These purport to provide excellent fuel economy for those who need a greater range and quicker refuelling than what's currently offered by electric cars. The claimed fuel economy figures of PHEV cars are incredible, but time and again, we've seen them come up short when faced with our independent fuel consumption and emissions tests.
This is because our tests are more demanding to better replicate real-world conditions and driving. Not only are certain models caught out for their poor fuel consumption - particularly when driving with the battery flat - but some also emit far higher emissions than official standards allow. Full hybrids work by harvesting energy normally wasted under braking and coasting.
This is used to power an electric motor, which can assist the petrol engine lowering consumption or power the car emissions-free for limited distances. Mild hybrids work in a similar manner, but have much smaller batteries and therefore can't be driven on electric power alone.
Certain manufacturers are developing hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles FCEV , which are slowly emerging as an alternative to battery electric cars.
Currently however, there are only a tiny number of expensive models currently available, and the hydrogen refilling stations in the UK are few and far between. Regardless of what you want your new car to excel at, our in-depth car reviews reveal the truth about how each car we test performs in every area that matters.
Each of our online new and used car reviews also gives detailed measurements of a vehicle's passenger space. Our findings often make for surprising reading. For instance, many MPVs and large cars dispel the myth that large off-roaders are the best models for practicality and passenger space, with variability in seating layout and ease of access being just as important in terms of practicality as outright space.
You might be surprised to find new cars differ in how safe they are. As a general rule, it's usually smaller city cars and other budget models that fail to score a full five stars in safety organisation Euro NCAP's crash tests.
For more information on the key safety kit you should look out for, head to our car safety features explainer. At Which? Each car we test also goes through a rigorous high-speed hazard-avoidance test, which reveals its behaviour in extreme situations.
Use the links below to find out the top models in the most popular car classes:. To find out which models are most cherished by their owners, regardless of their flaws, head to our guide on the cars you love and hate. It can often be tempting to spec the most advanced kit, particularly if the price is rolled into a palatable monthly payment. But some expensive options are worth paying for and will truly enhance both your safety and the driving experience.
Below is a list of some options you may wish to consider. It's worth noting that most optional extras need to be ordered prior to the car being built and can't normally be added afterwards. These are known as factory options and are distinct from dealer options, which can be fitted by your supplying dealer after you've taken delivery of the car. Premium entertainment systems are good if you have kids or spend a lot of time in the car, and there are now a multitude of options, including DAB digital radio and Bluetooth streaming, which have largely replaced the traditional CD multi-changer.
However, an upgraded stereo can often come with a four-figure price tag, which you may not recoup if you sell the car. Thankfully, smartphone mirroring, in the form of Android Auto and Apple Carplay, is levelling the playing field for car infotainment. Cruise control is one of the most useful car options available, taking the strain out of longer journeys and preventing you accidentally exceeding the speed limit. An evolution of the standard cruise control, which simply keeps your speed constant, is adaptive cruise control.
This uses sensors to detect how far the car in front is and will reduce your speed to match. This is far safer than conventional cruise control, which relies solely on drivers being alert to the traffic situation ahead. While all-round parking sensors and rear-view cameras are increasingly offered as standard on even cheaper cars, it could be worth upgrading to a full degree system. These vary slightly by manufacturer, but the majority use cameras to display a birds-eye view of the car.
This makes even the largest vehicle easy to manoeuvre in tight spots. Another useful driver aid worth considering is a head-up display. Sign up now or login. Sort by: Most-recently reviewed. Displaying 1 to 10 of new and used car reviews.
Add to Compare. Test score Show Context. Want to know which car you should buy in ? Daljinder Nagra. Best on test: boasts brilliant range and dazzling efficiency. Worst on test: plagued by imprecise steering and fault rates too high to ignore. Best on test: a real gem, pairing good looks with dependability. Worst on test: completely unexceptional in almost every way — not a quality you want in a new car. Worst on test: one to avoid at all costs — it looks cheap and let us down with a choppy ride.
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Crash tests: which electric car is safest to drive? Autumn Budget Fuel duty to remain frozen until Revealed: Which? Latest car tests: should you ditch petrol for electric, or go for a cheaper hybrid? Crash tested: are hydrogen and electric cars safe to drive? The latest family cars tested: is plug-in hybrid the fuel type of choice?
By continuing to browse you consent to our use of cookies. You can understand more and change your cookies preferences here. Depending on past experience, buying a car could conjure an image of a glossy showroom, pristine cars and the patter of a helpful but focused salesperson — or you might imagine a scruffy forecourt staffed by an Arthur Daley lookalike looking to pull a fast one.
The former is, of course, a far more realistic view of most car dealerships, and visiting one remains a perfectly legitimate way to purchase your next vehicle. Or you could use a broker to avoid the haggling, letting them do the leg work to find you the right new or used car at a good price.
See the ones we recommend by viewing our Best Buys. Buying a new car? Here are the pros and cons of the main places you can buy from. Be prepared to haggle. Furthermore, a Which? So if signing the dotted line at a dealership, make sure you know exactly what you want form your car, be wary of dodgy insurance extras and be prepared to do some serious haggling.
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