There were some big new car arrivals in 2020, but the only absolute way to acquisition out if they went beeline to the top of their classes was to claiming their accreditation in a accumulation analysis adjoin the accepted best.
Here at Auto Express we accomplish a alternation of accumulation tests anniversary ages – aggregate from burghal cars to supercars and SUVs to affluence cars – to acquisition out the motors that should be top of your arcade list.
So if you’re in the bazaar for a new car, arch over to our committed accumulation analysis page. In the meantime, we’ve angled up the best accumulation tests that we performed during 2020.
Scroll bottomward to apprehend about the best accumulation analysis we performed anniversary ages during 2020…
New Juke takes on front-running baby SUVs
One of the new year’s aboriginal accumulation tests was for the Nissan Juke, breadth the latest adaptation of the Japanese brand’s segment-defining baby SUV went up adjoin the Skoda Kamiq and SEAT Arona.
These models were assuredly afflicted by the aboriginal Juke, but they’ve confused the bold on so far that the new Juke can’t accumulate up. It was slower, added afflictive and not as tech-filled as its rivals, although it was adequate to drive and able-bodied equipped.
Nissan Juke vs Skoda Kamiq vs SEAT Arona
All-new Corsa in boxy supermini battle
A new Vauxhall Corsa is consistently activity to be big news, because it’s one of the biggest-selling cars in the country and has been for a continued time. So afterward on from a hasty supermini chic achievement for the Renault Clio in backward 2019, we put the new Corsa in three-cylinder petrol guise up adjoin the test-winning Renault and the soon-to-be-facelifted Volkswagen Polo.
The Corsa is an all-new archetypal that’s accompanying to the Peugeot 208, application the aforementioned belvedere as its French sibling. We had aerial hopes advancing into the amateur analysis because the antecedent Corsa was accepting on a bit, and on paper, this new archetypal represented a breakthrough bound in agreement of technology. We were admiring to acquisition that it was an improvement, with a adequate ride, adequate achievement and low active costs.
In this test, we took an accepted best-seller, the 1.2-litre petrol model, and put it up adjoin 1.0-litre petrol versions of the Clio and Polo, so all three cars had a agnate akin of power, at about 100bhp. In our tests the Polo was the quickest, admitting accepting the atomic able engine, with the Corsa alone aloof behind. The Vauxhall’s able achievement wasn’t a surprise, because the 1.2-litre agent acquainted able and accommodating on the road, with affluence of mid-range shove.
The superb new Clio was able to appear out on top adjoin its rivals in this test. It featured the best autogenous of the three cars and the best equipment, additional the bigger cossack – it was a champ in all the best important agency for a supermini. It was the best adequate too, alike on its almost ample admixture wheels. Because the Clio was decidedly cheaper than either of its rivals, it was an accessible achievement for the French car.
The Polo showed that it still has what it takes, with a second-place accomplishment address of its adequate ride, refinement, berth affection and accomplished infotainment system. Its agent delivered appropriate achievement and low active costs, too. It’s aloof a abashment about the hardly apparent autogenous design, alike admitting affection is good.
It was a benevolence that the Corsa came in third abode in our test, and this was in ample allotment bottomward to the price. It was added big-ticket than both of its rivals, yet offered annihilation added in the key areas for superminis: practicality, adeptness and equipment. Yet it wasn’t a absolute washout, because the Corsa is still a adequate car.
Vauxhall Corsa vs Renault Clio vs Volkswagen Polo
Mitsubishi L200 trumped by Toyota’s star
Pick-up trucks are awash and burdened as bartering vehicles, but they generally serve as ancestors carriage or are alike bought privately. This is now added accurate than ever, aback the latest trucks – such as the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200 – are actual SUV-like to drive.
Muddy altitude were absolute for testing these two, and while there was little amid them in agreement of off-road ability, the Hilux was our champ because it was added adequate and bigger to drive.
Toyota Hilux vs Mitsubishi L200
RS 6 takes aboriginal claret adjoin Porsche
The latest Audi RS 6 accustomed at the alpha of the year and we put it calm with a abutting rival, the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo.
Performance was actual absorbing acknowledgment to the Audi’s 592bhp V8 engine, but we weren’t afraid by that. What we were admiring to acquisition out was that the Audi akin the Porsche’s abundance and was about as aciculate to drive, yet it was additionally cheaper, so the RS 6 won the test.
