City-Car

Estate

Hatchback

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

CITROEN

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

&nbsp;

TESLA

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

ASTRA

CITIGO

MODEL 3

RAV4

XC40

most-common-car-scams-and-how-to-avoid-them

Ford

Fiesta

1 Series

Volkswagen

Transporter

There were 3.5 million cases of fraud in 2024, with £11.4 billion stolen from consumers according to research by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance*. A growing number of those fraudulent transactions were for used cars or car parts.Overall, nearly a third (61%) of Britons encountered a scam once a month in 2024, and 52% saw an increase in the number of attempted scams against them compared with 2023. With used car values high and consumers struggling with the cost of living, there’s a growing demand for affordable secondhand models, and criminals are taking advantage of this by advertising <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/fake-car-dealer-website-scam/n25138">fake cars for sale</a> at temptingly low prices. They encourage buyers to either pay a hefty deposit or in full up front, and then disappear with the money. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952">used Ford Fiesta</a> is the model most commonly reported as being in a car scam, followed by secondhand examples of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n26">BMW 1 Series</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/transporter/van/review/n18205">Volkswagen Transporter</a> van. Indeed, the Fiesta is also the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-most-stolen-cars-in-the-uk/n21162">UK's most stolen car</a>. There's also a thriving trade in fake ads for car parts and accessories, and the average loss to consumers for vehicle-related scams is £998. You may have thought that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-clocking-what-is-it-and-how-to-avoid-buying-a-clocked-car/n1219">‘clocking’</a> (turning back the odometer on a car to increase its value) was a thing of the past, but it’s making a comeback with fraudsters tampering with digital dials to lower mileage and then charge more for used cars. And there is also a growing trend in fake QR codes being put on car park payment boards and on <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-networks-rated/n23269">public EV charging</a> points. Instead of directing car owners to the legitimate site to make payment, they divert them to a fake one that takes their card details and uses them to take money off of bank accounts or off credit cards. Here we round up the latest car scams and provide tips to help you avoid them.  <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Fake car sales websites</h2>What is it? Online scammers set up fake car sales websites for dealerships that don’t exist, and populate them with extremely cheap cars to lure buyers into paying for cars thinking they’re getting a bargain.

How does it work? Criminals create car sales portals, often with names that are similar to genuine used car dealerships, and fill them with photos and information of real cars that are for sale elsewhere, offering them at big discounts, sometimes half the price they would usually cost. When buyers phone or email to get more information about the vehicles, they are encouraged to pay for them in advance of seeing them to secure the deal. The criminals promise to deliver the car once payment has been made, but the cars are not delivered and once the fake dealer has the money, they become uncontactable. What Car? and Car Dealer Magazine found one <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/fake-car-dealer-website-scam/n25138">fake dealership</a> in Scotland that had 79 vehicles for sale. It advertised them to buyers in the south of England, knowing that few would travel hundreds of miles to view cars, and would be tempted to pay online and then be duped. How to avoid being scammed The old adage that if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is, is appropriate here. If cars are being advertised for far less than the going rate, be wary, and investigate the seller before getting involved with them. Only pay a small holding deposit up front, and whenever possible make sure you see the car in the flesh before you pay in full. If you are interested in a vehicle, but not sure about the legitimacy of the seller, ask them to send you a photograph of the car's V5 registration document as proof they have the vehicle and are entitled to sell it. It’s also worth checking for online reviews of the company to see if any mention scams. <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Fake car ads on social media</h2>What is it? There has been a big increase in criminals using social media platforms and marketplaces to sell fake goods, and many of them are cars or car parts. According to data from the TSB retail banking chain, UK buyers are losing just over £160,000 a day after making purchases on Facebook Marketplace. It estimates that nearly £60m of fraud took place on the platform in 2023, and 34% of the listings on the site were fraudulent. How does it work? Similar to the fake dealer websites, fraudsters create fake ads for cars for sale at rock-bottom prices and post them onto the sites. They may use photos of genuine vehicles that are advertised elsewhere online and may create fake addresses and other information to make the ad and themselves seem genuine. When potential buyers get in touch they’re given excuses as to why they can’t collect the car, but the seller offers to deliver it once payment has been made. Of course, this never happens. These online fraudsters will interact with buyers and even sometimes provide fake documents and information in order to get people to part with their cash.

How to avoid being scammed If you’re interested in a car, but the seller isn’t keen on you visiting them to see it, be suspicious. Don’t pay for a car up front, insist on seeing it first. If it’s too far away for you to check it out in person, ask the seller to make a video of the car so you can see that they do have it. You can also check that the car’s registration number tallies with the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla" target="_blank">DVLA’s vehicle information service</a>.If you think you’ve spotted a fake ad on Facebook you can report it to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FVSA.Group">Facebook vehicle scam alerts</a> group. It has more than 5500 members, all sharing information about vehicle scams they’ve spotted on the platform. <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Fake car buyers </h2>What is it? When you advertise your car for sale you may be contacted by a foreign buyer offering the full asking price — or even more than that. How does it work? The scammers lure car sellers in by offering unrealistically high prices for cars. They may ask you to contact a shipping agent on their behalf and may offer to pay by banker’s draft, which can be forged and, if so, may be rejected by a bank, potentially leaving you thousands of pounds out of pocket. Once the criminals have your car, they disappear without paying. Such scams are often called advance-feed frauds.How to avoid being scammed If you’re contacted by a buyer who is abroad, or someone who’s offering more than the asking price for your car, think carefully about accepting their offer. If you think the potential buyer is a criminal, don't reply to them, but do advise the administrator of the website your car was advertised on.Never hand over your car or any paperwork until you have been paid the full agreed price. Only accept payment via CHAPS/BACS electronic payments or direct money transfers, such as Paypal, as these are quick and safe and you can see the money as soon as it's in your account.

Be wary of anyone who wants to pay for an expensive car (over £10k) in cash, as they may be trying to launder money.<hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Car clocking </h2>What is it? High-mileage examples of secondhand cars can be worth £1000s less than comparable ones with few miles under their belts. One reason that it’s become more prevalent in recent years is the high percentage of new cars bought on personal contract purchase (PCP) deals; they come with annual mileage limits and sometimes stiff penalties for exceeding them. This scam takes advantage of this by lowering the mileage of a secondhand car to increase its value. Although it’s illegal to wind back a car’s mileage and sell it on for more than it’s worth, the act of altering the mileage is legal and that means unscrupulous people can get hold of the computer software used to do it and use it for illegal purposes.

