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

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £6,416 off RRP*Used from £13,302
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,967 off RRP*Used from £14,100
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,713 off RRP*Used from £10,295
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,616 off RRP*Used from £10,799
* 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

Mercedes A 200 AMG Line: long-term test review
Mercedes A 200 AMG Line long termer - final report header

Mercedes A 200 AMG Line: long-term test review

Final report: We’re going to miss our sporty, tech-packed Mercedes A-Class hatchback
Long-term tests
5 Apr 2019
Suzuki Swift Sport (2018-2024): long-term test
Suzuki Swift Sport - final report header

Suzuki Swift Sport (2018-2024): long-term test

Final report: Over eight months, our Suzuki Swift Sport hot hatch has been a tasty treat
Long-term tests
25 Mar 2019
Vauxhall Grandland X Sport Nav: long-term test
vauxhall grandland x long termer

Vauxhall Grandland X Sport Nav: long-term test

Fifth report: We love the paintjob, but other shortcomings are colouring our view of our Vauxhall Grandland X SUV
Long-term tests
7 Mar 2019
Skoda Karoq SE L: long-term test
skoda karoq long termer header

Skoda Karoq SE L: long-term test

Final report: Our versatile Skoda Karoq SUV has starred with all-round ability during time on fleet
Long-term tests
28 Feb 2019
MINI Cooper 5-Door: long-term test
mini cooper 5-door long termer header

MINI Cooper 5-Door: long-term test

Final report: Departure of our MINI Cooper 5-door makes it an unhappy start to 2019
Long-term tests
22 Jan 2019
Long-term test review: Mercedes X 250 d
Mercedes X 250 d - long-term header

Long-term test review: Mercedes X 250 d

Second report: Our Mercedes X-Class continues to attract attention and start conversations
Long-term tests
21 Jan 2019
Renault Koleos Dyamique S Nav: long-term test review
renault koleos long termer

Renault Koleos Dyamique S Nav: long-term test review

Final report: Our Renault Koleos leaves us undecided after a mixed eight months’ service
Long-term tests
14 Jan 2019
Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine: long-term test review
volvo xc60 long termer

Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine: long-term test review

Final report: Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine SUV has convinced our man of the benefits of PHEV power
Long-term tests
29 Nov 2018
Kia Stinger GT-Line S: long-term test review
Kia Stinger - long-term final report header

Kia Stinger GT-Line S: long-term test review

Final report: Luxury Kia Stinger GT scored on style and spec, but it left us wanting something more
Long-term tests
21 Nov 2018
Toyota C-HR Hybrid: long-term test
toyota c-hr long termer static

Toyota C-HR Hybrid: long-term test

Final report: Switch to hybrid Toyota C-HR pays big dividends with fuel economy
Long-term tests
9 Nov 2018
Long-term test: Audi A7 Sportback
audi a7 sportback long-termer static

Long-term test: Audi A7 Sportback

Final report: Audi A7 Sportback has all the tools of the executive trade, so we'll be sad to see it go
Long-term tests
31 Oct 2018
Peugeot 5008 GT Line: long-term test
peugeot 5008 long termer static

Peugeot 5008 GT Line: long-term test

Final report: Seven-seat Peugeot 5008 SUV saddles up for rural break, and is more at home than in town
Long-term tests
26 Oct 2018
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Citroen C3 Aircross Flair: long-term test
Citroen c3 aircross static

Citroen C3 Aircross Flair: long-term test

Final report: we’re sad to see comfortable small SUV leave fleet
Long-term tests
15 Oct 2018
Mazda CX-5 Sport Nav: long-term test review
Mazda CX-5 SUV - front

Mazda CX-5 Sport Nav: long-term test review

Final Report: We'll miss the great-driving Mazda CX-5 SUV, with its punchy diesel power
Long-term tests
20 Sep 2018
Long-term test review: SEAT Arona FR
SEAT Arona FR - front

Long-term test review: SEAT Arona FR

Final report: the SEAT Arona SUV crossover is a great all-rounder, but we’ve struggled to bond with it in its time on our fleet
Long-term tests
14 Sep 2018
SsangYong Rexton ELX: long-term test review
SsangYong Rexton - header

SsangYong Rexton ELX: long-term test review

Final report: our SsangYong Rexton's great load-lugging ability comes to fore on a track-day tour around France
Long-term tests
6 Sep 2018
Volvo XC60 R-Design: long-term test review
Volvo XC60 - group shot

Volvo XC60 R-Design: long-term test review

Update: comfy, quiet and smooth-riding Volvo XC60 SUV takes the motorway commute in its stride
Long-term tests
4 Sep 2018
Long-term test review: Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in - front

Long-term test review: Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid

Final report: we look back at our six months with Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid hatch
Long-term tests
23 Aug 2018
Volkswagen Arteon R-Line long-term test
Volkswagen Arteon - Long Termer

Volkswagen Arteon R-Line long-term test

Final Report: flagship Volkswagen Arteon is a fine travelling companion, but there are still some niggles
Long-term tests
13 Aug 2018
Long-term test review: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S - front

Long-term test review: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S

Final report: mega Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Estate has been on our fleet for eight months, but is the S model worth the extra?
Long-term tests
7 Aug 2018
Long-term test review: Honda Civic Type R GT
Honda Civic Type R long-term test review - champagne

Long-term test review: Honda Civic Type R GT

Final report: we crack out the champagne as we wave goodbye to the best hot hatch of 2018, the Honda Civic Type R
Long-term tests
1 Aug 2018
Long-term test: Skoda Kodiaq (2017-2024) SE L 2.0 TDI
Skoda Kodiaq - front

Long-term test: Skoda Kodiaq (2017-2024) SE L 2.0 TDI

Final report: off-road excursion shows Skoda Kodiaq SUV really can do everything as it leaves fleet
Long-term tests
28 Jun 2018
Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury: long-term test review
Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury - front

Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury: long-term test review

Final report: we say a fitting farewell to our 2017 Car of the Year by getting it filthy off road
Long-term tests
22 Jun 2018