Hatchback

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

Golf

britains-most-popular-paint-colour-revealed

More UK buyers chose grey as the colour for their new car than any other in 2019. That's according to new data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which also reveals that black was the second most-popular choice, followed by white, blue and red.In total, more than 521,000 cars were painted grey in the past year – that's more than a fifth of all new cars. Grey was also the UK's favourite choice in 2018, having usurped black and white, which had alternated as the most popular colour since 2009. And although grey was the UK's top colour in 2019 as a whole, in Scotland the preference was for white.The car most likely to be painted grey was the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf</a> family hatchback, which ended 2019 as the UK's second most-popular new car behind the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, with close to 60,000 models sold. The majority of Fiesta buyers chose to paint their cars blue.Rounding out the top 10 most popular hue choices over the last year were green, bronze and yellow, with each colouring less than 1% of the new car market. In fact, yellow cars made up just 0.3% of the market, with just 6566 owners choosing that colour for their new car. The most likely model to be painted yellow was the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/vitara/4x4/review/n76">Suzuki Vitara</a> small SUV.The least popular choices of car colour over the past year were maroon, cream and pink.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h3>The UK's best-selling cars of 2019</h3>So grey was the UK's most popular new car colour in 2019, but which cars were among last year's big winners? Below we look at the 10 most popular cars leaving dealerships in 2019. As always, you can find out more about each model by following the links to our reviews, and see how much we can save you with our Target Price discounts.<h3>10. Kia Sportage</h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/kia/sportage/4x4/deals">Save money on a new Kia Sportage with What Car? &gt;&gt;</a>

The Sportage is a versatile family SUV that represents great value for money, especially if you stick with the lower trim levels. It also has decent space for rear passengers and in the boot, which means it can haul your family and all their luggage in comfort. Add in that resale values are also decent and it's thoroughly recommendable.2019 sales 34,502What Car? rating: Rated 3 out of 5<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Read our full Kia Sportage review &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3>9. Volkswagen Polo</h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/deals">Save money on a new Volkswagen Polo with What Car? &gt;&gt;</a>

The Polo is our champion in the small car class, and it's easy to see why. Not only is it deceptively spacious, but it's quiet on the move, has a supple ride and is offered with a range of peppy engines. It genuinely feels like a car from the class above, and while it can be a tad pricey, our Target Price deals means that need not be a problem.2019 sales 37,453What Car? rating: Rated 5 out of 5<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Read our full Volkswagen Polo review &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3>8. Mini 3dr/5dr</h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mini/hatchback/hatchback/deals">Save money on a new Mini hatchback with What Car? &gt;&gt;</a>

The Mini hatchback consistently appears on this list, and we like its low running costs and strong resale values. It's great to drive, although it's not as practical as some rival small cars. Go with a Cooper Classic model for the best experience while also keeping costs sensible.2019 sales 41,188What Car? rating: Rated 4 out of 5<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/review/n17237">Read our full Mini hatchback review &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-popular-cars/n14756">Next: more of 2019's best-selling new cars &gt;&gt;</a></h2>Page 1 of 4

VOLKSWAGEN

GOLF

Britain's most popular paint colour revealed

Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.

The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.

At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.

Subaru

Forester

subarus-driver-monitoring-system-wins-the-2020-what-car-technology-award

The Subaru driver monitoring system, which made its debut in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/subaru/forester/4x4/review/n17305">Forester</a> e-Boxer hybrid in 2019, was chosen as the best new car technology for 2020 because it’s the type of tech that will play a vital role in the changing the relationship between motorists and their vehicles as greater autonomy is introduced.It consists of a dashboard-mounted camera and infrared sensor, which use facial recognition software to monitor the driver’s eye movements. The system detects if the driver tries to use a handheld mobile phone, if their gaze is wandering off the road ahead or if they are falling asleep. In each instance, it sounds a warning alert, telling the driver to pay attention to the road ahead; if this is ignored, it sounds louder warnings. The camera technology monitors the driver without recording or storing any footage.

Thatcham Research sponsored the category for the first time this year to highlight its support for the safe and responsible introduction of new forms of automotive technology. Thatcham Research’s director of research, Matthew Avery, played a key role on the judging panel.He said: “Subaru’s driver monitoring system is by far the best example we’ve seen in 2019. About 27% of all fatalities are due to a driver being distracted and this system addresses that problem. It’s the sort of technology that will make a difference to the number of distracted-driving crashes on our roads due to things like mobile phone use.”“And with so many of today’s emerging vehicle innovations focused on the car’s ability to take control in certain situations, we felt it was important to honour ‘guardian angel’ technology that places driver awareness at the heart of the conversation.”

