Author: PA Media

Take a look down the specification list for any modern car – particularly larger luxury models – and the range of equipment, both standard and optional, can be very confusing. What’s better – bi-xenon headlights or Matrix LED? Are heated washer nozzles more important than a heated steering wheel? And why should you want to adjust your seat bolsters?

Despite this confusing mess, there are some car options that always jump out at us – and that we’d always choose if they were available. Here are our picks for the optional extras you should really consider adding to your next car purchase.

Adaptive cruise control

A fully-autonomous future may be some while away yet, but adaptive cruise control offers a taste of what’s to come in a driverless world.

Offered by pretty much every manufacturer, adaptive cruise control builds on the traditional cruise systems many may be familiar with by bringing an array of sensors that allows a car to monitor surrounding traffic and adjust its speed accordingly. High-end versions of the tech even include speed limit recognition that can automatically detect when to bring the car to legal limits — perfect for those multiple hundreds of motorway miles trips.

Heated seats and steering wheel

There’s not much worse than hopping into a freezing car on a cold winter’s morning. With sub-zero temperatures overnight, the cabin of your car has probably felt the heat — well, the opposite of that really — and that can make you feel like the Christmas turkey tucked in the freezer a week before the big day.

With heating elements in the seats and steering wheel though, you can soon get back to a cosy temperature and relax for the drive ahead without having to stick the air conditioning on 28 degrees and full blast fans.

LED headlights

We all want to see where we’re going, right? Well, every car obviously has headlights… but not all headlights are created equal. Far above lowly halogen, projector or even xenon units sits the noble LED headlight. These systems are super-bright but can be aimed really accurately to avoid dazzling other drivers.

The smartest systems are capable of blanking out certain portions of their lighting grids, providing main beam across the road with a dark section that tracks oncoming traffic. That’s not even mentioning how their razor-edge appearance can enhance the look of your car. Clever stuff.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Smartphone connectivity is all the rage, and there’s no simpler way to do it than through either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. These two systems are very similar, and just involve plugging a compatible smartphone into your car’s infotainment system. From there, you’re able to interact with your phone’s functions via a bespoke interface – one that’s easy to use on the move.

With the penalty for using your phone behind the wheel a steep fine and several points on your licence, systems like this which allow you to use your phone as navigator and media player all in one without taking your concentration off the road are more and more important.

Upgraded speakers

If you’re anything like us, listening to music in the car is a big part of each day – and so it makes sense that upgrading the sound system should be one of your first moves. Now, 18-year-olds know all about the wonder that a pair of Halfords drivers and a flashy head unit can bring to a 53-plate Fiesta, but in brand new cars, it’s not quite so simple. For that reason, many manufacturers now offer brand-name stereo systems as an upgrade.

Different manufacturers use different systems – Peugeot, for example, offers a FOCAL audio system on its 508, while BMW goes for Harman Kardon. The Bang & Olufsen systems fitted to high-end Audis are definitely worth their cash, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a Land Rover without several hundred watts of Meridian in the interior. Regardless of name, there’s no doubt that an upgraded sound system is the ideal optional extra for audiophiles everywhere and one well worth speccing.

Bolster adjustment

No two people are the same size, and that means manufacturers have to design car seats for all types of bodies. The result can often be something that doesn’t quite feel secure or is perhaps too tight to be in.

Tick the option for bolster adjustment though and that worry can soon go. With the ability to bring them in closer to the driver, or further away if you’d prefer, this basic but clever technology can make the difference between an annoying car and a comfortable one.

Dual-zone climate control

Nothing makes a long journey go by quicker than harmony between passengers. Sitting there while your front passenger is in a strop with you is genuinely very unpleasant – and if they’re too cold or too hot, then it’s sadly very likely that they will be pretty irate.

That’s where dual-zone climate control comes in. It allows both the driver and front passenger to set their own temperature on the climate control, allowing the passenger to bask in a balmy 22 degrees while the driver chills out in an 18 degree Arctic breeze. More sophisticated systems are available that allow the rear passengers to choose their own temperatures, too – but we think they can lump it. There has to be benefits to riding up front, right?