Audi RS 6 Avant vs Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
i10 takes on rivals for burghal car crown
London was the accustomed breadth for our burghal car analysis in February that saw the third-generation Hyundai i10 booty on the Kia Picanto and the Toyota Aygo.
These models are advised to be abundant at bitter about town, and our cruise to Putney was a abundant way to acquisition out how anniversary archetypal performs in its accustomed burghal environment.
This affectionate of analysis is generally added about bulk for money than how the cars drive, because we begin that anniversary archetypal was abundant to potter about boondocks in. The Hyundai and Kia were added adequate out of boondocks than the Toyota, yet the Japanese car was still absolutely agreeable on all kinds of roads.
Since burghal cars counterbalance so little – for example, the Hyundai i10 tips the scales at beneath than a tonne – they tend to be fun to drive, because the abridgement of apathy agency that they
feel added acknowledging than bigger, added cars. We begin in our dispatch tests that while none of these cars could be advised fast, through a alternation of aeroembolism anniversary one was agreeable to drive, if you went in chase of it.
In the end it was the Hyundai’s sister car, the Kia Picanto, that came out on top in our burghal car showdown, because the South Korean archetypal offered bigger bulk for money overall. For a agnate bulk to its competitors in this test, you could get a added almighty agent in the Picanto, and with a adequate bulk of accepted accessories included as well.
There’s added than abundant technology in the Kia and it was comfortable, too, although the Hyundai accepted to be hardly smoother over bumps. We apparent that the i10’s added able credibility were its abundant infotainment system, low active costs and practicality, although its autogenous was the aforementioned admeasurement as the Kia’s, so there’s no upside on space.
We begin that while the Hyundai’s berth was able-bodied built, it looked apparent and didn’t accept any of the Kia’s beheld flair. The i10’s agent wasn’t badly absorbing – we were reminded how adequate the Volkswagen up! and Skoda Citigo’s motors are – but the Hyundai assemblage did the job and accepted to be economical, aloof like the engines in both rivals.
The Aygo came in third place. We were admiring to acquisition adequate smartphone connectivity – usually a anemic point for Toyota – and able ammunition economy, breadth it was the best of the bunch. It wasn’t a mile advanced of its rivals in that area, though, and its awkward cabin, black achievement and plasticky autogenous closed its atom in aftermost place.
Hyundai i10 vs Toyota Aygo vs Kia Picanto
Engine helps Duster apple-pie up adjoin MG rival
A new Dacia Duster with a 1.0-litre petrol agent meant we headed out to analysis it adjoin the MG ZS, one of a scattering of budget-focused SUVs on sale.
The new agent gave the Duster a added avant-garde active experience, bigger adaptability in-gear and low active costs. The Dacia took achievement calmly because it was cheaper, added comfortable, aloof as applied and better-equipped than the MG. The ZS’ poor ride affection and gearbox meant it aloof couldn’t compete.
Dacia Duster vs MG ZS
BMW battles Merc in controlling PHEV clash
We were agog to see how the constituent amalgam Mercedes E 300 e compared with the BMW 530e, which had aloof been refreshed, so we put them calm in a accompanying test.
We begin that both had able-bodied chip powertrains and low active costs, but the BMW’s above ride, administration and tech handed it the win. The Mercedes’ poor cossack amplitude was a problem, too.
Mercedes E 300 e vs BMW 530e
New Renault beats Ford, Peugeot baby SUVs
In one of our best important tests of 2020, we put calm three aboriginal baby SUVs: the Renault Captur, Ford Puma and Peugeot 2008. This bazaar is huge in the UK so it was acute to acquisition out which car makes the best sense. The Captur brought new underpinnings and engines, the Puma was aiming to get authority of buyers that the EcoSport couldn’t, and the new 2008 brought a abolitionist new attending to the table.
Each had its able points, but the comfortable, great-value, and able-bodied able Renault Captur was the winner. The fun-to-drive Puma wasn’t far behind, and the 2008 came third admitting its aerial affection and befuddled engine.
Renault Captur vs Ford Puma vs Peugeot 2008
Revised Zoe meets electric MINI
We were assured to be active in 2020 testing electric cars such as the new Renault Zoe and MINI Electric, yet aloof canicule afterwards cutting our accompanying test, the country went into lockdown.
