Estate

Hatchback

Saloon

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

Korean brand Hyundai is a rival to mainstream car makers such as Skoda, Toyota and Volkswagen. However, it's also increasingly taking on premium alternatives&nbsp;– particularly with its electric cars.

At the extremes of the Hyundai line-up you find the tiny i10 city car and the huge Ioniq 9 electric SUV. Meanwhile, other highlights of its line-up include two recent What Car? Awards winners: the seven-seat Santa fe SUV and the Ioniq 5 N hot hatch.

As a bonus, all Hyundais come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas many&nbsp;rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

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

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

3008

5 SERIES

ARTEON

CR-V hybrid

DISCOVERY

ELROQ

FOCUS

GOLF

KODIAQ

MONDEO

MULTIVAN

OCTAVIA

PASSAT

QASHQAI

SORENTO

SUPERB

TUCSON

XC60

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tow-car-awards-overall-winner

Kerb weight 1854kg 85% match 1576kg Max towing weight 2400kg Towball limit 100kgMake a list of the qualities you look for in a tow car. The chances are the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kodiaq/estate/review/n17362">Skoda Kodiaq</a> possesses most or all of them.First and foremost, it ticks all the right boxes while towing. It’s very stable at the legal limit. However hard our drivers pushed it at the test track, they never had a nervous moment. And if you do run into trouble, the Kodiaq is on your side. In the emergency lane change tests, it was reassuring and controlled. Some cars cope with the first two speeds but start to feel ragged on the fastest run, but not the Kodiaq. The final manoeuvre was no more dramatic than the first.

Diesel power may be on the decline, but it remains popular with caravanners. It’s easy to see why when an engine pulls as strongly as the Kodiaq’s. Yes, there are plenty of quicker cars, but the Kodiaq has enough poke for nipping past dawdling traffic.Four-wheel drive is another feature many of us look for in a tow car. It’s not something you can take for granted, even when buying a large SUV, but this version of the Kodiaq sends power to all four wheels. It helps with hill starts and when pulling away from a grass pitch. Knowing that the car is a 4x4 gives the driver confidence while towing in bad weather, too.In daily use, the Kodiaq may not be quite as polished as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>, but it’s still good to drive, while providing a comfy ride for all occupants, with those in the front and second rows in particular enjoying loads of space.

The driving position is spot on and – joy of joys – there are physical controls for the likes of the air-con, as well as a large and responsive infotainment touchscreen.Every one of this year’s category winners is a great car, but the Kodiaq surpasses them all. It can tow heavier 'vans than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat/estate/review/n29">Volkswagen Passat</a>, and while the X5 is wonderful, the Kodiaq is 90% of the car for 60% of the money. No other winner can claim a more complete range of talents than the brilliant Kodiaq.Our ratingsTowing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 4/5 Buying and owning 5/5 Overall 5/5<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Tow Car Awards 2025: Best Tow Car

Tow Car Awards: Overall winner

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

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tow-car-awards-money-no-object

Kerb weight 2810kg 85% match 2389kg Max towing weight 3000kg Towball limit 120kgThe <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-sport/4x4/review/n74">Range Rover Sport</a> is a superb tow car; if you have the means, you can’t buy better.More specifically, the P550e <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> version we tested delivers effortless performance, thanks to the combined might of its smooth, 542bhp petrol engine and whisper-quiet electric motor.

The 30-60mph time is only just behind that of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>. And when it comes to stability, the Range Rover Sport is as good as it gets; in an emergency lane-change or at speed, it keeps the caravan firmly under control.As a bonus, in everyday driving, the P550e has an electric range of up to 70.8 miles and delivers crisp cornering without compromising comfort.Our ratingsTowing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 4/5 Buying and owning 4/5 Overall 5/5<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Tow Car Awards 2025: Money no object

Tow Car Awards: Money no object

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £70,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.

The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.

