Skip advert
Advertisement

Heart vs head

Sensible or sensational? (Issue 1,054)

Heart vs Head

With the world economy taking something of a nosedive, we thought that it was time to find out exactly how sensible the UK car buyer should be.

At four price points – £10,000, £15,000, £20,000 and £25,000 – we selected one model to appeal to the heart and an alternative to win over anyone who was ruled by their head. The resulting line-up was incredibly diverse and sparked fierce debate among the Auto Express road test team.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It only goes to show just how much choice the new car market offers – no matter whether your budget is big or small.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,560 off RRP*Used from £25,400
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,266 off RRP*Used from £13,200
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £6,189 off RRP*Used from £12,195
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £27,145Avg. savings £2,518 off RRP*Used from £16,500
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Vauxhall sales are up because it’s not greedy, unlike some of its rivals
Opinion - Vauxhall

Vauxhall sales are up because it’s not greedy, unlike some of its rivals

Mike Rutherford takes a closer look at the UK new car sales figures from 2025
Opinion
18 Jan 2026
New AUDI E5 Sportback 2026 review: the best car Audi has built in decades
AUDI E5 Sportback - front tracking

New AUDI E5 Sportback 2026 review: the best car Audi has built in decades

This is the first car from Audi's China-focused sub-brand, and it's a real shame that we won't be getting it
Road tests
16 Jan 2026
Tesla Model Y vs Kia EV5 vs Smart #5: is the new cut-price Tesla electric SUV king?
Tesla Model Y, Kia EV5, and Smart #5 - front angled

Tesla Model Y vs Kia EV5 vs Smart #5: is the new cut-price Tesla electric SUV king?

The electric SUV class is hotting up with new Kia EV5 and Smart #5, plus an entry-level version of Tesla’s Model Y
Car group tests
17 Jan 2026