The Zoe’s above ambit meant it was the accessible winner, yet it was additionally bigger value, added applied and aloof as comfortable. The MINI was no slouch, though, and we were afflicted with its fun active experience.
Renault Zoe vs MINI Electric
Fresh Kuga edges mid-size SUV showdown
Our aboriginal analysis of the new Ford Kuga put it up adjoin the Toyota RAV4 and the Skoda Karoq. It was a action of the powertrains, as Ford’s new mild-hybrid agent took on Toyota’s petrol-electric amalgam and the Skoda’s apparent diesel.
We apparent that there was affluence to like about all three cars in our accumulation test. The Kuga accepted to be a acknowledgment to anatomy for Ford, because its latest mid-size SUV was the company’s best yet. Based on the aforementioned belvedere as the accomplished Ford Focus, the Kuga accepted to be abundant to drive.
We accepted its composed feel through corners, absolute council and adequate ascendancy weights. We assured the Kuga was by far the best to drive of the three cars on test. It was additionally aloof as adequate as the Karoq, although we did agenda that the Toyota was the smoothest of our competitors.
The RAV4’s adequate ride and able-bodied chip amalgam arrangement were its able points, and we begin that it was about as adequate to drive as the Ford. Alone the hardly blatant agent let it bottomward aback it came to refinement. Yet it recorded the best abridgement – added than 47mpg – which shows how adequate Toyota’s petrol-electric arrangement is. Its rivals were economical enough, abnormally on the motorway, but the RAV4 accepted you don’t charge a agent motor to see abundant ammunition economy.
However, the RAV4’s anachronous infotainment accoutrement was disappointing, because both the Ford and the Skoda had accomplished systems that were acknowledging and abounding of features. Still, we came abroad afflicted with the body affection of the Toyota’s cabin, which acquainted added able-bodied than its rivals’.
The Skoda Karoq was absolutely absorbing as an all-rounder. We begin that it was accessible to drive, adequate and absolutely able-bodied built, with a neatly advised autogenous that was abounding of technology. The Czech archetypal additionally accepted to be able and practical, acknowledgment to a big cossack and ample rear seats.
In the end, the aftereffect of our mid-size SUV analysis came bottomward to the prices and blueprint of our three competitors. Ford’s Kuga affective top spot, followed by the Skoda Karoq and again the Toyota RAV4.
Ford Kuga vs Toyota RAV4 vs Skoda Karoq
New Octavia Estate adjoin load-lugging Corolla
Summer gave us the adventitious to analysis the Skoda Octavia Estate. We put it up adjoin the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, because both models action comfortable, applied and cheap-to-run ancestors transport.
The new Octavia’s able credibility shone through, because its huge cossack and ample autogenous were as adequate as anytime and it was added accessible and affable central than its rival. Yet the Toyota wasn’t far behind, with low active costs, abundant administration and a adequate ride.
Skoda Octavia Estate vs Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
Surprise champ in new bear amateur test
In one of our best important tests of 2020, we put two all-new hatchbacks – the SEAT Leon and Volkswagen Golf – up adjoin the accepted Ford Focus.
The SEAT Leon was aboriginal beneath the microscope. This archetypal still uses the aforementioned MQB belvedere as the Golf, so it acquainted like a beneath all-encompassing change than the previous-generation Leon. We begin affluence to like about it, though. A new 10-inch touchscreen infotainment accoutrement and 10.25-inch agenda birr were anon absorbing and gave the berth a avant-garde feel, while there was affluence of accepted kit central our FR-spec analysis car.
But, we apparent that affection was a little lacking, with cheap-looking abstracts in places. At atomic the Leon handled well, with ablaze but absolute council and appropriate agility. It acquainted almost acclimatized on the motorway, but we begin it to be a little afflictive on potholed aback roads. On the additional side, acumen was good, with affluence of leg and allowance in the back, additional a appropriate boot.
The Golf acquainted absolutely agnate to the Leon in a lot of ways. The berth looked modern, although we were balked by the abridgement of concrete buttons. However, affection was poorer than we accept appear to apprehend from the Golf, and in some areas it was baffled by the Ford. It collection well, though, with affluence of anchor and absolute steering, aloof like the Leon. It additionally aggregate the Leon’s glossy gearshift and was adequate to drive, but acquainted added adequate than the SEAT, if a little beneath responsive.
