Prices for the 2012 Fiat Punto range have been announced.

The entry-level 1.2 8v Pop costs £9,990 ? £410 less than the 1.2 8v Active model it replaces. Pop trim carries forward the outgoing version?s kit, including remote central locking, electric front windows, driver and passenger airbags and MP3 connectivity as standard.

The mid-spec trim is now called Easy; it includes 15-inch alloy wheels and air conditioning. A sportier version of this trim called GBT is also available - the name highlights Fiat?s association with British Cycling.

The new top-of-the-range trim is Lounge, which includes automatic dual-zone climate control, seven airbags, cruise control and electric sunroof as standard. Lounge versions start at £12,900.

Two new engine have been introduced: an 84bhp version of the 1.3-litre MultiJet Diesel and the two-cylinder, 0.9-litre TwinAir, which is available from April 2012. All Punto engines now have a stop/start system as standard.

Fiat has introduced three new colour options for the 2012 Punto: Brit Pop Blue, Tango Red and Underground Grey. There are new colours and materials inside, too.

Dan Alcock

 Ford has announced prices for the new Focus 1.0 Ecoboost models, which go on sale on February 22.

The Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost is the first model to use Ford?s new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine. It?s designed to give performance on a par with a conventional 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, but use less fuel and have far lower CO2 emissions.

In the Focus 5dr

, the 99bhp 1.0 Ecoboost engine gives an average 58.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 109g/km. The 123bhp 1.0 Ecoboost model averages 56.5mpg and emits 114g/km of CO2.

The current 104- and 123bhp 1.6-litre engines - which remain on sale - both average 47.9mpg and emit 136g/km of CO2.

The entry-level Focus 1.0 Ecoboost model is the Edge, at £16,245. There?s a £250 premium over the 104bhp 1.6 models, and the 123bhp version costs £500 more.

The 1.0 Ecoboost engine will be added to the C-Max

and Grand C-Max

ranges during 2012.

It will also be available in the new B-Max

compact MPV and is likely to be added to the face-lifted Fiesta range

in the autumn. Ford sources have also hinted that it could be available in the all-new Mondeo

, which is due in March 2013.

Leo Wilkinson

 Read all our latest car reviews here on whatcar.com. From all-new cars to the smallest tweak to an existing model, our road test team will evaluate and report.

This is where you can find all the whatcar.com test drives we've published over the past week.

You'll also be able to read all of our new nine-point reviews, too, along with any that have received major updates. Make this your one-stop guide to the latest model news.

Read the full Audi A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TDI 204 review here...

BMW 5 Series GT M Sport review
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

(5 GT) is an unusual mix of SUV and premium hatchback that has so far failed to sell in big numbers. That could be about to change, though. For a premium of £3300, you can now have the car in BMW's M Sport trim, which is a popular option on its other models. For the 5 GT, it brings a muscular bodykit, lowered M Sport suspension, bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels and various interior trim changes.
Read the full BMW 5 Series GT M Sport review here

Chevrolet Aveo review
We?ve reviewed Chevrolet?s new Aveo supermini before, but this is our first chance to drive all the variants back-to-back on UK roads. With an ad campaign plugging ?78 smiles per gallon? (a nod to the Eco diesel version?s average 78.4mpg) on the way, Chevrolet is firmly pitching the Aveo as a cash-saving eco-warrior.
Read the full Chevrolet Aveo review here

Hyundai i40 saloon review
The Hyundai i40 family car range has been expanded to include a four-door saloon ? it joins the Tourer estate that was launched last year.Plenty of effort has gone into making the two cars look distinct from one another, and the new four-door car has a swooping roofline and sharp body lines that combine to create a smart-looking saloon.
Read the full Hyundai i40 saloon review here

Mazda 3 2.2d Sport Nav review
The Mazda 3 has been face-lifted, and changes include cleaner, less-thirsty engines, and various styling and trim tweaks inside and out. Here, we test the revised top-end diesel version of Mazda?s small family car. The Mazda 3?s 2.2-litre diesel engine pumps out a hefty 182bhp and 295lb ft of torque, so performance is pretty lively, no matter what gear you?re in.
Read the full Mazda 3 2.2d Sport Nav review here

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer
The Vauxhall Zafira Tourer is a new seven-seat MPV, designed to compete with other large people-carriers, such as the Ford S-Max

and Seat Alhambra

. The existing Zafira will remain on sale as a cheaper option, with this classier and cleverer Tourer model catering for buyers on a bigger budget.
Read the full Vauxhall Zafira Tourer review here

VW GT Up review
VW showed a GT Up concept car at last year?s Frankfurt motor show, and the production version will go on sale next year, priced from around £13,500. We?ve driven a development prototype, which looked like a regular three-door Up

, but production cars will borrow heavily from the concept car, which traded the Up?s smiley face for an aggressive-looking trapezoidal air intake, flanked by side vents with LED strips...
Read the full VW GT Up review here...