How does it work? All new cars have digital odometers that may be susceptible to being altered by plugging a computer into the car’s electrical system. It is possible for criminals to buy the software to <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-clocking-what-is-it-and-how-to-avoid-buying-a-clocked-car/n1219">clock cars</a>, but those wishing to commit this crime don’t have to splash out on the software - they can contact an online advertiser who will come to them and clock the car for around £100. How to avoid being scammed The easiest way to spot a clocked car is to see if its condition fits with the mileage shown. If the odometer says 6000 miles but the car has worn tyres, saggy seats and other wear and tear, it could well be clocked. The best way to find out for sure is to check its service history. You can do this by looking up its old MOTs on the Government’s website, or by paying for a history check on it. Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-clocking-what-is-it-and-how-to-avoid-buying-a-clocked-car/n1219">guide to clocking</a> for more advice on how to spot a clocked car. <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Car cloning </h2>What is it? Criminals sometimes put the numberplate from a legitimate car onto a stolen vehicle to stop it from being identified if it’s used for a robbery or other crime. They may also use this tactic to avoid paying <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/london-congestion-charge-everything-you-need-to-know/n23042">congestion zone</a> fees, parking fines and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/speeding-fines-tickets-and-penalties-guide/n15071">speeding tickets</a>. Another version of this involves the whole identity of a car being copied onto another one by altering the vehicle identification number (VIN) that’s stamped on various parts of the car; this is usually done to hide the identity of a stolen or written off car so it can be sold for a profit.  How does it work? The criminals will search online for a car that’s the same make, model and colour as the one they want to hide and obtain a copy of the legitimate car’s numberplates to fix to their car. It can now be used for criminal activity without being easily identified. If they’re cloning a car to sell it on, they’ll replace the VIN number on the stolen or damaged car with that of the legitimate car. They may replace the plate the VIN number is stamped on or rub it down to erase the original VIN and then imprint the new one in its place. How to avoid being scammed If you think your car has been cloned you should inform your local police authority and report the crime to <a href="https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/" target="_blank">Action Fraud</a>. Once you’ve reported your car to the police, you may be stopped whenever they see you driving it, but so will the cloned car, and hopefully that will mean those driving it will be picked up by the police. <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Car tax scam emails</h2>What is it? The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has been battling scam messages pretending to be from the department for years. At the end of 2020, it released a number of examples of phishing emails after a 531% increase in reports of email scams. But this type of scam remains persistent due to its simplicity: fraudsters often send text-based emails in the style of genuine DVLA letters, duping people into thinking the payment for their car tax has failed or that the car is no longer taxed. There have also been a spate of text message based car tax scams. How does it work? The scam relies on people not checking the validity of the email or text carefully and not checking that the payment from their bank account has actually failed, and instead hurriedly making payment. The scammers give the emails convincing titles and can alter the sending address so it looks like the email has come from the DVLA, and has gov.uk at the end.

The email or text has a link to the criminal's bank account so you end up inadvertently paying them instead of the DVLA. Some scams also collect bank account and card details and use them to extract more money from the victims. How not to be scammed The DVLA states that it will never send emails or that ask you to confirm your personal details or payment information, so you can ignore any emails or texts you get that purport to be from them. Fake emails that pretend to be from any government department can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre on <a href="mailto:report@phishing.gov.uk">report@phishing.gov.uk</a>. The fake websites they link to can then be investigated and removed to help prevent anyone from falling victim to them.<hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Car tax subscription scam websites</h2>What is it? Fake government websites that charge consumers for services that are usually free, or sign people up to fee-based subscription services when they’re trying to do things, such as renew their car tax or register themselves as the new owner of a car. How does it work? Con artists set up websites with names that are very similar to official Government ones for car tax and other services, so they appear next to the real ones in online searches. This means it’s an easy mistake to click on the fake website instead, and then you could end up paying them for a service you don’t want or need. We’ve recently found car tax websites that ask for your vehicle’s details and then instead of letting you buy your car tax, sign you up to a monthly subscription for car information costing up to £10 a month. Websites like this are offering completely unnecessary services and are charging for things the official sites offer for free.How not to be scammed Make sure you only use the official gov.uk websites whenever you want to do anything via the DVLA online. The website for car tax is <a href="https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax">https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax</a>. Double-check that the website you’ve chosen ends in gov.uk every time you visit it as there are many misleading third-party websites that charge extra fees in order to ‘help’ you apply for a driving licence or tax your vehicle. <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Car park and car charging site QR code scam</h2>What is it? Scammers stick their own QR codes onto car park pay machines and the charging points at <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-networks-rated/n23269">public EV charging stations</a>, tricking drivers into sending them their bank details while they think they’re paying for parking. Around 1,200 scams relating to fake quick response (QR) codes have been investigated by Action Fraud in the last three years.How does it work? QR codes are used to enable people to pay for parking and EV charging in many locations around the country. Criminals create their own QR codes and stick these over the legitimate ones. When people scan the fake code with their mobile phone they are directed to a website where they can enter their card details to pay for parking. The details are then used to take up to thousands of pounds from the bank account. One lady lost thousands to QR code scammers operating at a car park in Teeside. Although her bank initially blocked the payment to the scammers, they phoned her, posing as bank staff and took £13,000 from her account.

How not to be scammed A growing number of railway car park operators are removing QR codes from their payment machines to protect people from this type of fraud. If you do find a site with a QR code, and it looks like it may have been tampered with, see if there is another way to pay. The design of the QR code should match the business’s branding. If the branding or logo appears to be different, be suspicious. If you can peel a QR code sticker off, be wary as this may suggest it is fake. If the QR code is located somewhere other than on the actual metre or machine, it may also indicate it is fake.If you do use a QR code to pay for parking or EV charging, ensure it takes you to a legitimate website. Check the website address (often called a URL) and ensure it matches the name of the car park operator. Also check that the website's URL starts with https:// because the 's' in that part of the address means it’s a secure site.If the car park or EV network provides payment via a specific payment app, download this from your app store and pay via this instead as it is far more secure.<hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Crash for cash</h2>What is it? This type of scam has been prevalent for some years. In its most common form, it involves criminals causing an accident, usually by crashing their vehicle into another one, in order to make a fraudulent insurance claim.  How does it work? The fraudster creates a scenario that will cause an accident, such as slamming on the brakes on their car unexpectedly to make the car behind drive into it, or flashing their headlights to let your vehicle pass them and then driving into it. Sometimes they use two vehicles, with the one in front driving erratically so the driver of the one behind it can blame the first driver for causing the crash. Another crash for cash tactic is for two criminals to stage a crash for their own cars, enabling them to make fraudulent claims for each vehicle.

