Long-term tests

Long-term tests

Every Auto Express long-term test, ever...

The Auto Express long-term test is a rigorous examination of a car’s design, engineering and practicality in real world conditions - often accompanied by some slightly silly photos of our experts with their cars. 

Our team lives with each car for a period of around six months, subjecting each to the trials and tribulations of our own daily routines. School runs, shopping trips, commutes, days out, family holidays, visits to the rubbish dump; we live with these cars so you can understand what it would be like to. 

And, of course, we’re car journalists so we regularly go above and beyond the typical use patterns for our long-term test cars. Track and off-road driving, in suitable models, gives a further insight into their qualities. So do the big mileages we cover on roads of all types right around the UK and across Europe, not to mention the photographic and video shoots.  

If you’re in the market to buy a new car, the Auto Express long-term test reports provide an invaluable insight into what your own life might be like as the owner. In combination with our in-depth reviews and group tests, these pages form the most comprehensive evaluation of new cars you’ll find anywhere. 

Over thousands of miles of testing, our experts really get under the skin of all the most popular models on the market and if you have specific questions about the cars we’re running now or have run in the past, we’re here to help… 

What’s on fleet?

Cars we’re reporting on now plus recent long-term test fleet arrivals and departures 

Scroll down for all our long-term test reports...

New & used car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,065 off RRP*Used from £14,895
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

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Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,768
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,459 off RRP*Used from £15,045
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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More on Long-term tests

Skoda Yeti: Second report
Skoda Yeti

Skoda Yeti: Second report

Our youngest reader yet helps give verdict on family carry-all
Long-term tests
20 Jun 2012
Peugeot 508 SW: Fourth report
Peugeot 508 SW and RXH

Peugeot 508 SW: Fourth report

Classy Peugeot 508 SW estate compares well to hi-tech hybrid stablemate
Long-term tests
18 Jun 2012
Mazda 5: Final report
Mazda 5 header

Mazda 5: Final report

Seven-seater gets a goodbye spruce-up after a year’s happy family motoring
Long-term tests
13 Jun 2012
Suzuki Swift: Final report
Suzuki Swift

Suzuki Swift: Final report

Supermini has proven easy to live with, and even organising a service is straightforward
Long-term tests
11 Jun 2012
Vauxhall Ampera: First report
Vauxhall Ampera

Vauxhall Ampera: First report

Long-awaited range-extending electric car joins fleet. So does it deliver on its promise?
Long-term tests
6 Jun 2012
Audi Q3: Fourth report
Audi Q3 header

Audi Q3: Fourth report

We’re sweeping up the roads to prevent another mishap on our 4x4
Long-term tests
4 Jun 2012
Kia Rio: First report
Kia Rio header

Kia Rio: First report

Supermini joins our fleet – and it’s already impressing with its refinement and space
Long-term tests
30 May 2012
Infiniti G37 Convertible: Third report
Infiniti G37 Convertible

Infiniti G37 Convertible: Third report

Luxury drop-top’s interior is starting to show some worrying signs of wear and tear
Long-term tests
28 May 2012
Range Rover Evoque: Second report
Range Rover Evoque header

Range Rover Evoque: Second report

Our editor is still smitten with our Car of the Year. But it could be more efficient…
Long-term tests
23 May 2012
Honda CR-Z: First report
Honda CR-Z header

Honda CR-Z: First report

Can a petrol-electric coupe be truly sporty? Our senior road tester is about to find out...
Long-term tests
16 May 2012
Vauxhall Corsa: Final report
Vauxhall Corsa front

Vauxhall Corsa: Final report

Our man tries out some of his cleaning kit to spruce up supermini before it leaves us
Long-term tests
14 May 2012
Jaguar XF: Third report
Jaguar XF front

Jaguar XF: Third report

Refined diesel executive saloon is now living the executive lifestyle in the hands of our publishing director
Long-term tests
9 May 2012
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VW Polo 1.2 TSI: Final report
VW Polo 1.2 TSI header

VW Polo 1.2 TSI: Final report

Like the sweets, supermini's price has jumped over the years. Is it worth it?
Long-term tests
7 May 2012
Lexus CT 200h: Second report
Lexus CT 200h header

Lexus CT 200h: Second report

We’re trying to squeeze maximum fuel economy from our hybrid
Long-term tests
2 May 2012
SEAT Ibiza ST: Sixth report
SEAT Ibiza ST header

SEAT Ibiza ST: Sixth report

Compact estate proves its worth in the run-up to wedding day
Long-term tests
30 Apr 2012
Suzuki Swift: Fourth report
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Suzuki Swift: Fourth report

Nippy little supermini is the perfect option for park and ride exercise regime
Long-term tests
25 Apr 2012
Nissan Leaf: Third report
Nissan Leaf header

Nissan Leaf: Third report

Electric car and charge cards haven’t yet given us the freedom of the city
Long-term tests
23 Apr 2012
Vauxhall Corsa: Fifth report
Vauxhall Corsa header

Vauxhall Corsa: Fifth report

Excellent fuel economy has posed an unlikely problem for our products writer...
Long-term tests
18 Apr 2012
Ford Focus EcoBoost: Fifth report
Ford Focus EcoBoost

Ford Focus EcoBoost: Fifth report

Hatch’s hi-tech safety kit has helped us avoid prangs – plus, it’s saving us money
Long-term tests
16 Apr 2012
Jaguar XF: Second report
Jaguar XF at Goodwood

Jaguar XF: Second report

Classy diesel saloon meets the automotive stars of the Sweeney movie at Goodwood
Long-term tests
11 Apr 2012
Audi Q3: Third report
Audi Q3 header

Audi Q3: Third report

A trip to the Alps in some wild winter weather saw our SUV show its class
Long-term tests
9 Apr 2012
Range Rover Evoque: First report
Range Rover Evoque at the factory

Range Rover Evoque: First report

Our reigning Car Of The Year is the latest to join our fleet... and we even helped build it
Long-term tests
4 Apr 2012
Peugeot 508 SW: Third report
Peugeot 508 SW header

Peugeot 508 SW: Third report

Our 508 SW is looking great again after some cosmetic surgery
Long-term tests
28 Mar 2012