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

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,895
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

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

Vauxhall Corsa

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

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,761
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
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Mazda CX-5 Sport Nav: long-term test review
Mazda CX-5 SUV - front

Mazda CX-5 Sport Nav: long-term test review

Final Report: We'll miss the great-driving Mazda CX-5 SUV, with its punchy diesel power
Long-term tests
20 Sep 2018
Long-term test review: SEAT Arona FR
SEAT Arona FR - front

Long-term test review: SEAT Arona FR

Final report: the SEAT Arona SUV crossover is a great all-rounder, but we’ve struggled to bond with it in its time on our fleet
Long-term tests
14 Sep 2018
SsangYong Rexton ELX: long-term test review
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SsangYong Rexton ELX: long-term test review

Final report: our SsangYong Rexton's great load-lugging ability comes to fore on a track-day tour around France
Long-term tests
6 Sep 2018
Volvo XC60 R-Design: long-term test review
Volvo XC60 - group shot

Volvo XC60 R-Design: long-term test review

Update: comfy, quiet and smooth-riding Volvo XC60 SUV takes the motorway commute in its stride
Long-term tests
4 Sep 2018
Long-term test review: Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid
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Long-term test review: Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid

Final report: we look back at our six months with Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid hatch
Long-term tests
23 Aug 2018
Volkswagen Arteon R-Line long-term test
Volkswagen Arteon - Long Termer

Volkswagen Arteon R-Line long-term test

Final Report: flagship Volkswagen Arteon is a fine travelling companion, but there are still some niggles
Long-term tests
13 Aug 2018
Long-term test review: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S - front

Long-term test review: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S

Final report: mega Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Estate has been on our fleet for eight months, but is the S model worth the extra?
Long-term tests
7 Aug 2018
Long-term test review: Honda Civic Type R GT
Honda Civic Type R long-term test review - champagne

Long-term test review: Honda Civic Type R GT

Final report: we crack out the champagne as we wave goodbye to the best hot hatch of 2018, the Honda Civic Type R
Long-term tests
1 Aug 2018
Long-term test: Skoda Kodiaq (2017-2024) SE L 2.0 TDI
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Long-term test: Skoda Kodiaq (2017-2024) SE L 2.0 TDI

Final report: off-road excursion shows Skoda Kodiaq SUV really can do everything as it leaves fleet
Long-term tests
28 Jun 2018
Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury: long-term test review
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Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury: long-term test review

Final report: we say a fitting farewell to our 2017 Car of the Year by getting it filthy off road
Long-term tests
22 Jun 2018
Long-term test review: Alfa Romeo Giulia
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Long-term test review: Alfa Romeo Giulia

Update: even a collision with a bus can’t dent our love for the beautiful Alfa Romeo Giulia
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5 Jun 2018
Long-term test review: Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
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Long-term test review: Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer

Final report: big Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer estate loads up to help our man move out as it leaves our fleet
Long-term tests
31 May 2018
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Long-term test: Renault Grand Scenic (2016-2020)
Renault Grand Scenic front

Long-term test: Renault Grand Scenic (2016-2020)

Final report: After eight months on our fleet, the Renault Grand Scenic proves MPVs are still relevant
Long-term tests
24 May 2018
Long-term test: SEAT Ibiza
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Long-term test: SEAT Ibiza

Final report: as we say goodbye to our SEAT Ibiza, we compare it with the class leading Ford Fiesta
Long-term tests
11 May 2018
Long-term test review: Ford Fiesta
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Long-term test review: Ford Fiesta

Final report: the Ford Fiesta and SEAT Ibiza have really impressed, but which one wins in the eyes of our team?
Long-term tests
11 May 2018
Long-term test review: Audi RS 3
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Long-term test review: Audi RS 3

Final report: we’re going to miss the sheer versatility of Audi’s hyper RS 3 Sportback hatch
Long-term tests
25 Apr 2018
Long-term test: Peugeot 3008
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Long-term test: Peugeot 3008

Final report: it’s been all smiles during our man’s 12 months with the brilliant Peugeot 3008 crossover
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23 Apr 2018
Long-term test review: Volvo S90
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Long-term test review: Volvo S90

Final report: it’s time to say goodbye to our classy luxury Volvo S90 saloon, and we’re really going to miss it
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17 Apr 2018
Long-term test review: Mitsubishi L200
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Long-term test review: Mitsubishi L200

Final report: we’re going to miss our workhorse Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck, because it has been so versatile
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14 Mar 2018
Long-term test review: Volkswagen e-Golf
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Long-term test review: Volkswagen e-Golf

Final report: The Volkswagen e-Golf has cleaned up, but will it continue to do so as tech evolves?
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Long-term test review: Suzuki Ignis
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Long-term test review: Suzuki Ignis

Final report: the Suzuki Ignis has departed our long-term fleet, and we’re already missing the little SUV
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Long-term test review: Volkswagen up!
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Long-term test review: Volkswagen up!

Final report: after over 5,000 miles, we bid a tearful farewell to our beloved Volkswagen up! city car
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Long-term test review: Ford Edge SUV
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Long-term test review: Ford Edge SUV

Final report: the Ford Edge SUV has undeniable appeal, but it struggles to disguise its American roots
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