There is also a variant of this scam known as clip for cash, in which the criminal will create a fake smashing sound and then claim that your car has damaged their vehicle, for example by knocking off a wing mirror, and demand money and intimidate the victim if they refuse to pay. As well as the trauma of being involved in one of these incidents, the victims are likely to have increased insurance premiums as a result of the claim against them. How not to be scammed Keep a good distance between your car and the one in front, and if the driver starts driving erratically increase this distance or consider taking a different route to get away from them. Also be wary at junctions and when someone flashes their lights to let your car go. If you do think you’ve been the victim of a crash for cash scam, don’t confront the criminals there and then. Act as you would in a real accident, gathering the other party’s details, taking photos and getting statements from any witnesses. Then report the incident to the police and your insurer, stating that you think it was a staged accident. You can also call the <a href="https://insurancefraudbureau.org/cheatline/" target="_blank">Insurance Fraud Bureau’s Cheatline on</a> 0800 422 0421.  <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Ghost brokers</h2>What is it? Ghost car insurance brokers sell invalid car insurance policies to drivers at unrealistically low prices. The victims only discover they’ve been scammed when they try to make a claim on the policy. How does it work? The City of London Police have recently issued a warning to young drivers about the danger of being conned by a ghost insurance broker.

The scammers search for victims via social media or word of mouth, offering fake car insurance deals that are far cheaper than legitimate policies. After making a sale, the scammers send their victims fake insurance documents, or take out a real policy but falsify important details, such as the driver’s age, address, and driving history, to bring down the premium. How not to be scammed Only buy car insurance via bonafide companies, not via social media sites. Use online comparison websites to see which providers are offering the cheapest cover, and try some of  our money saving car insurance tips, such as buying cover up to three weeks before you need it, in order to make big savings. *Source: <a href="https://www.gasa.org/research" target="_blank">Global Anti-Scam Alliance</a><hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/how-to-save-money-on-your-car-insurance/n1117">How to save money on your car insurance</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

Most common car scams and how to avoid them

the-10-cheapest-new-cars-you-can-buy-reviewed-and-rated

Dacia

Sandero

Citroën

SPRING

Sandero Stepway

Hyundai

Picanto

Toyota

AYGO X

C3 Aircross

Suzuki

Ignis

Version&nbsp;Ami |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£7975&nbsp;|&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£7875

You might think that the Ami's super-low price is unbelievable for an electric car, but here's a secret – the Ami isn't technically a car at all. It's actually classed as a quadricycle rather than a full-size car, which means you can drive one in the UK at just 16 years old, and even less in Europe.

Once you get past its Instagrammable looks, the Ami isn't what you'd call quick. Indeed, its electric motor produces just 8bhp and its top speed is limited to 28mph. The result is that you feel slow on most roads, even those limited to 20mph. Plus, with a range of just 46 miles, you won't be going far without needing to plug in to recharge.

There's evidence of cost-cutting inside the Ami, with most fittings being made from hard plastics. Then there's the exposed metal frame and plastic structure which you can see when you look around it, which acts as a constant reminder of compromised safety standards. While it's undeniably cheap, then, we'd suggest that if you can afford to, you'd be better off with a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-electric-cars/n26959">small electric car</a> instead.

<h2>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/ami/city-car/review/n23515">Citroën Ami review</a></h2>

Citroën Ami

Version&nbsp;1.0 2&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£15,595&nbsp;|&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£14,074

Kia has just&nbsp;launched a new&nbsp;Picanto, which means it has&nbsp;a new look inside and out. Unfortunately, the price has also changed, because this new version is more expensive than the previous car – but only just.

As a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> package, the Picanto is impressive; it's&nbsp;good to drive, with tidy handling and a comfortable driving position, plus the interior is&nbsp;smart to look at. You also get a surprising amount of kit as standard, even with the entry-level 2 trim. It comes with an 8.0in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment touchscreen</a>, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard.

Despite being quite&nbsp;underpowered, the entry-level 62bhp 1.0-litre engine is&nbsp;compelling&nbsp;thanks to its economical nature. But if your budget can stretch to it, we'd recommend going for the 1.2-litre&nbsp;unit; it's noticeably quicker and&nbsp;more flexible at low revs.

<h2>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto&nbsp;review</a></h2>

Kia Picanto

Version&nbsp;Electric 45 Expression&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£14,995&nbsp;|&nbsp;Target Price £14,135

If you compare it&nbsp;to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/ami/city-car/review/n23515">Citroën Ami</a>, the Dacia Spring is&nbsp;a very capable&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>. It's powered by a small 26.8kWh (total) battery that delivers an official range of 140 miles (as opposed to 46 miles), plus you get a choice of two electric motor options, with either&nbsp;44bhp&nbsp;or 64bhp. It's a great option if you live in a city, plus you can easily keep up with low-speed traffic.

If you compare the Spring to other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-electric-cars/n26959">small electric cars</a>,&nbsp;such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-c3/hatchback/review/n26854">Citroën e-C3</a>, it suddenly doesn't sound&nbsp;so appealing. The e-C3 in entry-level form produces 111bhp, which means it can go from 0-62mph&nbsp;in&nbsp;10.4sec, plus its&nbsp;43.7kWh (usable) battery delivers an official range of 199 miles. It's also a more practical and comfortable car, but&nbsp;it is more expensive.

<h2>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/spring/hatchback/review/n26964">Dacia Spring&nbsp;review</a></h2>

Dacia Spring

Version&nbsp;1.2 PureTech&nbsp;You |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£14,150&nbsp;|&nbsp;Target Price £14,150

Citroën has launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3/hatchback/review/n26860">new generation of the C3</a>, but if you want a more value-focused alternative, you can still buy the previous version, which is called the C3 Origin.

As you might expect from a car&nbsp;at this price point, the entry-level&nbsp;You trim&nbsp;comes with very little&nbsp;equipment as standard. The only 'luxuries' you get are&nbsp;cruise control, manual air-conditioning and heated side mirrors. The Dacia Sandero is far better value overall.

In other areas, the C3 Origin is poor to drive, plus&nbsp;the 82bhp entry-level engine is pretty lethargic; it feels underpowered and you need to work it&nbsp;hard just to keep up with traffic (for reference, 0-62mph takes&nbsp;12.5sec). You also have to pay extra for some important safety kit, including&nbsp;automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>).

