“Mustang-inspired utility.” That’s how Darren Paler of Ford’s future-looking EV division, Ford Team Edison, describes what most simply call a Mustang SUV.
To many, the idea of a Mustang becoming a 4×4 is sacrilege of the highest order; it’ll be trampling all over nearly 60 years of pony car glory. Add to that the fact it’ll be electric and you can imagine the internet’s reaction.
In short, the death of the enthusiast automobile is nigh and we, loyal enthusiasts, must watch as it’s slaughtered by the once-hallowed hands of the world’s mightiest motoring marques. Well, not quite…
Firstly, this Mustang-inspired utility business. Does the Mustang own its own design language? Not really. Did the 911 own every stroke of Porsche designers’ pens when they came up with the Cayenne? No, it didn’t.
Like the 911, the Mustang is but a (prominent) name in the history of its mother marque. It is the owned and Ford is the owner, just as 911 is the possessed and Porsche the possessor. What does all this mean? Simply that Ford and Porsche made them and short of inciting riots by replacing the sports car with an SUV in a sports car suit, they can and will build what they want. And these cars will sell. In truth, they probably could replace them, but they won’t.
Profits equal performance
Revisiting the penultimate point there – people want to buy SUVs. The formula is tried and tested by this point. Not only with the Cayenne, but also Bentayga, Levante, Urus, F-Pace and many more.
All trade on style tropes and badge kudos generated by what their parent marques are famed for. All put profits – or soon will – into making the brand-defining models better than they’ve ever been. A successful Cayenne makes for a healthy Porsche, which makes for some of the best 911s ever sold. Rinse and repeat for Aston Martin’s coming SUV, the Ford “Mustang-inspired utility” and beyond.
Also, electric SUV by purveyor of iconic sports cars – sound familiar? You’ll find an electric-only I-Pace parked up next to a 580hp supercharged F-Type in your local Jaguar dealer today. What’s wrong with a 300-mile capable Mustang-snouted SUV crossover next to a Mustang GT at Ford?
Make no mistake, the cars we’ve loved for over half a century are not the business-supporting totems they once were (if they ever were). The 911 that revs to 9,000rpm, some of the best Lamborghinis in the marque’s history, the best Bentley in a generation – all are gifts courtesy of their parent marque’s most generous best-sellers. So too will be future Mustangs. “Yours lovingly, Mustang-inspired utility”.
What’s the moral of the story? The SUVs are inevitable, the EVs are inevitable, so too are the cars we know and love. They’ll never be the same, what they were, whatever. But they are here, and they’re better than they would ever be without their SUV cousins to bolster their development budgets.
We should be encouraging their existence, even buying them, if we want our favourite cars to flourish. And that includes the electric Mustang SUV.
Jaguar Land Rover has announced a range of retro-styled infotainment systems for its classic models, following the lead of Porsche. It brings sat-nav and digital music to cars that were designed long before such technology existed.
Jump in an E-type or Land Rover with the new infotainment fitted and you’ll be hard pressed to spot it straight away. Unless, of course, you’ve just been in an identical car without it. Needless to say, it’s not a simple case of plonking a Tesla-style tablet where the beautiful dashboard of a classic Jag used to be.
What is it and what do you get?
Nestled cleverly in existing dead space on the dashboard, the 3.5-inch high-definition touchscreen is minimally invasive, with analogue – and vintage-style – control knobs either side. It features DAB, FM and AM radio, plus Bluetooth connectivity, sat-nav and smartphone integration.
The system costs £1,200 and is available now. As for fitment, the JLR Classic Works in Warwickshire is the obvious go-to. However, if that’s a bit too far, selected retailers will be trained to fit it.
Is it wrong to fit modern tech to classic cars?
Much like an old country cottage, the rustic heart-over-head appeal of classic cars is often too much to ignore. When you get inside, though, the lack of modern accoutrements can turn the rose-tinted dream into a bit of a nightmare.
That’s not to say that you’d slather your lovely rustic property in solar panels (so to speak).The integration of modernity should be subtle and tasteful, and there’s an inherent appeal in clever, sympathetic installations. This JLR system is just that.