VW Up 5dr review
The VW Up

has already impressed us enough to be our 2012 Car of the Year

? but the Up's plan for world domination really kicks in now, with the five-door version. Due in the autumn, it's the first phase of Up variants that will also include a 108bhp sporty Up GT version and, in the longer term, a fully electric model...
Read the full VW Up 5dr review here...

VW Up Blue-e-motion review
The VW Up Blue-e-motion ? or e-Up, as VW abbreviates it ? is a fully electric version of the award-winning Up city car.Planned for UK launch in 2014, the Up Blue-e-motion is intended to compete with the imminent Renault Zoe and other electric superminis that will no doubt be on the way by then...
Read the full VW Up Blue-e-motion review review here...

The lastest nine-point web tests
Here are the most-recent nine-point web tests to have gone live or recieved major updates.

Audi A1 Sportback
The Audi A1 Sportback has a high-quality interior, a range of good engines and is great to drive and own. However, as you progress up the trim hierarchy, you get firmer suspension, bigger wheels and a firmer ride. List prices aren?t cheap and other five-door superminis are roomier in the back.
Our verdict? The A1 Sportback is the classiest of superminis and proves you don't have to scrimp on quality when buying a small car. We'd put our money into the three-door A1 hatch, though.
Audi A1 Sportback review

Hyundai i40 saloon
The Hyundai i40 is good looking inside and out, offers good room for passengers and is packed full of kit. It also comes with some efficient diesel engines and is keenly priced. However, while the luggage space is large, the gap between the boot and the cabin is strangely shaped and limits carrying ability. The driving experience is bettered by rivals as well.
Our verdict A good-looking and well-specified family saloon with attractive pricing. It doesn?t quite do enough to beat the best in the class, but it is well worth a look.
Hyundai i40 saloon review here

Hyundai Veloster review
The Veloster is cheaper than most of its rivals, and its distinctive looks will appeal to some people. The single rear door isn?t just a talking point; it improves rear access. The ride is firm, the steering is remote and there isn?t much room in the back. Refinement is also poor and you need to thrash the engine to make decent progress.
Our verdict Not without its appeal, but the Veloster struggles in too many areas.
Hyundai Veloster review

Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee is a good off-roader, and comes with loads of equipment. On the downside, it?s noisy, the ride is poor, and so is the interior quality. It?s not cheap, either.
Our verdict? The Grand Cherokee will no doubt keep die-hard Jeep fans happy. For everyone else, though, there are much better alternatives available
Jeep Grand Cherokee review

Kia Optima
The Kia Optima is a good-looking family saloon that has lots of space, loads of equipment and a long warranty. Not so good, however, are the unsettled ride and poor refinement - especially when other family cars perform so well in these key areas. The cabin could feel more sophisticated, too, and some versions look pricey.
Our verdict? The Optima certainly has its strengths, but it also has some big weaknesses. Most rivals fulfil the family car role better, and some for less money.
Kia Optima review

Mercedes Viano
Merc's MPV comes with a choice of two wheelbases and three body lenghts, plus a variety of seating arrangements. There's plenty of space inside, too. However, it's an expensive vehicle and its van roots show through in some areas.
Our verdict? It's an expensive people-carrier, and it?s not the most refined. What?s more, it lacks the versatility of other more conventional MPVs.
Mercedes Viano review

Subaru XV
The XV is good to drive, thanks to its tight body control and a well-balanced chassis. There?s loads of legroom in the back, while child crash protection is exceptional. However, ride quality is poor at low speeds, and the XV?s interior feels decidedly low-rent. The biggest problem, though, is the anticipated high price.
Our verdict? It?s difficult to make a case for the XV unless early price indications are wide of the mark. Cars such as the Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi offer more for less.
Subaru XV review

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer
The cabin looks and feels classy, and there?s plenty of room in the first two rows. The cleanest diesel has very low running costs and every model comes well equipped. However,the rearmost seats aren?t comfortable for adults, while the middle three should be easier to raise. The ride and handling could also be better, and the diesel engine sounds rough.
Our verdict? The Zafira Tourer is a decent MPV, but the best rivals are easier to live with because they?re more practical and refined.
Zafira Tourer review

Our most-searched reviews
Use the dropdown menu, below, to view our most popular reviews in each category of car.