Three other pieces of technology were also highly commended by the judges: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai">Hyundai’s</a> Centre Side Airbag. Jaguar Land Rover's ultra-wide band radio technology and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW’s</a> Drive Recorder system.The centre-console airbag expands into the space between driver and front seat passenger in the event of a side impact, reducing the potential for head injuries in front seat occupants.The ultra-wide band radio technology makes Jaguar Land Rover cars fitted with it far more difficult for thieves to steal using electronic devices. It transmits the codes needed to unlock the car's doors and start its engine over a wide range of frequencies, preventing thieves using transmitters and relay devices from capturing the signals. The Drive Recorder saves video footage before, during and after a collision, providing drivers with video evidence of an incident and helping them to refute bogus claims.<hr /><h3>Car technology of the future</h3>It’s predicted that cars will change more in the next five to 10 years than they have over the past 50. The driving forces behind the changes are improving road safety, lowering emissions and taking some of the stress out of driving. Some advances will be tied in with the increased uptake of electric cars, but the biggest influences will be automated driving technologies and connectedness. These are set to transform the whole driving experience.  Safety testing body Euro NCAP is pushing ahead with its Vision Zero ambition to stop people from dying on the road. In doing so, it has set out a timeline for 2020-2025 of when it will start testing a range of new technologies.

From 2020, it will test automatic emergency steering, driver monitoring systems and automatic emergency braking systems that work at junctions and when you’re reversing out of a parking space. You should find these technologies on the latest models by then, because they’ll be necessary to gain Euro NCAP’s full five-star safety rating, an accolade that every mainstream car maker strives for. Cars won’t only be able to protect people from harm; they’ll also be capable of giving you lots of useful, real-time information. For example, you’ll be able to ask the car to find you a restaurant, reserve you a parking spot nearby and then give you directions to get there. And if your car is driving autonomously, it could even project a three-dimensional digital avatar to keep you company.

More than half of the cars in the world are already connected to the internet, and future vehicles will also communicate with each other, road infrastructure, intelligent junctions and smart street lamps in a network known as the Internet of Things. Your car will be able to use all the information these upload to give you advance warning of any potential hazards or hold-ups along your chosen route.  <hr /><h3>Safety-enhancing systems </h3>1. Virtual door mirrorsInstead of mirrors, there’s a camera on each side of the car that sends live footage to screens in the corners of the dashboard or in the doors. These cameras generate less wind noise and aerodynamic drag (important for the range of electric cars), minimise blindspots and provide a clearer view in poor weather conditions. The cameras automatically alter their view to cope with motorway driving, cornering and parking, and if the screens are touch-sensitive, the driver can use his or her fingers to zoom in to see specific areas in more detail.

When can I have them? Lexus became the first to use this technology in late 2018 on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/es/saloon/review/n17336">ES executive saloon</a>. However, it offers this only in Japan, so our first taste came with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/e-tron/estate/review/n18397">Audi E-tron</a> electric SUV, which began offering virtual door mirrors this July as a £1250 option. They’re standard on Honda’s upcoming electric city car, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-honda-e-review-price-specs-and-release-date/n19682">the E</a>, which will arrive early next year.<hr />2. Digital rear-view mirrorAt the flick of a switch, the rear-view mirror can be turned into a high-definition screen showing an extra-wide (50deg) view of the road behind. This eliminates the usual blindspots and the problem of the driver being unable to see properly past tall passengers in the back. Furthermore, a digital rear-view mirror provides better visibility in low light than a conventional mirror and is angled so that reflections don’t adversely affect your view. When can I have it? Although digital rear-view mirrors started appearing on concept cars  many years ago, they didn’t hit the market until 2016, on the Cadillac CT6 luxury saloon. Mainstream availability came only recently, through Jaguar Land Rover’s second-generation Range Rover Evoque and facelifted Jaguar XE. <h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-technology-of-the-future/n20253">Next: more future car technologies &gt;</a> </h2>Page 1 of 4