Heated windscreen

It’s a cold February morning. You’ve woken up a little later than usual, and there’s the mad rush to get to work. Having quickly washed, brushed your teeth and thrown a makeshift outfit on you race to the car in the hope of clocking in on time — only your car windscreen is frozen over, and it needs clearing.

You foresaw this when buying your latest car though, and as you hop in to the seat, you fire up the heated windscreen. After a couple of minutes of setting up a playlist for the journey and waiting for the cabin to warm up a bit, your windscreen is de-iced and the view out is clear as day. No standing with a scraper and spray needed, you’re all good to go. You make it to work on time. You’re thankful for ticking the heated windscreen option box.

Reversing camera

A lack of rear visibility is a common problem in newer cars. You can blame safety regulations for that – with crash tests necessitating thick rear pillars and bulky rear doors, both of which conspire to produce narrow rear windows and not much of a view back. This isn’t such a big problem when you’re on the move, where side mirrors tend to do the job – but when reversing, not knowing what’s directly behind you can spell disaster.

That’s where reversing cameras come in. Quite simply, they activate when the car’s placed into reverse gear and give a clear view of the area immediately behind the car. Most also offer some guidelines, to make parking a cinch. Though 360-degree camera systems are also great, we wouldn’t necessarily spend the extra on them – but plain old reversing cameras are worth every penny.

Sunroof

While many of us would love to own a convertible, it’s just not a practical option for the vast majority. Sure, that one week of sun we get in the UK would be ideal for driving a Mazda MX-5 but then that also has the boot capacity of a kitchen drawer.

That’s where the sunroof comes in — bringing a sense of open-top driving to any car. Open it up to bring in a little bit of fresh air on those wonderful July days, without the reduced refinement and lack of practicality many dedicated convertibles bring with them. There also great for bringing some light in the cabin when shut, too.

As the winter months draw in, performance cars are traditionally hurried into garages, storage units and lock-ups to protect them from the elements.

However, there are a few cars on the market today that needn’t be mollycoddled and can genuinely take whatever the winter can throw at them. Here, we’ve picked out 10 performance cars that you can use throughout winter come rain, shine, sleet or snow.

Audi RS6 Performance

This one’s a bit of a no-brainer. Powered by a turbocharged V8 engine packing 596bhp, it’ll crack 60mph in under four seconds.

However, don’t think you’ll be spiralling off into a hedge when things get slippy, as the RS6 uses Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system, allowing it to find grip no matter how treacherous the conditions. Add to this the RS6’s genuinely practical bodystyle and its better – though not brilliant – fuel economy, and you’ve got an ideal winter wagon.

Range Rover Sport SVR

Of course, anything with a Range Rover badge on the bonnet is already laden with go-anywhere potential, but the Sport SVR adds to this with a tremendous amount of performance.

A supercharged 5.0-litre sends 542bhp to all four wheels, though you still get Range Rover’s Terrain Response off-road system – meaning all that power can be put to good use in all conditions. This does all come at a cost, particularly in fuel economy –22mpg to be exact.

Mercedes-AMG E63S

You’d think that a powerful Mercedes-AMG vehicle would be rear-wheel-drive, and therefore a nightmare on slippery roads. However, the latest E63 has a trick up its sleeve – all-wheel-drive.

This means that it’s far from a handful when the roads get greasy, though there’s still a 4.0-litre V8 to keep things interesting. On top of that, the E63S – available as either a saloon or estate – is impressively practical, with a decent boot and plenty of rear legroom too.

Ariel Nomad

Okay, we understand that you’ll probably need to get quite wrapped up when driving the Ariel Nomad in colder weather, but its all-round usability and incredible performance will more than make up for it.

A 2.4-litre Honda-sourced engine sends drive to all four wheels, while suspension with a huge amount of travel allows the Nomad to handle anything that is thrown at it. A tubular framework also means you’ll look like nothing else on the road.

Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

Available with either a turbocharged V8 or naturally-aspirated V12 engine, the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso is the best option if you’re looking for a car with a prancing horse on the front that can be used in all weathers.

Thankfully, the GTC4 Lusso utilises a clever electronic all-wheel-drive system, meaning that it’ll be able to tackle snow and ice like no other Ferrari can – yet it’ll do so in supreme luxury, as you’d expect with a car from Maranello.

