Seat Ateca

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Hatchback

Citroën

Peugeot

Renault

Austral

Estate

Audi

Mazda

CX-60

ZS EV

Sportage

Volkswagen

Arteon

Model 1.5 TSI EVO SE&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £31,310&nbsp;| Target Price £26,485 | Saving £4825&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;15.4%

The Seat Ateca is a very appealing <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUV</a>, and that's not just because of its tempting list price.&nbsp;

Behind the wheel, it's one of the sharper cars in its&nbsp;class to drive, with agile&nbsp;handling, precise steering and&nbsp;punchy engines. Our favourite is the 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol unit, which provides the best balance of performance&nbsp;and fuel economy in the line-up.

The Ateca is a very practical SUV, too,&nbsp;with&nbsp;a spacious and flexible interior that offers plenty of space for a family.&nbsp;The boot, for instance,&nbsp;is bigger than that you'll find in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a>, while the cargo area&nbsp;itself is a useful&nbsp;square shape.

To make the most of the Ateca's keen pricing, we recommend going for the entry-level SE version; it comes with plenty of&nbsp;kit as standard, including keyless entry, wireless phone charging and dual-zone climate control.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ateca/estate/review/n111">Seat Ateca review</a>

The biggest new car discount: Seat Ateca

Model 1.2 PureTech 130 Plus&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £23,600 | Target Price £21,253 | Saving £2347&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;9.9%

It may have a raised ride height and sleek roofline, but&nbsp;the Citroën C4 is&nbsp;very well priced – especially with the 128bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine. It's our preferred&nbsp;option for the C4&nbsp;because it pulls strongly from low and high speeds, which makes it ideal for driving on the motorway. Official fuel economy is also&nbsp;good at 50mpg on the combined cycle.

Despite 'You' trim being well&nbsp;equipped for the money, we think it's worth stepping up to Plus trim. It's the cheapest way to get&nbsp;our favourite C4&nbsp; engine&nbsp;and&nbsp;it gives you useful features such as&nbsp;built-in sat-nav, a head-up display and a rear-view camera as standard.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c4/hatchback/review/n22373">Citroën C4&nbsp;review</a>

Citroën C4

Model 1.2 Puretech Allure&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £34,170&nbsp;| Target Price £30,957&nbsp;| Saving £3213&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;9.4%

The Peugeot 508 is one of the more stylish <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/executive-cars/n2004">executive cars</a>, plus it has a well-finished interior and plenty&nbsp;safety and convenience kit.&nbsp;The&nbsp;129bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine should be decently frugal on paper, but it’s likely to need working hard to get up to motorway speeds quickly.

More positively, the 508 has&nbsp;a large hatchback opening, which makes it very easy for loading large&nbsp;items into the boot. Allure trim is also fairly well equipped, and includes a 12.3in digital driver's display and&nbsp;adaptive LED headlights as standard.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/508/hatchback/review/n17284">Peugeot 508&nbsp;review</a>

Peugeot 508

Model E-Tech FHEV Techno&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £34,695&nbsp;| Target Price £31,825&nbsp;| Saving £2870&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;8.3%

When it comes to fuel economy, it's difficult not to be impressed by&nbsp;the hybrid-powered Renault Austral. Officially, it can&nbsp;achieve&nbsp;60.1mpg on the combined cycle, which is more than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/zr-v/estate/review/n25858">Honda ZR-V</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a>. While that figure doesn't fully translate in the real world, it still managed a frugal&nbsp;49.4mpg on&nbsp;our fuel efficiency test route, which is&nbsp;better than&nbsp;the 45.2mpg we got from the ZR-V.

