Coupe

Estate

Hatchback

Saloon

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

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.

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

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

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

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

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

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

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

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

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

3 SERIES

5 SERIES

CAPRI

CIVIC TYPE R

DISCOVERY

E CLASS

GOLF

GRAND SCENIC

INSIGNIA

MONDEO

OCTAVIA VRS

past-masters-2001-2003-honda-civic-type-r

honda-civic-type-r-rewind-wednesday

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hot-hatches/n17005">hot hatchback</a>. A pretty simple recipe when you think about it.Take one ordinary family hatchback, fit it with a more powerful engine, maybe lower its ride height, possibly stiffen its suspension and – voila – one heated-up hatch.Well, at least that used to be the case. Climb into one today and not only do they have the sort of power that in days gone by would have embarrassed supercars, but nearly all of them also have different driving modes. You’ve got various suspension states, switchable exhausts, changeable steering and variable throttle response. Which, means buttons. Lots of buttons.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/past-masters">Read more Past Masters</a>It’s refreshing, then, that when you climb into the second-generation <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Honda Civic Type R</a>, there is absolutely none of that. This <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n82">Honda Civic</a> variant was launched in 2001 – a simpler time. A time before social media, before smartphones and when the internet was a relatively new phenomenon. It was also a time of a single state of tune for everything: engine, brakes, steering, throttle, the lot. Lovely.

<h2>Where it all started</h2>Although this generation of the Civic Type R was the first one British car buyers were able to buy, Honda had actually already introduced one four years earlier, codenamed EK9. That, however, was never officially sold here, even if the standard Civic on which it was based, was. Which meant we had to wait until 2001 for the so-called EP3 you see before you.It was well worth the wait. Honda fitted the EP3 with a high-revving 2.0-litre petrol engine, free from turbochargers, featuring the firm’s famous VTEC technology and producing a heady 197bhp. It came in three-door form only, had a closely spaced six-speed manual gearbox and a bespoke suspension set-up and was built just off the M4 in Swindon.Yet although the Type R came with figure-hugging front sports seats, its rear bench seat resembled that of lesser Civics and it featured the same hatchback boot and ‘bread van’ body shape, a nickname that became attached to this generation. So it had the punchy engine, the sporty name, aggressive looks, a sorted chassis and decent practicality. It was, and is, the very definition of a hot hatchback.

<h2>Our 2002 and 2003 hot hatch of the Year </h2>So good was the EP3 Civic Type R that we named it Hot Hatch of the Year at our annual <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards">Car of the Year Awards</a> not once, but twice, in 2002 and 2003. We were looking for the best in driver enjoyment, “so a strong, sweet engine and well-balanced, compliant chassis are prerequisites”, we said.Our praise continued: “Honda has created a true hot hatch that’s a performance and handling enthusiast’s dream, but it’s also a thoroughly 21st-century car that’s refined, roomy, comfortable and civilised enough for long-distance touring or daily commuting.”

<h2>But what’s it like today?</h2>As a place for the driver to sit, it’s superb. In today’s cars, people are more worried about where to stick their smartphone cradle, if their USB cable reaches the port and whether the thing has <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>. Jump behind the Civic’s wheel and there’s no USB socket and no Bluetooth, just a brilliant driving position with enough adjustment and a gearlever that’s mere centimetres from the steering wheel.The 2.0-litre petrol engine fires to a fairly tedious idle, it has to be said, but blip the throttle and all that changes. Rarely do engines rev quite so aggressively, and because Honda’s VTEC technology means even more punch beyond 6000rpm, things only get more lairy the harder you push. And all this is accompanied by a raw, muscular engine note under load.That said, the Type R can a bit of a handful on wet, slippery winter roads. Floor the throttle and up go the revs, often causing the front wheels to lose traction and the steering wheel to squirm about in your hands. Let’s just say the full extend of the Type R’s power is best used on dry days.But pick one of those days and the Type R will sprint from a standstill to 60mph in less than seven seconds. That’s quick, even by today’s standards, while the fact that its six forward gears are fairly short means it feels even quicker than the numbers suggest.

