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

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £1,484 off RRP*
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £6,416 off RRP*Used from £13,539
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,966 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,912 off RRP*Used from £8,450
* 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

Ford Focus Active Estate: long-term test review
Ford Focus Active long termer final report - header

Ford Focus Active Estate: long-term test review

Final report: there’s much more to the Ford Focus Active Estate than the SUV-style additions
Long-term tests
15 Feb 2023
Dacia Jogger: long-term test
Dacia Jogger long termer - standing next to Jogger

Dacia Jogger: long-term test

Final report: We’ll miss our practical, value-for-money budget seven-seater
Long-term tests
20 Jan 2023
BMW iX3 M Sport Pro: long-term test review
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BMW iX3 M Sport Pro: long-term test review

Final report: It’s not cheap, but what we got for free sealed the deal
Long-term tests
17 Jan 2023
Honda HR-V: long-term test
Honda HR-V long termer final report - header

Honda HR-V: long-term test

Final report: the Honda HR-V compact SUV has been a perfect fit for family life
Long-term tests
4 Jan 2023
Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo: long-term test
Porsche Taycan long termer final report - header

Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo: long-term test

Final report: we loved our Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, and Porsche is already fixing the few issues we had
Long-term tests
15 Dec 2022
Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI: long-term test
Skoda Fabia long termer third report - header

Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI: long-term test

Third report: we put our hatchback to the test against family’s Fabia Estate
Long-term tests
17 Nov 2022
Mazda CX-5 diesel: long-term test review
Mazda CX-5 long termer final report - header

Mazda CX-5 diesel: long-term test review

Final report: six months in our Mazda CX-5 have shown that diesel engines still have a place
Long-term tests
14 Nov 2022
Nissan Qashqai Tekna+: long-term test
Nissan Qashqai - final report header

Nissan Qashqai Tekna+: long-term test

Final report: the practical Nissan Qashqai is let down by comfort over long distances
Long-term tests
18 Oct 2022
Citroen e-Dispatch: long-term test review
Dean Gibson and son loading bikes into Citroen e-Dispatch

Citroen e-Dispatch: long-term test review

Final report: Our man weighs up the penalties of carrying a full load
Long-term tests
3 Oct 2022
Toyota Yaris Cross Design: long-term test
Toyota Yaris Cross final report - James Brodie 'shaking hands' with the Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross Design: long-term test

Final report: After six months’ probation, compact SUV has got the job
Long-term tests
20 Sep 2022
Ford Ranger Wildtrak (2011-2023): long-term test
Kim Adams with Ford Ranger

Ford Ranger Wildtrak (2011-2023): long-term test

Final report: Pick-up truck shows its worth as it signs off from our fleet
Long-term tests
23 Aug 2022
Polestar 2 Dual Motor long-term test
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Polestar 2 Dual Motor long-term test

Final report: We’ll miss our 2 – it’s everything a posh EV should be
Long-term tests
16 Aug 2022
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Peugeot 508 PSE: long-term test review
Peugeot 508 PSE - Matt Robinson on bike

Peugeot 508 PSE: long-term test review

Final report: We saddle up for estate’s last practicality test on our fleet
Long-term tests
4 Aug 2022
DS 7 Crossback E-Tense: long term test review
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DS 7 Crossback E-Tense: long term test review

Final report: We bid adieu to aspiring upmarket PHEV
Long-term tests
29 Jul 2022
Citroen e-Berlingo: long-term test review
Citroen e-Berlingo long term test - serving ice cream

Citroen e-Berlingo: long-term test review

Final report: We’ve learned to love our pure-electric MPV
Long-term tests
22 Jul 2022
BMW 330e Touring: long-term test review
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BMW 330e Touring: long-term test review

Final report: Plug-in estate and electric SUV line up for family test
Long-term tests
12 Jul 2022
Lexus UX300e: long-term test
Lexus UX300e long-termer

Lexus UX300e: long-term test

Final report: Even with no home charging, electric SUV won us over
Long-term tests
8 Jun 2022
Renault Captur E-Tech: long-term test review
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Renault Captur E-Tech: long-term test review

Final report: We look back on six months with our easy-going and practical hybrid crossover
Long-term tests
6 Jun 2022
Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S Tour: long-term test review
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Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S Tour: long-term test review

Final report: We find out about EV servicing before ID.3 leaves our fleet
Long-term tests
1 Jun 2022
Audi Q4 e-tron 50 quattro: long-term test review
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Audi Q4 e-tron 50 quattro: long-term test review

Final report: Our super-stylish SUV has impressed in and out of town
Long-term tests
30 May 2022
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Premium: long-term test
John McIlroy washing Ioniq 5

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Premium: long-term test

Final report: Stylish EV shows just why it was our 2021 Car of the Year
Long-term tests
6 May 2022
Fiat 500 Passion: long-term test review
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Fiat 500 Passion: long-term test review

Final report: Fiat’s baby EV is hot in the city and good elsewhere if the weather’s not cold
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Cupra Formentor V1: long-term test
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Cupra Formentor V1: long-term test

Final report: company’s standalone SUV is a great ambassador for the Spanish brand
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