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...

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Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

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Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

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Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

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Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

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More on Long-term tests

Skoda Superb Estate: Final report
Skoda Superb Estate header

Skoda Superb Estate: Final report

It takes a lot of washing, but the Superb Estate has shone in every area during its time with us
Long-term tests
8 Feb 2012
Ford Focus: Fourth report
Ford Focus and Grand C-MAX

Ford Focus: Fourth report

Family man traded up from hatch to seven-seater for festive break. Has he been persuaded to make the switch permanent?
Long-term tests
6 Feb 2012
Nissan Leaf: Second report
Nissan Leaf start line

Nissan Leaf: Second report

We put our electric car to test on the Brighton to London run
Long-term tests
1 Feb 2012
Renault Megane ST: Fifth report
Renault Megane ST header

Renault Megane ST: Fifth report

Not even a Christmas Day breakdown could blot our practical estate’s copybook
Long-term tests
18 Jan 2012
Audi Q3: First report
Audi Q3 header

Audi Q3: First report

Compact SUV is set for a gruelling stint on our fleet in the hands our staff photographer
Long-term tests
16 Jan 2012
Skoda Superb Estate: Fourth report
Skoda Superb Estate header

Skoda Superb Estate: Fourth report

Our trusty estate has one last trick up its sleeve – it’s started talking!
Long-term tests
11 Jan 2012
Mazda 5: Fourth report
Mazda 5 header

Mazda 5: Fourth report

Winter is here – and our MPV is prepared for anything
Long-term tests
4 Jan 2012
Infiniti G37 Convertible: First report
Red Bull Racing victory parade with Mark Webber and Christian Horner

Infiniti G37 Convertible: First report

Our new drop-top makes a grand entrance at the Red Bull victory parade in Milton Keynes
Long-term tests
3 Jan 2012
Peugeot 508 SW: Second report
Peugeot 508 SW header

Peugeot 508 SW: Second report

Ho ho ho! Our practical estate has been borrowed by Santa for his festive deliveries
Long-term tests
21 Dec 2011
Hyundai ix35: Final report
Hyundai ix35 header

Hyundai ix35: Final report

Does the ix35 tick all the boxes for family buyers? After 12 months at the wheel, our man is well placed to reveal all
Long-term tests
19 Dec 2011
Saab 9-5: Final report
Saab 9-5 front tracking

Saab 9-5: Final report

We say goodbye to saloon. Is it goodbye to the brand, too?
Long-term tests
14 Dec 2011
Suzuki Swift: Second report
Suzuki Swift header

Suzuki Swift: Second report

Our roving reporter has been canvassing opinion on the Swift – and it’s been proving popular with the Auto Express jury
Long-term tests
12 Dec 2011
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Audi A1: Final report
Audi A1 header

Audi A1: Final report

After six months, our senior road tester bids a fond farewell to our smart and sophisticated supermini
Long-term tests
5 Dec 2011
SEAT Ibiza ST: Fourth report
SEAT Ibiza ST

SEAT Ibiza ST: Fourth report

Our compact estate has been travelling the length of the country... and impressing with its comfort and cruising ability
Long-term tests
28 Nov 2011
Kia Sportage: Fourth report
Kia Sportage: Fourth report

Kia Sportage: Fourth report

A recent scrape has shown just how popular the Kia is proving – as parts shortages mean we faced a month-long wait for a repair
Long-term tests
21 Nov 2011
Ford Focus: Third report
Ford Focus front tracking

Ford Focus: Third report

Five-door Focus has won over our family man with its entertaining drive as well as its gadgetry
Long-term tests
16 Nov 2011
Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Final report
Mitsubishi i-MiEV header

Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Final report

After four months with our first-ever electric car, do the sums add up?
Long-term tests
14 Nov 2011
Saab 9-5: Fourth report
Saab 9-5 header

Saab 9-5: Fourth report

Saab’s tale of woe in recent months has resembled a horror movie – but it hasn’t spoiled our enjoyment of classy saloon
Long-term tests
9 Nov 2011
Nissan Leaf: First report
Nissan Leaf front three-quarters

Nissan Leaf: First report

We’ve picked up the keys to the Nissan Leaf EV trailblazer – and it’s impressed already
Long-term tests
7 Nov 2011
Vauxhall Corsa: Third report
Vauxhall Corsa header

Vauxhall Corsa: Third report

Having wrapped up himself, our man turns attention to readying supermini for winter
Long-term tests
2 Nov 2011
Skoda Superb Estate: Fourth update
Skoda Superb front cornering

Skoda Superb Estate: Fourth update

Is the Superb Estate any good? Absolutely... it more than lives up to its name!
Long-term tests
31 Oct 2011
Renault Megane Sport Tourer: Fourth report
Renault Megane Sport Tourer header

Renault Megane Sport Tourer: Fourth report

Compact estate is ideal choice as our man tees off with a new hobby
Long-term tests
26 Oct 2011
Volkswagen Polo: Second report
Volkswagen Polo header

Volkswagen Polo: Second report

Can a 1.2-litre Polo really match our man’s classic Golf GTI for pace? We carried out a unique test to find out
Long-term tests
24 Oct 2011