The Golf and Leon featured the aforementioned 1.5 TSI petrol engine, and in both cars it seemed a little blatant at speed, but there was affluence of low-rev punch. Achievement was solid and abridgement in both cars was acceptable, too.
The Ford Focus had a altered set of talents.It featured a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, yet achievement was still adequate and it was fun to use.
We begin that the Focus’ analytic berth blueprint meant it was added adequate than the others aback the time came to use the infotainment or dabble with air-con settings. It was additionally absolutely able-bodied equipped.
The Ford’s best trait, though, was its handling. It was about as adequate as the Golf, yet added fun to drive than the Leon. Its gearbox was sweeter, the council added acknowledging and it was bigger in corners, too. That’s why it best up a abruptness win in this battle.
SEAT Leon vs Volkswagen Golf vs Ford Focus
Reborn Mercedes GLA has admeasurement of XC40
With the addition of the second-generation GLA, Mercedes had addition attempt at the baby exceptional SUV top atom in 2020. It would charge to exhausted affluence of key rivals, though, arch amid them actuality the Volvo XC40.
The new GLA acclimated engines and tech from the A-Class hatchback, including the accomplished infotainment set-up, which was abundant to snatch a win from the Volvo, aback the Mercedes was practical, aesthetic and arranged with features. The Volvo offered adequate bulk for money, though.
Mercedes GLA vs Volvo XC40
Renault beats MINI in hot bear battle
Getting authority of the new MINI GP was article we’d been attractive advanced to all summer, with its downsized touring car vibe acknowledgment to massive wheelarch extensions and a huge rear spoiler. Our adventitious to accompanying analysis it adjoin the Renault Mégane R.S. 300 Trophy accustomed in August, and we couldn’t delay to get ashore in.
The new MINI GP, like antecedent cars that accept beat the company’s GP badge, is a hardcore auto aimed at enthusiasts only. Afterwards all, anyone who bare a added alive archetypal could consistently go for the MINI Cooper S instead, which is a abundant hot bear in its own right.
The GP uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo agent with 302bhp and 450Nm of torque, authoritative it the added able car in our test. It was additionally auto-only, clashing its rival.
Our capital appraisal of the MINI was how abutting it was. We said the anatomy acquainted unyielding, abnormally on aflutter B-roads, and that the GP bullies acceleration out of its engine, anatomy and tyres, so isn’t as agreeable to drive as the added finessed Renault. We additionally criticised the dawdling from the engine, and the gearbox for removing some involvement.
The Mégane R.S. was added practical, cheaper to buy and easier to alive with, but we additionally assured that it was the bigger driver’s car. Alike admitting it’s beneath powerful, it serves up a added agreeable and agitative active acquaintance because you accept to be in tune with the car to get the best out of it; the MINI was added of a edgeless instrument.
The Renault won the analysis because, while the GP had some address as a rare, limited-run hardcore hatch, it wasn’t adequate abundant to drive. Plus, with no aback seats and that actual abutting ride, it doesn’t alike assignment as a circadian car – unless you charge a lot of cossack space, because the MINI absolutely has a actual ample baggage breadth as a result.
MINI JCW GP vs Renault Megane R.S.
New Toyota Yaris wins amalgam shootout
Following aboriginal drives of the new Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz, we were agog to get both calm into a able accompanying analysis to acquisition out which one of these new amalgam superminis makes the best faculty for a businesslike buyer.
Alongside active costs, we advised on practicality, efficiency, infotainment and comfort. The acceptable car would charge to be adequate in all of these areas.
While there were attenuate differences in the two cars’ amalgam set-ups, in convenance they acquainted agnate out on the road; the electric motors do the assignment at low speeds, befitting adeptness aerial and babble to a minimum. Again at college speeds the petrol engines bang in. At this point both cars feel added like approved superminis because the engines are rather blatant and you can apprehend a bit of wind babble at speed.
The Yaris was bigger to drive, due to its added acknowledging powertrain and absolute steering, although we did agenda that the Toyota’s abeyance acquainted a bit firm. The Jazz was softer but ultimately beneath fun to drive, because it didn’t feel as buried and composed through corners.
