Latest News from Auto Express
Auto Express
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Super sci-fi Kia EV6 for an exceptional £260 per month
Star Trek styling with spacious cabin 265-mile range plus lightning-fast charging Only £260 per month The Kia EV6 is now more affordable to buy than ever thanks to the recent introduction of a new entry-level model, but if you'd rather lease the super sharp-looking, very spacious electric car, it's available from only £280 per month through the Auto Express Find A Car service. Advertisement - Article continues below That price is being offered by Milease through Auto Express, and is for the new Kia EV6 Air Standard Range. The two-year lease deal requires an initial payment of £3,414, followed by monthly payments of £260. Included in the offer is an annual mileage allowance of 5,000 miles per year, but if you have a longer commute or enjoy a road trip – which the EV6 is very good at – you can increase the limit to 8,000 miles a year for just £17 extra a month. Or you can stretch it to 10,000 miles per annum, and still only pay £288 per month. The EV6 feels very stable cruising on the motorway, and it's quiet inside, too, plus Kia's Lane Follow Assist 2.0 system helps make long journeys easier. But unlike some other electric family cars, this is a fun and enjoyable car to drive on some twisty roads. This may be the bog-standard EV6, yet it still comes generously equipped with dual 12.3-inch curved displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, LED lights all-round, 19-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, and smart cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. It also uses a 63kWh battery to provide up to 265 miles of range, and features the same type of 800-volt charging system as the £100k+ Porsche Taycan. This allows for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in just 18 minutes, if you can find a 350kW DC ultra-rapid charger. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find a Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Kia EV6 leasing offers from leading providers on our Kia EV6 deals hub page… Check out the Kia EV6 Deal of the Day or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here…
Auto Express
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Hunter: Help! I need a premium two-door coupe for £25,000
Dear Auto Express, I'm looking for a comfortable, sleek two-door coupe with a £25,000 budget. What are my options? - Peter Asher, via E-mail The best two-door coupes offer classier looks and keener driving dynamics than saloon counterparts, while retaining an even spread of abilities. With the Audi A5, the German brand gave the sensible A4 saloon some flair thanks to an attractive two-door body. The Mk1 A5 was an instant hit on the design front, and the second-gen model was even more striking. Advertisement - Article continues below The Mercedes E-Class Coupe is arguably more appealing to look at; it distinguishes itself from the saloon with a svelte profile and a different rear-end treatment, plus it offers a compliant suspension set-up and strong GT credentials. BMW designed the Mk1 4 Series with driving enthusiasts in mind. Lower, squatter and more athletic than a 3 Series, it has the firm's absorbing rear-drive handling, with a great choice of engines available. These are three classy contenders, then, but which one makes the best used buy? For: Strong engines, slick gearbox, high-quality interior Against: Boring to drive, doesn't feel particularly special The second-generation Audi A5 is very much a sharper, modern rendition of the 2007 original, and that's no bad thing. It may not be a show-stopping design, but the A5 looks just as crisp as its rivals here. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below It's no firecracker to drive, but is pleasant and refined thanks to its MLB Evo architecture. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is snappy and responsive, and coupled with a solid range of engines, the A5 is a relaxed cruiser. You can bag a facelifted 2022 20,000-mile A5 Coupe, with a 204bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine for aroud £22,700. Like the exterior, the A5's cabin is attractive and subdued, rather than overly stylish. The quality is exceptional, though, and the materials are first-rate. While the overall design will be familiar to A4 owners, the low-slung, sportier driving position will not. Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital dashboard and slick 10.1-inch MMI infotainment system feel thoroughly modern, too. Advertisement - Article continues below Access to the rear seats isn't the easiest, yet they're roomier than you might expect for a coupe, and the boot is just 15 litres smaller than the A4 saloon's. At 450 litres, it's also a significant 50 litres larger than the C-Class Coupe's load bay. Used Audi A5 deals For: Elegant looks, soft ride, easy access to rear seats Against: Numb steering, clunky infotainment set-up Mercedes is known for upmarket, classy styling and cruising comfort, and these qualities have been distilled in the Mercedes E-Class Coupe. With curvier surfacing, chrome details and a tapered rear, it's a more adventurous design than the Audi. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The driving experience is laid-back; it has a pliant ride and smoothes poor surfaces well, although the lifeless steering is a letdown. But the nine-speed automatic gearbox is smooth, while its short ratios offer strong in-gear punch. A 2019 27,400-mile 194bhp E220d, with a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds, is within budget at around £24,000. The E-Class's interior is just as stylish as the exterior, with a swooping dash architecture, metal switchgear and lavish detailing throughout: the speakers for the optional Burmester stereo are a particular highlight. However, look more closely and the material quality isn't quite as consistent as its rivals', and the tech is ever so slightly off the pace. Advertisement - Article continues below Mercedes' COMAND infotainment is cumbersome compared to those on the rival cars and standard kit isn't as generous as the Audi. It also has a smaller 400-litre boot, but overall cabin space is reasonable and the rear seats are easy to access thanks to the long doors and a relatively high roofline. Used Mercedes E-Class Coupe deals For: Sporty drive, sleek styling, strong engines Against: Uninspiring cabin, lacks latest tech The first-gen BMW 4 Series may look broadly similar to the 3 Series on which it's based, but tweaks such as a wider stance and resculpted body panels give it much more presence. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below On the road, its well tuned rear-drive chassis is the most rewarding of this trio, with taut body control and direct steering encouraging the driver to get stuck in. The 4 Series isn't as cosseting as the C-Class over broken surfaces, but it isn't uncomfortable, either. For £21,500, you can buy a first-gen 2020 420d with 187bhp and 13,000 miles on the clock. The 2.0-litre diesel engine achieves around 50mpg. While the 4 Series might be the most engaging car here from behind the steering wheel, the interior isn't particularly inspiring. The 4 Series makes do with a dull design and black plastic switchgear that doesn't have the same sense of occasion. It's very well built, but lacks the opulence of its competitors from Audi and Mercedes. BMW's iDrive infotainment system is the most intuitive of the three, though, despite lacking some of the modern technology that is fitted to the Audi. The rear seats are usable for most adults, despite the car's swooping silhouette, and the boot capacity is definitely competitive, at a reasonable 445 litres. Used BMW 4 Series deals Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals… Find a car with the experts Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel Editor Paul Barker thinks the EV transition is coming whether we like it or not The MG HS just got hot! New 221bhp Hybrid+ model joins line-up The MG HS just got hot! New 221bhp Hybrid+ model joins line-up The Hybrid+ gives the MG HS another tool to take on the Dacia Bigster 2026 Land Rover Defender updates look subtle, but they fix one huge annoyance for owners 2026 Land Rover Defender updates look subtle, but they fix one huge annoyance for owners Land Rover has introduced new, larger white-painted steel wheels for models with big brakes, fixing one massive irritation with the previous generatio…
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Hit the road in style with the electric BMW i4 for only £344 a month
Fun to drive; practical interior Desirable M Sport model Only £343.96 a month BMW's i4 was an early challenger to the mighty Tesla Model 3, but despite its advancing years it's still a formidable rival. Badge appeal, a quality interior and fine driving dynamics all add up to a desirable electric saloon. Advertisement - Article continues below Through the Auto Express Find A Car service, VIPGateway is offering the i4 for £343.96 a month right now. Naturally, there's an initial payment to sort first – here it's £4,477.46 – and this is a three-year deal, with a 5,000-mile-a-year cap. If this is too limiting, then 8,000 miles a year can be had for the princely sum of £15.34 extra a month. You'll be getting the smaller battery model, but at 70.3kWh, you should be able to achieve 300 miles on a full charge, according to BMW. Meanwhile, you can enjoy M Sport specification; easily the most desirable trim of the range, this brings a host of appealing extras such as racier styling, anthracite headlining, an M Sport leather steering wheel, 18-inch alloys and sports seats with 'M piping'. The i4 is easily one of the finest electric saloons on the market, thanks to its agile handling and cosseting ride, and its sharp steering makes light work of twisty roads. And while it's often referred to as an electric saloon, it has a practical hatchback – something that the Tesla Model 3 can't boast of. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top BMW i4 leasing offers from leading providers on our BMW i4 hub page. Check out the BMW i4 deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here… Find a car with the experts Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel Editor Paul Barker thinks the EV transition is coming whether we like it or not Car Deal of the Day: Bag the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI for under £300 a month Car Deal of the Day: Bag the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI for under £300 a month It's arguably been the daddy for 50 years, and can be snatched for a low price right now. The VW Golf GTI is our Deal of the Day for 27 May The MG HS just got hot! New 221bhp Hybrid+ model joins line-up The MG HS just got hot! New 221bhp Hybrid+ model joins line-up The Hybrid+ gives the MG HS another tool to take on the Dacia Bigster
