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

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,344 off RRP*Used from £10,195
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £6,462 off RRP*
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,321 off RRP*Used from £10,904
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,912 off RRP*Used from £7,299
* 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

Small Turbos Group Test
Small Turbos Group Test

Small Turbos Group Test

Turbo engines are more popular than ever, but are they any better than standard units? We try three of the best of each
Car group tests
22 May 2009
Renault Kangoo vs Citroen Berlingo

Renault Kangoo vs Citroen Berlingo

Does Renault’s new Kangoo make the most of its van-style shape? We pitch it against Citroen’s budget MPV class leader to find out...
Car group tests
15 May 2009
Top of the stops - Braking test

Top of the stops - Braking test

We pick the cars with the best brakes in six classes and put them through their paces in an emergency stop shoot-out
Car group tests
15 May 2009
MINI United live!
MINI United

MINI United live!

It's the biggest party of the year and Auto Express is there to bring you all the news, views and excitement as it happens.
Car group tests
11 May 2009
Golf Plus v FR-V
Golf Plus v FR-V

Golf Plus v FR-V

VW’s new Golf Plus promises more space and flexibility than the standard hatch. Is it a better choice than Honda’s practical FR-V?
Car group tests
8 May 2009
Jazz v i20 v Fabia
Jazz i20 Fabia

Jazz v i20 v Fabia

Autos are more sophisticated than ever – but do they make sense in small cars? We pit Honda’s new Jazz i-SHIFT against key rivals...
Car group tests
8 May 2009
Economy Drive
i10 vs Alto

Economy Drive

Suzuki’s all-new Alto enters the closely fought city car sector with value for money on its side. Is that enough for it to trump our current class cha…
Car group tests
1 May 2009
300bhp group test special

300bhp group test special

Ford’s 301bhp Focus RS has hit the UK, and to celebrate, we’ve lined up an eclectic mix of vehicles that can match its power output.
Car group tests
28 Apr 2009
GT racer special
R8 LMS

GT racer special

From road car to racer, we take a look at some of the fastest track specials
Car group tests
27 Apr 2009
Peugeot 308 CC vs VW Eos
308CC vs Eos

Peugeot 308 CC vs VW Eos

Can Peugeot’s new 308 CC topple VW’s Eos and soar to the top of the coupé-cabrio class? We see if it’s the essential drop-top of the summer
Car group tests
24 Apr 2009
XFR vs M5 & XKR vs GranTurismo S
XFR vs M5 & XKR vs GranTurismo

XFR vs M5 & XKR vs GranTurismo S

We find out if Jaguar can claim two class crowns as the storming new XFR and XKR take on the BMW M5 and Maserati GranTurismo S at Rockingham...
Car group tests
24 Apr 2009
Green Car Special
Tesla Model S

Green Car Special

Following the Government's proposals to offer drivers up to £5,000 off their first electric and hybrid car from 2011, we round up the greenest models …
Car group tests
20 Apr 2009
Skip advert
Advertisement
7 seat wonders

7 seat wonders

Need to carry lots of people? We pick out four fantastic buys, with prices ranging from £13,000 to £30,000
Car group tests
17 Apr 2009
Audi S4 Avant vs VW Passat R36 estate

Audi S4 Avant vs VW Passat R36 estate

Sizzling estates go head-to-head as the storming new Audi S4 Avant meets its Volkswagen Passat R36 rival!
Car group tests
16 Apr 2009
2009's Budget Explained
Budget 2009

2009's Budget Explained

Auto Express takes a closer look at this year's budget - and analyses the effect it will have on the car industry.
Car group tests
16 Apr 2009
Shanghai Motor Show 2009

Shanghai Motor Show 2009

Home of the best Shanghai Motor Show coverage on the web.
Car group tests
16 Apr 2009
SEAT Exeo vs Lexus IS

SEAT Exeo vs Lexus IS

SEAT hopes its Exeo will gain a foothold in the family saloon class. Can it beat another alternative choice in the shape of the Lexus IS?
Car group tests
9 Apr 2009
Stop-Start Shoot Out!

Stop-Start Shoot Out!

Stop-start technology is car makers’ latest buzzword – but just how clean and efficient is the latest wave of models? We visit the UK’s most congested…
Car group tests
9 Apr 2009
Hot hatch special
Ford Focus RS

Hot hatch special

In the week that the incredible Focus RS goes on sale, we round up the hottest hatches for 2009...
Car group tests
6 Apr 2009
C3 Picasso

C3 Picasso

Citroen’s C3 Picasso is aiming for the top of the supermini-MPV class – but does it offer more room and value than its Nissan, Daihatsu and Kia rivals…
Car group tests
3 Apr 2009
Porsche Cayman vs TT S vs BMW 335i

Porsche Cayman vs TT S vs BMW 335i

Porsche has revamped its Cayman sports car – but do the tweaks keep it ahead of rival coupés from BMW and Audi?
Car group tests
27 Mar 2009
Insignia Sports Tourer vs Mondeo

Insignia Sports Tourer vs Mondeo

Looking good is as crucial as carrying luggage for estates. So, can Vauxhall’s new Insignia Sports Tourer beat its Ford Mondeo rival?
Car group tests
27 Mar 2009
The ABC of GTI

The ABC of GTI

Exactly how far has the VW Golf GTI come in the past 33 years? We compare the exciting new MkVI to the original MkI
Car group tests
27 Mar 2009