It steers sweetly, too, and this never changes, because there are no driving modes – praise be! In fact, it feels extremely agile and changes direction willingly – so willingly that you often need to be careful when on the brakes and coming off the throttle, because the rear axle isn’t afraid to start moving about once the weight is thrown forward.There must be some bad news, though, right? Well, yes: the ride is pretty stiff. It helps keep the Civic’s body flat through corners, but the latest hot hatches, with their more modern suspension set-ups, manage to do the same while cushioning sharp bumps better.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/honda">Read more: Used Honda reviews</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Read more: Honda Civic Type R review</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-used-hot-hatches-for-less-than-pound10000/n16276">Read more: The best used hot hatchbacks</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/past-masters">Read more Past Masters</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>

Past Masters: 2001-2003 Honda Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R - Rewind Wednesday

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Engaging handling </li> <li>Thrilling performance </li> <li>A characterful engine with an enticing soundtrack </li> <li>Reasonable running costs </li> <li>Not hard to live with day to day</li></ul>

A popular choice with UK buyers since the days of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the hot hatchback mixes everyday practicality with higher performance and the sort of handling and agility that’s ideally suited to British roads. A good hot hatch should be fun and, since it’s likely to be your daily drive, it should also deliver respectable running costs.

Hot hatch

past-masters-1990-2005-honda-nsx

honda-nsx-–-rewind-wednesday

Back in the 1980s, running a supercar as a daily driver was reserved for the exceptionally brave or knuckle-draggingly stupid.While cars with a prancing horse or raging bull on the nose looked other-worldly and were undoubtedly rapid, they were also impractical, unreliable or absolute pigs to drive most of the time.That had been the case ever since the term 'supercar' first entered general use, following the launch of the Lamborghini Miura in 1966, but things were about to change. In 1989, the wraps came off a very different kind of supercar, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/nsx/coupe/review/n17248">Honda NSX</a>. Naturally it was fast, but it also promised reliability, usability and even a jot of practicality.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/past-masters">Read more Past Masters</a>Its high-revving V6 engine and advanced aluminium construction may have piqued our interest, but it was the NSX’s user-friendly side that helped make it a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards">What Car? Award winner</a>. So, without further ado, let's take a look at how it came about, and slip behind the wheel to see if it still impresses today.

<h2>Where it all started</h2>Unbelievably, the NSX can trace its roots back to an experimental car based on the Honda City hatchback. Rather than having the engine under the bonnet powering the front wheels, the dinky motor was moved to the middle of the car and drove the rear wheels. The idea was that it would allow more efficient packaging and a sportier drive.Although no real advantage could be found over the regular City, Honda's engineers loved driving it so much that they decided to concentrate their research on the dynamic advantages of a mid-engined layout. In other words, how well it could go round corners.With Honda involved in Formula 1 at the time, a mid-engined sports car was seen as the perfect link between the firm’s road cars and the racing cars they powered. In 1985, development began in earnest of what was to become the NSX.But <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/honda">Honda</a> wasn’t interested in creating a racing car for the road. Instead, they looked to create something that would be comfortable for normal-sized people and use the very latest technology. Even so, a certain Ayrton Senna would have a big influence on the development of the NSX.

By the time it was revealed in February 1989, Honda had created a car with a lightweight all-aluminium body, an engine that produced huge amounts of power given its modest 3.0-litre capacity and advanced electronics including anti-lock brakes, traction control and climate control. Essentially, it made the competition look old-hat and forced them to seriously up their game.<h2>Our 1992 Best High Performance Car of the Year </h2>To say the Honda NSX blew us away is something of an understatement. Despite costing £56,000, it beat the likes of the Audi Coupé S2, Mercedes-Benz 500 SL and the evergreen <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911 Carerra</a>. Considering this was Honda’s first attempt at a supercar, that’s quite a feat. But, of course, there was a reason for this success, as we explained at the time:‘Honda wasn’t content merely to match the European supercars. It wanted to beat them at their own game, and gave the R&amp;D team an almost limitless budget to do it.'Although it had ‘the sensuous looks and spine-tingling sound of a Ferrari, the blistering performance of a Porsche and the handling prowess of a Lotus’, we were just as impressed with its usability.

'This car is as easy to drive as a Ford Escort,' we continued, 'with a smooth-acting, quirk-free set of controls that the merest novice could understand, and an interior that you can see out of in all directions. Here’s a supercar as much at home in town traffic as on the open road; it gives all the pleasure with none of the snags usually tolerated in a supercar in the guise of "character"’.<h2>But what’s it like today?</h2>Walking up to Honda’s pre-production example from 1989, I find my smile getting wider with every step. The shape may be nearly thirty years old, but it’s as striking as ever and one imprinted on my mind from countless late nights playing Gran Turismo.Swing open the lightweight door and you might be surprised by what you find. Sure, there's lots of black leather, a Bose stereo (complete with tape deck) and a few other luxuries, but the interior screams 1990s Honda. In other words, it’s solidly built and ergonomically sound, but there’s little of the drama you found outside.