Bentley Bentayga

Yes, it’s quite an ostentatious choice, but you simply cannot fault the way Bentley’s Bentayga can cover ground, be it on- or off-road. It features an opulent interior which, save for a noticeable few switches borrowed from parent company Audi, feels bespoke and well-made.

Of course, it has a lot of performance to offer too. With a turbocharged W12 powering this affair, it’ll hit 60mph in just four seconds before topping out at 187mph.

Volkswagen Golf R

Though the Volkswagen Golf R may not carry the same badge prestige as other cars on this list, it can more than keep its head held high when it comes to performance. The R’s turbocharged petrol engine gives it enough shove to out-drag a lot of current supercars.

Whereas the two-wheel-drive GTI would be spinning its front wheels in poor conditions, the R’s all-wheel-drive system means the fun doesn’t have to stop when the weather turns sour.

BMW M5

Though traditionally rear-wheel-drive, the latest incarnation of the M5 uses complex all-wheel-drive technology to give it huge amounts of traction, while a 4.4-litre V8 means you’ll be able to exploit the system to its fullest at all times.

You are able to lock that system to rear-wheel-drive only, but for the vast majority of the time it’s best left powering all four wheels – particularly in the winter months when traction is king.

Subaru WRX Final Edition

There are few cars with as much all-weather pedigree as the Subaru WRX. With rally history engrained in its make-up, it’s been designed to be able to travel very quickly over the toughest of surfaces and in the worse conditions.

A four-wheel-drive system, as well as rally-inspired suspension, makes the WRX Final Edition hugely capable in all weathers, while large Brembo brakes can effectively bring the whole thing to a stop.

Ford Focus RS

The Ford Focus RS has already made a name for itself as one of the most accomplished hot hatches on sale today, packing a lot of performance into a usable and practical layout. However, it’s also got four-wheel-drive, and this means that it’ll be ideal for tackling the elements in.

When you strip away the performance, you’re left with a genuine five-seater hatchback, so you’ll still be able to bring your friends along and save them from the cold.

Winter is well and truly upon us now — the heating is on full blast, the constant ‘snow is coming’ fears are all over the news and the gritters are out in force to chip car paint everywhere.

All jokes aside, driving conditions at this time of year are undoubtedly the most challenging we face in the UK and failing to take on the weather without the right care and attention can leave yourself and other drivers at risk. Here are our tips for staying safe on the road over the winter months.

There’s never too much preparation

The most crucial aspect of being safe on the roads, especially in winter conditions, is preparation.

Before setting off for the day, de-icing your car is key. Frozen windows mean poor visibility, so clear as much ice as you can with a de-icing spray or scraper to clear your view.

Take an extra 5 minutes this time of year to clear your windows & windshield of snow & ice before taking off. We see you driving while looking through the one small spot you scraped clear… It’s illegal, unsafe &, frankly, a bit lazy to drive with your car in an unsafe condition pic.twitter.com/lioFeVpZXc

— Oxford Police Dept. (@OxfordOhioPD) November 27, 2018

It’s also worth packing a winter driving kit, too. This doesn’t have to be apocalypse-proof, but it’s a good idea to keep some essentials in your car such as a high-visibility jacket, snow grips for shoes, a torch, emergency snacks and a power bank for your mobile devices just in case you do end up stranded on the roads.

If you’re heading into seriously harsh conditions, it could be worth carrying a shovel to clear snow and a rug to lay under your tyres for extra grip, while tyre chains can be a useful addition for keeping on the move in thick snow.

Pace yourself

Frozen and snow-covered roads are a different ball game to the rest of the year and driving styles must be adapted for the conditions.

Traction is the big difference. Regular tyres don’t grip as well to icy roads as they do clear tarmac, resulting in less friction. As a result, excess input on the controls could be met with disaster.

Remember that when driving in snow and ice, you should always be accelerating and decelerating slowly and avoiding using cruise control. pic.twitter.com/V8dI2q0dto

— Haymont Auto Repair (@HaymontAuto) November 26, 2018

Take more care upon throttle application to ensure power is delivered gently — a spike in delivery could cause the wheels to slip and result in a loss of control. Staying in a higher gear will aid in reducing wheelspin. Harsh steering inputs could have a similar effect, so it’s key to be smooth on turning too — and keep in mind that brakes are less effective on slippery surfaces.

