch shows its class on difficult roads
Audi A3 long term - front 3/4 on a test track

Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long term test: composed hatch shows its class on difficult roads

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First fleetwatch: cleaning the ID. Buzz is proving more difficult than expected
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Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: roomy SUV rises to almost every challenge
Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term - header

Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: roomy SUV rises to almost every challenge

Second report: electric family SUV can transport people and even the kitchen sink
Long-term tests
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Dacia Duster Journey Hybrid long-term test: a Skoda in disguise
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Third fleetwatch: with the handy YouClip system, the Dacia Duster proves small details can make all the difference
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Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match long-term test: electric estate is the perfect SUV alternative
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Third fleetwatch: it may lack the drama, but the Volkswagen ID.7 quietly outclasses the big E-5008 SUV
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Skoda Elroq Edition 85 long-term test: the perfect car to fight badge snobbery
Skoda Elroq Edition 85 long-term - header

Skoda Elroq Edition 85 long-term test: the perfect car to fight badge snobbery

First report: do age-old stigmas still plague award-winning SUVs?
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Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term test: it looks like the Millennium Falcon… if you squint
Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term - header

Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term test: it looks like the Millennium Falcon… if you squint

Second report: the force is with us when driving our space-age EV
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Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: a dependable high-mileage workhorse
Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term - header

Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: a dependable high-mileage workhorse

First report: plush seven-seat hybrid has effortlessly slipped into family life, plus being a photographer’s workhorse
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BMW 530e Touring long-term test: PHEV estate makes light work of commutes
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Third fleetwatch: the BMW’s intuitive lighting and quiet powertrain prove ideal once the lights go out
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Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: sleek SUV surprises with its space
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Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: sleek SUV surprises with its space

Third report: our electric SUV manages to perform an excellent double act, combining stylish looks with surprising practicality
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Range Rover Sport - front tracking

Range Rover Sport P550e Autobiography long-term test: Even luxury SUVs get tyred

Third fleetwatch: getting the optional spare tyre proves well worth the extra cost
Long-term tests
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Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: this oldie is still a goldie
Volvo EC40 Plus long-term - header

Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: this oldie is still a goldie

Third report: electric SUV is a winner in our man’s eyes
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KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: practical SUV proves both thirsty and bouncy
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KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: practical SUV proves both thirsty and bouncy

Second fleetwatch: sat-nav woes and refinement issues take the shine off this spacious family car
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Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio long-term test: full of soul but hard to justify
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Final report: we look back on our time with hot Alfa, another fabulous but flawed car from the brand
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Second report: we compare our beloved R5 with Alpine’s closely related A290
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Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: a car that literally shines in the summer sun
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Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster long-term test: characterful 4x4 is a guilty pleasure
Ineos Grenadier Trailmaster long-term test - header image

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Skoda Superb automatic hatch long-term test: 21,000 miles of comfort and just the odd squeak

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Lexus LBX Takumi long-term - header outside of a dealership

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Third report: Onboard tech elevates the LBX, although some features falter
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Peugeot E-3008 GT long-term test: a great motorway mile-muncher
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Second fleetwatch: fresh from a recall, our Peugeot E-3008 GT has been racking up the miles
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Honda e:Ny1 Advance long-term test: small SUV thrives in the summer sun
Auto Express web producer Pete Baiden standing next to the Honda e:Ny1

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Long-term tests
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