<h2>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3/hatchback/review/n17364">Citroën C3&nbsp;review</a></h2>

Citroën C3 Origin

Version&nbsp;1.0&nbsp;Advance |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£16,330&nbsp;|&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£14,490

The Hyundai i10 is one of the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a> you can buy on a budget. No matter which version you go for, you get a relatively spacious and&nbsp;smart-looking interior&nbsp;and a comfortable ride. In fact, overall, it feels more polished to drive than the closely-related&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>.

It's also very practical for its size, with a good amount of leg room for rear passengers. The boot is a good shape, too, although&nbsp;the Picanto's is ever so slightly bigger.&nbsp;

The entry-level 1.0-litre&nbsp;three-cylinder petrol engine is strong enough in town and is efficient.&nbsp;Advance&nbsp;trim comes with automatic lights, air conditioning,&nbsp;electric door-mirror adjustment&nbsp;and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearlever as standard.

<h2>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10 review</a></h2>

Hyundai i10

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCe Bi-Fuel Essential&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£14,495 |&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£14,495

The top 10 list&nbsp;of Britain's cheapest new cars is constantly changing, and the Dacia Sandero is a car that's often found near the top spot.

So, what's the Sandero like? Well, it's actually a&nbsp;better car than some of its pricier&nbsp;rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg3/hatchback/review/n17867">MG3</a>. It's more practical and&nbsp;more comfortable than that car, plus it's surprisingly well equipped in mid-level Expression trim. This entry-level Essential trim is less so; it comes with&nbsp;cruise control, front electric windows and air conditioning as standard.

Usefully, this&nbsp;Bi-Fuel version can run&nbsp;on cheaper liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)&nbsp;as well as regular unleaded, which means it should also be very cheap to run if you live near a petrol station that stocks it. It's worth noting&nbsp;that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a>&nbsp;gave the Sandero just two stars for safety.

<h2>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero review</a></h2>

Dacia Sandero

Version&nbsp;1.0 VVT-i Pure |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£16,140&nbsp;|&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£14,702

From the pictures, it can be easy to mistake the Toyota Aygo X for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUV</a>. However, in reality it's actually a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> in terms of its size.

Having been launched in 2022, the Aygo X is one of the more&nbsp;recent additions to the&nbsp;small car class. As such, it comes with&nbsp;loads of safety kit as standard, including&nbsp;automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>), lane-keep&nbsp;assist and six airbags. The entry-level Pure trim is also&nbsp;well equipped, and comes with&nbsp;automatic headlights, air conditioning and a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system.&nbsp;

On the whole, the Aygo X is good to drive, with a tight turning circle and tidy handling. However, the 71bhp 1.0-litre engine is&nbsp;slow and unrefined.&nbsp;

<h2>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X review</a></h2>

Toyota Aygo X

Version&nbsp;1.0 TCe Bi-Fuel Essential |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£15,295&nbsp;|&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£14,795

The Sandero Stepway is essentially a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a>&nbsp;but with some extra ruggedness, including a more&nbsp;heavily sculpted bonnet, roof rails, chunky plastic wheel arch extensions and&nbsp;an increased ride height.

Like the Sandero, it's a brilliant <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> with a&nbsp;spacious interior for its size, a big boot and a comfortable ride. It also comes with a similar line-up of engines and trim levels. The version quoted here features the same&nbsp;Bi-Fuel&nbsp;1.0-litre petrol engine as the regular Sandero, which means you&nbsp;can flip between LPG and&nbsp;petrol by&nbsp;using a switch next to your knee. In terms of performance, it&nbsp;produces 99bhp as opposed to 89bhp for&nbsp;the non-LPG version, so it gives you some useful extra performance when accelerating.

Essential trim offers the same amount of kit as the regular Sandero, which means you get&nbsp;cruise control, front electric windows and air conditioning as standard.

<h2>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero-stepway/hatchback/review/n17269">Dacia Sandero Stepway&nbsp;review</a></h2>

Dacia Sandero Stepway

Version&nbsp;1.5 Centre-Line&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£15,995&nbsp;|&nbsp;Target Price £15,200

The Mazda 2 line-up is confusing, since it includes both the cheap mild hybrid version we're covering here, and the more expensive full hybrid model which is actually based on the Toyota Yaris. This mild hybrid model gives you a small taste of the latter's efficiency, since it can't go any distance on electric power alone, but its engine does receive small amounts of electric assistance to help boost your fuel economy.

Centre-Line is the cheapest trim option, and it's very well equipped, coming with cruise and climate control, automatic wipers and a touchscreen infotainment system as standard. The interior of the Mazda 2 is a fairly pleasant place to be, with soft-touch materials on top of the dashboard, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel which feels good to hold.

<h2>Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/2/hatchback/review/n95">Mazda 2 review</a></h2>

Mazda 2

Version&nbsp;1.2 Design |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£19,635|&nbsp;Target Price&nbsp;£15,495

Few small cars sell in such big numbers as the Vauxhall Corsa, and in most respects that popularity is well earned. There are lots of versions to choose from, meaning finding one to suit your needs shouldn't be difficult, and there's regular petrol, hybrid or fully electric power to choose from.

This 1.2-litre petrol-engined model, and with just 74bhp it's not likely to be setting any speed records. Indeed, we suspect that its 0-62mph sprint time of 13.2sec will make it feel sluggish on faster roads, and could make overtaking a drawn-out affair.&nbsp;

In most respects, the Cora is competent rather than outstanding. It rides fairly well, for example, but rivals including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a1/hatchback/review/n5">Audi A1</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">Peugeot 208</a> and Volkswagen Polo do it better. Similarly, its handling is sure-footed enough, but a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i20/hatchback/review/n53">Hyundai i20</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> remain more upright through corners.

<h2>Read our in-depth <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/review/n33">Vauxhall Corsa review</a></h2>

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Vauxhall Corsa

For many of us, a new car is one of the biggest investments we'll make. And with the constant march of new technology and new features appearing on cars, the price of most new cars is only going one way – up.Despite that, there are still some new cars which are cheaper than you might imagine, yet which are still every bit as desirable as more expensive models. These models prove that even though you're on a budget, you don't have to compromise on key areas including practicality, comfort and style. In this story, then, we're naming the 10 cheapest new cars you can buy.

