Car group tests

Car group tests

The UK's most popular cars head-to-head against their key rivals...

If you really want to know how a car performs against its key rivals, this is the place to find out. The Auto Express group test is an automotive institution decades in the making that gets right to the heart of the questions that car buyers want answered. 

While our in-depth reviews and long-term tests are usually done with the car in isolation, albeit by experienced journalists with detailed prior experience of hundreds of other cars, the group test puts two or three direct rivals head-to-head in the same place, on the same roads and in the same conditions. There is nowhere to hide. 

As a means of slimming down your car buying shortlist these exhaustive tests are great. We drive the cars over long distances, interrogate the control systems, load and unload the interiors, and take our own precise measurements to make comparisons easier. Sometimes there’s an obvious winner but often what emerges is a picture of two cars with qualities that would suit different kinds of buyer - a picture that only becomes clear after this kind of detailed side-by-side testing. 

Our team brings you at least one two- or three-car group test every week, building up a clear picture of the cars we rate and those that we don’t... 

Scroll down to find all our group test pages… 

New & used car deals

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,450 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,670 off RRP*Used from £14,628
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,250
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £11,964
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Car group tests

Renault 5 vs Fiat 500e: which stylish EV is king of the city?
Renault 5 vs Fiat 500e - header

Renault 5 vs Fiat 500e: which stylish EV is king of the city?

The new retro-themed Renault 5 is wowing drivers with its looks, performance and price, but not so long ago it was the Fiat 500e that was hot in the c…
Car group tests
19 Mar 2025
Jaecoo 7 vs Skoda Kamiq: SUV newcomer takes on a family favourite
Jaecoo 7 and Skoda Kamiq - header image, front trackin

Jaecoo 7 vs Skoda Kamiq: SUV newcomer takes on a family favourite

The Jaecoo 7 is the latest Chinese car to arrive in the UK. The brand hopes its extra space will appeal to buyers of smaller SUVs, such as the Skoda K…
Car group tests
15 Mar 2025
Nissan Qashqai vs Peugeot 3008 vs Hyundai Tucson: which used SUV is king of the school run?
Nissan Qashqai vs Peugeot 3008 vs Hyundai Tucson

Nissan Qashqai vs Peugeot 3008 vs Hyundai Tucson: which used SUV is king of the school run?

The original Nissan Qashqai was a revolution, and it continues to get better, but does it also make a top used family SUV? We test it against the Peug…
Car group tests
9 Mar 2025
Ford Mustang vs Alpine A110: two very different sporting greats go head-to-head
Alpine A110 and Ford Mustang - front tracking

Ford Mustang vs Alpine A110: two very different sporting greats go head-to-head

Ford’s Mustang and Alpine’s A110 offer different approaches to the classic two-door coupé recipe. Will all-American brutishness win over French finess…
Car group tests
8 Mar 2025
Skoda Superb vs Volkswagen Passat vs Vauxhall Insignia: which is the ultimate used family car?
Skoda Superb vs Volkswagen Passat vs Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport - header

Skoda Superb vs Volkswagen Passat vs Vauxhall Insignia: which is the ultimate used family car?

Saloons and fastbacks still have plenty to offer buyers of family cars, so we put three of the best used models to the test
Car group tests
2 Mar 2025
Kia EV6 vs Skoda Enyaq Coupe: which svelte electric family car is the best buy?
Kia EV6 and Skoda Enyaq Coupe - front tracking

Kia EV6 vs Skoda Enyaq Coupe: which svelte electric family car is the best buy?

Who said SUVs have to be high, wide and boxy? The facelifted Kia EV6 and Skoda Enyaq Coupé blend traditional cues with a trendy, low roof approach
Car group tests
1 Mar 2025
Suzuki Vitara vs Mazda CX-30: two small SUVs with some big differences
Suzuki Vitara and Mazda CX-30 - front tracking

Suzuki Vitara vs Mazda CX-30: two small SUVs with some big differences

The 1.4-litre mild-hybrid-assisted , turbocharged Suzuki Vitara takes on Mazda’s 2.5-litre CX-30 in this small SUV face-off
Car group tests
22 Feb 2025
Skoda Kamiq vs Volkswagen T-Cross vs Citroen C3 Aircross: top small SUVs fight for used car supremacy
Kamiq group test

Skoda Kamiq vs Volkswagen T-Cross vs Citroen C3 Aircross: top small SUVs fight for used car supremacy

Small in size yet big on style, supermini-based SUVs look very tempting, but which is the best used buy?
Car group tests
22 Feb 2025
Hyundai i10 vs Toyota Aygo vs Kia Picanto: used city cars battle for urban bragging rights
Hyundai i10 group test

Hyundai i10 vs Toyota Aygo vs Kia Picanto: used city cars battle for urban bragging rights

City cars aren’t just urban runarounds; for many drivers they are their main vehicle. We put three to the test
Car group tests
20 Feb 2025
Ford Capri vs Cupra Tavascan: similar, stylish but only one can win
Ford Capri and Cupra Tavascan - front tracking

Ford Capri vs Cupra Tavascan: similar, stylish but only one can win

Ford brought back the iconic Capri name for its new coupé-SUV, which shares its platform with the fresh Cupra Tavascan. Which is the top dog?
Car group tests
15 Feb 2025
BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?
BMW X3 and Lexus NX - front tracking

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?

