Car group tests

Car group tests

The UK's most popular cars head-to-head against their key rivals...

If you really want to know how a car performs against its key rivals, this is the place to find out. The Auto Express group test is an automotive institution decades in the making that gets right to the heart of the questions that car buyers want answered. 

While our in-depth reviews and long-term tests are usually done with the car in isolation, albeit by experienced journalists with detailed prior experience of hundreds of other cars, the group test puts two or three direct rivals head-to-head in the same place, on the same roads and in the same conditions. There is nowhere to hide. 

As a means of slimming down your car buying shortlist these exhaustive tests are great. We drive the cars over long distances, interrogate the control systems, load and unload the interiors, and take our own precise measurements to make comparisons easier. Sometimes there’s an obvious winner but often what emerges is a picture of two cars with qualities that would suit different kinds of buyer - a picture that only becomes clear after this kind of detailed side-by-side testing. 

Our team brings you at least one two- or three-car group test every week, building up a clear picture of the cars we rate and those that we don’t... 

Scroll down to find all our group test pages… 

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £6,250 off RRP*Used from £9,500
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £1,535 off RRP*
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,644 off RRP*Used from £9,260
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,330 off RRP*Used from £14,200
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Car group tests

Suzuki Baleno vs Honda Jazz vs Nissan Note

Suzuki Baleno vs Honda Jazz vs Nissan Note

Is the Suzuki Baleno practical enough to overcome the Honda Jazz and Nissan Note?
Car group tests
22 Jun 2016
Volkswagen Tiguan vs Renault Kadjar vs Nissan Qashqai
VW Tiguan vs Renault Kadjar vs Nissan Qashqai - header

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Renault Kadjar vs Nissan Qashqai

We see if the Volkswagen Tiguan can go straight to the top of the crossover class as it meets the Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai
Car group tests
18 Jun 2016
Mercedes GLE vs Lexus RX
Mercedes GLE vs Lexus RX - header

Mercedes GLE vs Lexus RX

With a new name and a revised diesel engine, the Mercedes GLE takes the premium SUV fight to the hybrid Lexus RX
Car group tests
15 Jun 2016
Ford Focus RS vs Volkswagen Golf R vs Audi RS3
Focus RS vs RS3 vs Golf R - header

Ford Focus RS vs Volkswagen Golf R vs Audi RS3

The new Ford Focus RS has arrived and is ready to take on the might of the Audi RS3 and VW Golf R. Let’s settle mega hatch argument!
Car group tests
12 Jun 2016
Porsche 718 Boxster vs Audi TTS Roadster
Porsche 718 Boxster vs Audi TTS Roadster - header

Porsche 718 Boxster vs Audi TTS Roadster

We see if Porsche's new four-cylinder turbo 718 Boxster can take on the Audi TTS Roadster
Car group tests
11 Jun 2016
Peugeot 2008 vs Citroen C4 Cactus vs Ford EcoSport

Peugeot 2008 vs Citroen C4 Cactus vs Ford EcoSport

Peugeot has revised its 2008 to keep it standing tall with the small crossovers. Can it see off the Ford EcoSport and Citroen C4 Cactus?
Car group tests
8 Jun 2016
Mega-test 2016: new convertible cars to suit any budget
Convertible megatest - header

Mega-test 2016: new convertible cars to suit any budget

Summer is finally here, so we round up six of the best new convertibles to suit every budget from £14k to £265k!
Car group tests
3 Jun 2016
Toyota Verso vs Volkswagen Touran
Toyota Verso vs Volkswagen Touran - header

Toyota Verso vs Volkswagen Touran

We see if the versatile Toyota Verso MPV has what it takes to beat its VW rival
Car group tests
1 Jun 2016
MINI Cooper Convertible vs Fiat 500C vs DS 3 Cabrio
MINI Cooper Convertible vs Fiat 500C vs DS 3 Cabrio - header

