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

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

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Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

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Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,879 off RRP*Used from £13,600
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

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* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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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
Long-term tests
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Long-term test: Range Rover Sport P550e Autobiography
Range Rover Sport long-term - bikes on the back

Long-term test: Range Rover Sport P550e Autobiography

Final report: It’s a grand finale for our PHEV as we take it to the south of France
Long-term tests
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Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce: long-term test
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce - front with dog and Dawn

Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce: long-term test

First report: sporty-looking EV makes a good first impression, although range could be an issue
Long-term tests
21 Sep 2025
Long-term test: KGM Actyon K50
Long-term test- KGM Actyon K50 - rear 3/4

Long-term test: KGM Actyon K50

Third fleetwatch: our time with the Actyon is coming to the end, and its shortcomings versus rivals stand out
Long-term tests
19 Sep 2025
Long-term test: Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five
Long-term test Renault 5 E-Tech - yellow in sea of grey

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

Third report: our retro Renault’s star is still shining wonderfully bright
Long-term tests
18 Sep 2025
Honda Civic Type R long-term test: sensational handling meets overbearing safety
Honda Civic Type R long-term - front 3/4 at Brands Hatch

Honda Civic Type R long-term test: sensational handling meets overbearing safety

First report: Civic Type R is as fun as expected, but with some irritating technology
Long-term tests
14 Sep 2025
Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: impressive efficiency eases range anxiety
Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term - front 3/4 with a Dacia

Vauxhall Grandland Electric GS long-term test: impressive efficiency eases range anxiety

Fourth fleetwatch: a non-stop dash from Norwich to Canterbury on 80 per-cent charge showcases our Grandland’s excellent efficiency
Long-term tests
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Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long-term test: dependable hatch lights the way
Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long-term - front with BMW and Subaru

Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long-term test: dependable hatch lights the way

Second fleetwatch: As autumn starts creeping in, my A3 proves its worth with excellent lighting and comfort on long evening motorway trips
Long-term tests
11 Sep 2025
Cupra Terramar V2 long-term test: the Batmobile? My family’s already convinced
Cupra Terramar V2 long-term - Batman and Robin header

Cupra Terramar V2 long-term test: the Batmobile? My family’s already convinced

First report: Autumn is here and the (k)nights are getting darker – fire up the Batmobile!
Long-term tests
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Skoda Elroq Edition 85 long-term test: seeing double in the EV SUV
Skoda Elroq Edition 85 long-term - seeing double

Skoda Elroq Edition 85 long-term test: seeing double in the EV SUV

First fleetwatch: a cracked windscreen aside, life with our Elroq has started strong
Long-term tests
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Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term test: brief spell in Lotus highlights Geely family ties
Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term - Lotus and Polestar

Polestar 4 Dual Motor long-term test: brief spell in Lotus highlights Geely family ties

Second fleetwatch: Geely ties reveal some common ground with Lotus, but our Polestar 4 lacks the Hethel handling finesse
Long-term tests
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Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match long-term test: a people’s car for the electric age
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match long-term - Golf GTI and ID.7

Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match long-term test: a people’s car for the electric age

Final report: Our man owns an iconic VW, so how does his EV compare?
Long-term tests
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Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: spacious SUV has a few niggles
Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term - header

Peugeot 5008 Hybrid GT long-term test: spacious SUV has a few niggles

First fleetwatch: our 5008 handles daily life well, aside from a few display hiccups
Long-term tests
1 Sep 2025
Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: does our EV need an exorcist?
Auto Express head of digital content Steve Walker dressed as a ghost while standing in the Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB

Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: does our EV need an exorcist?

Second report: our man has been spooked by some ghostly goings-on in this stylish MPV
Long-term tests
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BMW 530e Touring long-term test: PHEV estate passes family life exam with top marks
 BMW 530e Touring long-term - header with child's school marks

BMW 530e Touring long-term test: PHEV estate passes family life exam with top marks

Final report: PHEV estate was an unobtrusively great family machine
Long-term tests
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Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: smooth, spacious and stress-free until the end
Volvo EC40 Plus long-term - header

Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: smooth, spacious and stress-free until the end

Third fleetwatch: Volvo’s EV signs off with a 500-mile family holiday
Long-term tests
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Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: posh EV blossoms in warm weather
Cupra Tavascan long termer second report - header

Cupra Tavascan V1 long-term test: posh EV blossoms in warm weather

Fifth fleetwatch: range readings climbed to a peak of 380 miles in the summer weather
Long-term tests
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Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio long-term test: full of soul but hard to justify
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Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio long-term test: full of soul but hard to justify

Final report: we look back on our time with hot Alfa, another fabulous but flawed car from the brand
Long-term tests
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Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: a car that literally shines in the summer sun
Mazda CX-30 - front cornering

Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: a car that literally shines in the summer sun

Third report: our man is seeing red – but in a very good way
Long-term tests
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Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster long-term test: characterful 4x4 is a guilty pleasure
Ineos Grenadier Trailmaster long-term test - header image

Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster long-term test: characterful 4x4 is a guilty pleasure

Final report: we pitch up with our 4x4 to put the Ineos’s optional camping accessories to the test
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Skoda Superb automatic hatch long-term test: 21,000 miles of comfort and just the odd squeak
Skoda Superb long-term - header

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

Final report: family hatchback ticks all the boxes despite some minor issues
Long-term tests
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Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: premium crossover continues to impress
Lexus LBX Takumi long-term - header outside of a dealership

Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: premium crossover continues to impress

Third report: Onboard tech elevates the LBX, although some features falter
Long-term tests
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Peugeot E-3008 GT long-term test: a great motorway mile-muncher
Peugeot E-3008 long-termer fleetwatch

Peugeot E-3008 GT long-term test: a great motorway mile-muncher

Second fleetwatch: fresh from a recall, our Peugeot E-3008 GT has been racking up the miles
Long-term tests
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