Browse our most-searched reviews here
Superminis
Small family cars
Family cars
Compact executives
Executive cars
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Crossovers

Pete Barden

 The Vauxhall Zafira Tourer is a new seven-seat MPV, designed to compete with other large people-carriers, such as the Ford S-Max

and Seat Alhambra

.

The existing Zafira will remain on sale as a cheaper option, with this classier and cleverer Tourer model catering for buyers on a bigger budget.

This is our first chance to test it in the UK.

What?s it like inside? The original Zafira was something of a pioneer, because it was the first compact MPV with seven seats. However, rival models have since overtaken it, by offering more space and much better flexibility.

The new Tourer brings things bang up to date. The middle row of seats is made of up of three individual chairs, which slide back and forth independently. This layout ? which is found in most modern MPVs ? allows all three passengers to set different amounts of legroom, and means only one person needs to get out to give access to the two rear seats.

Before you can access the third row, you need to pull a lever on one of the outer second-row seats, which collapses the seatback and allows you to slide the whole assembly forward. Simple enough, and it leaves a sizeable gap to clamber through.

Once you?re in, though, things are far more cramped than they are in a Seat Alhambra. In fact, anyone over about five-feet tall will find their knees pushed up under their chins ? unless passengers in the middle row are prepared to sacrifice some legroom.

Fold down the seats in the second and third rows and you get a van-like loadbay, although there?s a large gap in the floor that you have to cover by unfolding a loose piece of carpet.

Up front there?s a smart ? if slightly complex ? dashboard, and comfortable and supportive seats for mum and dad. However, there isn?t as much front storage space as there is in an Alhambra.

There are five trims to choose from, but we wouldn?t advise venturing above Exclusiv, which gets you air-con, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, a DAB radio and a USB port. This keeps the Zafira Tourer cheaper than larger MPVs, such as the Alhambra and VW Sharan.

What?s it like to drive? We?ve tried three of the five available engines.

The 128bhp 2.0-litre Ecoflex diesel is predicted to be the biggest seller, and with CO2 emissions of 119g/km and average fuel economy of 62.8mpg it?s easy to see why.

There?s enough pull from low revs to haul around a big family and their baggage without working the engine hard, which is just as well because it gets very noisy at higher revs.

The 163bhp 2.0 diesel provides a bit more shove through the mid-range, but CO2 emissions rocket up to 137g/km. It?s no more refined than the 128bhp version, either, so isn?t really worth the extra.

We?d also advise steering clear of the 138bhp turbocharged 1.4 petrol. You need to rev the engine hard to make decent progress, and when you do that it gets boomy; not an ideal combination for a relaxing family outing.

A 138bhp 1.8 petrol and a 108bhp 2.0 diesel complete the engine line-up, although these are available only on cheaper trims.

Stick to a version with 17-inch wheels and the Zafira Tourer deals with bigger bumps well, while the body stays fairly flat through corners. It?s a shame the ride isn?t more comfortable around town; minor road imperfections cause the Vauxhall to jostle around.

The light steering is great for parking and town driving, but it becomes disconcerting at higher speeds because you?re never quite sure what the front wheels are doing.

Should I buy one? Choose the right engine (i.e. the 2.0 CDTi 130 Ecoflex) and the Zafira Tourer makes sense for families who need only occasional seating for seven.

It?s reasonably clever and spacious, and it will work out significantly cheaper than our favourite MPV ? the Seat Alhambra ? once you?ve factored in discounts. The sub-120g/km CO2 emissions also make the Vauxhall a relatively cheap company car prospect.

That said, the Ford S-Max is similarly priced, offers almost as much seating flexibility and is much better to drive. It?s where our money would go.