Our list of cars includes a variety of body styles, including hatchbacks and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-suvs/n17050">small SUVs</a>, as well as multiple power options, including mild hybrid and fully <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric cars</a>.What's more, many of the cars quoted here have some big discounts available, so it's worth checking our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a> service to see our latest deals. If any of the cars do take your liking, you can follow the review links to find out more about each car.

The 10 cheapest new cars you can buy - reviewed and rated

best-ev-home-charging-tariffs-2024-reviewed-the-best-ev-tariffs-for-your-car

best-home-charging-tariffs

With the energy price cap about to rise, the cost of charging up your EV at home is also likely to increase. From 1 October 2024 the maximum price per unit of electricity will rise from 22.26p to 24.50p, and the standing charge will go from 60.12p to 60.99p. For an average household, this will mean their annual bill will increase from £1568 to £1717, and that means it's more important than ever to find the cheapest way possible to charge up your <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> at home. The best way to do this is to take advantage of the home energy discounts that are available to EV drivers. You see, not all electricity tariffs are created equal, and choosing the right one can make a big difference to the size of your monthly bill, so it pays to do your homework.Here, we’ve reviewed and rated the best electric vehicle tariffs currently on the market, and we’ve explained how to choose the ideal ones for your needs, as well as explaining other vital factors that could influence your decision.<h2 dir="ltr">How we rate the home electric car tariffs</h2>Price is the biggest concern for homeowners, so our first consideration when ranking the home EV charging tariffs was how much they would cost to charge up an EV. To compare them, we calculated the cost of charging up a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> Long Range with a 75kW useable battery capacity from 10% to 80%.

Only two of the 10 EV charging tariffs we’ve looked at provide cheap electricity for a long enough period to charge up our Tesla. To work out their one day charging cost we multiplied the required energy needed (52.5kWh) by the 7p pkWh cost and gained a total of £3.68 for the 70% charge. For tariffs with shorter off-peak prices we’ve used the low rate price for the first five or six hours and then resorted to the peak price for the remainder of the charge session. So for the Good Energy Fixed Tariff we’ve multiplied 50% of the charge by 7.4p and the remaining 20% by 29.0p; the low rate cost is £2.78 and the peak rate fee is £4.35, resulting in a total of £7.13. This demonstrates the importance of also choosing a tariff with a low peak hours rate, so we’ve considered this, along with the daily standing charge, when rating the companies. For eight of the 10 energy companies we have customer satisfaction data collected from our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-home-ev-chargers/n25830">best home EV chargers</a> feature, so we’ve also factored in the scores provided by users wherever possible. Prices are correct as of 27 September 2024. <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">Which is the best home electric car tariff? </h2>1. Octopus Intelligent GoEV charging rate 7.0p/kWhEV charging times Anytime or 23.30-05.30One day charging cost £3.68   Octopus’s most flexible tariff takes first place because it gives you two cheap charging options and six hours of off-peak charging for all appliances, not just your car. You can either charge your car up overnight for six hours at 7p/kWh, or leave the car plugged in and let Octopus know when you need it charged by, and it will top up the batteries at any time when there is excess energy on the grid. And Octopus isn’t clawing back too much in peak kWh or standing charge rates: both of these are the second lowest of those in our comparison. However, the tariff is not available with all home EV chargers.

The icing on the cake for Octopus customers is that the company has the highest satisfaction rating of all those in our home EV charger survey. Octopus Intelligent Go customers gave the company a rating of 95%, and the company as a whole scored 91%.<a href="https://octopus.energy/" target="_blank">Visit Octopus for more information</a>  <hr /> 2. OVO Charge AnytimeEV charging rate 7.0p/kWhEV charging times AnytimeOne day charging cost £3.68   The great benefit of this tariff is that it enables you to charge up your EV any time of the day or night at the cheapest rate of 7p/kWh. It determines when the best time to charge the car is, depending on how much load is on the grid. All you have to do is remember to leave your car plugged into the wallbox, and let the system know what time you need the car charged up by. The downside for heavy electricity users is that the special rate is only applicable to EV charging, and can’t be used to power any other electrical devices that you might want to run at night on a timer, such as a washing machine or dishwasher.

At the time of writing, OVO’s peak electricity and standing charge rates were a little higher than those for Octopus Intelligent Go, and the tariff isn’t compatible with all EV chargers. OVO customers were the second most content of those in our survey, giving the company an 88% satisfaction rating. <a href="https://www.ovoenergy.com/" target="_blank">Visit OVO for more information</a><hr />3. E.On Next Next Drive FixedEV charging rate 6.9p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-07.00One day charging cost £3.62   Although this is the cheapest EV charging tariff, it’s not as flexible as Octopus Intelligent Go or OVO Charge Anytime because you can only get the cheap rate for seven hours at night. Any other appliances used during that time attract a high standard rate of 30.5p/kWh, which is the most costly of the 10 energy providers we researched. The 56.9p daily standing charge was similar to other providers, though. Once you sign up to this tariff, your rates will be fixed for 12 months. E.On gained the third highest rating from customers: 89% were very satisfied with the level of service provided. <a href="https://www.eonenergy.com/" target="_blank">Visit E.On for more information</a><hr />4. Good Energy FixedEV charging rate 6.75p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £6.88This tariff represents good value for money, but it’s limited by the shorter cheap electricity time of five hours. If you’re organised and have other electrical appliances on timers, you’ll be able to benefit from that low rate for them too provided you stick to the cheap rate window. The downsides are that the standard rate of 29p/kWh is higher than most, and the daily standing charge of 57.7p/kWh is the priciest of all the companies we looked at.

Like the E.On tariff, the Good Energy one fixes the prices you pay for a year. We didn’t have enough responses to give Good Energy a customer satisfaction rating. <a href="https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visit Good Energy for more information</a><hr />5. British Gas Electric DriverEV charging rate 7.9p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £7.12Like the Good Energy tariff, the British Gas offering is limited to five hours charging during off-peak hours. While its EV rate is slightly pricier than that of Good Energy, its standard rate is lower at 27.7p, so it’ll cost you less to use other appliances at peak hours. The daily standing rate of 53.3p is the joint lowest here, alongside Ecotricity, adding appeal for those who need to use a fair amount of electricity during the daytime. British Gas customers were mostly happy with the level of service and gave the company a 74% satisfaction rating. <a href="https://www.britishgas.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visit British Gas for more information</a><hr />6. Octopus Energy Octopus GoEV charging rate 8.5p/kWhEV charging times 00.30-05.30One day charging cost £6.87If you don’t have a charger that’s compatible with Octopus’s Intelligent Go tariff, this is the next best option from the company. While the EV rate isn’t the lowest available, you’ll still benefit from the low standard electricity rate of 24.5p/kWh and the daily charge of  54.8p/kWh, both of which are among the lowest we found.