BMW’s much-lauded new X3 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the market – but is it good enough to topple the cheaper hybrid-powered Lexus NX 35…
Car group tests
8 Feb 2025
Ineos Grenadier vs Toyota Land Cruiser: rugged SUVs put to the test on and off road
Toyota Land Cruiser and Ineos Grenadier - front tracking

Ineos Grenadier vs Toyota Land Cruiser: rugged SUVs put to the test on and off road

Toyota’s Land Cruiser has ruled the 4x4 roost for 75 years. Is the latest model a match for the capable Ineos Grenadier, though?
Car group tests
4 Feb 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement
Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head
Electric company car megatest - header

Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head

Drivers are spoiled for choice in the flourishing EV company car market, but which of our six rivals does the business?
Car group tests
3 Feb 2025
Kia EV3 vs Cupra Born: electric newcomer faces off against sporty hatch
Kia EV3 and Cupra Born - front tracking

Kia EV3 vs Cupra Born: electric newcomer faces off against sporty hatch

Kia’s new EV3 and Cupra’s Born are two of the most efficient small EVs on sale today. Which should you be plugging in?
Car group tests
24 Jan 2025
BMW M5 vs Porsche Panamera: which is the superior super-saloon?
BMW M5 and Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid - front tracking

BMW M5 vs Porsche Panamera: which is the superior super-saloon?

By combining petrol and electric power, these two super- saloons are more potent than ever, but which is best?
Car group tests
17 Jan 2025
Volkswagen Tiguan vs BYD Seal U: can this new arrival beat a firm favourite?
BYD Seal U and Volkswagen Tiguan - front tracking

Volkswagen Tiguan vs BYD Seal U: can this new arrival beat a firm favourite?

BYD is known for its EVs, but how does its first plug-in hybrid to be launched in the UK, the Seal U, stack up against VW’s Tiguan?
Car group tests
8 Jan 2025
MINI Aceman vs Alfa Romeo Junior: which little posh EV is best?
MINI Aceman vs Alfa Romeo Junior - front

MINI Aceman vs Alfa Romeo Junior: which little posh EV is best?

The MINI Aceman and Alfa Romeo Junior are aiming to make a splash in the compact electric SUV segment, but have they got what it takes?
Car group tests
3 Jan 2025
Ford Sierra vs MG Montego retro test: they were acceptable in the 80s, but what about now?
Ford Sierra vs MG Montego - header

Ford Sierra vs MG Montego retro test: they were acceptable in the 80s, but what about now?

When Auto Express first hit newsagents’ shelves in 1988, these popular saloons were battling it out in company car parks. Some 36 years later, how wil…
Car group tests
29 Dec 2024
Best driver's car 2025: Aston Martin Vanquish, McLaren Artura Spider, Porsche 911 S/T and more go head-to-head
Selection of performance cars

Best driver's car 2025: Aston Martin Vanquish, McLaren Artura Spider, Porsche 911 S/T and more go head-to-head

We put 2024's finest sports cars and supercars through their paces to determine the best driver's car of them all
Car group tests
27 Dec 2024
BMW Z car supertest: Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z8 help us celebrate 35 years of Bavarian roadsters
BMW Z car supertest header - moving

BMW Z car supertest: Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z8 help us celebrate 35 years of Bavarian roadsters

It’s been 35 years since BMW’s first Z car. We’ve brought all seven together for a two-seat supertest
Car group tests
26 Dec 2024
Volkswagen Golf vs itself: original Mk1 head-to-head with today’s Mk8.5
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 and Mk8 - front tracking

Volkswagen Golf vs itself: original Mk1 head-to-head with today’s Mk8.5

VW’s legendary Golf is 50. We look at where it started, how it’s changed – and where it’s going
Car group tests
24 Dec 2024
Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs Lexus LM: which is the best fancy family car?
Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB and Lexus LM - front tracking

Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs Lexus LM: which is the best fancy family car?

Old-school cool tackles high-end luxury in this MPV clash
Car group tests
4 Dec 2024
Audi S3 vs BMW M135: which German brand builds the hottest hatchback?
Audi S3 and BMW M135 - front tracking

Audi S3 vs BMW M135: which German brand builds the hottest hatchback?

BMW’s four-wheel-drive M135 has received a major facelift. We put it up against the Audi S3 Sportback, which was also revised earlier this year
Car group tests
28 Nov 2024