Luxury SUV

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tow-car-awards-electric-car-1201kg-towing-capacity

Kerb weight 2664kg 85% match 2264kg Max towing weight 2500kg Towball limit 125kgIt will take something really special to displace the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/ev9/estate/review/n26277">Kia EV9</a> as our favourite heavyweight electric tow car.This seven-seat <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/suvs/n26176">SUV</a> – which also won the sole <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> category last year – makes the scales groan with a kerb weight of 2664kg. That gives an 85% match figure heavier than just about any caravan. What’s more, the EV9’s towing capacity of 2500kg isn’t restrictive.

With 378bhp and a colossal 516lb ft of torque, the EV9 towed a fully loaded twin-axle caravan from 30-60mph in just 5.3sec. Don’t ever leave the caravan’s handbrake on, because you probably won’t notice.As well as being planted at high speeds, the EV9 felt just as secure in the faster lane change runs as the slower ones. Hill starts were quiet and seemingly effortless, and the four-wheel-drive EV9 should cope well with wet weather.In everyday use, the EV9’s size can be intimidating around town, although good  all-round visibility helps. The suspension delivers a comfortable ride, but the EV9 isn’t as rewarding to drive as the rival <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/ix/4x4/review/n23569">BMW iX</a>, even with all its power and performance.Still, that’s unlikely to put you off if you’re in the market for a roomy and practical seven-seat SUV. There’s lots of space in all three rows, and plenty of air vents, USB ports and cupholders.

The boot is a reasonable size with every seat occupied, and huge if the third row is folded away. However, the EV9 loses a few points due to an awkwardly positioned 13-pin electric socket and breakaway attachment.Officially, the EV9 AWD can travel for up to 316 miles between charges, but the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/range-test-how-far-can-electric-cars-really-go/n24836">real-world range</a> when towing is likely to be half that. Any electric car owner towing a caravan will find recharging less convenient than while driving solo, because the majority of charging bays don’t have room for both car and caravan. However, if you’re determined to go electric, the EV9 is the tow car for the job.Our ratingsTowing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 4/5 Buying and owning 4/5 Overall 5/5<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Tow Car Awards 2025: Electric car (1201kg+ towing capacity)

Tow Car Awards: Electric car 1201kg+ towing capacity

This class is all about SUVs that run purely on electricity. No petrol, no diesel and not even any hybrid technology.

Relatively low-cost options include the MG ZS EV, but you can easily spend three times as much on more luxurious alternatives, such as the BMW iX.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Electric SUV

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tow-car-awards-electric-car-up-to-1200kg-towing-capacity

Kerb weight 2119kg 85% match na Max towing weight 1000kg Towball limit 75kgThe <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/elroq/estate/review/n27301">Skoda Elroq</a> may be relatively small, but the weight of the battery makes it surprisingly heavy. That heft contributes to exemplary stability while towing a small caravan, with not so much as a twitch at 60mph, or even 70mph at the test track. The emergency lane change test was equally fuss-free; the Elroq changed direction quickly and neatly, and the caravan followed it.Pulling such a light caravan is easy with 282bhp from the Elroq’s electric motor. Accelerating from 30-60mph takes just 5.4sec, so there’s performance to spare. Hill starts are similarly painless, with no sign of strain.

The Elroq stops as well as it goes, needing just 9.6m to bring itself and the caravan to a halt. That’s one of the shortest distances recorded in this year’s tests.For now, all versions of the Elroq are rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive will be available later, but we didn’t miss it in dry weather. A higher towing capacity would be handy, though; our tests suggest the car could pull a heavier load.As a car to live with between caravan holidays, the Elroq is talented. It’s good to drive yet rides comfortably, and despite its two-tonne kerb weight, it feels quite nimble through corners. While there are quicker <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUVs</a>, we can’t see many buyers feeling short-changed by the Elroq’s performance.The official range is 355 miles for the range-topping 85 Edition model, which has a battery with a 77kWh usable capacity. Even if the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/range-test-how-far-can-electric-cars-really-go/n24836">real-world range</a> will be less, especially in winter, that’s still an impressive distance. Reckon on around half that range while towing.