Although Octopus Go customers weren’t as happy as those on Intelligent Go, they still rated the company and the tariff they were on pretty highly, giving it a satisfaction rating of 92%. <a href="https://octopus.energy/" target="_blank">Visit Octopus for more information</a><hr />7. Scottish Power EV SaverEV charging rate 7.2p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £6.93Scottish Power’s EV rate is good at 7.2p, but users only get that for five hours a night, and the standard rate of 28.2p is on the high side. The daily standing charge of 54.7p is the second lowest here, though, compensating a little. At 76%, the customer satisfaction rating for the energy company is among the lowest in our survey, so not all users are very happy with the company. <a href="https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/ target=">Visit Scottish Power for more information</a><hr />8. Ecotricity EV tariffEV charging rate 8.0p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £7.52This tariff looks reasonable when you consider the EV charging tariff, but less so when you look at the peak cost of 30.1p/kWh, which is the second highest on test. At least the daily charge is low at 53.3p. Like many of the offerings here, the ultra-cheap rate is limited to five hours a day. We didn’t have enough responses to give Ecotricity a customer satisfaction rating. <a href="https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visit Ecotricity for more information</a><hr />9. EDF GoElectric OvernightEV charging rate 9.0p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £7.33While this EV tariff has a reasonably cheap overnight rate of 9p/kWh, its daily fee is high at 57.3p, and its standard rate is merely average at 26.3p. When these prices are combined with a customer satisfaction rating of 71%, it’s easy to see why it sits close to the bottom of our chart.

<a href="https://www.edfenergy.com/" target="_blank">Visit EDF for more information</a><hr />10. EDF EVolve Sept 2025EV charging rate 13.1p/kWhEV charging times 00.00-05.00One day charging cost £8.38EDF’s fixed rate EV tariff doesn’t represent as good value as GoElectric Overnight, with a night time rate of 13.1p. While the standard rate of 23.1p is the joint lowest of all the companies rated, the daily charge of 56.9p is on the high side. The overall ranking is also adversely affected by the brand’s 71% satisfaction score, which is the lowest of the companies rated. <a href="https://www.edfenergy.com/" target="_blank">Visit EDF for more information</a>  <hr /><h2 dir="ltr">What types of EV tariffs are there?</h2>Single rate tariffsConventional plans provide electricity at a fixed rate, given in pence per kilowatt-hour (p/kWh), in addition to a daily standing charge. This offers a good balance for many people, because it means you don’t have to worry about racking up a huge bill by running energy-intensive appliances (such as a dishwasher or washing machine) at peak times.Dual rate tariffsBy contrast, ‘dual rate’ tariffs, as the name suggests, offer two different prices – a peak rate during the day, and a cheaper off-peak rate overnight – to encourage people to save money by using more electricity when demand is lower.

Therefore, if you’re an EV driver who can plug in overnight, you’ll be able to save money by setting your car to charge during the off-peak period. You can usually do this via the car’s app or infotainment system, or using your home wallbox app.The trade-off for off-peak savings is an increase in the peak rate. In fact, the peak price on dual rate policies is allowed to exceed the Ofgem Energy Price Cap (currently 22.36p/kWh*) based on the size of the off-peak discount.Dual rate tariffs with EV smart chargingWhile many EV tariffs are simply dual rate tariffs, some go a step further. Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus and OVO Energy’s Charge Anytime both allow owners to access ‘smart charging’ at a discounted rate throughout the day as well as at night.This means that on top of discounted overnight power, your car can be automatically told to charge when electricity production is at its greenest outside the off-peak period, and you’ll still only be charged the lower rate.One thing to bear in mind, however: in order to be able to take advantage of smart charging, either your car or your home wallbox charger must be compatible with your chosen provider’s smart charging service. It’s worth ensuring that your car or charger are compatible, otherwise you might find you’re able to get a better deal elsewhere.<h2 dir="ltr">How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?</h2>To give you an idea of just how much you could save, here’s an example using the results from our EV<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/range-test-how-far-can-electric-cars-really-go/n24836"> range test</a>. In that test, the second most efficient model was the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010"> Tesla Model 3</a> Long Range. It eked 324 miles of range out of its 75kWh battery, equivalent to an efficiency of 4.3 miles/kWh.

Charging that car at home, at a typical rate of 22p/kWh, would mean a £509 spend for 10,000 miles of driving. By contrast, the best-value EV tariff we found (Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus) offers electric car smart charging at a rate of 7p/kWh – at this rate, fuelling a Model 3 could cost as little as £162 for every 10,000 miles covered.You can read more about this in our feature on <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-true-cost-of-using-public-charging-points/n21009">how much does it cost to charge an electric car</a> feature.What is the best EV tariff for me?There are four key stats to consider when working out how much you could save by switching to an EV tariff:Peak rate – the rate you’ll pay to power your home during the day. This will be more expensive for a dual rate than a single rate tariff, so it’s worth checking how much more that will cost you day to day.Off-peak rate – the discounted rate on a dual rate tariff. This is the rate you’ll pay for electricity between certain hours of the night, although these hours vary from policy to policy. This is also the rate you’ll be charged at for EV smart charging.Smart charging – additional off-peak-rate EV charging offered when the electricity supply is greenest. It can be a useful add-on if you frequently plug in during the day, but you need a compatible car or charger to be able to reap the savings.Standing charge – a fixed daily fee charged while an electricity tariff is in place. The current Ofgem Energy Price Cap sets the maximum standing charge at 53p per day*.<h2 dir="ltr">Maximising your savings means finding a balance between those factors to best suit your lifestyle. </h2><h2 dir="ltr">What is the OFGEM energy price cap? </h2>This is the maximum amount an energy supplier can charge householders for each unit of electricity they use and for the daily standing charge for the energy. It was introduced by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM), the energy price regulator, in 2019 to stop consumers from paying too much for electricity if they remained loyal to one supplier for many years. There are also price caps for gas, and those for electricity and gas are both reviewed every three months. On 1 October 2024 the price cap for electricity is going up by 10%, taking the annual cost up from £1568 to £1717. It is set to increase by a further 3% in the first quarter of 2025. This means the price cap for a unit of electricity will be 24.50p, and the price cap for the daily standing charge will be 60.99p. For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-home-ev-chargers/n25830">Best home EV chargers</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

Best EV home charging tariffs 2024 reviewed: the best EV tariffs for your car

Best home charging tariffs

top-10-ways-to-reduce-your-fuel-bills

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/cost-of-living-car-advice">cost-of-living crisis</a> is putting a big squeeze on household budgets, meaning we're all trying to save money where we can as a result of ever-increasing prices.

