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

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,199 off RRP*Used from £15,337
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,383
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Long-term tests

DS 7 Crossback E-Tense: long term test review
DS 7 E-Tense - Steve Walker with DS 7 in front of a log pile

DS 7 Crossback E-Tense: long term test review

Final report: We bid adieu to aspiring upmarket PHEV
Long-term tests
29 Jul 2022
Citroen e-Berlingo: long-term test review
Citroen e-Berlingo long term test - serving ice cream

Citroen e-Berlingo: long-term test review

Final report: We’ve learned to love our pure-electric MPV
Long-term tests
22 Jul 2022
BMW 330e Touring: long-term test review
BMW 330e and iX3 on riverbank 1

BMW 330e Touring: long-term test review

Final report: Plug-in estate and electric SUV line up for family test
Long-term tests
12 Jul 2022
Lexus UX300e: long-term test
Lexus UX300e long-termer

Lexus UX300e: long-term test

Final report: Even with no home charging, electric SUV won us over
Long-term tests
8 Jun 2022
Renault Captur E-Tech: long-term test review
Renault Capture E-Tech: Christ Rosamond with Captur (bonnet open)

Renault Captur E-Tech: long-term test review

Final report: We look back on six months with our easy-going and practical hybrid crossover
Long-term tests
6 Jun 2022
Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S Tour: long-term test review
VW ID.3 Long termer final report: Rich Ingram holding a spanner

Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S Tour: long-term test review

Final report: We find out about EV servicing before ID.3 leaves our fleet
Long-term tests
1 Jun 2022
Audi Q4 e-tron 50 quattro: long-term test review
Audi Q4 e-tron final report: Steve Fowler with Q4 e-tron outside Autovia offices

Audi Q4 e-tron 50 quattro: long-term test review

Final report: Our super-stylish SUV has impressed in and out of town
Long-term tests
30 May 2022
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Premium: long-term test
John McIlroy washing Ioniq 5

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Premium: long-term test

Final report: Stylish EV shows just why it was our 2021 Car of the Year
Long-term tests
6 May 2022
Fiat 500 Passion: long-term test review
James Brodie with giant key

Fiat 500 Passion: long-term test review

Final report: Fiat’s baby EV is hot in the city and good elsewhere if the weather’s not cold
Long-term tests
25 Apr 2022
Cupra Formentor V1: long-term test
Cupra Formentor final report: outside SEAT dealership

Cupra Formentor V1: long-term test

Final report: company’s standalone SUV is a great ambassador for the Spanish brand
Long-term tests
13 Apr 2022
Skoda Enyaq iV 80: long-term test review
Skoda Enyaq iV 80 long termer final report: Steve Walker on spacehopper

Skoda Enyaq iV 80: long-term test review

Final Report: It’s goodbye to our Enyaq, and the fact that the worst thing about it were some optional wheels says a lot about Skoda’s first EV
Long-term tests
8 Apr 2022
Toyota RAV4 Design PHEV: long-term test
Toyota RAV4 long term third report - 1

Toyota RAV4 Design PHEV: long-term test

Final report: our Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid is put to good use as an ambulance
Long-term tests
11 Mar 2022
Skip advert
Advertisement
Cupra Leon TSI 300: long-term test
Cupra Leon long termer - final report header

Cupra Leon TSI 300: long-term test

Final report: we’ve got mixed emotions as the Cupra Leon hot hatch leaves our fleet
Long-term tests
3 Mar 2022
Fiat 500: long-term test review
Fiat 500: long-term test review - charging

Fiat 500: long-term test review

First report: We take our new Fiat 500 on a long trip outside its comfort zone
Long-term tests
28 Jan 2022
Citroen e-C4 Sense Plus: long term test
Citroen e-C4 long termer - charging

Citroen e-C4 Sense Plus: long term test

Final report: The more time we spent with our Citroen e-C4, the more we appreciated the easy life it let us lead
Long-term tests
22 Jan 2022
Audi S3 Sportback: long-term test
Audi S3 long termer - boot

Audi S3 Sportback: long-term test

Final report: our Audi S3 wasn't perfect, but it did show many strengths
Long-term tests
19 Jan 2022
Vauxhall Mokka-e: long-term test
Vauxhall Mokka-e - double

Vauxhall Mokka-e: long-term test

Second report: our electric Vauxhall Mokka-e faces up against the petrol-powered version
Long-term tests
7 Jan 2022
Dacia Sandero Stepway: long-term test review
Dacia Sandero long termer - front

Dacia Sandero Stepway: long-term test review

Final report: Jacked-up Dacia Sandero hatch wins hearts and minds of Dawn’s family
Long-term tests
26 Nov 2021
Hyundai Tucson Ultimate Hybrid: long-term test
Hyundai Tucson long termer

Hyundai Tucson Ultimate Hybrid: long-term test

Final report: The Hyundai Tucson has handled everything the Fowler family could throw at it
Long-term tests
23 Nov 2021
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0: long-term test review
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 long termer - final report header

Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0: long-term test review

Final report: parting is such sorrow for our man as he says farewell to the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS
Long-term tests
2 Nov 2021
Mazda MX-30 GT Sport Tech: long-term test review
Mazda MX-30 long termer - final report header

Mazda MX-30 GT Sport Tech: long-term test review

Final report: our final thoughts as the quirky Mazda MX-30 electric coupe-SUV ends its six-month stint on our fleet
Long-term tests
1 Nov 2021
Ford Transit Custom PHEV: long-term review
Ford Transit Custom PHEV long termer third report - header

Ford Transit Custom PHEV: long-term review

Final report: the Ford Transit Custom PHEV van’s practicality impressed, but not its economy
Long-term tests
13 Oct 2021
SEAT Leon e-Hybrid: long-term test review
SEAT Leon e-Hybrid long termer - second report static

SEAT Leon e-Hybrid: long-term test review

Final report: Staycation displays our hybrid hatch’s strengths perfectly
Long-term tests
11 Oct 2021