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

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,674 off RRP*Used from £8,995
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,300
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,474 off RRP*Used from £16,300
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,794 off RRP*Used from £16,698
* 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

Nissan Leaf vs BMW i3: used electric cars go head-to-head
BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf - front static

Nissan Leaf vs BMW i3: used electric cars go head-to-head

Used electric cars have never been more affordable, so is it time to make the switch?
Car group tests
28 Oct 2023
Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model 3 twin test review: EV titans go head-to-head
Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 – front tracking

Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model 3 twin test review: EV titans go head-to-head

Revisions for the Polestar 2 boost its range and performance, but is it enough to beat the Tesla Model 3?
Car group tests
21 Oct 2023
Abarth 500e vs MINI Electric: 2023 twin test review
MINI Electric chasing Abarth 500e

Abarth 500e vs MINI Electric: 2023 twin test review

The Abarth 500e launches the Italian brand into the world of electric hot hatches – but is it more fun than a MINI Electric?
Car group tests
14 Oct 2023
Old car vs new car: Rover 200 vs Hyundai Kona
Rover 214i and Hyundai Kona - front tracking

Old car vs new car: Rover 200 vs Hyundai Kona

Our first-ever cover car meets our current Car of the Year
Car group tests
7 Oct 2023
BMW 7 Series vs Mercedes S-Class: 2023 twin test review
BMW 7 Series vs Mercedes S-Class - header

BMW 7 Series vs Mercedes S-Class: 2023 twin test review

We stretch out in the new BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class to find a luxury champ
Car group tests
30 Sep 2023
Audi RS 7 Sportback vs Porsche Panamera: 2023 twin test review
Audi RS 7 vs Porsche Panamera - header

Audi RS 7 Sportback vs Porsche Panamera: 2023 twin test review

Ultra-fast executive models from Audi and Porsche go head to head
Car group tests
25 Sep 2023
Range Rover Velar vs Volvo XC60: 2023 twin test review
Volvo CX60 and Range Rover Velar - front tracking

Range Rover Velar vs Volvo XC60: 2023 twin test review

Can the updated Range Rover Velar beat the Volvo XC60 in PHEV guise?
Car group tests
16 Sep 2023
Smart #1 vs Renault Megane E-Tech: 2023 twin test review
Smart #1 and Renault Megane E-Tech - front static

Smart #1 vs Renault Megane E-Tech: 2023 twin test review

The Smart #1 marks the dawn of a new era for the former city car maker. Does it have the measure of the Renault Megane?
Car group tests
9 Sep 2023
Volkswagen ID.3 vs MG4: 2023 twin test review
Volkswagen ID.3 vs MG4 - front tracking

Volkswagen ID.3 vs MG4: 2023 twin test review

Is it second time lucky for the Volkswagen ID.3? We see if early updates can see off the MG4
Car group tests
2 Sep 2023
Mercedes-AMG A45 S vs Honda Civic Type R: 2023 twin test review
Mercedes-AMG A45 S and Honda Civic Type R - front tracking

Mercedes-AMG A45 S vs Honda Civic Type R: 2023 twin test review

A refresh has upped the ante for Mercedes-AMG’s A 45 S. How does it shape up against our reigning Hot Hatch of the Year, the Honda Civic Type R?
Car group tests
26 Aug 2023
Honda ZR-V vs Nissan Qashqai: 2023 twin test review
Honda ZR-V and Nissan Qashqai - front tracking

Honda ZR-V vs Nissan Qashqai: 2023 twin test review

Honda is aiming at the big-selling Nissan Qashqai with its new ZR-V. We find out if it’s got what it takes
Car group tests
19 Aug 2023
Maserati Grecale vs Porsche Macan: 2023 twin test review
Maserati Grecale and Porsche Macan - front tracking

Maserati Grecale vs Porsche Macan: 2023 twin test review

Can the Maserati Grecale beat the Porsche Macan for hot-SUV honours?
Car group tests
12 Aug 2023
Skip advert
Advertisement
BMW M2 vs Porsche 718 Cayman GTS: 2023 twin test review
BMW M2 and Porsche 718 Cayman GTS - front tracking

BMW M2 vs Porsche 718 Cayman GTS: 2023 twin test review

We’ve been impressed by the BMW M2 so far, but how does it fare against the performance-focused Porsche 718 Cayman GTS?
Car group tests
5 Aug 2023
Ford Ranger vs Toyota Hilux vs Volkswagen Amarok: 2023 group test review
Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok triple test header image

Ford Ranger vs Toyota Hilux vs Volkswagen Amarok: 2023 group test review

We rank the UK’s one-tonne pick-up trucks
Car group tests
29 Jul 2023
Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs BMW i4: 2023 twin test review
Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs BMW i4 - header

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs BMW i4: 2023 twin test review

Hyundai’s slick new Ioniq 6 takes on the BMW i4 in a fight for electric executive honours
Car group tests
22 Jul 2023
Renault Austral vs Hyundai Tucson: 2023 twin test review
Renault Austral and Hyundai Tucson - Tucson chasing Austral (front)

Renault Austral vs Hyundai Tucson: 2023 twin test review

The all-new Renault Austral takes on the class-leading Hyundai Tucson
Car group tests
8 Jul 2023
Complete Ford Fiesta review: every generation tested as production ends
Ford Fiesta Mk1 and Mk2 - tracking

Complete Ford Fiesta review: every generation tested as production ends

As the last-ever Fiesta rolls off Ford’s production line, we take a look back at this iconic small family supermini testing every version
Car group tests
7 Jul 2023
BMW M2 vs BMW M3 CSL: 2023 twin test review
BMW M2 vs M3 CSL - M3 chasing M2

BMW M2 vs BMW M3 CSL: 2023 twin test review

M Division’s latest creation goes head-to-head with one of its greatest hits to see how 20 years of progress have shaped its performance coupes
Car group tests
1 Jul 2023
Honda Jazz vs Toyota Yaris Cross: 2023 twin test review
Honda Jazz vs Toyota Yaris Cross - front tracking

Honda Jazz vs Toyota Yaris Cross: 2023 twin test review

The updated Honda Jazz now comes in Sport guise. Is it any more fun than the Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport?
Car group tests
29 Jun 2023
Mercedes A-Class vs DS 4: 2023 twin test review
Mercedes A-Class vs DS 4 - header

Mercedes A-Class vs DS 4: 2023 twin test review

The Mercedes A-Class is the definition of a premium hatchback – can the DS 4 deliver a fresh alternative?
Car group tests
24 Jun 2023
Skoda Karoq vs Volkswagen T-Roc: 2023 twin test review
Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen T-Roc - face-to-face static

Skoda Karoq vs Volkswagen T-Roc: 2023 twin test review

SUV-styled models are all the rage, but is the Karoq or T-Roc tops?
Car group tests
21 Jun 2023
Volkswagen Golf vs Skoda Octavia: 2023 twin test review
Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia - side tracking right

Volkswagen Golf vs Skoda Octavia: 2023 twin test review

VW’s Golf is the family car benchmark, while the Octavia wins the space race. Which is the best, though?
Car group tests
19 Jun 2023
Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV vs Volkswagen ID.5: 2023 twin test review
Skoda Enyaq iV and Volkswagen ID.5 - face-to-face

Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV vs Volkswagen ID.5: 2023 twin test review

These swoopy coupe-SUVs both use full-electric drivetrains, but which do we prefer?
Car group tests
17 Jun 2023