PORSCHE MACAN REVIEW

List price from £40,276 Lease price from £568 The verdict 8 

PORSCHE MACAN REVIEW. Like its bigger brother the Cayenne, the Porsche Macan combines the family-friendly interior that you expect from a 4x4 with the driving fun you don’t.Throughout its history, Porsche has made some of the best sports cars around. And when it introduced the Cayenne back in 2002, it proved that large 4x4s could be fun to drive, too. The smaller, (slightly) more affordable Macan is designed to bring the Cayenne’s appealing blend of practicality and performance to a wider audience.

Space

Some rivals have bigger boots, but it's still a practical choice

There’s loads of space for those in the front, and the Macan is roomy enough for three adult passengers to sit side by side in the back. Just make sure you avoid the optional panoramic glass sunroof if you’re over six feet tall, because this eats into headroom.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that the Macan has a smaller boot than rivals such as the Audi Q5 and BMWX3. But it can still take a couple of large suitcases without too much difficulty. Rear seats that fold flat add to the practicality, and Porsche was clearly thinking about those with families when it created the Macan, because it features plenty of storage for everyday clutter.

Comfort

Surprisingly good for such a sporty 4x4

Unlike some sporty 4x4s, the Macan copes well with poorly surfaced roads, soaking up the worst of the effects instead of transmitting them on to its passengers.

The seats are comfortable and supportive, too, and the Macan is good at shutting out unwanted noises. All of this makes it a very relaxing car to cover big distances in.

Dashboard layout

Very classy, and easier to use than it looks at first glance

The plethora of buttons and switches on the Macan’s dashboard can initially make it as intimidating as an airplane cockpit. However, they’re logically arranged, so easier to master than you’d expect.

The standard touchscreen keeps the stereo and satnav functions reasonably simple, too, and all of the materials look and feel expensive.

Easy to drive

Perfectly weighted controls make life feel effortless

The steering and pedals are perfectly weighted, making it easy to drive the Macan smoothly, plus its elevated driving position gives an excellent view of the road ahead.

True, the rear window is a little small, so you may want to add the optional reversing camera if parking isn’t your favouritemanoeuvre, but for most people, the standard sensors will be enough.

Fun to drive

The best handling 4x4 you can buy

Porsche proved that even large 4x4s could be fun to drive when it introduced the Cayenne, and the slightly smaller Macan moves things on again; in fact, it feels more agile than plenty of sports cars.

Press the Sport button and it gets even better, because this sharpens the steering and throttle response, and speeds up gearchanges. Cars with Porsche Active Suspension Management let you stiffen the suspension, too.

The Macan is even capable of heading off road, if you’re feeling adventurous. It’s not a faux-by-four.

Reliability

Limited information, but what there is doesn't cause concern

The Macan is too new to have featured in the 2014 JD Power customer satisfaction survey. However, it shares many mechanical components with the Audi Q5, which was rated average overall, but among the best for engines and interior quality.

It's just a pity Porsche doesn't offer a longer warranty. You get two years of cover, whereas most rivals come with at least three years.

Fuel economy

Comparable with rival models

The economy varies dramatically depending on which model you choose. Fastest is the Turbo, launching to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds and averaging 30.7mpg. But we suspect the V6 diesel will be the best seller because it still achieves a hot hatch-rivalling 0-62mph time of 6.3 seconds while returning a more purse-friendly 46mpg.

Affordability

Expensive to buy and run, but will hold its value well

The Macan is significantly more expensive than the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Range Rover Evoque, and you won't be able to haggle any discount on the price.

Servicing and insurance will also be far from cheap. However, the desirability of the Porsche badge will start to pay dividends come resale time.

Safety

Gets the essentials, and you can add plenty of clever technology

Safety body Euro NCAP hasn't crash tested the Macan yet. But it matches its key rivals in having front, side and window airbags, and an electronic system that improves stability.

The list of extras available includes systems that help to keep you in lane and warn if a vehicle enters your blind spot, and there’s even a sign recognition system that can display roadside information on the screen in front of the driver.