Not that you have to look far for some excitement. The windscreen gives an astonishingly good view of the wedgy nose and you can see the rear spoiler in your rear view mirror. In fact, there isn’t much you can’t see; the NSX might be lower than a snake’s belly button but visibility is better than most modern <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-cars/n16996">family hatchbacks</a>.This sensible side continues with an engine that is whisper quiet and luxuriously smooth coupled to an automatic gearbox. Unlike modern performance-enhancing units, this is an antiquated four-speed unit that does a remarkably good job of smothering a truly wonderful engine. It’s a real shame, as the snickety manual gearbox that came as standard was a perfect match to the revvy V6.Even so, there is some user control if you don’t mind grappling with what feels like something from the industrial revolution. Wrestle the gearlever into second, plant your foot on the accelerator and be prepared to shift up at a dizzying 7500rpm (sadly 1000rpm less than the manual version).Do this and you feel the VTEC-enhanced engine go from mild-mannered and refined to a howling madman as it closes in on the redline. Sure, many a modern <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hot-hatches/n17005">hot hatch</a> would be far faster, but not many sound so incredible or have you chasing the rev limiter for the sheer hell of it.There’s a similar Jekyll &amp; Hyde feel to the ride and handling. Tiny 16in front and 17in rear wheels and tyres with fat sidewalls make it remarkably comfortable over even the most tortuous B road, yet it feels like there’s virtually no body roll in the corners.

Then there’s the steering, which is fingertip-light at parking speeds but seems to have no assistance at all once you’ve got some lock on at speed. That's daunting at first, but once you're used to it there’s something satisfying about having to muscle the nose into corners.Unlike some older cars you jump into, the brakes feel strong and confidence inspiring and there’s lots of grip. Even so, you have to remind yourself that you’re still in a mid-engined car with very little in the way of electronic assistance. The NSX may feel like a pussycat most of the time, but it hides some sharp claws.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/honda">Read more: Used Honda reviews</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/nsx/coupe/review/n17248">Read more: Honda NSX review</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/top-10-used-sports-cars/n23840">Read more: The best used sports cars</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/past-masters">Read more Past Masters</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>

Past Masters: 1990-2005 Honda NSX

Honda NSX – Rewind Wednesday

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> Practicality is not essential but nice to have </li></ul>

Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.

Sports

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past-master-jaguar-xf

Jaguar has had good time and bad, but it doesn't have to look too far into its history for evidence of how quickly things can turn around – as happened when it launched our 2008 Car of the Year, the original <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/xf/saloon/review/n85">Jaguar XF</a>.At the time, Jaguar had been under Ford ownership for almost two decades. Unfortunately, its range was dominated by underwhelming models – namely the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/s-type/saloon/used-review/n403">Jaguar S-Type</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/x-type/saloon/used-review/n757">Jaguar X-Type</a> saloons.Jaguar's future was genuinely in doubt. Ford sold the brand to Tata Motors in 2008, with the XF its parting gift. What a gift it turned out to be...<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/past-masters">Read more Past Masters</a>

First revealed as the C-XF concept (above) at the Detroit motor show in January 2007, the production version was displayed at the Frankfurt motor show later that year. And while previous Ford-built efforts had failed to set the world alight, this replacement for the retro S-Type proved a perfect springboard for a Jaguar renaissance.<h2>Our 2008 Car of the Year</h2>Initially available with a 2.7-litre diesel engine and a 3.0-litre petrol, both of which were paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox, the XF went shoulder to shoulder with established German rivals and beat them at their own game.The XF was named Executive Car of the Year at the 2008 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards">What Car? Awards</a>, as well as the overall winner. And it wasn't a one year wonder, either: it remained our favourite <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/executive-cars/n2004">executive saloon</a> in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Explaining the XF's success at the time, we wrote:"Next to the German giants, with their prolific output, Jaguar is a bit of a cottage industry. So it’s all the more impressive when a new Jaguar matches a Mercedes for refinement, a BMW for driving dynamics and an Audi for interior wow factor."Step inside, soak up the ambience created by the wood, leather and titanium trim, press the pulsing engine-start button and, hey presto, the facia vents revolve open while the rotary drive selector ascends silently from the centre console.“Need more than just theatre? Select drive, set off down the road and immediately it’s clear that you’re behind the wheel of something very special indeed.“Around town, the steering is limo light and the ride, although taut, has a smooth, unflustered quality that belies the ensuing agility as speeds increase.“Jaguar has not forgotten that its cars must always be lusciously refined and calmly sporty. The XF more than meets the brief. It out-drives the previously unbeatable BMW 5 Series, which is saying something, but it is also more supple on poor surfaces.”<h2>What’s the Jaguar XF like today?</h2>The tech inside the first-generation model is now decidedly old hat compared with that in modern saloons, with the infotainment system clunky and distracting to use, and the slow-witted sat-nav only slightly more useful than an A-Z.In most other respects, though, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/xf/saloon/review/n85">Jaguar XF</a> still has the same air of luxury now as it did then, feeling both special and different.

