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

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £31,499
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,704 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

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

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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Long-term test review: Nissan Leaf Tekna
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Long-term test review: Nissan Leaf Tekna

Final report: With zero instances of range anxiety, the Nissan Leaf Tekna makes EV life enjoyable
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Mercedes X 350 d: long-term test review
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Mercedes X 350 d: long-term test review

Third report: we’re not always sitting comfortably in our Mercedes X 350 d pick-up truck
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Audi A6 Avant 40 TDI: long-term test review
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Audi A6 Avant 40 TDI: long-term test review

Final report: Our Audi A6 Avant estate has been the perfect workmate for photographer Pete
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6 Jun 2019
Volkswagen Polo SE L 1.0 TSI: long-term test review

Volkswagen Polo SE L 1.0 TSI: long-term test review

Final report: Polo is bigger than ever, but we’re sad to see the sweet supermini go
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21 May 2019
Mazda 6 2.5 GT Sport Nav+: long-term test review
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Mazda 6 2.5 GT Sport Nav+: long-term test review

Final report: as the new MX-5 takes its place, we bid farewell to our much-loved Mazda 6 family car
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9 May 2019
Volvo V60 D3 Momentum Pro: long-term test
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Volvo V60 D3 Momentum Pro: long-term test

Final report: some tech issues aside, our Volvo V60 D3 Momentum Pro estate has been a hit
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3 May 2019
Hyundai Kona Electric Premium SE: long-term test
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Hyundai Kona Electric Premium SE: long-term test

Final report: We gather Hyundai Kona Electric owners to see what life is like with the EV
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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: long-term test review
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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: long-term test review

Final report: rare Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SUV is fine for families if you can live with its weaknesses
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24 Apr 2019
Long-term test review: Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce
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Long-term test review: Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce

Final report: Life with our Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce was a drama full of comedy and tragedy
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15 Apr 2019
Ford Fiesta ST: long-term test review
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Ford Fiesta ST: long-term test review

Final report: We say a sad farewell to our five-star Ford Fiesta ST hot hatchback
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10 Apr 2019
Mercedes A 200 AMG Line: long-term test review
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Mercedes A 200 AMG Line: long-term test review

Final report: We’re going to miss our sporty, tech-packed Mercedes A-Class hatchback
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Suzuki Swift Sport (2018-2024): long-term test
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Suzuki Swift Sport (2018-2024): long-term test

Final report: Over eight months, our Suzuki Swift Sport hot hatch has been a tasty treat
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Vauxhall Grandland X Sport Nav: long-term test
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Vauxhall Grandland X Sport Nav: long-term test

Fifth report: We love the paintjob, but other shortcomings are colouring our view of our Vauxhall Grandland X SUV
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Skoda Karoq SE L: long-term test
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Skoda Karoq SE L: long-term test

Final report: Our versatile Skoda Karoq SUV has starred with all-round ability during time on fleet
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28 Feb 2019
MINI Cooper 5-Door: long-term test
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MINI Cooper 5-Door: long-term test

Final report: Departure of our MINI Cooper 5-door makes it an unhappy start to 2019
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22 Jan 2019
Long-term test review: Mercedes X 250 d
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Long-term test review: Mercedes X 250 d

Second report: Our Mercedes X-Class continues to attract attention and start conversations
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21 Jan 2019
Renault Koleos Dyamique S Nav: long-term test review
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Renault Koleos Dyamique S Nav: long-term test review

Final report: Our Renault Koleos leaves us undecided after a mixed eight months’ service
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14 Jan 2019
Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine: long-term test review
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Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine: long-term test review

Final report: Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine SUV has convinced our man of the benefits of PHEV power
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Kia Stinger GT-Line S: long-term test review
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Kia Stinger GT-Line S: long-term test review

Final report: Luxury Kia Stinger GT scored on style and spec, but it left us wanting something more
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Toyota C-HR Hybrid: long-term test
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Toyota C-HR Hybrid: long-term test

Final report: Switch to hybrid Toyota C-HR pays big dividends with fuel economy
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Long-term test: Audi A7 Sportback
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Long-term test: Audi A7 Sportback

Final report: Audi A7 Sportback has all the tools of the executive trade, so we'll be sad to see it go
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Peugeot 5008 GT Line: long-term test
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Peugeot 5008 GT Line: long-term test

Final report: Seven-seat Peugeot 5008 SUV saddles up for rural break, and is more at home than in town
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Citroen C3 Aircross Flair: long-term test
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Final report: we’re sad to see comfortable small SUV leave fleet
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