Long-term tests

Long-term tests

Every Auto Express long-term test, ever...

The Auto Express long-term test is a rigorous examination of a car’s design, engineering and practicality in real world conditions - often accompanied by some slightly silly photos of our experts with their cars. 

Our team lives with each car for a period of around six months, subjecting each to the trials and tribulations of our own daily routines. School runs, shopping trips, commutes, days out, family holidays, visits to the rubbish dump; we live with these cars so you can understand what it would be like to. 

And, of course, we’re car journalists so we regularly go above and beyond the typical use patterns for our long-term test cars. Track and off-road driving, in suitable models, gives a further insight into their qualities. So do the big mileages we cover on roads of all types right around the UK and across Europe, not to mention the photographic and video shoots.  

If you’re in the market to buy a new car, the Auto Express long-term test reports provide an invaluable insight into what your own life might be like as the owner. In combination with our in-depth reviews and group tests, these pages form the most comprehensive evaluation of new cars you’ll find anywhere. 

Over thousands of miles of testing, our experts really get under the skin of all the most popular models on the market and if you have specific questions about the cars we’re running now or have run in the past, we’re here to help… 

What’s on fleet?

Cars we’re reporting on now plus recent long-term test fleet arrivals and departures 

Scroll down for all our long-term test reports...

New & used car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £1,882 off RRP*Used from £18,900
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,383
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,448
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,879 off RRP*Used from £15,598
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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More on Long-term tests

Audi SQ5 Sportback: long-term test review
Auto Express associate editor Sean Carson striking various poses around the Audi SQ5

Audi SQ5 Sportback: long-term test review

Final report: Our easy-to-live-with sporty SUV doesn’t know what it wants to be
Long-term tests
16 Jun 2023
Peugeot 308 SW Hybrid: long-term test
Peugeot 30 SW long termer final report - header

Peugeot 308 SW Hybrid: long-term test

Final report: one issue can’t take the shine off the Peugeot 308 SW as an impressive family car
Long-term tests
15 May 2023
Honda Civic Sport: long-term test review
Tristan Shale-Hester standing next to the Honda Civic Sport

Honda Civic Sport: long-term test review

Final report: our Civic has impressed, but we wonder about its position in the market
Long-term tests
2 May 2023
Alpine A110 GT: long term test
Steve Sutcliffe holding 'au revoir' sign

Alpine A110 GT: long term test

Final report: we’re sad to say goodbye to French sports car
Long-term tests
24 Mar 2023
Jaguar F-Pace PHEV: long-term test review
Pete Gibson with two Jaguar F-Paces

Jaguar F-Pace PHEV: long-term test review

Final report: hybrid Jag signs off with a visit from its sporty SVR relative
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2023
Kia Niro Hybrid: long-term test
Pete Gibson with Kia Niro Hybrid being recovered

Kia Niro Hybrid: long-term test

Final report: Our hybrid had more than its fair share of problems, but there was much to like, too
Long-term tests
6 Mar 2023
Toyota Corolla Commercial: long-term test review
Toyota Corolla Commercial final report

Toyota Corolla Commercial: long-term test review

Final report: car-based van has been great, except for a couple of actual blind spots
Long-term tests
3 Mar 2023
Vauxhall Astra 1.2 Turbo: long-term test
Vauxhall Astra 1.2 Turbo final report - header

Vauxhall Astra 1.2 Turbo: long-term test

Final report: a temperamental alarm doesn't dampen our impression of the new Vauxhall Astra hatch
Long-term tests
1 Mar 2023
Lexus NX 450h+: long term test
Lexus NX 450h+ - Kim Adams holding a charging cable

Lexus NX 450h+: long term test

Final report: Have six months with Lexus converted Kim to a PHEV fan?
Long-term tests
24 Feb 2023
Land Rover Defender P400e PHEV: long-term test
Land Rover Defender long-termer - Steve Fowler in doctor's white overcoat

Land Rover Defender P400e PHEV: long-term test

Final report: Reborn British 4x4 icon has proved to be just what the doctor ordered
Long-term tests
21 Feb 2023
Ford Focus Active Estate: long-term test review
Ford Focus Active long termer final report - header

Ford Focus Active Estate: long-term test review

Final report: there’s much more to the Ford Focus Active Estate than the SUV-style additions
Long-term tests
15 Feb 2023
Dacia Jogger: long-term test
Dacia Jogger long termer - standing next to Jogger

Dacia Jogger: long-term test

Final report: We’ll miss our practical, value-for-money budget seven-seater
Long-term tests
20 Jan 2023
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BMW iX3 M Sport Pro: long-term test review
BMW iX3 - side tracking with electricity bolts

BMW iX3 M Sport Pro: long-term test review

Final report: It’s not cheap, but what we got for free sealed the deal
Long-term tests
17 Jan 2023
Honda HR-V: long-term test
Honda HR-V long termer final report - header

Honda HR-V: long-term test

Final report: the Honda HR-V compact SUV has been a perfect fit for family life
Long-term tests
4 Jan 2023
Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo: long-term test
Porsche Taycan long termer final report - header

Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo: long-term test

Final report: we loved our Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, and Porsche is already fixing the few issues we had
Long-term tests
15 Dec 2022
Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI: long-term test
Skoda Fabia long termer third report - header

Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI: long-term test

Third report: we put our hatchback to the test against family’s Fabia Estate
Long-term tests
17 Nov 2022
Mazda CX-5 diesel: long-term test review
Mazda CX-5 long termer final report - header

Mazda CX-5 diesel: long-term test review

Final report: six months in our Mazda CX-5 have shown that diesel engines still have a place
Long-term tests
14 Nov 2022
Nissan Qashqai Tekna+: long-term test
Nissan Qashqai - final report header

Nissan Qashqai Tekna+: long-term test

Final report: the practical Nissan Qashqai is let down by comfort over long distances
Long-term tests
18 Oct 2022
Citroen e-Dispatch: long-term test review
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Citroen e-Dispatch: long-term test review

Final report: Our man weighs up the penalties of carrying a full load
Long-term tests
3 Oct 2022
Toyota Yaris Cross Design: long-term test
Toyota Yaris Cross final report - James Brodie 'shaking hands' with the Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross Design: long-term test

Final report: After six months’ probation, compact SUV has got the job
Long-term tests
20 Sep 2022
Ford Ranger Wildtrak (2011-2023): long-term test
Kim Adams with Ford Ranger

Ford Ranger Wildtrak (2011-2023): long-term test

Final report: Pick-up truck shows its worth as it signs off from our fleet
Long-term tests
23 Aug 2022
Polestar 2 Dual Motor long-term test
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Polestar 2 Dual Motor long-term test

Final report: We’ll miss our 2 – it’s everything a posh EV should be
Long-term tests
16 Aug 2022
Peugeot 508 PSE: long-term test review
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Peugeot 508 PSE: long-term test review

Final report: We saddle up for estate’s last practicality test on our fleet
Long-term tests
4 Aug 2022