Thankfully, there are simple tricks you can do to improve the fuel economy of your car, and spend less time (and money) at the pumps as a result. So if you want to get the biggest bang for your buck out of every tank of fuel, follow our tips by clicking through this slideshow.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Top 10 ways to reduce your fuel bills

Remove excess weight. Take unnecessary bulky items out of the car, such as that shovel you put in the boot to clear snow in winter. Also, if the kids are staying at home, so can their buggy.

1: Remove weight

Remove external carrying kit such as roof boxes or bike racks whenever they aren’t being used. The car has to work much harder to cut through the air due to the extra wind resistance such items create.

2: Reduce drag

Keep your car well maintained and serviced regularly. Check and if need be pump up your tyres to the correct level to reduce rolling resistance. Michelin reported in 2015 that the UK's motorists&nbsp;wasted £250 million per year on fuel driving around on the wrong tyre pressures.

3: Basic maintenance

Plan your journey. Avoid traffic black spots and busy times if possible, and get the map or sat-nav out to avoid getting lost and driving further than necessary. The Covid-19 pandemic forced many people and companies to work much smarter –&nbsp;not just home-working, but also coming in at more flexible hours –&nbsp;which can help you avoid traffic and save fuel into the bargain.

4: Plan journeys

Unless it’s really cold or uncomfortably warm in the car, leave the air-con turned off. Using it can put a strain on the engine and burn more fuel, especially at low speeds. The same goes for heated windscreens, demisters and other electrical appliances. You should however switch on the air-con every so often for a period to ensure seals and other components don't degrade.

5: Turn off air conditioning

Be gentle and change gear early. Accelerate and brake gently, and change to a higher gear as soon as possible. As a general guide, change up before 2000rpm in a diesel and 2500rpm in a petrol, without letting the engine struggle at low revs.

6: Change up early

Lots of modern cars are fitted with engine stop-start technology, which can be great if you let it work properly. Sit with your foot on the clutch and the engine will continue to burn fuel; take it off and you’ll save money and fuel. Additionally, many cars with automatic gearboxes have eco-modes; these often include disengaging the engine from the driven wheels –&nbsp;coasting –&nbsp;which also saves fuel.

7: Use engine stop/start & eco modes

Stick to the speed limits. What Car? research shows that doing 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than doing 70mph.

8: Obey speed limits

Use gravity to your advantage and build up momentum when going downhill to help you then get uphill, rather than accelerating more to get up the incline. The best way to do this is to read the road as if you were on a pushbike and accelerate accordingly. Accelerating hard up a hill is an extremely thirsty activity.

9: Read the road

Look far ahead while driving and keep moving where possible by anticipating obstacles. Easing off the accelerator and keeping momentum is better than speeding up, braking and then starting all over again.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/cost-of-living-car-advice">Read more: See our latest cost of living car advice &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

10: Use gravity

vauxhall-astra-gets-frugal-mild-hybrid-option-for-2024

Vauxhall

Astra

Corolla

Peugeot

Whether it's switching to a cheaper energy tariff or cancelling a rarely-used subscription service, lots of us are looking to <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/cost-of-living-car-advice">save money</a> at the moment. And while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/astra/hatchback/review/n17347">Vauxhall Astra</a> can already help lower your costs if you can charge up at home, because it's available in fully <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> forms, now there's a green option for drivers who can't plug in.That's because both the regular Astra family car and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/astra/estate/review/n17161">Astra Sports Tourer</a> estate can now be had with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild hybrid</a> technology. This takes the form of a small electric motor which is housed within the eight-speed automatic gearbox of each car, and works with the regular 1.2-litre petrol engine to deliver short bursts of electric power. And thanks to that extra assistance, the official fuel economy for mild hybrid models is up to 60.1mpg and 58.9mpg for the Astra hatch and Astra Sports Tourer respectively. Vauxhall says this represents an economy boost of up to 19% compared with non-electrified versions of the Astra.

Unlike some other mild hybrids, the setup fitted to the Astra can allow the car to move for short distances on electric power alone, but only at speeds of up to 18mph. Indeed, the car only has a small 0.89kWh – far smaller than the full hybrid setup of our reigning <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-of-the-year-awards-family-car-of-the-year/n25357">Family Car of the Year</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/hatchback/review/n18901">Toyota Corolla</a>, which has a 1.3kWh battery. Like other electrified models, regenerative braking harvests energy as you slow down to feed back into the car's battery.The combined power output of the Astra's 1.2-litre petrol engine and electric motor is 134bhp, resulting in a relatively nippy 0-62mph sprint time of 9.0sec for the Astra hatch, and 9.3sec for the Astra Sports Tourer.As well as savings in terms of fuel economy, these mild hybrid models should also be cheap to tax, with C02 emissions starting from 106g/km for the hatchback, and 108g/km for the estate. That means both cars will cost you slightly less in first-year tax rates than their non-electrified siblings, with both cars costing £185 in the first year, then £180 annually thereafter.

The new mild hybrid versions of the Astra are avaible aross Design, GS and Ultimate trims. It's mid-range GS trim which we recommend, since this comes with useful luxuries including adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and heated front seats.Prices for mild-hybrid versions of the Astra hatch start from £30,025, and from £32,225 for the Astra Sports Tourer. In both cases, that's a reasonable hike over the price of a non-electrified model, but, as we've outlined above, the long-term savings could be significant.Because Vauxhall is part of a wider group of car brands which includes Peugeot, it's likely that mild hybrid technology will also come to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/308/hatchback/review/n17380">Peugeot 308</a> before long.<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2>Read more:<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000"> The best electric cars</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

Vauxhall Astra gets frugal mild hybrid option for 2024

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

Family

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.

Electric

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Low running costs compared with solely petrol or diesel equivalents</li> <li>Very low official CO2 emissions to benefit company car drivers</li> <li>The same usability as a regular car</li> <li>Smooth transition between electric and engine power</li> <li>Small practicality compromise over conventional models</li></ul>

Not so long ago, hybrids were the preserve of Hollywood stars, environmentally conscious 'early adopters' and the odd&nbsp;minicab driver looking to save a bit of money on fuel.