Inside, the Elroq has plenty of room for people although a bigger boot would be useful when touring. The net under the parcel shelf for charging cables is a clever touch that helps to make the most of the available space.Go for 85 Edition trim and the price of the Elroq is under £40,000, which avoids the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-the-expensive-car-road-tax-supplement-luxury-car-tax-explained/n27431">road tax surcharge for more expensive cars</a>.Our ratingsTowing 4/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 3/5 Buying and owning 5/5 Overall 4/5<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Tow Car Awards 2025: Electric car (up to 1200kg towing capacity)

Tow Car Awards: Electric car up to 1200kg towing capacity

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tow-car-awards-2000kg

Land Rover

Range Rover Sport

Kerb weight 2495kg 85% match 2121kg Max towing weight 2700kg Towball limit 140kgIf you need a large and heavy tow car, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a> continues to set the standard. It’s very quick, super-stable and impressively practical.The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> X5 posted both the quickest 30-60mph time (5.1sec) and the shortest stopping distance (9.1m) of any car tested this year. Performance doesn’t drop off once the battery runs low, either.

As for stability while towing, the X5 was unflustered at all of our test speeds and made emergency lane changes without any hesitation or nervousness. Hill starts? The X5 laughed in the face of not only our one-in-six gradient but also the one-in-four slope next door.On the practicality front, we found room for almost all of our holiday luggage, and run-flat tyres mean you can keep going after a puncture, albeit at a restricted speed. The X5’s excellent rear-view camera is useful when hitching up, and adaptive air suspension keeps the car level even when the boot is heavily loaded.As a day-to-day car, the X5 can be sporty or comfortable, depending on the driving mode chosen. To get the best from the version we tested, it pays to have a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-home-ev-chargers/n25830">charging point at home</a>. The official electric range is up to 62 miles; even if that’s optimistic in real-world use, you’ll still be able to complete many shorter journeys without using any petrol.

Inside, the X5 is as luxurious as you’d expect from a car at this price point. The twin-screen dashboard looks stunning, and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment system</a> is easy to use without distraction. There’s plenty of space front and rear, although you can’t add a third row of seats in the plug-in hybrid model.While the X5 is a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">luxury car</a> with a price to match, it’s sensibly priced compared with the rival <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-sport/4x4/review/n74">Range Rover Sport</a>. Thanks to low emissions and that long electric range, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-company-cars/n22605">company car</a> drivers face modest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/company-car-tax-guide/n9352">benefit-in-kind tax</a> bills compared with running a petrol or diesel SUV of similar cost and performance.Our ratingsTowing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 4/5 Buying and owning 4/5 Overall 5/5<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Tow Car Awards 2025: 2000kg+

Tow Car Awards: 2000kg+

Tow cars

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Running costs that won’t break the bank </li> <li>Generous kit</li> <li>Pokey engine and tidy handling</li> <li>Spacious interior</li> <li>Boot big enough to cope with family life</li></ul>

The car-buying public has fallen in love with small SUVs, or crossovers as they’re often called, with thousands turning away from conventional hatchbacks in favour of something that rides that little bit higher.

Small SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.

As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.

&nbsp;

Family SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement.

A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

Large SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.

The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes.

Executive

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.

Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.

But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

Family

Everything you need to know if you tow a caravan or trailer, from the best cars for the job to our top tips to make towing easier and safer

tow car

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive, while the closely related Stelvio and smaller Tonale both competes in the booming SUV class.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

Alfa Romeo

Audi

In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.

The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and sonorous V8 engine.

Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur&nbsp;saloon&nbsp;and the Continental GT coupé and convertible.

Bentley

BYD is one of the biggest names in electric cars globally, but only launched in the UK recently.

Even so, it has a fast-growing dealer network, and it's models - most notably the Tesla Model 3-rivalling Seal - are gaining attention for impressive tech and good driving ranges.

Other BYDs include the MG4-sized Dolphin and Nissan Qashqai-sized Atto 3.

Changan

Chinese brand Chery is, perhaps, the biggest car maker&nbsp;you’ve never heard of; although it only arrived in the UK in 2025, it sells more than 2.5 million cars&nbsp;per year globally.

In addition to models sold under its own name (which comes from the English word ‘cheery’) it owns the Omoda and Jaecoo brands. But while Omoda is targeting&nbsp;younger buyers and Jaecoo is designed to be a more premium offering, Chery itself is very much aimed at families.