While we also like the Austral's smart interior and sliding rear seats, it's worth noting that the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a> beats&nbsp;it in many other key areas, including&nbsp;comfort,&nbsp;quality and boot space.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/austral/hatchback/review/n25066">Renault Austral&nbsp;review</a>

Renault Austral

Model 50 TFSIe Quattro Sport&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £60,970&nbsp;| Target Price £56,159&nbsp;| Saving £4811&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;7.9%

Plug-in hybrid&nbsp;versions of the Audi A6 Avant mix space with green credentials, with this version officially being able to cover 39 miles on electric power alone. That's fairly competitive by class standards, although the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/estate/review/n17209">Mercedes E-Class Estate</a> E300e can travel significantly&nbsp;farther officially (69 miles).

The A6 does win back some points when it comes to interior quality, though, because it feels solid and built to last. It also comes&nbsp;with lots of&nbsp;useful&nbsp;technology, including&nbsp;Audi's&nbsp;intuitive 'Virtual Cockpit' system. It's one of the better digital driver's displays&nbsp;out there,&nbsp;and offers plenty&nbsp;options for customising&nbsp;the content and&nbsp;layout.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6/estate/review/n17864">Audi A6 Avant&nbsp;review</a>

Audi A6

Model 3.3d 200 Exclusive-Line&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £45,310&nbsp;| Target Price £42,269&nbsp;| Saving £3041&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;6.7%

The 197bhp 3.3-litre diesel engine that powers the Mazda CX-60&nbsp;pulls well from low revs and promises 56.5mpg fuel economy, according to official figures. However, it doesn't ride or handle&nbsp;as well as some of its&nbsp;key rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc60/estate/review/n17339">Volvo XC60</a>.

Being the flagship SUV in the Mazda&nbsp;line-up, the CX-60 has&nbsp;a&nbsp;smart interior. In fact, we especially&nbsp;like its eclectic mix of&nbsp;materials, plus the fact it comes with a long list of standard kit. This entry-level&nbsp;Exclusive-Line trim, for example,&nbsp;comes with heated leather seats, a&nbsp;powered tailgate and a head-up display.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-60/estate/review/n24505">Mazda CX-60&nbsp;review</a>

Mazda CX-60

Model SE EV&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £32,995&nbsp;| Target Price&nbsp;£30,936&nbsp;| Saving £2059&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;6.2%

Our discount on what is already one of the cheapest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUVs</a> around makes the MG ZS EV very tempting. Aside from a low price, the ZS impresses with a practical interior and, in 49kWh form, an official range of up to 198 miles. If you want a longer official range&nbsp;than that, there's&nbsp;the Long Range version which can travel&nbsp;273 miles.

Despite its keen&nbsp;pricing, the ZS EV is very&nbsp;well equipped;&nbsp;the entry-level SE version comes with&nbsp;keyless entry,&nbsp;adaptive cruise control, automatic LED lights and a leather-trimmed steering wheel as standard. It's not all perfect, though, because it's&nbsp;not as good to drive as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/hashtag-1/hatchback/review/n25016">Smart #1</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/ex30/estate/review/n26262">Volvo EX30</a>.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs/hatchback/review/n20171">MG ZS EV&nbsp;review</a>

MG ZS EV

Model 1.6 T GDi 157 3&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £32,875&nbsp;| Target Price £30,884&nbsp;| Saving £1991&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;6.1%

The Kia Sportage&nbsp;is our favourite <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUV</a>, with this version utilising a 1.6-litre&nbsp;petrol engine and a manual gearbox for keeping buying and running costs low. Its smart-looking interior is practical and comfortable, too, and the '3' trim is the sweet spot in the range when it comes to&nbsp;standard kit.&nbsp;

The Sportage&nbsp;continues to impresses in the practicality department, because it offers enough&nbsp;head, leg and elbow room to make two tall adults comfortable in the back. The boot is also a generous size, with this&nbsp;entry-level petrol version getting 591 litres of space, which is more&nbsp;than&nbsp;the hybrid versions of the Sportage, as well as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/austral/hatchback/review/n25066">Renault&nbsp;Austral</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/karoq/estate/review/n118">Skoda Karoq</a>.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage review</a>

Kia Sportage

Model 2.0 TSI 190 Elegance&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £44,270&nbsp;| Target Price £41,705&nbsp;| Saving £2565&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;5.8%

Although Elegance is the entry-level trim, the&nbsp;sleek Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake comes with everything you’ll need, including adaptive cruise control and heated front seats. The smart-looking interior is spacious and well equipped, too, while the 2.0-litre petrol engine in this version is punchy and promises to return around 40mpg.