Rivals
Ford S-Max

Seat Alhambra

What Car? says?


Will Nightingale

 The Mazda 3 has been face-lifted, and changes include cleaner, less-thirsty engines, and various styling and trim tweaks inside and out. Here, we test the revised top-end diesel version of Mazda?s small family car.

What's it like to drive? The Mazda 3?s 2.2-litre diesel engine pumps out a hefty 182bhp and 295lb ft of torque, so performance is pretty lively, no matter what gear you?re in.

The 0-62mph dash is covered in just 9.2 seconds and top speed is 127mph, but better still is the way the engine pulls strongly from low revs in a high gear. This means there?s rarely any need to change down if you need a burst of pace on the motorway, while hills are given short shrift.

You?ll want to stick to the smooth(ish) surfaces of our motorways as much as possible, though, because the ride is pretty firm. There?s no sports suspension, but the 17-inch wheels of the Sport Nav trim allow bumps, potholes and surface joins to really whack their way into your conscience.

In town, you get bounced around in your seat, and speed bumps are definitely best avoided or crawled over.

The payback is decent body control and sharp handling, and the steering is at least consistently weighted and accurate.

Nonetheless, a Golf is far more comfortable, while a Ford Focus is significantly more entertaining and is more supple, too.

The 2.2-litre engine is reasonably quite and smooth at all revs, although the amount of road and wind noise increases too much once you get beyond town speeds.

What?s it like inside? There?s loads of equipment as standard, but the downside of this is that the interior contains more buttons than the average Marks & Spencer outlet.

This can make it tricky to find the function you want at a glance. Nonetheless, that standard equipment list includes climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth and satellite-navigation. There?s also a keyless entry and go system, and rear parking sensors as standard.

Space is perfectly reasonable; the 3 matches the Ford Focus for passenger space and beats it for luggage capacity, although both cars trail the class-leading Golf on both counts.

Getting into and out of the rear seats is more awkward than it might be, too, because the door opening is compromised by the rear wheelarch.

The Mazda is also close to the Focus for cabin quality, if not style, and again both cars are significantly behind the VW.

Should I buy one? The Mazda 3 stacks up well as a private purchase. It is undeniably cheap to buy, undercutting its major rivals by at least £2000, although this gap narrows by around £1000 once our Target Price is taken into account. It should also be as reliable as gravity.

However, it doesn?t work quite so well as a company choice. This version of the 3 is too thirsty and isn?t clean enough, despite the latest improvements.

The 2.2d can average only 52.3mpg and emits 144g/km. This puts it in the 21% band for company car tax, which will increase to the 22% band once the company car tax bands change in April.

Its numbers are no doubt hindered by the fact that an engine stop-start system is still absent.

Rivals:
Ford Focus

Volkswagen Golf

What Car? says?


Euan Doig

 The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

(5 GT) is an unusual mix of SUV and premium hatchback that has so far failed to sell in big numbers. That could be about to change, though.

For a premium of £3300, you can now have the car in BMW's M Sport trim, which is a popular option on its other models. For the 5 GT, it brings a muscular bodykit, lowered M Sport suspension, bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels and various interior trim changes.

Order any 5 GT before the end of March and you also get a free specification upgrade that includes Adaptive Drive adjustable dampers (usually £2265 extra).

What?s it like to drive? Sadly, we can?t tell you what the car is like on M Sport suspension, because Adaptive Drive deletes the lowered M Sport set-up and makes the car drive much like a regular SE-spec 5 GT that's equipped with Adaptive Drive.

Still, this means body roll is tightly controlled, particularly when the car is in 'Sport' mode, and while there's a firm edge to the ride, it's never harsh.

Just don't expect the car to feel that involving; its steering is too slow and you can sometimes lose track of where the front wheels are pointing.

Our test car was a 530d. This is undoubtedly the pick of the range, because it's powered by a 3.0-litre diesel engine that averages over 40mpg and is the epitome of strength and smoothness.

It also works beautifully with the standard eight-speed automatic gearbox. However, the 5 GT lets in a bit too much wind and road noise at motorway speeds.

What?s it like inside? Heavily bolstered front seats and black rooflining give this M Sport model's cabin a sporty ambience.

To this, the free specification upgrade adds desirable items such as nappa leather upholstery and a head-up display, but otherwise the interior is standard 5 GT.

