Road tests of the year 2012: May
Another bumper month brought some surprises in May. Here are our picks
Mercedes ML vs Porsche Cayenne vs Land Rover Discovery 4
Winner: Land Rover Discovery 4 Read the full test >>
Sometimes we have a fair idea of which car might win a test before we even hit the track, but on other occasions we struggle to come to a verdict, even after days at the wheel. This test fell into the latter category and with three strong contenders, picking a winner was no easy matter.
In the end the hugely capable Land Rover Discovery came out on top, just ahead of the Porsche Cayenne. That left the new Mercedes ML in third. “It doesn’t do a lot wrong,” we concluded. “It just lacks the all-round versatility of the Land Rover, while it’s no cleaner than the Porsche, isn’t as engaging to drive, plus it’s more expensive.”
MINI Roadster vs Mazda MX-5
Winner: Mazda MX-5 Read the full test >>
The MINI Roadster has all the right ingredients – a desirable badge, punchy engine, distinctive looks and sporty handling. But something in the recipe has gone awry.
We loved its pin-sharp handling, eager responses and lively performance, yet the price you pay when it comes to refinement and comfort is too great.
The Mazda MX-5 is one of the best pound-for-pound cars that money can buy, so if you can live with its small boot and two-seater cabin, it is the number one choice for drop-top fun.
It wasn’t all bad news for the MINI Roadster, though, as we hailed it the best soft-top MINI in the range.
Peugeot 208 vs Ford Fiesta vs Kia Rio
Winner: Peugeot 208 Read the full test >>
After a few years in the doldrums, Peugeot is back on form, with niche models like the RCZ scooping a hatful of awards. All it needed to cement its status as a company on the march was road test victory in a really important sector, and they don’t come any more important – or fiercely contested – then the supermini class.
The new Peugeot 208 duly obliged by scoring one of the biggest upsets of the year, when it knocked the all-conquering Ford Fiesta off the top step of the podium. Our testers praised its good looks, smart cabin and low running costs, and highlighted the three-cylinder model tested as the pick of the range.
Third place went to the Kia Rio, but the fact it performed so strongly in such exalted company shows how far the Korean brand has come.
Kia Cee’d vs Hyundai i30 vs Volkswagen Golf
Winner: Volkswagen Golf Read the full test >>
Two new models from up-and-coming value brands took on the long-established family hatch benchmark when the soon-to-be-replaced Volkswagen Golf faced the Kia Cee’d and Hyundai i30. The great-to-drive, spacious and refined VW came out on top – but only just.
The Cee’d and i30 emerged as genuine contenders, and choosing between them came down to nit-picking. In the final analysis, the Hyundai’s weaker residuals and firm ride made the difference, and it finished in an honourable third. For its part, the Cee’d was nearly as good to drive as the Golf, plus has a quality cabin and a brilliant aftersales package.
Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost vs SEAT Leon 1.2 TSI
Winner: Ford Focus Read the full test >>
Downsizing has become all the rage this year, and Ford got in on the act in May when its award-winning 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo joined the Focus range. Fears that the engine wouldn’t have enough grunt for such a big car were banished immediately, as its 123bhp output is an exact match for the old 1.6-litre it replaced.
The sporty SEAT Leon gave the Focus a tough workout thanks to its generous kit count and willing 1.2-litre TSI engine. We reckoned this was the sweet spot of the outgoing Leon line-up – but the gloomy cabin and inferior efficiency handed victory to the brilliant Ford.
Mazda CX-5 vs Skoda Yeti vs Kia Sportage
Winner: Mazda CX-5 Read the full test >>
We knew the new Mazda CX-5 was going to be good, but we hadn’t bargained on it beating one of our all-time favourites. The Skoda Yeti is a former Auto Express Car of the Year and was unbeaten in road tests when it met the efficient and fun Mazda crossover in the Scottish Highlands.
The CX-5 inflicted a first defeat on the Skoda thanks to its sheer breadth of abilities. The new SkyActiv engines provide amazingly low CO2 emissions and strong performance, while our 2.2-litre diesel proved super-refined. Cabin quality is vastly improved over previous Mazdas, so the Yeti GreenLine had to settle for second. Third went to the Kia Sportage, which provides great value for money but less power, inferior dynamics and higher company car tax bills.