Being an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/estate-cars/n16998">estate car</a>,&nbsp;the Arteon also has a big boot; it offers up to&nbsp;590 litres of space, which is&nbsp;easily enough for a couple of golf bags or your family's holiday luggage. It is a shame&nbsp;the seats only fold in a 60/40 configuration, though, as opposed to the 40/20/40 split found in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/estate/review/n34">BMW 5 Series Touring</a>.

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/arteon/estate/review/n22320">Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake&nbsp;review</a>

Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake

Model xDrive30e xLine&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price £56,515&nbsp;| Target Price £53,456&nbsp;| Saving £3059&nbsp;|&nbsp;Percentage discount&nbsp;5.4%

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> version of the BMW X3 doesn’t have a particularly long range, officially managing 30 miles before its 2.0-litre petrol engine joins in, but that could be enough for your commute. Although its boot loses some space to the battery, it can still accept seven carry-on suitcases below the parcel shelf.

xLine trim is fairly well equipped, and&nbsp;includes&nbsp;front sport&nbsp;seats, a sport&nbsp;leather steering wheel, three-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, and more off-road-focused exterior styling (compared with M Sport trim).

Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3 review</a>

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

BMW X3

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

ATECA

If you're worried about negotiating a discount on your next new car, then fear not – our monthly <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-target-price/n1433">Target Price</a> deals are here to help.Target Price is unique to What Car? and represents the most we think you should pay for any given car. Our team spends all day haggling with car makers on your behalf, and the best prices they can achieve are printed online and in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-issue-of-what-car-magazine-on-sale-now/n14341">What Car? magazine</a>.

Most of the dealers on our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a> platform will match Target Price, and if they don't, we'll highlight it to them and to you. In some cases, you could save even more than the Target Price, so it's always worth checking.

Here, we're highlighting the 10 best Target Price savings for March by percentage – so if you're looking to save a bundle on your next car, read on.

If you're worried about negotiating a discount on your next new car, then fear not – our monthly <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-target-price/n1433">Target Price</a> deals are here to help.

Target Price is unique to What Car? and represents the most we think you should pay for any given car. Our team spends all day haggling with car makers on your behalf, and the best prices they can achieve are printed online and in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-issue-of-what-car-magazine-on-sale-now/n14341">What Car? magazine</a>.

Most of the dealers on our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a> platform will match Target Price, and if they don't, we'll highlight it to them and to you. In some cases, you could save even more than the Target Price, so it's always worth checking.Here, we're highlighting the 10 best Target Price savings for March by percentage – so if you're looking to save a bundle on your next car, read on.

Best new car discounts: March 2024

best new car discounts

Want to save big money on your next car? Save more than 15% on the list price with our unique Target Price discounts, available on everything from estate cars to SUVs

Best new car discounts: March 2024        

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 and has performed very well in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey, while the closely related Stelvio competes in the booming SUV class.

Smaller and larger SUVs are planned, as is a two-door coupé version of the Giulia that will take on the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé.

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

Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.

The DB11 grand tourer, for example, won its price point at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, thanks to its beautifully crafted interior and the fact that it’s both fun in the corners and a convincing long-distance cruiser. Meanwhile, the latest Vantage is Aston Martin’s best sports car to date.

The modern Aston Martin isn’t afraid to move with the times, either, with a luxury SUV part of its future model plans.

ASTON MARTIN

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 have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

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 i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

BMW ALPINA

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën 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 small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

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.