It's a particularly comfortable cruiser, and although refinement isn’t up to the supremely polished levels of modern executive cars, it is still impressive.The XF was built on Ford underpinnings that were comparatively heavy, but it not only handled better than all its contemporary rivals, but continues to feel impressively precise today. Our test car had the 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, which replaced the 2.7 in early 2009, and it's a real peach, offering plenty of low-end muscle and effortless motorway performance. The six-speed gearbox remains smooth, too.<h2>How much do they cost now?</h2>Being such a capable mile-cruncher means there are plenty of high-mileage XFs on the used market, with many having been lovingly driven into the ground.

Early cars with around 150,000 miles on the clock are available for as little as £2500, but beware: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/jaguar">Jaguar</a> has a pretty poor reliability record, so you're better off spending closer to £6000 to get something with a full service history that hasn't been to the moon and back.Generally, the facelifted <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/xf/saloon/review/n85">Jaguar XF</a>, which was introduced in 2011, is a bit more reliable. Examples of this start at around £7000, but you can pay up to £20,000 for late R performance versions.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/jaguar">Read more: Used Jaguar reviews</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/xf/saloon/review/n85">Read more: Jaguar XF review</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-used-luxury-cars-for-pound25000/n16025">Read more: The best used luxury cars</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/past-masters">Read more Past Masters</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>

Past Masters: 2008-2015 Jaguar XF

Past Master: Jaguar XF

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plush ride and the ability to cruise in near-silence </li> <li>Powerful and efficient engine</li> <li>Space for passengers to stretch out in the rear seats</li> <li>Exquisite materials and build quality</li> <li>Endless luxuries on the options list</li> <li>Sensible fuel and tax bills</li></ul>

If you’re in the market for a luxury car, you’ll be after a sumptuous interior, a ride that can soak up the worst of the UK’s pockmarked roads and supreme refinement that allows you to travel at speed in near-silence.

Luxury

past-master-bmw-m3-e46

What is the greatest generation of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m3/saloon/review/n135">BMW M3</a>, perhaps the most famous of BMW's high-performance M cars?Well, you might argue that that the original E30 version should take top honours given that it was a true homologation racing special. Or perhaps the fourth-generation M3, the E92, deserves the top spot for its wonderfully sonorous V8 engine?In truth, trying to name a definitive winner is a futile task; it's like attempting to decide on the best James Bond, with everyone having their own favourite. But for us the best of the bunch is the third-generation M3, code-named E46.<h3>Where it all started</h3>Even if you don’t have the slightest interest in motor racing, you might know how the M3 story goes, such is the E30’s legendary reputation.

In order to compete in the fiercely competitive world of Eighties touring cars, BMW CEO Eberhard von Kuenheim asked the engineers at his M division to develop a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">3 Series</a>-based racer. However, the rules at the time also demanded that 5000 road going versions be built in the space of 12 consecutive months in order to homologate the car.In 1985, the finished product was revealed at the Frankfurt motor show. Virtually nothing on the standard E30 3 Series was left untouched. A wider stance front and rear demanded wider wheelarches, a higher top speed required a distinctive rear wing and a newly developed 200bhp 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine resulted in a 0-62mph time of just 6.7sec (in 1985!).Thankfully, it drove as well as it looked and cleaned up on the race track. And the rest, as they say, is history, with the M3 redefining what we expect from fast road cars.However, aside from kick-starting the M3 lineage, the E30 also inadvertently scuppered the chances of its successor, the E36 M3. Suffering from an acute case of 'difficult second album' syndrome, the E36 M3 didn’t live up to expectations; it was heavier, softer and ultimately less focused than its predecessor.