Purity and true-to-period presentation are all well and good when bragging in the pub. When it comes to one’s own usage, though, most would be hard pressed to turn down a few modern luxuries. We wouldn’t say no.
Did you lust after a TVR Sagaris back in the day, but miss the (sinking) boat? Fear not: Blackpool’s last hero has now been resurrected as a kit car. Meet the Grex Sagaris GT.
Yes, TVR is back in business with a new Griffith, but it isn’t to all tastes, or indeed budgets. There’s an appeal to the old, mid-2000s TVRs that hasn’t quite translated for some. It’s those people that the new, sub-£50,000 Grex will appeal to.
First up, this isn’t a straight copy. The quirky and savage old 4.0-litre straight-six engine is gone. The car is designed to house a small-block V8 crate motor from General Motors, which you need to supply yourself. If you really want the old six-pot, you can ask them to build your kit around it.
The Grex does stay true to the Sagaris of old in that there are no electronic driving aids. If you want traction control, ABS or airbags, stick with a showroom-bought Porsche.
The joy of Grex
Much like the old car, it’s going to be very rare, although we doubt that was by TVR’s initial design. Just 10 are mooted for delivery in 2019.
What’s more, any number of those are available to US customers. Unlike the original, the Grex is perfectly legal for sale and use in America. And that also means it’s available in right- and left-hand drive.
When the Sagaris was new, it was £50,000 – around £70,000 in today’s money – and it hasn’t depreciated. You’ll pay as much or well beyond that for a second-hand example. This kit, complete with £10k’s worth of LS3 V8 and transmission to suit, comes in much cheaper.
Obviously, you build it yourself. And there’s a possibility kit car life will come with running complications beyond even the realms of a TVR. But it’s a tempting proposition.
Read more:
1 in 4 new car buyers will crash soon after delivery
A stolen car, obtained under stolen identities bought on the dark web, has been recovered following an extensive police investigation.
The fraudsters used the false names, originally reported after a car accident, to hire a Mercedes-Benz C-Class. They then disabled the car’s APU-branded tracker and made a beeline for the Channel Tunnel and Europe.
However, the APU system’s secondary technology remained – and automatically triggered an alert as the Mercedes approached the UK border. This allowed the firm to track the car to a Brussels address, where it was eventually found.
The drivers involved in the original accident – and supposedly in possession of the hire car – were contacted as suspects. However, it was soon established they’d been duped.
The prevention of car theft has rightly come a long way from ‘lock your doors and roll up your windows’. Ways of committing such crimes grow ever more sophisticated and difficult to detect as technology evolves.
The dark web is an entirely unregulated marketplace on the internet with no rules, safeguards or regulatory presence. Illegal assets such as identities, weapons, drugs and even people can be traded with little risk of discovery.
How do you keep your identity safe?
APU has established three steps to keeping your identity secure:
Report any theft of identification documents to the appropriate authorities
Don’t give away too much personal information on social media that could help fraudsters assume your identity and hack your passwords
Regularly check your credit reference files and bank statements and consider extra ID theft protection if you feel you are at high risk
Neil Thomas, Director of Investigative Services at APU Ltd, said: “The dark web is a gift to fraudsters; they can buy the personal details of innocent people, take out insurance policies and come up with scams like this. We must raise awareness of the threat among the public and industry.”
Your ‘green’ car may soon come with a green number plate, letting the world know you’re driving a clean vehicle – and giving you access to special low-emission vehicle lanes.
A forthcoming government consultation will discuss whether green plates could work in the UK. Similar schemes have been implemented in Norway, Canada and China in a bid to promote the uptake of cleaner vehicles.
It’s not just aesthetics, either. A road network crafted to reward low- and zero-emissions vehicles could use green number plates to identify cars that are allowed to use dedicated lanes and zones in cities. Plate scans could keep EV charging bays free of smog-makers looking for an easy parking spot, too.
“This new cleaner, greener transport has the potential to bring with it cleaner air, a better environment and stronger economies for countries around the world” said Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary.
“Adding a green badge of honour to these new clean vehicles is a brilliant way of helping increase awareness of their growing popularity in the UK, and might just encourage people to think about how one could fit into their own travel routine.”
The Motoring Research view
Would we drive a zero-emission vehicle if it came complete with a green ‘badge of honour’ number plate?
