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

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £4,213 off RRP*Used from £10,995
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,644 off RRP*Used from £9,295
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £6,182 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,266 off RRP*Used from £14,500
* 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

Dodge Nitro vs Nissan Pathfinder
Nitro vs Pathfinder

Dodge Nitro vs Nissan Pathfinder

The latest addition to the Dodge line-up is the chunky Nitro SUV. It has bold looks and plenty of standard kit... so is the writing on the wall for it…
Car group tests
17 Oct 2007
Renault Twingo vs rivals

Renault Twingo vs rivals

Renault’s new Twingo has sailed into the UK, hoping to make waves in the city car class. We see how it shapes up against rivals from Toyota and Citroe…
Car group tests
10 Oct 2007
Mazda CX-7 vs Nissan Murano
CX-7 and Murano

Mazda CX-7 vs Nissan Murano

Mazda says its all-new CX-7 combines the best bits of an SUV with the driver appeal of a sports car. But is it a winning formula? We find out as it me…
Car group tests
10 Oct 2007
Mercedes C-Class vs Lexus IS250
C-Class vs Lexus

Mercedes C-Class vs Lexus IS250

With sharper styling, Mercedes' new C-Class is aiming to attract a host of younger buyers. We see how the petrol version fares against Lexus' IS250
Car group tests
3 Oct 2007
Subaru Impreza vs rivals
Impreza group

Subaru Impreza vs rivals

Subaru has gambled by axing the saloon shape of its legendary Impreza in favour of a hatch. We see if it’s paid off as the new entry-level model meets…
Car group tests
3 Oct 2007
Peugeot 308 vs rivals
Peugeot 308 vs rivals

Peugeot 308 vs rivals

Promoting a classy new image has been key for Peugeot and Fiat with their new 308 and Bravo. But is this enough to hold off the challenge of the class…
Car group tests
19 Sep 2007
Clubman vs Golf GTI
MINI Clubman vs VW Golf GTI

Clubman vs Golf GTI

MINI’s new Clubman adds practicality to the British-built car’s already-stylish formula. We see if it’s good enough to beat VW’s Golf GTI
Car group tests
19 Sep 2007
Volvo V70 vs rivals
Volvo V70 group test

Volvo V70 vs rivals

Can Volvo hit its estate rivals into the rough with the new V70? We see how the Swedish star fares against the BMW 5-series, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-cl…
Car group tests
12 Sep 2007
New M3 vs rivals
New M3 vs rivals

New M3 vs rivals

In what promises to be one of the most explosive tests of the year, we see if BMW’s new M3 can beat supercar rivals from Audi, Porsche and Vauxhall...
Car group tests
6 Sep 2007
Vauxhall Antara vs rivals
4x4 group test

Vauxhall Antara vs rivals

It’s boom time in the 4x4 class, with the new Vauxhall Antara and Citroen C-Crosser being joined by a revised Jeep and Nissan. We test them on and off…
Car group tests
5 Sep 2007
Hyundai i30 group test
Hyundai i30 Toyota Auris Kia Cee'd

Hyundai i30 group test

Hyundai is weighing into the competitive family hatch market with its all-new i30. Can it beat rivals from Kia and Toyota?
Car group tests
29 Aug 2007
Fiat 500 group test
Fiat 500 group test

Fiat 500 group test

Fiat’s new 500 is here, but can it live up to the hype? We test it against challengers from MINI, Suzuki, Toyota and Ford
Car group tests
20 Aug 2007
Skip advert
Advertisement
Compact SUVs

Compact SUVs

Does Nissan’s all-new X-Trail have what it takes to topple our favourite model, the Land Rover Freelander 2?
Car group tests
8 Aug 2007
Coupes

Coupes

We see if Audi's all-new A5 can beat key rivals from BMW and Peugeot in its first UK test
Car group tests
25 Jul 2007
Sports executives

Sports executives

BMW’s new, fourth-generation M3 has been unveiled We took Audi’s RS4 to the launch to find out which really is the ultimate driver's car...
Car group tests
19 Jul 2007
Vauxhall's performance flagship
Vauxhall VXR8

Vauxhall's performance flagship

Is new four-door a worthy replacement for muscular Monaro?
Car group tests
18 Jul 2007
Chrysler 300C SRT-8
Chrysler 300C SRT-8

Chrysler 300C SRT-8

Wild looks and a roaring V8 make the American a strong contender
Car group tests
18 Jul 2007
Vauxhall VXR8 vs Chryster 300C SRT-8 vs Jaguar S-Type R 2007 group test review
Vauxhall VXR8 vs Chryster 300C SRT-8 vs Jaguar S-Type R

Vauxhall VXR8 vs Chryster 300C SRT-8 vs Jaguar S-Type R 2007 group test review

Can Vauxhall's Australian-Bred muscle car see off rumbling V8 rivals from Chrysler and Jaguar?
Car group tests
18 Jul 2007
Jaguar S-Type R
Jaguar S-Type R

Jaguar S-Type R

It’s refined in this company, but the big Cat is more than capable
Car group tests
18 Jul 2007
Fiat Bravo v rivals

Fiat Bravo v rivals

Can the new Fiat Bravo beat key rivals from SEAT, Kia and Citroen?
Car group tests
11 Jul 2007
Chevrolet Captiva v Hyundai Santa Fe v Honda CR-V

Chevrolet Captiva v Hyundai Santa Fe v Honda CR-V

We see if Chevrolet's Captiva SUV can beat stars from Hyundai and Honda in its first test
Car group tests
4 Jul 2007
Ford Mondeo v Vauxhall Vectra v VW Passat v Honda Accord

Ford Mondeo v Vauxhall Vectra v VW Passat v Honda Accord

Ford’s all-new Mondeo estate takes on key class rivals from Vauxhall, Honda and Volkswagen in its first test
Car group tests
27 Jun 2007
Fiat Panda v Smart ForTwo v Mitsubishi i

Fiat Panda v Smart ForTwo v Mitsubishi i

We see if Fiat's class-leading Panda has anything to fear from Smart's ForTwo and Mitsubishi's cutting-edge i
Car group tests
25 Jun 2007