What Car?

Britain's best car buying guide now has a brand new look with an extra 40-pages in every issue, giving you more of What Car?'s famous comparison tests than ever before and more invaluable buying advice for every car on sale. Plus, What Car?'s Target Price promise could save you thousands off the price of your next car. No wonder they call us the car buyer's bible!

Welcome

NEW CARS • Volkswagen's smallest electric car has its sights on the MG 4 Urban and Renault 5 On sale November Price from £22,445 (with £1500 grant)

Skoda Peaq • All-new seven-seat electric SUV is Skoda's biggest model yet and a rival to the Kia EV9 On sale February 2027 Price from £51,980

Dacia Spring • Small electric car grows up for its second generation, but it should still be cheap to buy On sale Spring 2027 Price from £14,250 (est, with £3750 grant)

Aion UT • Chinese brand's second car for the UK tilts at the MG 4, armed with a spacious interior and a keen turn of speed On sale Late 2026 Price from £28,950

Lexus NX • Tech and efficiency tweaks aim to keep this premium SUV in touch with key rivals On sale Spring 2027 Price from £50,000 (est)

Volvo XC40 • One of our favourite family SUVs gets another refresh – as do its electric spin-offs On sale Early 2027 Price from £36,000 (est)

Hyundai Tucson • Fifth-generation family SUV gets a bold new look and more interior space On sale 2027 Price from £33,000 (est)

Skoda Epiq • New small electric SUV's name implies greatness, but does the car measure up? On sale February 2027 Price from £24,950

BEST SUV LEASING DEALS • This month, we're bringing you the hottest SUV leasing deals. One of the key advantages of leasing is that it allows you to spread the cost, helping to avoid making a hefty dent in your bank account. It also gives you the chance to drive away in a model you might not be able to afford outright. Because leasing is one of the most popular ways of financing a new car, there are many deals to take advantage of, with monthly costs ranging from £200 to more than £500. To secure these offers or see more, go to whatcar.com/car-leasing-deals.

VW to halve model range and cut 100,000 jobs • Measures aim to make the VW Group “more resilient and competitive”

COMING SOON

READER TEST TEAM • Mercedes-Benz GLA Electric The reinvention of Mercedes’ electric car line-up continues with this new family SUV. Will it impress buyers – and What Car? readers? Photography: John Bradshaw

THE MOST AND LEAST RELIABLE CARS IN 2026 • In our exhaustive annual survey, we rate the dependability of cars up to five years old, based on the experiences of owners.

SMALL CARS

FAMILY CARS • CLASS AVERAGE 91.4%

SMALL SUVs • CLASS AVERAGE 91.7%

SMALL/FAMILY ELECTRIC SUVs • CLASS AVERAGE 89.7%

FAMILY SUVS • CLASS AVERAGE 90.3%

PREMIUM SUVs • CLASS AVERAGE 88.1%

LUXURY CARS • CLASS AVERAGE 86.5%

SEVEN-SEATERS • CLASS AVERAGE 86.1%

ELECTRIC CARS • CLASS AVERAGE 91.1%

EXECUTIVE CARS • CLASS AVERAGE 90.2%

COUPÉS, CABRIOS AND SPORTS CARS

MOST DEPENDABLE CARS BY FUEL TYPE

THE MAIN EVENT • It's the rumble we've been waiting for, between three standard-setting new premium electric SUVs. Let's see which one delivers the knockout blow

OUR CARS • Despite some charging challenges for its owner, our sporty plug-in hybrid family hatchback made a very favourable impression during its time with us

USED CARS • BUYING GUIDE Volvo EX30 On sale from 2024-present Prices from £20,000 Our pick Single Motor Extended Range Plus

BUYER'S GUIDE SMALL CARS • Despite the fashion for SUVs, the traditional small car remains...