Although the visual aspect feels somewhat trivial, the integration of green plates into a system that rewards owners is appealing.
Anything that helps cement a comprehensive electric and hybrid car infrastructure, and offers benefits for those who go green, gets a thumbs-up from us.
The announcement of these plans comes ahead of a multi-nation summit begining tomorrow (September 11) in Birmingham. It’s to be the first of its type dedicated to the discussion of zero-emissions vehicles.
The aim is to get international agreement on the so-called zero-emissions journey, charting uptake and integration of EVs and other low-polluting vehicles across the globe.
Tesla has responded to news its Model S has come bottom of a major 2018 car reliability survey – by calling the results ‘statistically meaningless’. What Car?, which carried out the survey, has since countered Tesla’s claim (see below), arguing its survey was “more than representative of Tesla’s real-world presence”.
The What Car? reader reliability survey allows owners to contribute their experiences with their cars for a wider collation of consumer experience. This year, more than 18,000 motorists responded.
The long-serving Model S was by far the worst performer, with a reliability rating of just 50.9 percent. The next ‘worst’ car above the bottom-rung Tesla was the Range Rover, at 67.3 percent. That’s 16.4 percentage points above the Model S.
‘This survey is statistically meaningless’
“Only 28 Model S owners responded out of a total of 18,000 car owners surveyed by What Car?” said a Tesla spokesperson. “That’s less than 0.3 percent of UK Tesla owners, so this survey is statistically meaningless.”
“The results of this survey are also at odds not only with our internal figures showing customer satisfaction scores for Model S and X at well over 90 percent, but with statistically valid surveys like our Net Promotor Score and Consumer Reports customer satisfaction survey, which we’ve topped every year since 2013.
“90% of Tesla owners saying they would buy the same car again – more than any other brand.
“We are committed to making the world’s best cars, and in order to ensure the highest quality, we review every vehicle for even the smallest refinement before it leaves the factory.
“To the extent repairs are needed, the majority of work carried out on cars up to 4 years old is done under warranty and free of charge to the customer while they are supplied with a courtesy car.
Unlike other manufacturers, Tesla repairs can also be carried out in a customer’s driveway or office by mobile service, or even via over-the-air updates, to minimise any disruption.”
The Motoring Research view
That such a small portion of the UK Tesla customer base took part in the survey is interesting. Technically, it’s not very telling of the experiences of all UK Tesla owners.
That said, what could have prompted such a poor score from this small cross section? Do they have a grudge to bear? Would the result have been echoed by other owners?
What we can note is that this isn’t Tesla’s first disappointing performance in the survey. The marque came 30th out of 32 in the reliability by marque survey last year, at 52.4 percent.
What constitutes “unreliable” is an interesting question too. Where a conventional-fuel car developing a misfire would be considered a problem, so too could a screen freeze and forced reboot on a Model S. Concerning results and burning questions – that’s what we take from all of this.
Update: What Car? responds
What Car? has responded to Tesla’s statement. “Tesla owners represented 0.19 percent of what was a very robust total sample of 18,000 UK car owners in the What Car? survey,” said the motoring magazine.
“Compared with Tesla’s actual UK market share of 0.11 percent (according to official figures obtained from the DVLA), this means that the What Car? Study was more than representative of Tesla’s real-world presence in the British car parc.
Goodwood Revival is the UK’s most glamorous race meeting, crammed with beautiful people and priceless classic cars. As ever, though, much of the most interesting metal is found outside – in the car park. This year, we spotted everything from a Ferrari F40 (above) to an original Mini Cooper. Keep clicking for a guided tour.
Porsche Carrera GT
Porsche’s seminal early-2000s Carrera GT sported a howling V10 – a leftover from Le Mans – suspended in a gorgeous carbon cradle, plus a manual gearbox and svelte styling. Today, it’s regarded as one of the all-time ‘analogue’ supercar greats.
Aston Martin DB3S and Lamborghini Huracan Performante
A Goodwood car park is never without its contrasts. Case in point: an Aston Martin DB3S replica parked next to a new Lamborghini Huracan Performante, the latter complete with screaming V10. Four-wheeled loveliness for all the family.