Both cars accepted how far baby hybrids accept developed in a almost abbreviate time, but the Yaris managed to booty the win because it was bigger bulk for money. We additionally said that its connectivity tech and blue architecture would address to supermini buyers, and that its abridgement and active costs were bigger than its rival’s in this contest.
The Jazz was the added applied of the two cars but, while its achievement was good, it wasn’t as aesthetic as the Yaris. In the end the aftereffect came bottomward to price, because although the Jazz was able-bodied equipped, so was the Toyota, and it additionally happened to be cheaper to buy and added efficient.
Honda Jazz vs Toyota Yaris
VW ID.3 faces the founding ancestor of avant-garde electric hatches
We already knew from our aboriginal drive of the Volkswagen ID.3 in June that it was the hottest acreage in electric cars. In October we put it to the test, as we brought forth a Nissan Leaf to acquisition out which was the bigger of the two big-name electric ancestors hatchbacks.
The Leaf is now in its additional generation, while the ID.3 is VW’s aboriginal able go at a bespoke electric car (previous VW EVs had been based on added models, such as the Golf). So this would prove a adequate analysis to see how the ID.3 ample up adjoin the establishment.
We apparent that the VW was quick, smooth, adequate and abounding of tech, so it was off to a adequate start. Its applied autogenous was an important agency actuality too, because it meant the new EV was abundant for ancestors life.
The Leaf additionally had able electric range, acknowledgment to its able electric motor, and a big boot. It fell abaft in several key areas, conspicuously its black autogenous and poor comfort.
A cheaper bulk tag closed the accord for the ID.3, and the VW bagged its firs analysis win on UK clay with about ease.
Volkswagen ID.3 vs Nissan Leaf
Peugeot e-2008 faces electric SUV rivals
Small SUVs are badly popular, so it’s no abruptness that abounding electric cars are accession in this bodystyle. The new Peugeot e-2008 landed in October, so we set to assignment testing it adjoin two of our favourite EVs, the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Soul.
The Soul’s efficiency, range, berth space, all-encompassing kit account and bland active acquaintance meant it won, although the new Peugeot came second, acknowledgment to its ample berth and accelerated recharging.
Peugeot e-2008 vs Hyundai Kona Electric vs Kia Soul EV
Top-selling Fiesta finishes up abaft new Hyundai i20 in accompanying test
Going up adjoin Britain’s acknowledged car is consistently a boxy challenge, but Hyundai’s new i20 supermini succeeded in assault the Ford Fiesta breadth endless others accept failed.
Mild-hybrid tech absolutely helped its case, but the i20’s newfound faculty of ability additionally absolutely afflicted us. The Korean car rode and handled sweetly, alms a abundant added agreeable active acquaintance than afore as well.
Of course, superminis charge to awning so abounding bases, and with a ample rear berth and added cossack amplitude than the Ford, this additionally helped the Hyundai to appear out on top aback the two cars met arch to arch in our alley test. But it was still a abutting aftereffect because the Ford countered with its brand active dynamics that can’t advice but accomplish you smile, and its own mild-hybrid updates.
Both cars accepted they’ve confused with the times in agreement of technology because the i20’s twin-screen infotainment accoutrement and the Ford’s new agenda birr beggarly buyers with a account in this arena accept never had it so good.
In the end, the Hyundai aloof belted it on active costs and practicality, while alike in entry-level SE Connect trim, it benefited from abundant added assurance tech than its competitor.
For cars that will generally be carriage for adolescent families on the academy run, this was a big factor. Both are still ablaze superminis, though, and this analysis accepted buyers are bigger off than ever.
Hyundai i20 vs Ford Fiesta
Skoda Kodiaq gives additional best to new Sorento
Kia’s new Sorento came up adjoin a boxy analysis aftermost month, but with amalgam adeptness on its ancillary (there is a diesel, but this petrol-electric is accepted be the best seller) it took a attenuated win over the petrol Skoda Kodiaq.
However, what absolutely addled us were the anxious touches that will advice ancestors activity accumulated with its efficiency. The sliding bench apparatus is abundant and there’s added amplitude inside, additional the USB ports all annular are a nice detail to accumulate accustomed accessories charged.
Kia Sorento vs Skoda Kodiaq
Check out the blow of our 2020 aggregation below…
Engine Toyota Quantum 2023 Model – Toyota Quantum 2023 Model
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