Road tests of the year 2012: September
September was an altogether more modest month, but we still found some great road test winners
Toyota Prius+ vs Renault Scenic vs SEAT Alhambra
Winner: Renault Scenic/SEAT Alhambra Read the full test >>
Toyota wants to turn the Prius into a brand of its own. As well as launching a Plug-In model, it brought out the seven-seat Prius+ this year.
This new hybrid people carrier has no direct rivals, so we pitched it against two different MPVs: the Renualt Scenic has similar emissions, while the SEAT Alhambra has a similar price.
But it wasn’t good news for the Toyota. Diehard Prius fans who need extra space will love this car, but the far cheaper Scenic proved a diesel is still an efficient choice. And the SEAT had an edge with its vast cabin. It wasn’t much thirstier than the Prius+, either.
Dacia Duster vs Peugeot Partner Tepee vs Kia Venga vs second-hand Nissan Qashqai
Winner: Dacia Duster Read the full test >>
The first cars from Renault’s budget brand hit the road in January, and as a taster we compared a European-specification Dacia Duster with a trio of alternative rivals: a supermini-MPV, a van-based people carrier and a second-hand crossover.
With prices starting at less than £9,000, Dacia’s SUV sets a new benchmark for value. And it proved the best choice of the brand new cars, boasting more comfort and space than the Kia Venga and a lower price tag than the Peugeot Partner.
It couldn’t quite overcome the tempting spec list of the used Nissan Qashqai. However, two wins out of three in our unique triple twin test was a strong showing for the Dacia.
Skoda Citigo 5-dr vs Fiat Panda TwinAir
Winner: Skoda Citigo Read the full test >>
This was a tough one to call. Both cars dip under the 100g/km emissions threshold, and their characterful engines sound great. The two-cylinder Fiat Panda was more fun to drive, but the Skoda Citigo had the upper hand for comfort and refinement. The Skoda also had more equipment and cheaper running costs, which sealed the victory.
Audi A3 vs Volvo V40 vs BMW 1 Series
Winner: BMW 1 Series Read the full test >>
The premium hatch class is a tough market, and the arrival of a new Audi A3 only made things tougher. For its first test, we chose rivals that would give it a stern challenge. Despite the fact the A3 was a three-door only – the five-door Sportback arrives early next year – it put up a strong fight.
The styling was a weak point, yet the high-quality cabin and a great mix of performance and economy put the A3 ahead of the stylish Volvo V40. However, the BMW 1 Series had an edge over the Audi, on account of its entertaining handling, although the margins between the three cars were incredibly slim.
