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

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

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

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £6,387 off RRP*Used from £10,549
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,585Avg. savings £6,027 off RRP*Used from £12,795
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,588 off RRP*
* 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

Fiat Panda 4x4
Fiat Panda 4x4 2013

Fiat Panda 4x4

Don’t be fooled by the tiny dimensions of the Fiat Panda 4x4, because underneath its city car exterior beats the heart of a true 4x4.
Car group tests
12 Nov 2013
Range Rover Sport
Range Rover Sport 4x4 2013

Range Rover Sport

Car group tests
12 Nov 2013
BMW 5 Series vs rivals
BMW 5 Series vs rivals group header

BMW 5 Series vs rivals

Facelifted BMW 5 Series takes on fresh Mercedes E-Class and Jaguar XF in executive class battle
Car group tests
12 Nov 2013
Toyota Auris Hybrid vs VW Golf Bluemotion vs BMW 116d EfficientDynamics - 2013 group test
Auris

Toyota Auris Hybrid vs VW Golf Bluemotion vs BMW 116d EfficientDynamics - 2013 group test

New Golf BlueMotion is Volkswagen's most economical family hatch yet. We pitch it against eco models from BMW and Toyota
Car group tests
6 Nov 2013
Ford Focus ST
Ford Focus ST-3 2013 front action

Ford Focus ST

The Ford Focus ST is the second hot hatch from Ford to make it into this list of the best hot hatchbacks – and that’s telling of just how good the fir…
Car group tests
4 Nov 2013
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross vs rivals
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross vs rivals 2013

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross vs rivals

Can the new Suzuki SX4 S-Cross beat established Skoda Yeti and Nissan Qashqai rivals?
Car group tests
30 Oct 2013
Jaguar XFR-S vs Mercedes E63 AMG S
Jaguar XFR-S vs Mercedes E63 AMG S

Jaguar XFR-S vs Mercedes E63 AMG S

New 542bhp Jaguar XFR-S has the firepower to mix it with the big guns. We test it against the Mercedes E63 AMG S
Car group tests
29 Oct 2013
Mercedes S-Class vs rivals
Mercedes S-Class Range Rover Audi A8 2013 header

Mercedes S-Class vs rivals

Can the new Mercedes S-Class reclaim its crown from the Range Rover and Audi A8?
Car group tests
23 Oct 2013
Mazda 6 vs Skoda Superb: 2013 twin test
Mazda 6 vs Skoda Superb 2013 header

Mazda 6 vs Skoda Superb: 2013 twin test

The Skoda Superb has been updated with a new look and extra kit. Can it topple the Mazda 6, our favourite family car?
Car group tests
22 Oct 2013
Nissan Note vs rivals
Ford Fiesta, Nissan Note, Honda Jazz hatchback 2013 group test

Nissan Note vs rivals

The Nissan Note has gone from dowdy mini-MPV to sexy supermini. We see how it fares against its Ford Fiesta and Honda Jazz rivals
Car group tests
17 Oct 2013
Audi A3 vs Mercedes CLA
Audi A3 vs Mercedes CLA

Audi A3 vs Mercedes CLA

New Audi A3 Saloon faces a tough test against the Mercedes CLA as we see which can tempt premium buyers to downsize
Car group tests
15 Oct 2013
SEAT Ibiza
SEAT Ibiza Cupra front action

SEAT Ibiza

£199 per with no deposit (7.9 per cent APR)
Car group tests
10 Oct 2013
Skip advert
Advertisement
BMW 4 Series vs rivals
BMW 4 Series vs rivals

BMW 4 Series vs rivals

New BMW 4 Series offers style and fun. Can it beat rivals?
Car group tests
10 Oct 2013
Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography - Over £51,000
Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography

Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography - Over £51,000

Car group tests
9 Oct 2013
Tow car of the year 2014

Tow car of the year 2014

Car group tests
9 Oct 2013
Skoda Octavia Hatch 1.2 TSI SE - £16,000-£20,000
Skoda Octavia Hatch 1.2 TSI SE

Skoda Octavia Hatch 1.2 TSI SE - £16,000-£20,000

Skoda has performed well in our tow car contests over the years, and it maintains its excellent record this time round.
Car group tests
9 Oct 2013
Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0D Portfolio - £41,000-£51,000
Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0D Portfolio

Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0D Portfolio - £41,000-£51,000

Spend another £10,000, and the Jaguar XF is still the best choice for our judges.
Car group tests
9 Oct 2013
Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4 - SPECIAL AWARD
Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4 - SPECIAL AWARD

As part of this year’s Tow Car of the Year test, The Caravan Club decided to hand a Special Award to a manufacturer that stood out from the rest.
Car group tests
9 Oct 2013
Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI - £20,000 - £25,000
Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI

Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI - £20,000 - £25,000

Car group tests
9 Oct 2013
Jaguar XF 2.2D Luxury - £31,000-£41,000
 Jaguar XF 2.2D Luxury

Jaguar XF 2.2D Luxury - £31,000-£41,000

When you’re spending over £30,000 on a tow car, you want plenty of pulling power, but just as essential is the ability to carry your kit and passenger…
Car group tests
9 Oct 2013
Ssangyong Korando SE - under £16,000
SsangYong Korando SE

Ssangyong Korando SE - under £16,000

Car group tests
9 Oct 2013
Skoda Superb Est. 2.0 TDI Elegance - £25,000-£31,000
Skoda Superb Estate

Skoda Superb Est. 2.0 TDI Elegance - £25,000-£31,000

Car group tests
9 Oct 2013
MG3 vs rivals
MG3 vs Dacia Sandero and Skoda Citigo

MG3 vs rivals

MG has avoided extermination more times than the Doctor. But can the new MG3 stay out of the clutches of the best budget buys?
Car group tests
3 Oct 2013