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
UK car production hits lowest point in more than 70 years
Car production in the UK fell to its lowest level in more than 70 years last month, with experts citing the impact of Trump tariffs as well as the Easter break – and warning that the UK car industry is in a 'low-volume crisis'. April saw just 59,203 new cars built in the UK, which represents a 16 per cent drop compared with the same month last year. It's also the lowest April output figure since 1952, with the exception of 2020 due to the Covid-19 lockdown, in which production was effectively halted. Advertisement - Article continues below With April's production figures also a quarter down on March, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) pointed to the Easter break, as well as production changeovers which saw pauses in output. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes described the past few months as the 'toughest start to the year since 2009', stating that 'urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness'. Hawes continued: 'To take advantage of these trading opportunities we must secure additional investment, which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy. Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonisation will flow across the UK.' However, it's important not to downplay the impact of US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on automotive imports when discussing the UK's production figures; exports to America fell by just over 10 per cent last month. Professor of Business Economics at the University of Birmingham, David Bailey, told Auto Express that the UK car industry is in 'a low- volume crisis, operating well below capacity and hence with higher cost'. Bailey stated: 'The UK industry is not alone in the pressures it faces, but the Trump tariffs have had a particular impact on [the] UK auto [sector], given the success of British premium and luxury brands in selling into the US.' The solution to all this? Bailey called on the Government to publish and set out its delayed industrial strategy 'sooner rather than later'. He said: 'It's vital to help advanced manufacturing – and automotive – on a range of issues like attracting investment into making EVs, rebuilding the supply chain (including for batteries), retraining and reskilling workers and cutting energy costs.' Come and join our WhatsApp channel for the latest car news and reviews...
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New single-motor Skoda Enyaq SportLine 85 goes the distance with 356-mile range
After launching initially with only a dual-motor layout, Skoda has added single-motor power to the Enyaq's SportLine trim with prices starting from £47,260. Available to order from 12 June, the Enyaq SportLine 85 also comes in Coupé form, which ups the price to £49,160 – meaning the single-motor SportLine 85 comes in at £1,500 cheaper than the dual-motor SportLine 85x. Advertisement - Article continues below The single-motor version features the same 77kWh battery, so range has been improved. While it can't quite match the regular Enyaq Edition 85's 359-mile and 365-mile range figures (for SUV and Coupé), the SportLine 85 goes further than the 85x, with 354 miles for the SUV and 356 miles for the sleeker Coupé. Power comes from the same electric motor found elsewhere in the Enyaq single-motor range – a rear-mounted unit with 282bhp and 545Nm of torque (the same total bhp output you get in the dual-motor). The SportLine 85 completes 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds, which is exactly the same as the dual-motor – as is the 111mph top speed. Charging speeds stay the same as other 77kWh Enyaqs, with a 135kW rate enabling a 10-80 per cent top-up in around 28 minutes. Despite the cost saving over the 85x, the SportLine 85 gets the same equipment as standard. This includes 20-inch alloy wheels, SportLine bumpers front and rear and gloss black exterior accents. There's also sports suspension that lowers the Enyaq by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear plus 'progressive dynamic steering' taken from the range-topping vRS. Inside, you'll find a head-up display, front sport seats, a sports steering wheel and an upgraded sound system from Skoda's audio partner Canton. Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter... Find a car with the experts Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel Editor Paul Barker thinks the EV transition is coming whether we like it or not Car Deal of the Day: Bag the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI for under £300 a month Car Deal of the Day: Bag the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI for under £300 a month It's arguably been the daddy for 50 years, and can be snatched for a low price right now. The VW Golf GTI is our Deal of the Day for 27 May The MG HS just got hot! New 221bhp Hybrid+ model joins line-up The MG HS just got hot! New 221bhp Hybrid+ model joins line-up The Hybrid+ gives the MG HS another tool to take on the Dacia Bigster