All four of the Chery models&nbsp;that are either already on sale in the UK or confirmed to be&nbsp;coming here are SUVs.

Chery

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

Citroen

The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.

Like Abarth, some of Cupra's models including the Ateca and Leon are extensively reworked Seats, but models such as the Born and Formentor are exclusive to Cupra.

Whilst Cupras are closely related to equivalent models from Seat and Volkswagen, they are generally tuned to provide a more engaging driving experience.

CUPRA

If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.

This budget brand builds some of Britain’s cheapest new cars, including the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut, because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.

Other Dacia models include the&nbsp;higher-riding Sandero Stepway, seven-seat Jogger, and rugged Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.

Dacia manages this by borrowing mechanicals and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.

Dacia

DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the Stellantis group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

The first DS models were essentially rebadged Citroëns, but more recently its cars are now standalone models in their own right. Yet under the skin, they're still very closely related.

Its models are&nbsp;influenced by the French fashion industry and are designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

DS AUTOMOBILES

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

Fiat

Ford

Genesis

Honda

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

Hyundai

INEOS

Offering a more premium feel than its Chery and Omoda sister brands, Jaecoo hails from China, but takes its name from the German word ‘Jäger’&nbsp;(meaning hunter) and the English word ‘cool’.

Despite its more upmarket positioning, value is key to Jaecoo's appeal, with it offering some very tempting finance deals. However, with its first car, the Jaecoo 7, there is a certain amount of getting what you pay for, because the&nbsp;smart, practical interior is undermined by a poor driving experience.

JAECOO

Jeep only makes SUVs, but it has plenty of them for you to choose from. So, whether you want something rugged enough to ford streams and climb mountains, or a more luxurious and family-friendly car, it has something to suit you.

Despite its all-American image, Jeep is actually owned by Fiat, meaning Jeeps often share parts with cars from the Italian giant; the entry-level Renegade, for example, has plenty in common with Fiat’s 500X.

However, perhaps the most widely recognised Jeep is the Wrangler, a model that has a dedicated fan base and which closely resembles the original Jeep which saw service in World War 2.

The brand’s future plans include new small and large SUVs, plus the introduction of fully electric models.

Jeep

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

Lexus

Do you look at the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and find them all a bit too… common? Well then, Maserati might be up your street.

This Italian car maker has one SUV in its line-up – the Porsche Cayenne-rivalling Levante – but also the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top.

Despite its long history, Maserati has been through several periods of inactivity but is now in better health thanks to being part of the large Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.

In the future, we’re expecting to see Maserati grow its SUV range with new models to sit above and below the Levante, as well as a new range-topping sports car.

Maserati

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

Mazda

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

Mercedes-Benz

One of the most famous names on British roads, MG is owned by Chinese firm SAIC these days and it's slowly beginning to rebuild its model line-up. At present, just two cars are offered: the MG 6, which aims to match cars like the Skoda Octavia on space while beating them on price, and the Ford Fiesta-rivalling MG 3. Both cars look good value for money, but resale values have been an issue, as well as cabin quality and the tax bills created by relatively high CO2 emissions. Things could improve with the arrival of the GS, a Nissan Qashqai-rivalling SUV that will bring a new transmission and new turbocharged petrol engines, as well as a revised diesel motor. It's scheduled to go on sale in 2016 - although it wouldn't be the first MG to have been delayed during the brand's rebirth.

Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.

Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.

The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.

MINI

Nissan

Owned by Chinese giants Chery, the Omoda brand arrived in the UK in 2024, and is intended to appeal to a young audience by offering distinctive designs and lots of in-car tech for affordable prices.

Its first UK car, the Omoda 5, is a family SUV that's available in petrol and electric forms (the latter is badged E5). However, there will also be smaller and larger Omoda models.

Hopefully, these will&nbsp;improve on the 5, which is let down by a fidgety ride and disappointing practicality.

&nbsp;

Omoda

Peugeot

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

Renault

When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.

If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.

Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.

It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.

Rolls-Royce

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

Skoda

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

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

Suzuki

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

Toyota

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

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