Road tests

Not so long ago, cars that drove themselves were the stuff of Hollywood fantasy - but not any more.

If we had one complaint about Jaguar's 2.0-litre diesel X-Type, it was that the car seemed capable of handling more power.

High-performance estates are making a comeback, but how many does one car firm need? Subaru has built hot load-lugging versions of its Impreza for yea…

Better looking and cheaper to run: That's the promise being sold with the facelifted Peugeot 307 CC, so we took the car for a spin to see if it lives …

Britain's top-selling budget MPV is back, and with a new look the maker says will finally propel it into the big time. Auto Express is the first magaz…

It's a tough brief. The new 3-Series Touring must offer class-leading practicality and space, and yet still manage to deliver the marque's legendary d…

People carriers and off-roaders now come in all shapes and sizes, but traditional family hatchbacks still account for one in 10 new cars sold in the U…

Don't be fooled by the mild-mannered exterior. This MINI might appear familiar, but it eats Subaru Imprezas for breakfast and snacks on BMW M3s for lu…

Cute roadsters like Mazda's MX-5 are great for image-building. However, when it comes to profits, there's nothing like a big-selling family car. And t…

Style is as important as storage in the ultra-competitive estate sector, which is why VW says it's expecting big things from the load-lugging version …

The transition from show car to showroom is complete! When Honda's Civic concept stunned visitors at the Geneva exhibition in March, few believed the …

Now the new 3-Series has been launched, the M3's days are numbered. Even so, with a V8 replacement not due until next year, BMW is keeping performance…

We have traced every step of Jaguar's design and testing programme for the all-new XK, but the firm is not finished with the old model yet. To mark th…

Real sports cars are fitted with manual gearboxes. That's the view held by driving enthusiasts right across the world - and it is a serious problem fo…

You either love or hate Hummer. Originally a military vehicle builder creating huge 4x4s designed to follow in tank tracks, it now spends as much time…

Compact MPVs have be-come big news in recent years, with new offerings from virtually every mainstream car manufacturer hitting the road in the past 1…

Wooden chassis, V8 Rover engines and British Leyland parts. The original Marcos cars, produced in a metal hut in Wiltshire, had a Britishness few riva…

The car that helped bring Mazda back to the masses in 2002 has been facelifted - and Auto Express is first behind the wheel.

Peculiar doors and challenging styling mean there is lots that's new about Peugeot's 1007 - not least the name. This is the 'one thousand and seven', …

Auto Express lifted the lid with the first pictures of Porsche's new 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet earlier this month - but what is the fastest Porsche dro…

For drivers who like their hatchbacks a little more exciting, the new Suzuki Swift Sport is big news. With its sights set firmly on entry-level MINI b…

When it comes to budget off-roaders, Suzuki is top of the class. Whether it is the Jimny or Grand Vitara, the Japanese maker's 4x4s have a reputation …

The waiting is finally over! Vauxhall's volcanic Astra VXR has hit the road, and Auto Express was first behind the wheel. The turbocharged newcomer go…

Reinventing the ForFour does not come cheap. Smart has added nearly £10,000 of Brabus bits to its supermini

Successful people carriers need to be stylish, spacious and cheap to run. Mitsubishi's Grandis scores well on two counts, yet its petrol engine means …

Let's face it: while the Exige is a sports car enthusiasts' dream, it is not above criticism. For example, the 1.8-litre Toyota engine has to be worke…

When you are keen to make the jump from little known budget brand to class pacesetter, every new car has to hit the bullseye. And that's exactly why t…

Why produce one facelifted model when you can do two? Not con- tent with overhauling its Forester, Subaru has found time to tweak the Legacy line-up, …

You could never accuse Subaru of rushing into things. Although the recent launch of the Tribeca SUV might have come as a surprise, it shouldn't be for…

Thinking of joining the jet-set? Then you will need a Flying Spur... The eagerly anticipated Bentley saloon has finally hit the UK's roads - and Auto …

When it comes to hot versions of existing machines, Toyota's warmed-up Celica is not alone. The SRT-6 variant of the stylish Chrysler Crossfire Roadst…

Coupe buyers love to be noticed - but if you want to be looked at, nothing less than dramatic styling, a ground-hugging stance and aerodynamic extras …

Despite healthy sales, there is something about the three-door Audi A3 that has obviously been irritating company top brass since its launch in 2003.

It was only after years of losing customers to specialist importers that Subaru decided to make its Impreza STi available in the UK.

You might be surprised to learn that British hot hatch buyers purchase 50 per cent of all Renaultsport cars produced. The tuning firm's work on the Cl…

You have to feel sorry for Saab engineers. The firm that built its reputation on safe, environmentally friendly cars has endured some tough times of l…