Ferrari F355
The car that saved Ferrari – the F355 is one of the best-regarded mid-engined berlinettas of all time. Jaw-dropping beauty, a yowling quad-cam V8 and super-sweet driving dynamics all cement its classic status.
Porsche 911R
The original hardcore 911. This was the first of the breed to mature into a pure and proper racing car, with lightweight bodywork and twin-overhead camshafts boosting its flat-six to more than 200hp. The ‘R’ is one of tne of the most sought-after classic 911s today.
Ford Mustang GT350H
The Shelby GT350H was special edition Mustang offered by Hertz in the US. Advertised as the “Rent-a-Racer”, most of the 1,000 cars were painted in this distinctive – and very cool – black and gold colour scheme. Some customers apparently took Hertz’s advice too literally and used the cars for drag racing.
Lotus 340R
For a company rarely possessed of two pennies to rub together, Lotus does have its occasional mad moments. The Ariel Atom-aping 340R was one of them. This roofless, doorless, track-focused roadster was one of the final cars powered by the venerable Rover K-series engine. Its sharper styling previewed the S2 Elise.
Caterham Seven Sprint
One of the most Goodwood Revival-appropriate cars must be the one that was launched here, right? The Caterham Seven Sprint offers vintage style, rewarding dynamics and limited-edition kudos. No wonder it sold out within minutes of being revealed.
Range Rover
The original SUV (discuss) is a bona fide classic in its own right. Resplendent in red, this early three-door, Belgian-registered Range Rover is considerably more basic than today’s offerings. What would the Kardashians make of it?
Lancia Delta Integrale 16v
Not quite the full HF Evo vindaloo, this Integrale 16v is a tikka-level dark horse delight. Its 200hp turbocharged engine offers plenty of punch, with power going to all four wheels. A legend, both on the road and rally stage.
Morris Mini Cooper
Few things are more fun than watching Minis beat seven shades out of monstrous Yank Tanks on Goodwood Motor Circuit – especially if you follow that by driving this lovely Morris Cooper home. The original hot hatch? Well, technically it’s a saloon, but you get the idea.
Porsche 924 Turbo
The Turbo version of the 924 was designed to bridge the gap between Porsche’s entry-level sports car and the 911s of the era. Turbocharging had proven effective in racing and Porsche was keen to use the technology for road cars. In the end, the 170hp 924 Turbo came perilously close to the performance of the 180hp 911 SC.
Jaguar XKR-S
Jaguar’s supercharged sports GT had to go out with a bang (and a plume of tyre smoke). The 560hp XKR-S, seen here in the glowing French Racing Blue, did the job. This, or a new F-Type SVR?
Efini RX-7
“What on Earth is an Efini RX-7?” you might well ask. It’s very simple, really: it’s an ‘FD’ RX-7 like any other, only sold under Mazda’s luxury sub-brand, Efini. Mazda ditched Efini after 1997, making this a curious (and rare) footnote in the RX-7’s history.
Mercedes-Benz 190 2.3-16
A homologation special and the original underdog sports saloon, the 190 2.3-16 is a roadgoing refugee from the DTM (German Touring Cars) series, and constant thorn in the E30 BMW M3’s side. We actually think it’s cooler in subtle 2.3 spec, rather than bewinged 2.5-litre Evo.
BMW 2000 Alpina
One of the earliest Alpinas, based on the ‘New Series Saloons’ from BMW. Both represented fresh beginnings for their respective companies and this Alpina was a rare thing when new. We’d love to know how many are left. German plates suggest this one has travelled a long way…
McLaren 720S
We described the 720S as “the definitive modern supercar” when we borrowed one earlier this year. Sensationally fast, yet remarkably easy to drive, it’s definitely on our lottery list. This blue car was one of several new McLarens in the Revival car park, including a 650S, 570GT and 570S Spider.
Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
The Dino, named after Enzo Ferrari’s son, was the legendary marque’s first foray into more attainable sports cars. In fact, it started a lineage of mid-engined models that has made been Ferrari’s backbone ever since. It’s one of Maranello’s most beautiful models, too.