Standard spec

Far from Spartan, but options are pricey

The Porsche Macan comes with dual-zone climate control, leather and Alcantara seats (electrically adjustable for driver), front and rear parking sensors, a digital radio and an excellent sound system. However, given the price of the car, it’s a little disappointing that you have to pay extra for satnav and a Bluetooth hands-free phone connection.

Our favourite version	S Diesel, list price: £43,300
Options you should add	Navigation module (£2007), metallic paint (£607) and telephone module (£486)

Source : telegraphdotcodotuk

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NISAN X TRAIL REVIEW

List price from £22,995 Lease price from £212 The verdict 8 

NISAN X TRAIL REVIEW. The Nissan X-Trail is a 4x4 which is easy to live with, and can seat up to seven.The Nissan X-Trail used to be rather a utilitarian 4x4: boxy and practical, but a little crude to drive and uninviting inside.However, with this latest generation, Nissan has tried to change all that by making the X-Trail look more stylish, and feel softer and easier to drive; more like a bigger, higher-riding version of the qashqai, Qashqai hatchback, in other words.Unlike its predecessors, and indeed, many of its rivals, the new model offers the option of two fold-out seats in the boot. As a result, it effectively replaces the old Qashqai+2 in Nissan’s range. 

Space

Lots of room, but the five-seater makes the most sense

Don’t imagine that those two extra seats turn the X-Trail into a rival for a proper people carrier, because its third row is very cramped, even for small children. You also have to clamber over the folded middle row of seats to gain access to them, which isn’t the easiest of tasks.

It’s true that you can slide the middle row of seats forward, which improves matters in the rearmost seats - but that seriously reduces the amount of leg room available for middle-row passengers.

The seven-seat X-Trail is probably useful only if you occasionally need to transport more than five people, then – and only as long as two of them are small.

The five-seat X-Trail is a better all-round package, and it costs less, too. It features the same sliding seat mechanism, plus a clever false floor in the boot, which you can leave in place to create a hidden compartment, or remove completely to carry larger loads.

You can also slot the floor panels in vertically, to stop smaller loads from sliding around, or higher up the boot horizontally, to create a shelf that divides the space in half.

The amount of boot space on offer in either X-Trail is a bit of a mixed bag. With the second-row seats upright, there’s less room in both models than you'll find in most rivals.

Fold the seats, down, though, and the situation changes, the X-Trail offering far more space than most other cars in its class.

Further forward, the swooping dashboard might snag on a taller driver’s left knee, but on the whole, the car is very spacious. There’s plenty of leg, head and elbow room, whether you’re a front or rear seat passenger. 

Comfort

Comfortable seats, but a bit too much engine and wind noise

The X-Trail has big, soft seats that feel very welcoming to sit in, while offering plenty of support.

There’s also lots of adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel, which makes it easy to find a position you like.

Sadly, when the roads get a little rougher, X-Trails fitted with 19in alloy wheels can start to feel unsettled, jolting through the biggest ruts and potholes. We haven’t tried one with the 17in wheels, but we suspect it’d be more forgiving.

The 1.6-litre diesel engine produces too much noise – and at the moment, that’s the only engine you can buy, so you’re stuck with it. Wind noise can get noticeable at speed, too.

Dashboard layout

Delightfully easy to use

The X-Trail’s dashboard is wonderfully intuitive. The dials are clear and easy to understand, the various buttons and knobs are all logically set out, and there’s rarely a moment when you find yourself having to look away from the road for too long.

The same goes for the touchscreen stereo and navigation system; it’s quick to respond and operating it quickly becomes second nature.

In fact, the only real downside to the X-Trail’s interior is the quality of the materials that have been used to assemble it. True, the main dashboard looks good and feels pleasant to touch, but elsewhere you’ll find some nasty, brittle-feeling plastics, especially on the handles you pull on to close the doors. The silver plastic on the steering wheel feels rather cheap, too.