There's just one car in the line-up at the moment: the Cupra Ateca SUV. However, Cupra versions of the Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks are also planned, as is a bespoke model which –&nbsp;initially, at least –&nbsp;won't be offered in regular Seat from.

Don't think that the first Cupra is just an Ateca with a bit more power and a sporty bodykit, either. Its&nbsp;engine, gearbox and four-wheel drive system are actually very similar to what you'll find in Volkswagen's flagship Golf R hot hatch, and the car can hit 62mph in just 5.4sec.

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 Britain’s cheapest new cars, 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

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

GENESIS

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

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

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.

Lamborghinis have been adorning bedroom posters since the mid-1960s. Not bad for a company whose origins lie in making tractors.

Today, Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group, and as well as bolstering its core sports car portfolio, it has branched out to launch the Urus – a luxurious SUV that’s a rival to the similarly rapid Bentley Bentayga W12 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

LAMBORGHINI

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

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

Fancy something small, lightweight and fast? Then Lotus possibly has the right car for you. In fact ‘simplify then add lightness’ was the mantra of company founder Colin Chapman as far back as 1952.

These days, Lotus sells four models, with the core of the range being the Elise. Then there’s the more hardcore 3-Eleven, the sporty Exige and the Evora – which is pitched as a rival to the Porsche Cayman.

Big changes are afoot, though, because Lotus plans to build its own SUV in the near future, with the hope of broadening the brand’s appeal to families. The planned car will use Volvo underpinnings and will tackle rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Maserati Levante.

LOTUS

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

MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.

Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.

While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.

MG MOTOR UK

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

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

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

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

Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.

It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.

Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.

On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.

SMART

Ssangyong has made giant strides in recent years, after it was taken over by a new owner and given a injection of investment to help its bid to become a credible car maker.

The result so far is a range of cars dominated by SUVs (as well as a single pick-up), most of which are below the class average standard but all of which have merits, including the amount of space and practicality they offer for the money.

The highlight in the range is currently the Korando, a Nissan Qashqai rival that offers all the space of that car but for a price closer to the much smaller Nissan Juke’s. It is very roomy and has decent engines, but it’s let down a bit by interior quality, high running costs and poor resale values.

SSANGYONG

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.

VAUXHALL

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

LEON

TARRACO

The Seat Ateca broke new ground&nbsp;when it was launched; until that point, the Spanish brand had built as many SUVs as it had spaceships –&nbsp;it hadn’t built any spaceships, just to be clear. So Seat&nbsp;was more than fashionably late to the SUV party, but&nbsp;it turned up with an absolute belter.

Along with its Volkswagen&nbsp;Group cousin, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/karoq/estate/review/n118">Skoda Karoq</a>, the Seat Ateca owes much of its success to solid foundations. How so? Well, it's built on the same underpinnings as the more expensive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/tiguan/estate/review/n17357">Volkswagen Tiguan</a> and, as a result, shares most of that car's important oily bits. 

That said, the Ateca is far from a Tiguan with a different badge, which is both good and bad, as we'll explain in this review. The general gist, though, is that it follows the Seat brand’s ethos of being a bit sportier than many of its key rivals, including the Karoq and Tiguan. You can also throw into that mix the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/3008/estate/review/n17363">Peugeot 3008</a>.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IoCzFoflw28" width="560"></iframe>

It’s been around for a few years, now, but it hasn’t stood still in the face of the evermore skilful competition. It was updated&nbsp;partway through its life and now sports more muscular styling than the original. The engines were also improved, it gained some new tech and the interior was upgraded, including getting more equipment. 

Does it deserve a space on your family SUV shortlist? Over the next few pages, we’ll tell you how the Seat Ateca compares with its key rivals, which engines are worth looking at and the trim level that makes the most sense.

Once you're up to speed, don't forget to check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying service</a> to find out how much you could save. We have big <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/seat/ateca/estate/deals">discounts on the Seat Ateca</a> and a vast range of other new cars.

Great to drive&nbsp;and one of our favourite&nbsp;family SUVs

<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.

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