Description

We’ve been driving one of the most eagerly awaited cars of 2016, yes that’s right, the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Not only does it look sensational, but it’s going to be tough competition for the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Jaguar XE and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Read our verdict – you really can’t miss it. We’ve also been behind the wheel of the most powerful diesel SUV on sale right now, the Audi SQ7, and tested the Ford Edge, Fiat Tipo and facelifted Audi A3 Sportback. Peugeot’s 2008 has been updated, too, and we get behind the wheel of the French firm’s revised baby crossover. Finally, we’ve been driving the Audi A4 Avant and Range Rover Evoque Convertible on UK soil.

Volkwagen’s Touran goes head-to-head with the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso, and for the first time on UK roads, we’ve tested the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé. Nissan’s NP300 Navara is driven, too, and we put the entry-level Jaguar XF 2.0D with manual gearbox through its paces. This month’s reader’s car is a Rover P4 fitted with a Land Rover diesel engine, and we take a look at the insurance implications of autonomous cars. Our used car buyer’s guide features the Mercedes-Benz A 180 CDI and in our EcoCar section, we wave goodbye to our long-term Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – find out what we thought of it – and test the Suzuki Baleno in mild hybrid guise.

Tested:

• Alfa Romeo Giulia Super 2.2 MultiJet 180 Automatic
• Audi A3 Sportback S line 1.6 TDI DSG Automatic
• Audi A4 Avant S line 2.0 TDI (190) Automatic
• Audi SQ7 4.0 TDI quattro
• Citroen Grand C4 Picasso Exclusive+ 1.6 BlueHDi 120
• Fiat Tipo Luxury Specification 1.6 MultiJet
• Ford Edge Sport 2.0 TDCi Automatic
• Jaguar XF Prestige 2.0D Manual
• Mercedes-Benz C 250 d AMG Line Coupe Automatic
• Nissan NP300 Navara Tekna 2.3 dCi Automatic
• Peugeot 2008 GT-Line BlueHDi 100
• Range Rover Evoque Convertible HSE Luxury 2.0 TD4 Automatic
• Suzuki Baleno 1.2 Dualjet SHVS SZ5
• Volkswagen Touran SE 1.6 TDI (105)

Long-term test reports:

• Audi A4 S line 3.0 V6 TDI (218) quattro Automatic
• Ford S-MAX Titanium Sport 2.0 TDCi (180) AWD PowerShift
• Honda HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC EX
• Kia Sorento KX-3 2.2 CRDi
• MINI Clubman Cooper D
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2.0 MIVEC GX4h
• Renault Captur Dynamique Nav dCi 110
• SEAT Ibiza FR 1.4 TDI 5-door
• Skoda Superb Estate Laurin & Klement 2.0 TDI
• Volvo V60 Cross Country D3 Lux Nav Geartronic Automatic

Feature:

• Autonomous Driving – the insurance implications
• Reader’s drives – Rover P4 2.0 Diesel
• How safe are the Euro NCAP ratings

Used Car Buyer’s Guide:

• Mercedes-Benz A 180 CDI (2012-onwards)