So, it was a long wait for the E36’s replacement. But as we said back in 2001, “everything comes to he (or she) who waits”.<h3>What Car? Coupé of the Year – four years running</h3>The E46 M3’s brief was to blend the day-to-day usability of the E36 with the focused edge of the legendary E30. From a visual perspective, it certainly delivered. With wide arches, gills inspired by the iconic 1970s CSL, quad exhaust pipes and a distinctive power bulge rippling out of the aluminium bonnet, there was no mistaking it for a lesser 3 Series Coupé.However, as with the greatest of M-badged cars, aesthetics came a clear second to the E46’s awe-inspiring driving dynamics. The 3.2-litre straight-six engine from the E36 remained, but power increased to 343bhp, the 0-62mph time came dipped below five seconds and a new rear differential improved handling. Naturally, we couldn’t contain our excitement when it was named our 2001 Performance Car of the Year:“Everything comes to he (or she) who waits. The M3 is back with a vengeance.

"If the heart of any performance car is its engine, the new M3 is bursting with health. Beneath the power bulge of the aluminium bonnet lies a 3.2-litre straight-six motor that develops 343bhp and 269ft lb of pull, more than two-thirds of which is available at tickover. Although the top speed is restricted to 155mph (and this car piles on speed so easily you’ll be grateful for that), the 0-60mph time comes down to under five seconds."But, impressive though those numbers are, they cannot hope to convey the thrills of piloting an M3. At foot-to-the-floor acceleration in third and forth gears, the scenery takes off in a fly-past of blurred colours as you frantically refocus your eyes on ever-more-distance points. Or, if you prefer, you can pull away from little more than walking pace in sixth gear. And, as the speed picks up, the rumbling beat at low revs gives way to a roaring wail that could form the soundtrack to some apocalyptic Hollywood epic."And, if things aren’t happening fast enough, simply press a button on the dash and the throttle response becomes more immediate, though you’ll need to drive with even more finesse to keep things smooth and tidy. The M3’s power is such that when the going gets damp you’d be able to prompt wheelspin at three-figure speeds but for modern electronics. The honed chassis of the M3 does an admirable job of harnessing all the power and torque, but pushing 343bhp through the rear wheels of a comparatively light car is a surefire way for sideways action without a little additional help.

"What you’re buying with the M3 is a 3 Series Coupé in battledress.”Simply put, no performance coupé could come close to offering the same blend of talents as the E46 M3. And it didn’t end there, because the E46 won again in 2002, 2003 and 2004, despite new contenders being flung at it every year. No small feat.What’s the BMW E46 M3 like today?The car we’re driving here is not only the ultimate iteration of the E46 M3 but it’s also one of the finest limited-run M cars ever produced. The CSL (standing for “Coupé Sport Lightweight”, a moniker first given to the race-winning BMW 3.0 CSL) first arrived in 2003 and wowed the automotive world with its uncompromising track-focused specification.Using a mixture of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic, sheet-moulding compound and thinner glass for its rear window, the CSL weighed just 1385kg – 110kg less than the standard M3. But M’s detail-obsessed engineers didn’t stop there.

The suspension received stiffer springs and shocks, track-focused Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres were designed specifically for BMW and the engine was comprehensively retuned (changes included modified camshafts, exhaust valves and a lightweight exhaust system), resulting in 355bhp at a heady 7,900rpm. It’s an approach to tuning that we’re rather used to today, but back in 2003 this kind of lightweight ‘special’ was the sole preserve of supercar manufacturers.However, don’t go thinking that the CSL feels run of the mill in today’s track-focused world. Far from it. As you slip into the upright bucket seats, close the carbonfibre-lined door and place your hands on the Alcantara-covered steering wheel, the CSL feels every bit the thoroughbred race car – a feeling that becomes heightened once you turn the key.Equipped exclusively with an automated manual SMG gearbox, the car chunters a bit off the line when cold; like a learner trying to find the biting point. A modern-day dual-clutch gearbox would put it to shame on road and track, but if you select manual mode and learn how to work your way around its shortcomings (lifting off the accelerator when you upshift, for example, makes the upshifts smoother), it’s possible to make decent progress.