Fiat 500
The Cinquecento was Italy’s answer to the Mini or Volkswagen Beetle – a true ‘people’s car’ that remained in production for nearly two decades. Nowadays, of course, the entire Fiat range is a bloated facsimile of this tiny, terrific original.
Ford Country Sedan
Patina – defined by the Cambridge dictionary as ‘a thin surface layer that develops on something because of use, age or chemical action’ – is an overused word in classic car circles, but this Ford Country Sedan has it in spades. Rarely has rust looked so right.
Research by dash cam manufacturer Nextbase has found that nearly a third (29 percent) of young drivers are either being wrongly found guilty in car-to-car motoring incidents, or are prematurely pleading guilty when they’re not.
Nextbase suggests the stress of a crash situation might be behind this – and that more experienced drivers are taking advantage of it.
Younger drivers can feel vulnerable, says the firm, and lead to panicked admissions of fault, even if they are not actually to blame. Those who have more experience can exploit this and secure an unfair admission of guilt from the younger motorist.
This is where dash cams can come in very handy for younger drivers. They offer conclusive proof, one way or the other, of who is at fault. If it is the younger driver, the experience is beneficial and justice is done. If it’s the more experienced driver, they can be held accountable and again teach both a valuable lesson.
Dash cam car insurance
Car insurance for younger drivers is notoriously expensive. The average fully comprehensive car insurance policy for an under-24 comes in at a heady £1,116.
In response, Nextbase has partnered with a car insurer to create a deal that could ease the blow. Called MyFirstUK insurance, the scheme is offering 30 percent off premiums when a Nextbase 312GW dash cam has been fitted in the vehicle.
“With research showing that a large proportion of young drivers are getting blamed for accidents that may have not been their fault, a dash cam can act as a witness to help prove innocence,” said Richard Browning, director of Nextbase.
“Research shows that the older you get, the worse your reactions are. However, younger drivers are still getting penalised with sky-high car insurance costs.
“By unveiling this offer with MyFirst, we hope to give the younger generation a solution to keep safe on the roads and save money at the same time.”
Beginning in March 2019, BMW drivers and passengers will be able to interact with their car with the simple phrase “Hey BMW”.
This is more than just simple voice command. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant blends voice recognition with artificial intelligence, letting drivers control and configure their cars by speaking. From simple commands, to more complex questions, the Munich firm says its digital concierge should be able to handle it all.
The system will even be able to operate away from the car, linking to smartphones and smart speakers at home. Think of it as Siri or Alexa, but part of your new BMW.
“Hey BMW, take me home”
Although the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant won’t be able to do the driving for you, a simple phrase will set the navigation system for the quickest route home. Using artificial intelligence, the system learns frequent destinations along with other habits and preferences.
Telling the Personal Assistant “I’m cold” will see the climate control adjusted automatically. Letting the assistant know that you feel tired would trigger even more changes, changing the mood lighting and sound system to help keep the driver awake. Hopefully a route to the nearest coffee shop is also included.
Asking more questions and giving more commands helps the Personal Assistant learn, tailoring it further to the driver. BMW also states that further upgrades will bring improved functionality, with this just the beginning.
“Hey BMW, What’s that song?”
Forget having to try to guess the name of a song you’ve just heard on the radio. BMW’s Personal Assistant will be able to search instantly and find all the details you need. It can also respond to requests for certain genres, and won’t even pass judgement on your music tastes.
Business users are promised an array of connectivity with software such as Microsoft Office 365 and Skype. This will allow the Personal Assistant to plan the best routes between important meetings, and even find appropriate parking spaces when you get there.
Awkward breakdowns could also be prevented, with drivers able to ask what the oil level is at any given time, and also plan stops at the nearest fuel station. Reminders for servicing and maintenance appointments can also be programmed in to help even the most forgetful of executives.
“Hey BMW, what does it all mean?”
BMW drivers desperate to engage in ‘casual conversation’ with their car, including asking existential questions, only have to wait until March 2019.
A total of 23 markets and languages will get basic voice command functions from launch. However, the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, and other select countries will receive the enhanced system with more natural voice controls.
BMW’s latest Operating System 7.0 will be needed to use the Intelligent Personal Assistant, in combination with the Live Cockpit Professional option. Drivers of the new 8 Series coupe, X5 and Z4 will be able to take advantage of the Personal Assistant without a trip to a dealership, using BMW’s ‘over the air’ software upgrade function.
