Skip advert
Advertisement

Review of the year - March 09

This month is all about the hot 500, plus two very different tests inspired by the credit crunch

How to look good for less

The Geneva Motor Show means this is a traditionally barren month for testing. With makers focusing on showing off future models at one of the world’s top expos, few schedule new car launches for this busy time.

Thankfully, there was one newcomer we all wanted to get our hands on – the Abarth 500. The Fiat 500 wowed the world in 2008, and now it was time for the Italian firm’s sporting arm to shine. The hot baby arrived with a bang, but finding the right rival wasn’t easy. While the Abarth would not measure up to, say, Vauxhall’s Corsa VXR, it could shame most sporty city cars.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In the end, its first victim was Mitsubishi’s Colt Ralliart – which, despite proving that it had more than a touch of its big brother Evo’s DNA, simply couldn’t match the drama of the Abarth.

It was the immeasurable head- turning abilities of the feisty 500 that also earned it a place in a second March road test. Inspired by “get the look for less” features found in countless fashion mags, we applied the principle to cars. Could you really achieve the feel of the hottest models around at a fraction of the price? The answer for a nation in bargain-hunting mood was a resounding yes.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

i20

2023 Hyundai

i20

13,573 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £13,085
View i20
e-tron

2023 Audi

e-tron

9,523 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £22,164
View e-tron
e-tron Sportback

2023 Audi

e-tron Sportback

51,524 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £21,604
View e-tron Sportback
e-tron Sportback

2023 Audi

e-tron Sportback

27,986 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £24,378
View e-tron Sportback

In a similar vein, we brought together four pairs of new cars at four different price points. At each budget we found one option to appeal to the heart and one to the head: Which you chose depended on how adventurous you were feeling in March!

Click any of the links below to catch up with all the rest of the year's most exciting stories.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Verdict

Tester's notes
I’m often asked how many miles I rack up every year, and the simple answer is I don’t know. With so many cars passing through the office, it’s hard to keep track of how far you’ve driven in a week, never mind a year.

One test this month had us travelling further than usual – and at a sedate pace too. In our rundown of the supermini sector’s economy heroes, we headed to Exmoor in Somerset to see just how frugal the latest crop of small cars really can be.

And that wasn’t the endof the cold weather for me, as I also headed off to the Geneva Motor Show to present some of the Auto Express video coverage. In a frenetic few hours, I got up close to a number of models in time for the films to be edited by the end of the day.

I was back just in time for our ‘how to look good for less’ test… after another lengthy drive, of course!

Ross Pinnock
Road test editor

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £3,970 off RRP*Used from £8,795
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,780 off RRP*Used from £13,850
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,406 off RRP*Used from £14,850
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,825 off RRP*Used from £12,170
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 2025 review: an incredibly capable hot hatch but there's a catch
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport - front tracking

New Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 2025 review: an incredibly capable hot hatch but there's a catch

The hottest front-wheel-drive Golf has sharpened up its act in Mk8.5 form, but it's not as fun as we'd like it to be
Road tests
11 Sep 2025
Farewell Volkswagen ID.4, hello ID. Tiguan
VW ID. Tiguan front 3/4 Avarvarii

Farewell Volkswagen ID.4, hello ID. Tiguan

Heavy update for EV will bring with it a fresh, but familiar, name
News
12 Sep 2025
New Honda Civic facelift 2025 review: subtle tweaks boost its appeal
Honda Civic facelift - front

New Honda Civic facelift 2025 review: subtle tweaks boost its appeal

The Honda Civic was already a great car, but updates for 2025 have elevated it even higher
Road tests
11 Sep 2025