Once the road opens up, however, the gearbox’s woes are easily forgiven. In a world of turbocharged performance cars, the M3’s naturally aspirated engine is a breath of fresh air. Throttle response is virtually instantaneous and, thanks to a vast carbonfibre air box beneath the bonnet, the engine sounds utterly glorious on its way to an 8200rpm redline.And the best bit is that none of it is synthesised. No augmentation, no speakers playing fake exhaust notes – just a beautiful intake howl, accompanied by a serrated metallic rasp from the lightweight exhaust. Perhaps BMW’s current engineers need to have a listen to their back catalogue.A lack of interference also pervades through to the CSL’s handling. The steering feels quick and delicate with the rim positively bristling with information, giving you the confidence to push on in the kind of low-grip conditions we’re experiencing this winter. And despite the CSL feeling more comfortable on smoother bitumen, the hardcore springs and dampers do a surprisingly good job of dealing with undulating B-roads.In short, the CSL provides the kind of raw and engaging driving experience that is simply missing from today’s best M cars. And to think it only cost £58,000 in 2003. It makes the flawed £120,770 M4 GTS look a little silly, no?

<h3>How much do they cost now?</h3>The good news is that the standard E46 M3 has hit the bottom of its depreciation curve. Early examples can be had for less than £8000, although we would recommend staying well clear of SMG-equipped variants. The bad news is that servicing costs can be more than 30% higher than for any other 3 Series, so it pays to find a clean example.The later and highly sought after M3 CS (a halfway house between the hardcore CSL and standard M3) starts at just below £18,000, rising to £40,000 for particularly low-mileage examples.Unsurprisingly, with just 422 right-hand-drive CSLs brought into the UK (of which 316 were silver-grey and 106 black), prices have remained firm. For a mint-condition model in the ‘correct spec’, expect to pay more than £60,000, with some higher-mileage cars hovering around the £40,000 mark. These are now considered to be true collector cars and therefore you pay for the privilege.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><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m3/saloon/review/n135">Read our full review of the new BMW M3 &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/past-masters">Read about more Past Masters &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

Past Master: BMW M3 (E46)

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Entertainingly agile handling</li> <li>Eye-widening acceleration</li> <li>Fruity exhaust note</li> <li>Punchy and characterful engine</li> <li>Great driving position</li> <li>Everyday usability</li></ul>

The best performance cars combine sports car-rivalling acceleration with&nbsp;engaging handling. However, they also retain the&nbsp;impressive everyday usability of the conventional saloons and estates on which they're based.

Performance car

best-cars-in-what-car-history-how-theyve-evolved

Mercedes

E-Class

Renault

Grand Scenic

Ford

Mondeo

5 Series

Volkswagen

Golf

Land Rover

Discovery

3 Series

Audi

Nissan

Qashqai

What’s the greatest car What Car? has ever tested? It’s an argument that we often have in the office, so we recently decided to try and settle it by having our writers make the case for 10 outstanding models and then opening it up to readers to vote.You can find out more about the cars <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21331">here</a>. But it's also fascinating to look at how these innovative vehicles have continued to develop over the years. So, below we do exactly that, starting with the oldest on our list:<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/mercedes-w123-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21336">Mercedes W123 Estate</a></h3>On sale 1975-1985

While our 1982 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/">Car of the Year</a>, the Mercedes W123 (above), obviously went off sale long ago, it's modern-day equivalent, the E-Class Estate (below), is one of the most practical and luxurious wagons currently on sale. We particularly like it in frugal 220d diesel form, but whichever version you go for comfort and refinement impress.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/estate/review/n17209">Read our full Mercedes E-Class Estate review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mercedes-benz/e-class/estate/deals">See how much we can save you on a new E-Class Estate &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/peugeot-205-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21345">Peugeot 205</a></h3>On sale 1983-1998

Most of the small <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot">Peugeots</a> that followed the iconic 205 were pretty disappointing, but the brand is back on form with the latest 208, which stands out for its ride comfort, interior quality and hushed cruising manners. There's even a fully electric version, called the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e208/hatchback/review/n20228">e-208</a>, which is one of our favourite small electric cars.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">Read our full Peugeot 208 review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot/208/hatchback/deals">See how much we can save you on a new 208 &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/renault-espace-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21344">Renault Espace Mk1</a></h3>On sale 1984-1991