You have the raised driving position of an SUV and a wide range of adjustment to help you get comfortable, while plush materials and BMW's intuitive iDrive control system add to the appeal.

It's just a pity rear visibility is so restricted due to the 5 GT's steeply sloping rear screen with blacked-out side sections.

Rear legroom is on a par with the 7 Series limo, and only those north of six-foot will complain about headroom. However, the boot is disappointingly small ? a 5 Series Touring is a much better load-carrier.

Should I buy one? The free specification upgrade that BMW

is currently offering on all 5 GTs makes M Sport and SE models virtually identical to drive - all your extra £3300 buys is sportier looks.

For this reason, we?d be tempted to stick with SE spec. However, cars with Adaptive Drive ride and handle significantly better than regular SE models, so this is still a good time to buy a 5 GT.

The generous standard equipment and classy, spacious cabin add further to the GT?s appeal.

The trouble is, BMW's 5 Series Touring

also scores well in these areas, and it?s more practical, more efficient and significantly cheaper. It's where our money would go.

Rivals:
Audi A7 Sportback
BMW 5 Series Touring

What Car? says?


Steve Huntingford

 A new MPV based on the Fiat 500

is likely to go on sale in 2012.

Speculation suggests the car will be called the 500L. The new model will be a five-door rival to the Citroen C3 Picasso

and Nissan Note

. It could come iin either five- or seven-seat layouts in Europe, with the latter being just 10mm longer than the standard model.

The 500L could make its debut at the Geneva motor show in March, although Fiat UK has so far refused to confirm any details.

Rosie McMahon

 A new report suggests misused fog lights caused as many as 300,000 crashes in 2011, with many drivers leaving the bright beams on in non-foggy conditions for vanity reasons.

Research found that 14% of drivers left their fog lights on ?because it looks good,? while a further 21% did so because their standard lights were not bright enough.

Younger drivers were more likely to leave their fog lights on for cosmetic reasons when conditions were clear, with 22% of 18 to 34-year-olds confessing to the offence. Just 3% of those aged 35-54 said they did so for the same reason.

The biggest reason given for fog lights being left on was simply forgetting to turn them off, cited by 40% of those asked. A further 27% said they did it by mistake. The final 11% were either not sure, or claimed it was for ?another reason?.

Insurance company Swiftcover,com found that 8% of all drivers confessed to the misdemeanour, having surveyed 1600 adult motorists.

It is an offence to use fog lights unless visibility is reduced to 100m or less, and leaving them on inappropriately can bring a £30 fixed penalty notice.

Robin Reames, chief claims officer at Swiftcover.com, said: ?Fog lights are designed for a very specific purpose ? helping drivers to see and be seen when visibility is severely reduced?.

?Misusing these lights has the effect of dazzling and distracting other motorists and causes a staggering number of crashes.?

Tom Webster

 The 2012 Renault Megane will cost from £16,275, and is available to order now.

The face-lifted Megane has cosmetic tweaks and new engines. The £16,275 entry-level price gets you a five-door hatchback with a 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine in Expression+ trim; it's a rise of £585 compared with the pre-face-lift basic model.

Standard equipment for Expression+ trim includes 16-inch alloy wheels, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, a leather steering wheel and cruise control.

The other two trim levels in the range include Dynamique TomTom and GT Line TomTom. Renault will now offer a maximum of three trim levels for every model in a bid to simplify its range.

The face-lift applies to the three- and five-door hatchbacks, and the estate, but not the convertible. The range goes up to £23,325 for the Sport Tourer dCi 160 GT Line TomTom.

The Renault range will be joined by the new Twizy electric car from February, which will come in Urban, Colour and Technic guises, and will cost from £6690 plus £45 a month to hire the battery. Options include half scissor doors for £545 and a clear roof for £195. It has a range of 62 miles and the range-topping Technic will cost £7400.

The Fluence is available in Expression+ and Dynamique trim, and will cost from £17,495 when the Government?s low-carbon grant is taken into account. Customers will also have to pay between £70 and £135 a month to rent the battery, depending on use. The Fluence goes on sale in early March.

The third Renault electric vehicle to arrive in 2012 is the Zoe. It goes on sale in October and will cost the same as the equivalent Clio dCi after the Government grant ? at around £13,500.