Road Test Review – March

UK car owners make their opinions count!
March marked the end of a long journey that started in December 2007. The data was analysed, the numbers were crunched and nearly 10,000 words produced – our Driver Power 2008 report was finished.

This brought a sigh of relief from everyone who had put in overtime to make it the biggest and best report to date – and meant car makers could read the views of their customers. Skoda was delighted to be top of the chart with its Octavia, while Lexus was equally pleased to be named best manufacturer. However, Fiat, Vauxhall and Ford all had some disappointing results to contemplate...

Over the seven-year history of the survey, we’ve seen marques fall in and out of favour, but it’s the top sellers which seem to struggle most. One explanation for this is that they pander to the masses without putting the requirements of any one group of customers first. Another is that people enjoy driving something different, and are proud to tell others what they’re missing. One thing is for sure: Driver Power is an invaluable chance for you to have your say. Be sure to fill in the 2009 survey.

We were soon back on the road, putting next year’s Driver Power contenders through their paces. First was the fresh Focus. Ford had addressed some of our complaints about bland design, and it was much improved – but just edged out by Honda’s Civic.

Hatchback test
Ford Focus vs Peugeot 308 vs Honda Civic vs Nissan Qashqai (Issue 1,002). In a break with convention, we included Nissan’s unique Qashqai in our compact family hatch group test. And after a mid-life facelift, Ford hoped its Focus would claw its title back from the Honda Civic. Despite its many talents, it wasn’t up to the challenge – although the blue oval did leave the Nissan trailing. Peugeot’s disappointing 308 finished fourth.

Small car duel
Hyundai i10 vs Fiat Panda (Issue 1,003). Probably the biggest surprise of the spring was the Hyundai i10. Putting it head-to-head with Fiat’s superb Panda, we were concerned the Korean model would be embarrassed. Far from it.

While the Panda looked great and proved relaxing to drive, the cheeky little Hyundai won the contest. Our testers deemed it an impressive city car that was good value and cheap to run, too. It was clear that Hyundai’s success with the Santa Fe and i30 was set to continue in other classes before the end of 2008.

You have your say!
Driver Power 2008 survey report (Issue 1,004). One of the biggest annual specials on the Auto Express calendar is the Driver Power report. In 2008, 48,000 of you took part – making our car reliability and motoring satisfaction survey the most important in the business. Victory went to the Skoda Octavia for the second year in a row, due to the reliability of its VW-sourced engines, and the fact that it scored the lowest running costs for any family car on our list. Meanwhile, Lexus was ranked best overall manufacturer for its top build, reliability and comfort, and its dealer network was voted number one as well.

Battle of the compact SUVs
VW Tiguan vs Vauxhall Antara vs Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4 (Issue 1,003). Not many SUVs had been tested in 2008 until this issue, when the Tiguan arrived. VW was late to the 4x4 party, and while anti-off-roader feeling had yet to reach fever pitch, the car didn’t make an impression. The Honda CR-V (below) came out on top, ahead of the VW, Toyota’s RAV4 and Vauxhall’s disappointing Antara.

Live news on show stands
There’s only one place to be in early March – and I’m not referring to a remote Welsh back road or empty test track. No, March is when we decamp to the Swiss city of Geneva for the first and most important event on Europe’s motor show calendar.

You may wonder what there is for a road tester to do at a static expo – so look at the Auto Express website to see what we get up to. I presented most of our video coverage this year, bringing the glitz and glamour of the press day to your desktop. With the site updated minute by minute, it was my job to serve up a slice of the action.

Had you told me a couple of years ago that my work would include presenting, I would have laughed. But it’s now an integral part of this website. My advice for budding reporters? Well, attempt to ignore sniggering onlookers, distracting colleagues and showgoers who wander in front of the camera, unaware that they’ve just ruined your best take of the day! Look out for me next March…
Ross Pinnock
road tester