SUBARU

FORESTER

Subaru’s driver monitoring system wins the 2020 What Car? Technology Award

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Our Technology Award celebrates innovation in any form</li> <li>This year, we put a particular focus on technology that makes driving easier and safer</li> <li>Manufacturers were invited to pitch their innovations from the past year</li> <li>Our panel of expert judges then chose the technology that they believe will create the greatest benefit</li></ul>

Technology Award

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

Volvo

XC60

how-much-will-it-cost-to-take-my-car-to-france

In a few months, I will be moving to Burgundy in France and I am aware that I will have to pay an excessive fee to register a UK vehicle in France.Is there a website where I can enter various vehicles details and get a price? I just want to find out the size of the expected financial outlay before I purchase a vehicle in this country.The car I’m thinking of buying is a 2018 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc60/estate/review/n17339">Volvo XC60</a> 2.0 D5 AWD Geartronic with 10,000 miles; the price of the car is £29,995. Andrew Nuttall<h3>What Car? says…</h3>The car tax system in France operates differently from that in the UK. Instead of paying car tax every year, in France you pay a lump sum when you first register a car, and if you want to bring a car in from another country you need to pay tax to register it and obtain a carte grise or grey card for it. The official site for getting a carte grise is the <a href="https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&amp;sl=fr&amp;u=https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N367&amp;prev=search">French Public Service site</a>. You can also use an <a href="https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&amp;sl=fr&amp;u=http://www.ma-carte-grise.com">online carte grise cost website</a> to find out the cost of registering your car. Using this online look-up we obtained a price of €663 to get a carte grise for your car. This will give you a new French registration document for it and a new French registration number.It's important to note that you're unlikely to be able to register your car in France unless you are moving there permanently. If you'll be there for six months or less you don't need to get a carte grise, you can simply drive your car with its UK number plate.<ul><li> <h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">Save money on a new car with What Car?</a></h3> </li></ul><hr /><h2>Taking your car abroad: tips for driving in Europe</h2>

Driving your car through mainland Europe gives you the opportunity to really explore the countries you pass through. It also means you won’t have to spend hours in crowded airports and ensures you’ll be able to get around once you get to your destination.However, there’s a lot to think about before you set off. In addition to getting your car serviced and its tyres, wipers and fluids checked before you go, you’ll need to think about a number of other areas. Does your car insurance and breakdown policy cover you outside of the UK? Do you need to modify your car and do you need to stock up on specific equipment to take with you so you stay legal? And do you have the money to cover fuel and toll-road charges?Follow our top tips to make your driving trip a journey to remember for all the right reasons.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/taking-your-car-abroad-tips-for-driving-in-europe/n17909#2">Next: see more of our tips on driving abroad &gt;</a></h2>

VOLVO

How much will it cost to take my car to France?

new-drivers-could-be-banned-from-driving-at-night

New drivers could face restrictions on how long they must learn for before taking their driving test and when they can drive after passing it.That's according to proposals due to be unveiled later this week by the Government as part of a renewed focus on road safety. Currently, one in five new drivers has a crash in the first year after passing their test.Among the plans due to be proposed are restrictions on the ages of passengers who can be carried in a new driver's car, as well as a ban on driving at night and a minimum learning period before taking the driving test. It is unclear how long any restrictions placed on drivers after passing their tests would be in place.The Government has said it will consult on any changes to new driver legislation before they happen, but the end result could be the introduction of a graduated driving licence.Such licences already exist in other countries, including parts of New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and the US. The New Zealand driving test is one of the toughest around, with drivers facing three stages of graduation before being awarded a full licence.