Since the collapse in demand for diesel, however, they have become&nbsp;much more popular, and it's easy to see why, with&nbsp;low tax bills and&nbsp;impressive MPG figures&nbsp;just a couple of the perks they offer.

There are two types of hybrid: 'self-charging'&nbsp;models, which mix petrol&nbsp;and electric power in an effort to maximise&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. This category is for the former type of cars.

Hybrid

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Usefully long electric-only range</li> <li>Exceedingly frugal</li> <li>Cheap company car tax rates</li> <li>Smooth switching between electric and petrol power</li></ul>

If you're not ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle&nbsp;but have the capacity to charge your car at home or at work, a plug-in hybrid could be the perfect compromise. Electric batteries paired with a petrol or diesel&nbsp;engine means you'll never be left short of charge&nbsp;but can capitalise on cheap running costs, thanks to a surprisingly long electric-only range.

There's plenty of choice, too, whether you're after a sporty saloon like the BMW 3 Series, the 330e variant of which providing up to 36 miles of electric-only driving on a full charge, or a large load-lugging large SUV, including the Volvo XC90 T8, which claims an extraordinary&nbsp;113mpg.

Throw in competent handling and driving prowess, despite the added weight of the electric batteries, and a plug-in hybrid&nbsp;makes a compelling case for frugal buyers.&nbsp;

Plug-in hybrid

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

Small

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.

As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;

There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.

Small Electric

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Long range and ultra-fast charging capability</li> <li>Luxurious and comfortable interior</li> <li>Smooth ride and capable handling</li> <li>Lots of high-tech driver aids</li> <li>Strong performance and great refinement</li></ul>

Large Electric

This class is all about SUVs that run purely on electricity. No petrol, no diesel and not even any hybrid technology.

Relatively low-cost options include the MG ZS EV, but you can easily spend three times as much on more luxurious alternatives, such as the BMW iX.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Electric SUV

With fuel prices rising across the country, we've gathered everything you need to know about saving money on running costs into one place

Saving money

A former motorsport team and independent tuning company, Abarth has long&nbsp;produced high performance versions of Fiat's cars.

In recent years, Abarth has been established&nbsp;as a standalone brand – in the same way that Citroën split off its DS luxury division several years ago. However, the major difference is that DS cars look completely different from the Citroëns on which they’re based, whereas Abarths rely on bodykits and big wheels to mark them out.

The Abarth 500e is a sporty version of the Fiat 500 Electric, whilst the Abarth 595 is a beefed-up version of the older Fiat 500 hatchback.

ABARTH

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive, while the closely related Stelvio and smaller Tonale both competes in the booming SUV class.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

ALFA ROMEO

Alpine (pronounced 'Al-peen') only makes one model, but if you’re in the market for a sports car, this French brand is worthy of your attention.

Its A110 is one of the best-handling cars on sale today. And while it’s not especially powerful, it’s still properly quick, thanks to its low weight.

The looks and character of today’s A110 were inspired by a legendary namesake that won the first ever World Rally Championship back in 1973. But the new car is undoubtedly a worthy successor.

ALPINE

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

BYD is one of the biggest names in electric cars globally, but only launched in the UK recently.

Even so, it has a fast-growing dealer network, and it's models - most notably the Tesla Model 3-rivalling Seal - are gaining attention for impressive tech and good driving ranges.

Other BYDs include the MG4-sized Dolphin and Nissan Qashqai-sized Atto 3.

The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.

Like Abarth, some of Cupra's models including the Ateca and Leon are extensively reworked Seats, but models such as the Born and Formentor are exclusive to Cupra.

Whilst Cupras are closely related to equivalent models from Seat and Volkswagen, they are generally tuned to provide a more engaging driving experience.

CUPRA

If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.

This budget brand builds some of Britain’s cheapest new cars, including the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut, because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.

Other Dacia models include the&nbsp;higher-riding Sandero Stepway, seven-seat Jogger, and rugged Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.

Dacia manages this by borrowing mechanicals and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.

DACIA

DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the Stellantis group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

The first DS models were essentially rebadged Citroëns, but more recently its cars are now standalone models in their own right. Yet under the skin, they're still very closely related.

Its models are&nbsp;influenced by the French fashion industry and are designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

GENESIS

GWM ORA

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

Jeep only makes SUVs, but it has plenty of them for you to choose from. So, whether you want something rugged enough to ford streams and climb mountains, or a more luxurious and family-friendly car, it has something to suit you.

Despite its all-American image, Jeep is actually owned by Fiat, meaning Jeeps often share parts with cars from the Italian giant; the entry-level Renegade, for example, has plenty in common with Fiat’s 500X.

However, perhaps the most widely recognised Jeep is the Wrangler, a model that has a dedicated fan base and which closely resembles the original Jeep which saw service in World War 2.

The brand’s future plans include new small and large SUVs, plus the introduction of fully electric models.

JEEP

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

LEAPMOTOR

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Fancy something small, lightweight and fast? Then Lotus possibly has the right car for you. In fact ‘simplify then add lightness’ was the mantra of company founder Colin Chapman as far back as 1952.

These days, Lotus sells four models, with the core of the range being the Elise. Then there’s the more hardcore 3-Eleven, the sporty Exige and the Evora – which is pitched as a rival to the Porsche Cayman.

Big changes are afoot, though, because Lotus plans to build its own SUV in the near future, with the hope of broadening the brand’s appeal to families. The planned car will use Volvo underpinnings and will tackle rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Maserati Levante.

LOTUS

MAXUS

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.

Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.

While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.

MG MOTOR UK

Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.

Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.

The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.

MINI

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

OMODA

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

Polestar is a relative newcomer to the new car market, having been born as a motorsport team later bought by Volvo. Today it produces a range of upmarket, fully-electric vehicles and as a brand now sits independently of Volvo.

Its models are given numerical names, and unusually these don’t denote the size of the model, rather they indicate the order in which they’re launched. The now-discontinued Polestar 1 was the firm’s first model and the Polestar 2 is an executive hatchback which is a direct rival for the Tesla Model 3. The Polestar 3 is an electric SUV, Polestar 4 a coupé and Polestar 5 a performance car.

Polestar has a focus on sustainability: in 2020 was the first car maker to release a study to show the carbon footprint of its cars, and in 2021 it started a project to ensure rare-Earth materials such as cobalt – used in many electric car batteries – are sourced responsibly.

POLESTAR

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.

If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.

Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.

It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.

ROLLS-ROYCE

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

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