Easy to drive

Easier to drive than its size would suggest

The X-Trail is probably one of the easiest cars in its class to control. The steering wheel twirls lightly in your hands, the clutch is forgivingly slow to engage, and the pedals are all nicely weighted. It feels smaller and lighter than you might expect given its size. 

There’s an automatic version available, too, and front and rear parking sensors are standard on every model except the entry-level Visia. The higher-level N-tec and Tekna versions, meanwhile, feature cameras that give you an overhead view of the car to make manouvering in tight spaces a cinch.

The fact that so many parking aids are available is just as well, because visibility in the X-Trail isn’t the greatest. There are some nasty blind spots between the front side windows and the windscreen, and again around the rear corners of the car.

Pulling away and going for gaps in traffic can be a bit tricky, simply because the diesel engine feels rather gutless.

Fun to drive

Stable and secure, but not very exciting

Try and have some fun in the X-Trail, and the chances are you’ll be disappointed. The steering is slow, and doesn’t communicate much of what’s going on at the wheels. And as you might expect given the X-Trail’s tall ride height, it isn't very nimble, leaning and squidging over just when you'd like it to turn sharply and precisely.

This car isn’t particularly exciting to drive, then, but to be fair, it isn’t intended to be. What the X-Trail does feel is safe, predictable, and very composed – exactly the traits you’d want in a family-oriented car. Choose the four-wheel-drive version, and you’ll get plenty of traction, too. 

Reliability

Should be reliable, but it's a shame the warranty isn't longer

Nissan has a reputation for building reliable cars, so it’s no surprise that the company ranks in the top half of Warranty Direct’s Reliability Index, which allocates a score based on warranty claims.

And while this version of the X-Trail is still too new to have been featured specifically, the previous version performed well.

All of which leads us to believe that the X-Trail will be a reliable car. It’s just a shame Nissan doesn’t offer a more reassuring warranty; you get three years or 60,000 miles of cover, whereas hyundai/" target="_blank">Hyundai, kia/" target="_blank">Kia, toyota">Toyota and Vauxhall all offer at least five years or 100,000 miles. 

Fuel economy

Uses impressively little fuel, especially in automatic form

Fitted with a manual gearbox, the X-Trail offers some of the best fuel consumption figures in its class, even though it can’t quite match up to manual versions of the mazda cx-5 Mazda CX-5 diesel.

If you want an automatic, though, the news is even better. The X-Trail auto is more economical than even the Mazda CX-5 diesel auto. And while most of its other rivals only offer an automatic version with four-wheel drive, making them thirsty, the fact that the X-Trail’s automatic gearbox comes with two-wheel drive means it makes much more sense for most buyers.

Affordability

Not cheap, but should hold its value

Rivals tend to cost slightly less than the X-Trail like-for-like, and the more luxurious versions are quite expensive.

That said, with the possible exception of the Mazda CX-5 and VWTiguan, the X-Trail will hold its value better than its rivals, meaning you should see a decent proportion of your outlay back when you come to sell it.

Fortunately, those good resale values make it very affordable if you plan to lease. However, the high list price will mean tax is on the pricey side for company car drivers. Servicing could be costly too.

Safety

Plenty of worthwhile safety kit

The X-Trail is still to be put through the benchmark Euro NCAP crash testing process, so it’s hard to say how safe it will be for sure.

However, it shares much with the smaller Nissan Qashqai, which scores five stars out of five and offers excellent protection for its occupants. It’s reasonable to expect, therefore, that the X-Trail will perform similarly.

As you’d expect, the X-Trail comes with lots of safety equipment, including six airbags, and a host of electronic systems that variously increase the braking force in an emergency stop, prevent skidding and improve the car’s stability.

More expensive versions get sensors at the front that can tell if you’re about to hit something and apply the brakes, and systems to make you more aware of traffic signs and alert you if you wander out of your lane.

It’s also worth noting that the X-Trail comes with three rear headrests (most rivals only have two) as well as a system that monitors your tyre pressures, helping to alert you to slow punctures and minimise the risk of a blow-out. 

