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

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,308 off RRP*Used from £10,799
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £3,398 off RRP*Used from £7,195
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £9,350 off RRP*Used from £9,995
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,588 off RRP*
* 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

MINI Cooper SD vs rivals
MINI Cooper SD vs rivals

MINI Cooper SD vs rivals

With the new Cooper SD, MINI hopes to blend its brand of performance and fun with low running costs. We see if it can beat SEAT and Nissan rivals...
Car group tests
9 May 2011
Porsche Cayman R vs 904
Porsche Cayman R vs 904 header

Porsche Cayman R vs 904

We see if the extreme new Porsche Cayman R can live up to the reputation of its legendary, track-inspired forebear: the 904...
Car group tests
9 May 2011
Mercedes C-Class vs Rivals
Mercedes C-Class vs Rivals front

Mercedes C-Class vs Rivals

We see if Mercedes’ revised C-Class is the new king of the compact exec class as it meets BMW and Audi rivals
Car group tests
28 Apr 2011
Audi A1 vs Citroen DS3
Audi A1 vs Citroen DS3

Audi A1 vs Citroen DS3

Diesel version of Audi’s massive-selling new A1 meets the class-leading Citroen DS3
Car group tests
28 Apr 2011
Kia Pro_cee'd vs Renault Megane
Kia Pro_cee'd vs Renault Megane header

Kia Pro_cee'd vs Renault Megane

Facelifted Kia Pro_cee’d will sell on its style and efficiency. We see if it’s a better buy than attractive Renault rival
Car group tests
25 Apr 2011
New Audi A6 vs rivals
New Audi A6 vs rivals

New Audi A6 vs rivals

Audi’s new A6 claims to be the cream of the company car park. Can it see off key rivals?
Car group tests
25 Apr 2011
Ford Focus shoot-out
Focus shoot-out header

Ford Focus shoot-out

Latest Ford hatch offers a talented range of petrol and diesel engines. But which should you buy? We test two of the best to find out
Car group tests
15 Apr 2011
Honda Jazz hybrid vs rivals
Honda Jazz hybrid group

Honda Jazz hybrid vs rivals

New Honda Jazz hybrid meets petrol SEAT and diesel Skoda rivals. Which gets our vote?
Car group tests
15 Apr 2011
BMW 6 Series vs Jaguar XK
BMW 6-Series vs Jaguar XK twin

BMW 6 Series vs Jaguar XK

We Brits love our drop-tops, and BMW’s new 6-Series Convertible looks set to be one of the summer’s hottest buys. But can it beat the Jaguar XK?
Car group tests
8 Apr 2011
Nissan Leaf vs rivals
Nissan Leaf vs. rivals header

Nissan Leaf vs rivals

We rate Nissan’s new battery-powered Leaf against diesel and hybrid rivals in its first test
Car group tests
8 Apr 2011
Mercedes CLS vs rivals
Mercedes CLS vs. rivals header

Mercedes CLS vs rivals

Mercedes’ original CLS set the standard for a four-door coupé. Can the new car hit similar heights? We pitch it into a dogfight with Audi and Porsche …
Car group tests
1 Apr 2011
Subaru WRX STi vs. Insignia VXR
Subaru WRX STi vs. Insignia VXR twin

Subaru WRX STi vs. Insignia VXR

Rally bred Subaru super-saloon is back – but can it beat Vauxhall flier?
Car group tests
1 Apr 2011
Skip advert
Advertisement
Lexus CT200h vs BMW 1-Series
Lexus CT200h vs. BMW 1-Series front track

Lexus CT200h vs BMW 1-Series

The CT200h is looking to shake up the premium hatch market, but can it defeat a more conventional diesel powered BMW 1-series?
Car group tests
28 Mar 2011
Toyota Verso-S vs rivals
Toyota Verso-S vs Rivals front

Toyota Verso-S vs rivals

Supermini-MPVs are the talk of the town, offering practicality in a small package. Is new Toyota Verso-S the best of the breed?
Car group tests
21 Mar 2011
Honda Insight vs Leon Ecomotive
Honda Insight vs. Leon Ecomotive

Honda Insight vs Leon Ecomotive

Is hybrid technology the answer to minimising fuel station stops? We put Honda’s new Insight to the test.
Car group tests
14 Mar 2011
Audi A8 vs Rivals
Audi A8 vs rivals

Audi A8 vs Rivals

Audi has lofty ambitions for its new luxury saloon – but will the new A8 lord it over key rivals from Mercedes and Jaguar?
Car group tests
11 Mar 2011
Skoda Yeti vs rivals
Skoda Yeti vs rivals

Skoda Yeti vs rivals

Our Car of the Year goes eco-friendly in Greenline trim, but how will it fare against two other green rivals
Car group tests
7 Mar 2011
New VW Eos vs Megane CC
New VW Eos vs Megane CC header

New VW Eos vs Megane CC

Winter rain will soon be gone, so which will be this summer’s top coupe-cabrio: the new VW Eos or Renault’s Megane CC?
Car group tests
4 Mar 2011
Citroen DS3 Racing vs rivals
Citroen DS3 Racing vs rivals

Citroen DS3 Racing vs rivals

It’s Citroen’s rally car for the road – but can the new DS3 racing edge ahead of MINI and Renault rivals?
Car group tests
25 Feb 2011
Volkswagen Passat vs Lexus IS200d
VW Passat vs Lexus IS200d header

Volkswagen Passat vs Lexus IS200d

VW’s revised flagship passat offers buyers a slice of luxury at a cut price. but is it a match for new entry version of Lexus’ IS?
Car group tests
25 Feb 2011
Chevrolet Orlando vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Chevrolet Orlando vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Chevrolet Orlando vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Has Chevrolet’s ship come in? Chunky new Orlando aims to make waves in the seven-seat MPV class – and we test it against Citroen’s Grand C4 Picasso...
Car group tests
18 Feb 2011
New Mazda 5 vs rivals
New Mazda 5 vs. rivals

New Mazda 5 vs rivals

Latest MPVs offer more for the money than ever – but can Mazda’s new 5 beat seven-seat rivals from Ford and Toyota?
Car group tests
11 Feb 2011
2WD Freelander vs rivals
2WD Freelander vs. rivals

2WD Freelander vs rivals

Front-drive Freelander is the most eco-friendly Land Rover yet. Does it have the measure of crossover rivals from BMW and Kia?
Car group tests
4 Feb 2011