Currently, new drivers in the UK can have their licences revoked if they amass six penalty points during their first two years of driving – the equivalent to being caught using a mobile phone while driving or two speeding offences.Announcing the plans, road safety minister Michael Ellis said: "Getting a driving licence is exciting for young people, but it can also be daunting, as you’re allowed to drive on your own for the first time."We want to explore in greater detail how graduated driver licensing, or aspects of it, can help new drivers to stay safe and reduce the number of people killed or injured on our roads."Previously, the Government has been wary of introducing restrictions on new drivers over fears that they could limit the ability of drivers to carry out work such as shift jobs.In 2013, a Department for Transport research document into graduated driving licenses concluded that such measures would be effective in reducing accidents among new drivers. It was estimated at the time that a graduated driving license scheme save 4471 casualties and £224 million annually. Since that report only took into account drivers aged 17 to 19, it concluded that "a system that applied to all new drivers would be expected to achieve even greater casualty and cost savings".<h3>Industry reaction</h3>Several motoring organisations have supported the Government's plans, with director of the IAM Roadsmart charity Neil Greig saying: "We strongly support many of the key components of a successful graduated driving licence scheme, in particular the 12-month minimum learning period, which will ensure a much wider range of driving experience, but we still need to be convinced that night-time curfews will work and support a pilot scheme first."Meanwhile, the RAC's head of roads policy, Nicholas Lyes, said: "Graduated driver licensing has the benefit of providing a more controlled environment when learning how to drive. However, this must be balanced so it does not disadvantage young drivers who need to use vehicles for night work."AA president Edmund King said: "We have long supported the idea of a mandatory logbook for learner drivers to ensure they gain a wide range of experience driving on different roads and in different conditions, including motorways where possible, before they are behind the wheel on their own."Besides looking at graduated drivers licences, we believe that other measures, such as putting road safety on the national curriculum, would be beneficial to the safety of new and young drivers."However, not everyone is for the proposed measures. Telematics-based insurance provider Insurethebox has called the proposals "ineffective and punitive," saying: "We remain certain that a curfew on young drivers is ‘a sledgehammer to crack a nut’. We have clear evidence that engaging with young drivers to help them understand the risks of poor driving, such as speeding, has a direct influence on driving behaviour."If you're looking to buy your first car, read on for our advice and to see our picks for the best cars to choose from.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2>The best cars for new drivers</h2>Buying your first car is an exciting experience, and the good news is that there are some excellent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">new cars on sale</a> today that fit the bill for new and young drivers.Finding the right first car is still a challenge, though. The options may be plentiful, but there are a lot of things that could make a big difference in how much it will cost to own.<h3>Insuring your first car</h3>Crucially, a first car has to be cheap to insure. Drivers with little or no experience behind the wheel are much more likely to be involved in an accident than older motorists who have racked up miles.Insurance costs can be crippling, which is why it makes sense to go for a first car in one of the lowest insurance groups possible. UK insurance groups range from 1 (lowest) to 50 (highest), and a first car should be in single figures, ideally in group 5 or lower.Small hatchbacks make the best first cars; they don't need a big engine, so are generally much cheaper to buy, run and insure than larger models, such as SUVs.In addition, younger drivers looking to buy their first car typically do not need the space of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-and-worst-family-cars-2018/n16996">large family hatchback</a>, so smaller cars make more sense. They’re easier to park and manoeuvre, which makes all the difference when you’re learning to drive or have recently passed your test.<h3>First car fuel economy</h3>Most modern small cars that have petrol engines with capacities of 1.6 litres or less have official fuel economy figures in the region of 60mpg, which is handy for young drivers. The exact figures vary depending on the car, but even so, don’t expect to match the manufacturer’s official figure. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/truempg/my-true-mpg">What Car?’s True MPG tests</a> can give you a better idea of what to expect in real-world driving conditions.If you're on a tight budget for your first car, the temptation is often to go for the cheapest used example you can find. While these may be inexpensive to buy, bangers will almost certainly be more expensive to run and many won't have the safety features of modern cars, such as <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">automatic emergency braking (AEB)</a>, which is a concern.<h3>First car leasing options</h3>Buying or leasing your first car via a finance package is generally a much better method. It depends on your individual circumstances and eligibility for credit, but there are some excellent deals to be had and it’s possible to arrange monthly payments of around <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-cars-for-less-than-pound200-per-month/n14731">£200 per month</a> for some of the cars on our list – and even less in some cases.If you're looking for the cheapest leasing deals, visit <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? leasing</a> to find a range of affordable finance packages.Below and over the next few pages, we'll reveal our picks for the best cars for new or young drivers.<h3>10. Kia Rio</h3>

The Rio isn't the best small car to drive, but it's comes with a lot of equipment, making it good value for money, and it's roomy enough inside for four adults to travel in comfort and stow their baggage in the boot.<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/rio/hatchback/review/n17367">Read our full Kia Rio review &gt;</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/kia/rio/hatchback/deals">See how much you could save on a Kia Rio &gt;</a></h3><hr /><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-first-cars-for-new-drivers-2019/n14101">Next: more of the best cars for young drivers &gt;</a></h2>Page 1 of 4

Chris Daniels

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Britain's most popular paint colour revealed

Subaru’s driver monitoring system wins the 2020 What Car? Technology Award

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New drivers could be banned from driving at night

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