Those placing an order for a new 3 Series from November this year will also be able to specify the assistant function.
Reliability is the great unknown when buying a used car, but by using data from surveys, you can reduce the chances of buying an unreliable model, saving you time, hassle and money in the long run.
That’s where the What Car? Reliability Survey comes in. Using data sourced from 18,000 owners, the survey reveals ratings for 159 models spanning 31 brands. Here, we reveal 2018’s most reliable cars you can buy in 10 different categories, along with the cars you’ll want to avoid.
Most reliable small/city car: Toyota Yaris
How’s this for dependability? According to the What Car? survey, not one Toyota Yaris owner reported any issues, with 40 percent of owners citing reliability as the thing they liked best about their car. Predictably, the Honda Jazz also fared well, with the current model finishing second, closely followed by the 2008-2015 car.
Least reliable small/city car: Peugeot 208
The Peugeot 208 is a car to avoid if you’re looking for an easy life. A total of 35 percent of owners reported a problem, with electrical gremlins a particular issue. Owners reported a high proportion of problems with infotainment systems and switches, with some repairs costing up to £500. The Nissan Note and Volkswagen Polo are other cars to avoid in this segment.
Most reliable family car: Hyundai i30
The previous-generation Hyundai i30 might have been replaced by a newer, smarter model, but don’t discount the 2012-2017 model. A mere six percent of owners reported a problem with their car, with the gearbox and clutch the only areas of concern. On the plus side, the faulty i30s were fixed within a week for free. The Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia diesel finished second and third.
Least reliable family car: Peugeot 308
It’s an unwelcome double from Peugeot, with the 308 mirroring the performance of its smaller sibling. A huge 47 percent of cars suffered a fault within the previous 12 months, with electrics and bodywork the most troublesome areas. Other cars to avoid, unless you’re a glutton for punishment, include the Nissan Pulsar and the outgoing Mercedes-Benz A-Class diesel.
Most reliable executive car: Volvo V60
A tiny six percent of Volvo V60s had a problem, with just the bodywork coming in for criticism. In all cases, the cars remained driveable and were repaired within a day. If we asked you to pick two cars for the second and third position, we suspect you wouldn’t mention the Vauxhall Insignia or Alfa Romeo Giulia. But these are the cars that receive silver and bronze medals respectively.
Least reliable executive car: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Nearly a third of Mercedes-Benz C-Class models presented a problem within the first 12 months, with electrics, sat-nav and bodywork the biggest issues. Most cars were fixed within a week, while only a few owners had to pay for repairs. The Jaguar XE and Audi A4 diesel were also listed as problem cars.
Most reliable luxury car: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
While C-Class owners might be reading the warranty small print, the prospect is rosier for previous-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class drivers. The diesel model finishes top of the luxury car tree, although 30 percent of cars had a fault within the first 12 months. Interestingly, the old versions of the Jaguar XF and BMW 5 Series finished joint second…
Least reliable luxury car: Jaguar XF
The message is clear: if you fancy owning a reliable Jaguar XF, buy the old one. The current one is named the least dependable luxury car by What Car?, with a whopping 36 percent of cars going wrong in the past 12 months. Electrics, bodywork and interior trim came in for criticism, with some cars stuck in the garage for more than a week. The current E-Class and 5 Series were the other problem cars.
Most reliable small SUV: Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
Small SUVs tend to be reliable, with an average reliability rating of 94.4 percent across the segment. The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is the best of the bunch, with not a single car causing a problem for its owner. The Peugeot 2008 finished close behind on 99.4 percent, while the Vauxhall Mokka/Mokka X finished third. It’s worth noting that petrol is the way to go, because just 9 percent of them developed a fault, compared with 27 percent of diesels.
Least reliable small SUV: Citroen C4 Cactus
The segment might be reliable, but there are a few cars to avoid. The Citroen C4 Cactus is named the least reliable small SUV, with 19 percent of cars developing a fault of some kind. The Jeep Renegade finished second, with the Honda HR-V completing a one-two-three of misery.