MINI Cooper Convertible vs Fiat 500C vs DS 3 Cabrio

Supermini cabrios balance open-air glamour and efficiency; can the new MINI Convertible compete against DS and Fiat rivals?
Car group tests
26 May 2016
Michelin 12202
Michelin 12202

Michelin 12202

Car group tests
23 May 2016
Mercedes GLS vs Audi Q7
Mercedes GLS vs Audi Q7 - header

Mercedes GLS vs Audi Q7

Mercedes has rebranded its biggest seven-seater SUV to take on a new breed of luxury SUVs, but can it beat Audi's Q7?
Car group tests
23 May 2016
BMW M2 vs Ford Focus RS vs Audi RS3
BMW M2 vs Ford Focus RS vs Audi RS3 - header

BMW M2 vs Ford Focus RS vs Audi RS3

Absolute power: In one of the most eagerly awaited performance car clashes of 2016, BMW's M2 faces two scorching rivals from Ford and Audi
Car group tests
16 May 2016
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mazda 2
Mazda 2 - front

Mazda 2

If you’re a female aged between 20 and 30, and wondering which car to buy, Mazda would like a word about it’s stylish supermini
Car group tests
12 May 2016
Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto

Car group tests
12 May 2016
SEAT Ibiza Cupra vs Volkswagen Polo GTI
SEAT Ibiza Cupra vs VW Polo GTI - header

SEAT Ibiza Cupra vs Volkswagen Polo GTI

Has SEAT's revamp of the Ibiza Cupra upped the fun factor enough for it to beat sister brand Volkswagen's Polo GTI?
Car group tests
12 May 2016
Bentley Bentayga vs Range Rover: 2016 twin test
Bentley Bentayga vs Range Rover - header

Bentley Bentayga vs Range Rover: 2016 twin test

It promises a stunning mix of luxury and pace, but can the new Bentley Bentayga knock out the ultimate Range Rover?
Car group tests
10 May 2016
Vauxhall Astra ST vs Skoda Octavia Estate vs Peug
Vauxhall Astra ST vs Skoda Octavia Estate vs Peugeot 308 SW - header

Vauxhall Astra ST vs Skoda Octavia Estate vs Peug

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer mixes space and smart looks, but can it beat Peugeot and Skoda’s estate offerings?
Car group tests
1 May 2016
Ford Mustang vs Nissan 370Z
Ford Mustang vs Nissan 370Z - header

Ford Mustang vs Nissan 370Z

New four-cylinder Ford Mustang promises muscle and efficiency. We find out if it delivers as it meets the Nissan 370Z
Car group tests
27 Apr 2016
Mercedes E-Class vs Jaguar XF vs Audi A6
E-Class group test - header

Mercedes E-Class vs Jaguar XF vs Audi A6

The hi-tech new Mercedes E-Class gets down to business as it takes on Jaguar and Audi rivals in its first test
Car group tests
25 Apr 2016
Subaru XV vs Jeep Renegade
Subaru XV vs Jeep Renegade - header

Subaru XV vs Jeep Renegade

Subaru and Jeep have muscled into the trendy compact crossover class, but is the Subaru XV or Jeep Renegade a more convincing choice?
Car group tests
20 Apr 2016
BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne vs Volvo XC90
BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne vs Volvo XC90 - header

BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne vs Volvo XC90

BMW’s new plug-in hybrid X5 joins a new breed of cleaner SUVs. Can it beat Volvo and Porsche rivals?
Car group tests
16 Apr 2016
Volkswagen Passat vs Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Passat vs Toyota Prius - header

Volkswagen Passat vs Toyota Prius

Can the Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion diesel take down the king of efficiency, the petrol-electric Toyota Prius?
Car group tests
14 Apr 2016
Range Rover Sport
Range Rover Sport - front

Range Rover Sport

If you can blow the budget, the Range Rover Sport is an incredible car both off and on-road
Car group tests
11 Apr 2016