Standard spec

Not badly equipped, but some competitors offer more

The entry-level X-Trail, the Visia, comes with a reasonable specification, including cruise control, electric windows all round, air-conditioning, and a Bluetooth system that’ll let you talk on the phone hands-free and stream your music.

However, the Acenta model is worth the extra money it costs, as you get lots of really useful extras, including automatic headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, dual-zone climate control, and front & rear parking sensors.

There’s then a fairly hefty jump in price to the N-tec version, which gives you keyless entry, a powered tailgate, a bigger colour touchscreen, and a digital radio tuner.

The top model is the Tekna, which is very expensive, though it does include cutting-edge LED headlamps, as well as leather seats that are heated and electrically adjustable in the front, and a parking assistant, which helps guide you into a space by turning the steering wheel for you.

Plenty of nice toys, then, but it should be noted that some rivals, such as the Mazda CX-5 and FordKuga, offer more equipment for less cash.

Our favourite version	1.6 dCi 130 Acenta 5-seat, list price £24,795
Options you should add	Metallic Paint (£550) and Acenta Smart Vision Pack (£450)

Source : telegraphdotcodotuk

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LEXUS NX REVIEW

List price from £29,495 Lease price from £390 The verdict 7 

LEXUS NX REVIEW. The Lexus NX is a petrol-electric hybrid 4x4 that makes a lot of sense if you're a company car driver. The Lexus NX competes against the BMWX3, Audi Q5 and Range Rover Evoque, among others. Unlike its rivals, though, it's not available with a diesel engine; instead, buyers can choose between a petrol-electric hybrid with two- or four-wheel drive, and a 2.0-litre turbo petrol model with four-wheel drive as standard. The NX is also the first Lexus hybrid SUV certified to tow, although you’ll need to go for the four-wheel-drive version and accept a comparatively low towing capacity of 1.5 tonnes.

Space

Matches the best in class

The NX is a commodious beast, matching the BMW X3 for boot space and beating the VolvoXC60. What’s more, while the boot floor is some way off the ground, at least there’s no additional lip to haul your bags over. Under that floor is a space saver spare wheel.

Dropping the rear seats requires you to go around to the doors and pull a lever on the side of the seat base, at which point the backrests fold in a 60/40 split to give a completely flat extended load bay.

The NX scores extra points for rear-seat passengers by not having a lump in the middle of the floor. There’s just enough room for three adults, and headroom is plentiful.

Up front the NX makes up for its small door bins with a big glovebox, two cupholders and another large storage compartment under the armrest.

Comfort

Quiet around town, but the ride could be better

One of the first things you notice when you climb into the NX is how comfortable the seats are. Combined with a good driving position, with plenty of adjustment for the seat and steering wheel, plus a commanding view over traffic, you can be sure that long journeys will be completed with no aches or pains.

Go for the hybrid version (badged NX300h) and the car can be run at low speed in pure electric mode - a serene experience, even if it only lasts for a maximum of a mile. However, while the petrol engine cuts in smoothly, it is a fairly vocal partner when you accelerate hard.

At a steady motorway speed engine and wind noise are minimal, although poor road surfaces roar noisily through the NX’s interior.

The suspension is also a mixed bag, coping well with small bumps, but feeling overly firm when you encounter anything bigger. In particular, potholes tend to jolt through the car with a bang or a creak.

Dashboard layout

Not the easiest to use

With lots of different layers and no shortage of digital displays, the NX’s dashboard is certainly different. The downside is that some of the systems are complicated to use. The satnav is a prime example, requiring a combination of twists, pushes and pulls of one control knob to enter a destination (the touchpad which replaces this control knob on more expensive models is even more difficult to master).

Unlike the BMW X3, the NX also misses out on shortcut buttons where you can save your most frequently used functions. But its interior does feel just as well built.

Easy to drive

Parking can be tricky

Toyota, which owns Lexus, has more experience of mass-produced hybrid cars than any other manufacturer, and it shows in the way the NX300h makes such minimal fuss about its technology. Just press a start button, slot the standard automatic gearbox into Drive and off you go.