Most reliable family SUV: Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is the most reliable family SUV with a mere 9 percent of cars developing a problem, so it’s questionable whether you’ll need to call upon that famed seven-year warranty. The Audi Q3 finished second, with owners of petrol cars encountering fewer problems than their diesel-driving counterparts. The Peugeot 3008 finished third.
Least reliable family SUV: Nissan Qashqai
It might be Britain’s most popular crossover, but it’s also the least reliable family SUV. “A shocking 47 percent of diesel Nissan Qashqais went wrong,” reports What Car?, “with faults in every one of [the] categories.” The petrol Qashqai finished second from bottom, completing a miserable one-two for Nissan. The Audi Q3 diesel completes the troublesome trio.
Most reliable large/luxury SUV: Toyota RAV4
If you’re after a reliable large/luxury SUV, look no further than the Toyota RAV4. Just 4 percent of cars developed a fault, with all cars fixed under warranty in less than a day. The BMW X5 diesel finished close behind, with the Audi Q5 rounding off the top three. It’s worth noting that 24 percent of Q5s had a problem, although the faults were repaired for free in less than a day.
Least reliable large/luxury SUV: Range Rover
Oh dear. One in two Range Rover owners reported a problem, delivering a reliability rating of just 67.3 percent. This is especially miserable given the fact that the average reliability across the segment was 86.7 percent. What Car? reports that nearly a third of cars were undriveable, while two-thirds were off the road for more than a week. The Ford Edge and Range Rover Evoque fared little better in the survey.
Most reliable MPV: Mercedes-Benz B-Class
The humble MPV might be facing a tough battle against the SUV, but some families still love them for their fuss-free practicality. Pick of the bunch is the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, although 20 percent of cars developed a fault in the first year. On the plus side, all faulty cars were repaired in less than a week; a third were fixed in less than a day. The Volkswagen Golf SV and Ford C-Max/Grand C-Max were highly commended.
Least reliable MPV: Citroen C4 Picasso
If you’re after a reliable MPV, don’t buy French. The Citroen C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso finishes bottom of the pile, with the Citroen C3 Picasso and Peugeot 3008 also coming in for criticism. Nearly a third of Citroen C4 Picassos developed a fault, with electrics the most frequently reported problem area.
Most reliable hybrid/electric: Nissan Leaf
For the second year running, the Nissan Leaf is named the most reliable electric car by respondents to the What Car? Reliability Survey. No mechanical issues were reported, with minor bodywork repairs fixed for free within a day. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid finished second, ahead of the ever-popular Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
Least reliable hybrid/electric: Tesla Model S
“Although the Tesla Model S’s electric powertrain is proving reliable, the same can’t be said of its electrical systems or bodywork. Issues reported by owners included bent seat frames, broken door handles and parking sensor failures. Just over half of the cars were out of action for at least a week and some fixes cost more than £1,500, reports What Car?. The Renault Zoe and BMW i3 were also noted as being problematic.
Most reliable coupe/convertible/sports: BMW 2 Series
The petrol-powered BMW 2 Series coupe and convertibles were the strongest cars in this category, with a mere eight percent of cars developing a fault. The Mazda MX-5 finished second, just ahead of the Porsche 911.
Least reliable coupe/convertible/sports: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
This hasn’t been a good survey for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with the coupe and cabriolet following the example set by the saloon. Nearly a third of cars developed a fault, with interior trim, bodywork, engine and electrics the most problematic areas. The Audi TT coupe and Porsche Cayman finished just ahead of the C-Class.
Did you lust after a TVR Sagaris back in the day, but miss the (sinking) boat? Fear not: Blackpool’s last hero has now been resurrected as a kit car. Meet the Grex Sagaris GT.
A stolen car, obtained under stolen identities bought on the dark web, has been recovered following an extensive police investigation. 
Although the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant won’t be able to do the driving for you, a simple phrase will set the navigation system for the quickest route home. Using artificial intelligence, the system learns frequent destinations along with other habits and preferences.
Forget having to try to guess the name of a song you’ve just heard on the radio. BMW’s Personal Assistant will be able to search instantly and find all the details you need. It can also respond to requests for certain genres, and won’t even pass judgement on your music tastes.
