Latest from Auto Express
Auto Express
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: VW Taigo Black Edition at £222 per month is an attractive path to the dark side
Stylish yet frugal coupé-SUV Generously equipped Black Edition Three-year lease and £222 per month Not everyone loves a coupé-SUV, but if you want a new car that offers plenty of space inside and some sleek, sporty styling, you can now get the Volkswagen Taigo Black Edition through Auto Express for as little as £222 per month. That price is being offered by Carwow Leasey, through the Auto Express Find A Car service. It's for a three-year lease with an initial outlay of £2,963, followed by monthly payments of £222. Included in the offer is the standard annual allowance of 5,000 miles per year. Advertisement - Article continues below If that initial payment is too high for you, it can be reduced to £1,824 – the equivalent of six months of payments, rather than 12 – and you'll still only have to pay £254 per month. You can also increase the mileage limit to 8,000 a year for less than £20 extra per month. As the name suggests, the roof, roof rails, 18-inch alloy wheels, side mirrors and various other elements of the exterior trim are all black, plus it's fitted with tinted rear windows. Being the range-topping model, it's also equipped with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro driver's display, 10.25-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and wireless smartphone charging. The Taigo is based on the more conventional, boxy Volkswagen T-Cross, and you might assume the coupé's roofline eats up lots of cabin space. But the interior is actually rather spacious, and you get a sizable 440 litres of boot capacity to play with. Under the bonnet of the Taigo Black Edition is a 148bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Volkswagen says this combo can return up to 48.1mpg and is good for 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car retailers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Volkswagen Taigo leasing offers from leading providers on our Volkswagen Taigo deals hub page… Check out the Volkswagen Taigo Deal of the Day or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here… Find a car with the experts New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date The upcoming, all-electric Volvo XC60 alternative is designed to 'keep learning and evolve with time' Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid gets more efficient, powerful and eco-friendly for 2025 Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid gets more efficient, powerful and eco-friendly for 2025 The mid-size family SUV segment has just got a whole load tougher thanks to Nissan New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
Auto Express
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Volkswagen Golf GTE vs Toyota Prius: two visions of family car efficiency collide
Is it possible for a plug-in hybrid to be fun? It's a question that any petrolhead with an eye on penny-pinching will be keen to answer. As it turns out, it's only if your budget is limitless that the answer becomes a resounding yes. The Ferrari 296 and McLaren Artura both emphatically prove that petrol and electric can mix to spectacular effect. Advertisement - Article continues below But step down the budgetary ladder and things aren't so clear – often the extra weight and complexity of PHEVs makes them feel less pure and thrilling than simpler petrol or even fully electric alternatives. The maker of the famed Golf GTI clearly knows its way around a hot hatchback, so if anyone can make an engaging PHEV, then we'd put our money on Volkswagen having a better stab at it than most. The latest version of the Golf GTE boasts more power than a GTI, a longer range than ever before, while also addressing some of the previous Golf foibles. And do not adjust your sets – its competitor here really is a Toyota Prius. The latest model has transformed from its predecessor's slightly gawky eco-car shape to something that looks like it's beamed in from a Japanese Anime. But unlike previous versions, UK buyers get the Prius exclusively with PHEV power. Has that transformed the Toyota into a driver's car, or will VW's hot hatch know-how shine through? Model Volkswagen Golf GTE Price: £40,140 Powertrain: 1.5 4cyl plug-in hybrid, 268bhp 0-62mph: 6.6 seconds WLTP efficiency: 196mpg Official EV range: 81 miles Annual VED: £620 There will be plenty of company-car drivers who lust after a Golf GTI, but its high CO2 emissions rule it out of many schemes. That's where the GTE comes in, combining hot-hatch looks with tiny annual Benefit-in- Kind (BiK) deductions. At £40,140, it just undercuts the GTI on price. However, after adding options including leather upholstery with heated and cooled front seats (£2,135), a panoramic sunroof (£1,250), adaptive dampers (£735) and plenty more, the car pictured here costs £48,095. If plug-in hybrid tech appeals to you but you're not in quite so much of a hurry, then the Golf line-up offers another PHEV choice. A 201bhp version of the GTE's powertrain is available lower down the Golf hierarchy; it uses the same 1.5 petrol engine and battery, and while the electrical element is in a less potent state of tune, the maximum system torque is the same as in the GTE, at 350Nm. As a result, the overall performance is only slightly blunted, with 0-62mph taking 7.2 seconds. EV-only range increases to 88 miles, too. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View Focus View Corsa Current Golfs, including the GTE, have VW's Car2X driver-assistance system. The tech can wirelessly communicate with other vehicles fitted with the same system, warning drivers of problems, such as vehicle breakdowns, and even cars performing emergency stops ahead, or incoming emergency vehicles behind. The set-up also uses the information it receives to detect when the end of a traffic jam is coming up, and can re-engage the car's adaptive cruise control once the traffic clears. Model Toyota Prius Excel Price: £40,545 Powertrain: 2.0 4cyl plug-in hybrid, 220bhp 0-62mph: 6.8 seconds WLTP efficiency: 403.5mpg Official EV range: 44 miles Annual VED: £620 Where once the Toyota Prius was seen as a fairly steady, dependable fuel-efficient hatchback, the fifth-generation model's dramatic new look has the potential to tempt the more style-conscious away from established sporty hybrid options, including the GTE. A list price of £40,545 means the Prius is very similarly priced to its rival. Unlike the Golf, however, there isn't a long options list that causes that figure to spiral; the only extra here is the striking 'Mustard' paint, which costs £655. We've griped about many new cars' driver-assistance systems, but the Prius has a few more irritations than the average. Speed limit bongs reading incorrect signs and warnings when pulling out of T-junctions are fairly commonplace, but perhaps most irritating is the fact that it can be very tricky to turn these systems off. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Most settings are buried in a sub-menu of the driver's display, and are labelled by abbreviations that aren't that clear or easy to understand. Some rivals make disabling these systems easier than in the Prius. Taking a more stylish approach with the Prius is an interesting strategy for Toyota. It's a name that has long been associated with eco-conscious buyers, and slow and steady performance in the name of fuel efficiency. Now, the latest model has taken a radical turn; yes, low energy usage is still very much a core part of the Prius's make-up, but it's also trying to appeal to more style-driven buyers – and even keen drivers, too. The question is, does the Prius name have the prestige to carry off its new position? Toyota has judged the Prius's chassis superbly, with a more compliant low-speed ride than the Golf, but with great body control on a twisty road. It's fun, but still impressively refined. The Golf's powertrain offers similar outright performance, but isn't as smooth. However, its optional adaptive dampers are brilliant; the high-speed ride is great in their softest settings and the chassis is sharp in firmer positions. The GTE's 19.7kWh battery is enough to see it officially cover 81 miles on electric power. Combined with a 108bhp motor and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, there's 268bhp. The Toyota's 149bhp Atkinson- cycle engine is designed for efficiency, and the 161bhp e-motor offers more grunt; combined, they make 220bhp. At 13.6kWh, its battery is smaller, but it still returns a WLTP electric range of 44 miles. THE GTE's long EV range puts it into the six per cent tax band for company cars. That's three per cent lower than the Prius, which is the difference between annual deductions of £480 a year for the Golf and £727 for the Toyota for a standard-rate income-tax payer. Charge the VW regularly at home and it will be cheap to run, but the Prius is much more fuel-efficient once the batteries have been depleted. The plug-in hybrid powertrain compromises the Golf's boot space compared with other non-hybrid Golfs; capacity drops from 381 litres to 273 litres. But the cabin is as spacious as ever. The Toyota's coupé-like profile harms its usability; the roofline makes access awkward in the front, and rear headroom is tight. Yet kneeroom is better than in the Golf, and the 284-litre boot is 11 litres larger than its rival's. Euro NCAP awarded the Golf family five stars when it was tested in 2022. While the standards have increased since then, so has the VW's standard safety kit; the GTE gets adaptive cruise control, lane assist, a reversing camera and all-round parking sensors. The Prius hasn't been tested by NCAP; the closest car that has is the Toyota C-HR – the pair share a platform and powertrain – and it earned five stars. Volkswagen finished 28th out of 32 brands in our 2024 Driver Power satisfaction survey, with disappointing marks for reliability and quality. Toyota didn't quite hit the heights of previous years, but an eighth-place finish remains a strong result. The brand offers up to 10 years' warranty cover, as long as annual services are carried out at an approved dealer. The Golf gets a less impressive three-year package. The Prius has become more desirable than ever before, but more importantly, it's better to drive, too. The ride and handling are great, and thanks to its powerful PHEV powertrain, the car has got the performance to match its chassis where its predecessors didn't. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Most of all, and more than any other PHEV, the Toyota's hybrid system feels like something that progresses automotive technology rather than simply acting as a company-car incentive box-ticking scheme. If you can live with the Prius's slightly cramped rear headroom and small boot capacity, there are few more stylish hybrids for the money right now. Latest Toyota Prius deals If you're a company-car user, the Golf GTE deserves to be right at the top of your shopping list. Its superb electric-only range means it's incredibly cheap to run on a company-car scheme, and the Volkswagen will be kind on your pocket too, if you can charge it up regularly at home. However, the Golf GTE is a little more costly than the Prius – especially if you load the car with options. While the VW's hybrid tech isn't quite as slick as its rival's, it's right on the money when it comes to ride and handling, and the cabin is spacious, too. The latest Golf isn't perfect yet, but it's better than ever. Latest Volkswagen Golf GTE deals Model tested Volkswagen Golf GTE Toyota Prius Excel Price from/price as tested £40,140/£48,095 £40,545/£41,200 Powertrain and performance Engine 4cyl in-line/1,498cc 4cyl in-line/1,987cc HEV Motor 108bhp 161bhp Combined power 268bhp 220bhp Torque 350Nm (combined) 190Nm (engine only) Transmission Six-speed auto/fwd e-CVT auto/fwd 0-62mph/top speed 6.6secs/143mph 6.8secs/109mph Fuel tank/battery capacity 40 litres/19.7kWh 45 litres/13.6kWh MPG (WLTP)/EV range 196mpg/81 miles 403.5mpg/44 miles Dimensions Length/wheelbase 4,289/2,620mm 4,599/2,750mm Width/height 1,789/1,478mm 1,782/1,430mm Rear knee room 543-781mm 615-868mm Rear headroom/elbow room 968/1,440mm 850/1,444mm Boot space (seats up) 273 litres 284 litres Boot length/width 800/1,035mm 806/938mm Boot lip height 682mm 711mm Kerbweight/towing weight 1,670/1,700kg 1,610kg/N/A Turning circle 10.9 metres 10.4 metres Costs/ownership Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000 miles) £17,525/43.66% £22,198/54.75% Depreciation £22,615 £18,347 Insurance group/quote/VED 30/£630/£620 31/£680/£620 Three-year service cost £534 (two years) £1,243 Annual tax liability std/higher rate £480/£959 £727/£1,454 Basic warranty (miles)/recovery 3yrs (60,000)/1yr 3yrs (60,000)/1yr Driver Power manufacturer position 29th 8th NCAP Adult/child/ped./assist/stars 88/87/74/82/5 _ (2022) N/A Equipment Metallic paint/wheel size £810/17 inches £655/19 inches Parking sensors/camera F&r/yes F&r/360 Spare wheel/Isofix points Repair kit/three Repair kit/two Keyless entry & go/powered tailgate Yes/no Yes/yes Leather/heated seats £2,150/yes Artificial/yes Screen size/digital dashboard 12.9 inches/yes 12.3 inches/yes Climate control/panoramic sunroof Yes/£1,250 Yes/no USBs/wireless charging Four/yes Six/yes Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Yes/yes Yes/yes Blind-spot warning/head-up display Yes/£595 Yes/yes Adaptive cruise/steering assist Yes/yes Yes/yes Of the many options, the Dynamic Chassis Control system, which includes adaptive dampers, is the one we'd pick first. It transforms a decent chassis into a very capable one, with a great spread between comfort and sharp handling. We're big fans of our car's 'Mustard' yellow paint, a £655 option. If you'd prefer a more sober shade, then there are six others; dark blue is a no-cost colour, red and pearl white are both £950, with the rest costing £655. Looking for your next car? You can now search our nationwide dealer network for a choice of great cars on offer right now with new, used and leasing deals to choose from... New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date The upcoming, all-electric Volvo XC60 alternative is designed to 'keep learning and evolve with time' Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid gets more efficient, powerful and eco-friendly for 2025 Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid gets more efficient, powerful and eco-friendly for 2025 The mid-size family SUV segment has just got a whole load tougher thanks to Nissan New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Get ready for the Auto Express New Car Awards 2025
It's that time of year again. The Auto Express New Car Awards are almost upon us. If you want to know all about the very best cars to buy in the UK today, there's no better way to do it. On the evening of Tuesday July 1 2025, we'll be recognising the best new cars from every sector of the market. Every award winner will be announced right here and on our social media channels. The Auto Express New Car Awards will reveal the winning cars and vans across 26 categories covering the entire market. These stand-out models will then go forward to compete for the big one - the 2025 Auto Express Car of the Year award. Advertisement - Article continues below Our expert reviewers have spent another twelve months testing every new car on sale in the UK on roads across the country and around the world. We've racked up the miles compiling the most detailed in-depth car reviews and head-to-head group tests that you'll find anywhere, amassing the in-depth knowledge needed to definitively judge the top models in every class. The 2025 New Car Awards categories cover the whole passenger car market, and the light commercial vehicle sector, too. We'll be recognising the leading lights from the full range of market sectors from Supermini of the Year and Estate Car of the Year to Large SUV of the Year and from Performance Car of the Year to Electric Van of the Year. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below If you're a car buyer shopping in these classes or any of the others, these are the models that should be on your shortlist. And Auto Express can now help you take the next step, too. Our Find a Car service offers new cars for sale at great discounts over list price. You spec your ideal car and we'll get you offers from local franchised dealers eager to supply it. There are new cars available from stock, used cars and leasing deals, too. It's a great, hassle-free way to buy a car and we can even sell your old car, too. Advertisement - Article continues below Each car and van on sale is judged according to the way owners use it and need it to perform. It's then evaluated against its key rivals. Only the very best options in each sector make the grade. You can be confident that any model carrying an Auto Express New Car Awards title is the very best of its type on sale today. Each award category also has two 'Highly Commended' cars that we think are a cut above the rest and well worth consideration from car shoppers. Some cars may retain their New Car Awards titles from last year but the speed of progress in the car world means we'll certainly have a bumper crop of brand-new winners that were launched in the 12 months since the 2024 New Car Awards were handed out. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below At the end of the ceremony on Tuesday evening, we'll crown the 2025 Auto Express Car of the Year to take over from the Citroen e-C3, our 2024 winner. Take a look at the categories below… City Car of the Year Luxury Car of the Year Supermini of the Year Hot Hatch of the Year Family Car of the Year Coupe of the Year Estate Car of the Year Convertible of the Year Small Company Car of the Year Performance Car of the Year Mid-size Company Car of the Year Affordable Electric Car of the Year Large Company Car of the Year Premium Electric Car of the Year Small SUV of the Year Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year Mid-size SUV of the Year Premium Hybrid Car of the Year Large SUV of the Year Pick-up of the Year Small Premium SUV of the Year Small Van of the Year Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year Mid-size Van of the Year Large Premium SUV of the Year Large Van of the Year Electric Van of the Year We'll publish details of all the winners right here on the website and on our social media channels as they're announced on July 2nd so stay tuned. In the meantime, you can see all the New Car Award winners from previous years here… For the full New Car Awards experience, make sure you pick up a copy of our special 2025 New Car Awards collectors' edition of the Auto Express magazine, which will be available in shops from July 3rd. You can buy individual issues of Auto Express or subscribe for even bigger discounts on the print magazine cover price. You can also subscribe or download individual issues of our digital edition direct to your desktop, phone or tablet as well. Stay right up to date with the latest from the world of cars in 2025 and beyond, subscribe to our email newsletter and follow us on social media... Find a car with the experts New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date The upcoming, all-electric Volvo XC60 alternative is designed to 'keep learning and evolve with time' BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal Octopus' 'Power Pack Bundle' includes a leased BYD, a wallbox charger and charging all for less than £300 per month New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels The new Skoda Epic will sit below the Elroq and Enyaq in the brand's ever-expanding SUV range and is set to offer plenty of space despite its compact …
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Stand out with the Genesis GV70 SUV for just £380 a month
Distinctive design; real premium feel Frugal diesel power Just £379.20 a month Think an Audi Q5, a BMW X3 or even a Volvo XC60 is just a bit too common? The Genesis GV70 is a refreshingly left-field choice when it comes to premium SUVs. It more than matches those cars for tech and premium feel, plus it even has Bentley-like styling – almost. Right now through the Auto Express Find A Car service, the posh SUV is available for just £379.20 a month. This deal, from Genesis Motor UK itself, requires a modest £4,550.24 initial payment to get the ball rolling. This 48-month agreement has a 5,000-miles-a-year cap, but revising this to 8,000 will only cost an extra £13.20 a month. That's a steal. Advertisement - Article continues below It really is remarkable value for money when you realise just what you're getting. This deal nets you a GV70 in Premium spec, which features electric front memory seats, a large 14.5-inch touchscreen, 19-inch wheels and a whole host of safety equipment. There's even enough Bentley-like design flourishes to make the neighbours ask questions. Under the bonnet is a rare thing these days – a diesel engine. The 2.2-litre packs 192bhp and it's a torquey unit, giving excellent acceleration. It's paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive, and, as it's a diesel, it's frugal with around 39mpg claimed. To drive, the GV70 wafts along very nicely and has a genuinely upmarket feel. That goes for the interior too, as the GV70 hides its Hyundai family DNA well and feels better put together than an equivalent BMW or Mercedes. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Genesis GV70 leasing offers from leading providers on our Genesis GV70 hub page. Check out the Genesis GV70 deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here… Find a car with the experts New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date The upcoming, all-electric Volvo XC60 alternative is designed to 'keep learning and evolve with time' BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal Octopus' 'Power Pack Bundle' includes a leased BYD, a wallbox charger and charging all for less than £300 per month New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels The new Skoda Epic will sit below the Elroq and Enyaq in the brand's ever-expanding SUV range and is set to offer plenty of space despite its compact …
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Big plans for the Lotus Emira with hybrid tech on the cards
The Emira is a strong performer for Lotus, accounting for more than 5,000 of the brand's 12,000 sales in 2024. The firm has just announced the V6 Turbo SE with a revised manual gearbox to boost precision, suspension adjustments to improve ride and handling, and a tweaked cooling system that trims weight, plus Racing Line editions with yellow pinstripes and high gloss black wheels. Advertisement - Article continues below But with Lotus slowing down plans for an all-electric, mid-engined sports car, the firm is investigating how to electrify its existing two-seater. 'Everything's possible; we could squeeze [a hybrid] in,' Lotus Europe CEO Matt Windle told Auto Express. Expect a very different approach from the 'hyper hybrid' system bound for the Eletre SUV and Emeya saloon, which packs a 2.0-litre turbo engine with high-power standalone electric motors on the front and rear axle. Given the packaging constraints of the 4,412mm-long Lotus where every millimetre counts, the Emira is more likely to mirror the Ferrari 296 GTB and McLaren Artura by shoehorning an electric motor generator between the engine and transmission, boosting power and harvesting some energy for a modest battery. There's no word yet on which of the Mercedes-AMG-sourced turbocharged 2.0-litre or Toyota-supplied 3.5-litre V6 could get the hybrid treatment. The very different characters of the four-pot and V6 make for the key customer choice at the moment, because both SE models pack 400bhp. Why, we asked Matt Windle? Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below 'We didn't want to derate any of the power,' grins the sports car boss. 'We could have done that but the main driver for the engines was gearbox application, [not] power.' The four-pot comes with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for ultra-fast changes (and the fastest 0-62mph time of 4 four seconds flat), whereas the slightly slower V6 comes with a manual or six-speed torque converter. The Emira is available in GT4 racing spec, with more power from the V6, a sequential racing 'box and enhanced aero. Is this a template for stripped out, roadgoing Emiras following the blueprint of Porsche's 718 Cayman GT4? 'We're pretty much at the power we can be on those engines,' counters Windle – until the hybrid comes on stream. An open-top version is likely to filter through in time: the chassis was developed with sufficient stiffness for a spider version, like the classic Elise. An open Emira would sell well in the vital US market, where Chinese imports of the Eletre SUV and Emeya saloon are non-starters due to tariff barriers. Given that sister brand Volvo has a factory in South Carolina, could Lotus use it to assemble the big EVs in the States? 'At the moment, there are no plans for production over there,' says the European boss. Tell us which new car you're interested in and get the very best offers from our network of over 5,500 UK dealers to compare. Let's go… Find a car with the experts New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date The upcoming, all-electric Volvo XC60 alternative is designed to 'keep learning and evolve with time' BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal Octopus' 'Power Pack Bundle' includes a leased BYD, a wallbox charger and charging all for less than £300 per month New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels The new Skoda Epic will sit below the Elroq and Enyaq in the brand's ever-expanding SUV range and is set to offer plenty of space despite its compact …