The original Espace may have been a game-changer, but big <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers/n17001">MPVs</a> don't enjoy the popularity they once did, so the closest thing in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault's modern UK range</a> is the smaller Grand Scenic. This still seats seven and comes well equipped, although plenty of rivals are more practical and better to drive.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/grand-scenic/mpv/review/n17211">Read our full Renault Grand Scenic review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault/grand-scenic/mpv/deals">See how much we can save you on a new Grand Scenic &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/ford-mondeo-mk1-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21342">Ford Mondeo Mk1</a></h3>On sale 1993-1996

Today's Mondeo sticks closely to the template of the original, combining an enjoyable driving experience with good practicality and a long list of standard equipment. It's just a shame it looks rather cheap inside, not only next to prestige-badged alternatives, but also the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/hatchback/review/n93">Skoda Superb</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat/saloon/review/n28">Volkswagen Passat</a>.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/mondeo/hatchback/review/n15">Read our full Ford Mondeo review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ford/mondeo/hatchback/deals">See how much we can save you on a new Mondeo &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/bmw-5-series-e39-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21358">BMW 5 Series (E39)</a></h3>On sale 1995-2004

Like the earlier E39, today's 5 Series dominates <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-luxury-cars-2020/n17020">its class</a>, thanks to its intuitive and beautifully made interior, and near-perfect balance between ride comfort and agility. In 520d diesel form it's also a very fuel-efficient choice, while the 530e plug-in hybrid makes a lot of sense as a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/company-car-guide/n9352">company car</a>.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">Read our full BMW 5 Series review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw/5-series/saloon/deals">See how much we can save you on a new 5 Series &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/volkswagen-golf-mk5-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21354">Volkswagen Golf Mk5</a></h3>On sale 2003-2009

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> recently launched an eighth-generation Golf, which sacrifices some of the simplicity of its predecessors' interiors for a more high-tech look. However, it retains the cosseting ride, tidy handling and hushed cruising manners that made the Mk5 such a favourite of both What Car? and UK car buyers.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Read our full Volkswagen Golf review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/deals">See how much we can save you on a new Golf &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/land-rover-discovery-3-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21359">Land Rover Discovery 3</a></h3>On sale 2005-2009

With each generation, the Discovery has moved farther upmarket, with today's car feeling every inch the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-suvs-2020/n17036">luxury SUV</a>. Yet it's still at home off road, thanks to class-leading ground clearance, a 900mm wading depth (also best in class) and a multitude of clever electronics.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery/4x4/review/n17342">Read our full Land Rover Discovery review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/land-rover/discovery/4x4/deals">See how much we can save you on a new Discovery &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/bmw-3-series-e90-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21379">BMW 3 Series (E90)</a></h3>On sale 2004-2012

The E90 3 Series won nine What Car? awards during its life, and while the latest car still has some way to go before it matches that, it already has three to its name. Strengths include hugely entertaining handling, strong and frugal engines, and the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-and-worst-car-infotainment-systems/n21268"> best infotainment system around</a>.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">Read our full BMW 3 Series review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw/3-series/saloon/deals">See how much we can save you on a new 3 Series &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/audi-a3-mk3-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21381">Audi A3 Mk3</a></h3>On sale 2012-2020

The interior of the latest A3 reinforces just how amazingly classy its predecessor was, because the new car doesn't feel as plush. However, it's still smartly designed, as well as quiet, comfortable and well equipped, so remains more than deserving of its premium billing.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Read our full Audi A3 review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi/a3/hatchback/deals">See how much we can save you on a new A3 &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/nissan-qashqai-best-cars-in-the-history-of-what-car/n21378">Nissan Qashqai Mk2</a></h3>On sale 2014-2021

The original Qashqai may have kicked off the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-family-suvs-2020/n17116">family SUV</a> trend, but the second-generation car – launched in 2014 – moved things on to such a degree that we named it Car of the Year. Practical, good to drive and temptingly priced, it was facelifted in 2017 and replaced with an all-new version earlier this year.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review">Read our full Nissan Qashqai review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/deals">See how much we can save you on a new Qashqai &gt;&gt;</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><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2022-what-car-car-of-the-year-awards-the-contenders/n23855">Read about the cars in contention for the 2022 What Car? Car of the Year Awards &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

Best cars in What Car? history: how they've evolved

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Past Masters: 2001-2003 Honda Civic Type R

Past Masters: 1990-2005 Honda NSX

Past Masters: 2008-2015 Jaguar XF

Past Master: BMW M3 (E46)

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