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 £5,344 off RRP*Used from £10,195
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £27,145Avg. savings £2,383 off RRP*Used from £15,483
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,560 off RRP*Used from £20,799
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,912 off RRP*Used from £7,299
* 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

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+
Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+

With gadgets becoming a bigger part of daily driving, our Hyundai Santa Fe’s mammoth capacity for hi-tech kit is welcome
Long-term tests
8 May 2007
Vauxhall Astra Design 1.9 CDTI
Vauxhall Astra

Vauxhall Astra Design 1.9 CDTI

With its panoramic screen, our new Vauxhall Astra gives a superb driver's view. We'll have to decide whether it's a great idea or just a gimmick...
Long-term tests
8 May 2007
Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi 115 GS
Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi 115 GS

Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi 115 GS

That's what Kia said when we asked it to build us a Cee'd for our fleet. So we did just that at its Slovakian factory...
Long-term tests
30 Apr 2007
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30

VW's golf GTI is one of our favourite cars, so this 'edition 30' birthday special is a very happy return to our fleet
Long-term tests
30 Apr 2007
Skoda Octavia vRS
Skoda Octavia vRS

Skoda Octavia vRS

A year on, how's our Octavia performing?
Long-term tests
10 Apr 2007
Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Sport

Honda FR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Sport

Does Honda's FR-V offer the right blend of practicality?
Long-term tests
3 Apr 2007
Subaru B9 Tribeca

Subaru B9 Tribeca

Is there a place in this day and age for an SUV that returns only 22 miles to the gallon?
Long-term tests
3 Apr 2007
Renault Modus 1.5 dCi 86 Initiale

Renault Modus 1.5 dCi 86 Initiale

Even a recent coming together with a concrete pillar hasn’t spoiled our enjoyment of the Renault Modus over the past year
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2007
Nissan Note 1.6 SVE
Nissan Note

Nissan Note 1.6 SVE

Our Nissan note has made a big impression. But will the honeymoon last for the latest arrival on our fleet?
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2007
Lexus GS450h SE-L
Lexus GS450h SE-L

Lexus GS450h SE-L

Our hybrid Lexus GS450H has impressive green credentials – but its blend of electric and petrol power also means immense pace
Long-term tests
6 Mar 2007
Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D T3
Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D T3

Toyota Auris 2.0 D-4D T3

First impressions of our new Toyota Auris are that it's very similar to the brand's old Corolla
Long-term tests
27 Feb 2007
Audi TT Coupe 3.2-litre V6
Audi TT Coupe

Audi TT Coupe 3.2-litre V6

We've been going paddling in our stylish Audi TT, courtesy of its hi-tech steering wheel-mounted gearbox controls
Long-term tests
27 Feb 2007
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Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCi T-Spec
Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCi T-Spec

Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCi T-Spec

Nissan's big off-roader has been a trusty workhorse, but has its exhaust left a black cloud over its time with us?
Long-term tests
20 Feb 2007
Mazda MX-5 2.0i
Mazda MX-5 2.0i

Mazda MX-5 2.0i

Time is up on our year-long test of Mazda's MX-5. How does its final report card read?
Long-term tests
13 Feb 2007
VW Passat 2.0 TDI SEL
VW Passat 2.0 TDI SEL

VW Passat 2.0 TDI SEL

Moving house can be a stressful business, but with our Passat estate doing all the carrying, things went smoothly
Long-term tests
13 Feb 2007
All tyred out?

All tyred out?

Our sporty Skoda Octavia vRS estate is a real trooper, but the miles are starting to take their toll...
Long-term tests
6 Feb 2007
SEAT Leon FR TDI

SEAT Leon FR TDI

There's a bright new addition making an impact on our fleet in the shape of SEAT's sporty Leon
Long-term tests
23 Jan 2007
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 VGT CDX+

After seven months on the fleet, our Hyundai Santa Fe's copybook was seriously blotted following a nightmare service
Long-term tests
23 Jan 2007
Vauxhall Zafira
Vauxhall Zafira

Vauxhall Zafira

A minor power loss, then business as usual
Long-term tests
16 Jan 2007
Renaultsport Clio 197
Renaultsport Clio 197

Renaultsport Clio 197

Our latest fleet addition's superb on the twisty bits, but a duck out of water in town
Long-term tests
9 Jan 2007
Citroen C4 1.6 HDi SX
Citroen C4

Citroen C4 1.6 HDi SX

Steamed up! That's how I am feeling about Auto Express's long-term C4
Long-term tests
2 Jan 2007
Toyota Aygo 1.0+ Five-door
Toyota Aygo 1.0

Toyota Aygo 1.0+ Five-door

A Christmas shop tests the Aygo's load-carrying ability
Long-term tests
5 Dec 2006
Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan Pathfinder

"Never work with children or animals" as the old saying goes. With the Pathfinder, you'll probably work with nothing else...
Long-term tests
14 Nov 2006