However, the NX also has a few issues. For a start, visibility isn’t great, with large pillars either side of the windscreen making it difficult to see out of junctions, and further blindspots over your shoulders where the bodywork meets the small rear screen.

In addition, if you’re just cruising and all of a sudden want full power (for an overtake, say) there’s a half-second delay between pressing the accelerator and the car responding.

Finally, braking performance from very low speeds is slightly unpredictable, a push of the pedal doing very little until all of a sudden the brakes bite and you come to an abrupt stop. This can make parking quite a jerky affair (thankfully a reversing camera is fitted as standard).

Fun to drive

Doesn't encourage enthusiastic driving

While it is fine for town driving, when the time comes to see what the NX has got to offer on a twisting country road you’re going to be disappointed. Part of the problem is the E-CVT automatic gearbox, which holds the engine at high revs when you accelerate hard.

While the steering feels reasonably well weighted at low speed, and stable on the motorway, it isn’t quite as consistent in how the weight builds through faster corners or roundabouts.

Driven quickly the suspension also struggles to cope with controlling the NX’s weight, the body leaning over in corners and shuffling awkwardly over bumps.

Reliability

Lexus has an excellent record here

The NX is too new to have been included in the annual JD Power customer satisfaction survey, but Lexus has consistently performed well over the last 10 years, and it finished joint top in 2014.

If there’s a slight disappointment it’s that the three-year warranty that Lexus provides is limited to 60,000 miles, whereas BMW offers three years of cover, no matter how many miles you do.

The hybrid components in the NX300h model are covered for five years or 60,000 miles - whichever comes first.

Fuel economy

Good around town, less so on the motorway 

On paper the NX300h fares well, returning up to 56mpg in EU fuel consumption tests. And around town, where its electric motor can be used to maximum advantage, the Lexus is more efficient than its diesel rivals. However, that is turned on its head in motorway driving, where the hybrid system isn’t at its best.

All in all, you can expect to see economy of between 30-40mpg from the NX300h in mixed driving conditions. 

Affordability

Great for company car drivers

While the hybrid drivetrain gives the Lexus NX a power advantage over a similarly priced BMW X3, it doesn’t equate to any more performance. The NX300h is, however, a good option for company car drivers, thanks to CO2 emissions of just 116g/km for the two-wheel-drive version or 121g/km for the all-wheel-drive models, and Benefit-in-Kind tax ratings of just 16 and 17 per cent respectively. That’s class leading for an SUV.

Safety

Eight airbags as standard

The NX is fitted with eight airbags as standard, including one for the driver’s knees. Upgrade from entry-level S specification and you also benefit from four-wheel drive. All models feature adaptive cruise control that can maintain a safe distance from the car in front, or even bring the car to a complete stop if it senses a collision is imminent.

The full suite of safety systems includes lane keep assist, blind spot monitors and a rear cross parking alert that uses radars to scan left and right behind you when reversing out of a parking space, but in order to have these you have to opt for the top-level Premier specification.

Although the NX is yet to be crash tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, Lexus has an excellent record here and we would expect the car to score top marks.

Standard spec

Worth upgrading to get four-wheel drive

If you're not bothered about having four-wheel drive, then you can save some money and go for the entry-level S model, which still comes with alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control a DAB digital radio and electrically folding door mirrors.

Upgrade to SE and the inclusion of a second electric motor on the rear axle to make the car four-wheel drive also means you can tow up to 1,500kg, and keep toasty warm in the process thanks to the addition of heated seats.

Luxury spec is our favourite, because it turns the seats from cloth to leather and includes parking sensors front and rear, while F Sport adds stiffer sports suspension and a wireless phone charger.

The top-of-the-range Premier model includes items such as a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats, as well as the full array of active safety systems.

Our favourite version	NX300h Luxury, list price £34,495
Options you should add	Lexus Navigation (£995) and metallic paint (£645)

Source : telegrapdotcodotuk

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