Finally, remember that speed limits aren’t targets, and you should always drive at a pace safe for the conditions you’re in — even if that means travelling slower than usual.

Visibility is key

Although de-icing your car is key to maximise visibility, it’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to ensuring a clear view in frosty conditions.

Checking your bulbs before every journey is a quick but crucial task, and it’s worth carrying spares in case a light goes, as being seen by other motorists is just as crucial as being able to see where you’re going.

Foglights can be used if visibility is severely reduced, but remember to switch them off in traffic or brighter conditions to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Take charge of your battery

Car batteries operate less effectively in cold temperatures — far from ideal in the conditions we demand the most from them.

Keeping your battery charged is key and long drives are the best way to generate power. Short drives can be heavily draining on power, so it’s worth avoiding quick trips if possible. Turning off lights, wipers and heating when not needed is also essential to avoid excessive battery use.

In addition, it’s worth investing in jump leads in case your battery does go flat and refuses to start your car at all.

Avoid driving at all

Be aware that stopping in snow or ice can take a lot longer. To help compensate, driving slower on ice and snow can also lessen your stoppage time. When it snows, alleviate your anxiety while driving by allowing for extra time to travel to your destination. #WinterWxPrep pic.twitter.com/O0Kl864ira

— NWS Northern Indiana (@NWSIWX) November 16, 2018

The best way to stay safe in difficult driving conditions is not to get behind the wheel at all. If weather warnings are severe, it’s best to avoid trips in your car unless absolutely necessary.

If you don’t have much experience or confidence driving in difficult conditions, it may also be wise to ask a more capable family member or friend to drive if you must travel by car.

Should you get behind the wheel, always remember to take extra caution, as well as allowing more time and space for other road users who may not be as prepared for the weather.

Everyone loves a bargain, right? Food, clothes, shoes – if it’s got a cut-price label, most people are interested. The same goes for cars, but finding money off a barely-used example can be tricky. However, that’s not to say they don’t exist.

That is why we’ve trawled the classifieds to find some nearly-new cars which represent a huge saving over the brand-new option.

BMW 3 Series GT

Price new: £38,280
Price one-year: £19,890

The 3 Series GT is pitched by BMW as a car for all occasions. It’s part-hatchback, part-saloon, part-executive. The issue is that most people just want one car that does one of those things, rather than a vehicle trying to be all three. It’s the reason why the GT hasn’t proved all that successful. That said, it still offers a high level of quality, along with that all-important premium badging.

Its lack of success is reflected in the used price. A new 320d M Sport Gran Turismo will set you back £38,280, but the exact same model – albeit with 10,000 miles on the clock and last year’s plate – costs in the region of £19,890.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Price new: £45,810
Price one-year: £32,444

The big Discovery’s smaller sibling is this Discovery Sport – a surprising entry into this list as it’s actually a very desirable car. The baby Disco mates a superbly practical seven-seat body with the prestige of that Land Rover badge to make brilliant family transport – albeit with a dated interior and distinct lack of top-end tech. Still, with an easy £12,000 off list price, a one-year old example is a bit of a bargain.

Jaguar XF

Price new: £36,495
Price one-year: £27,500

Jaguar’s XF has always had a tricky time of things. We love the way it drives, and it’s offered with a decent range of engines too – but it just never seemed to hit the ground running. It does, however, represent excellent value for money, particularly year-old versions.

We’ve found a 2018-reg R-Sport car fitted with the 2.0-litre 178bhp diesel engine for £27,500 with 4,000 miles on the clock. This represents a huge saving compared to the £36,495 you’ll have to shell out for a brand-new model.

BMW 3 Series

Price new: £42,870
Price one-year: £39,990

BMW’s ever-popular 3 Series is being replaced this year, and that means you can get exceptionally good deals on one-year-old models. Whether you opt for saloon or touring there are savings to be had.

We had a look at the powerful 330d Touring model, which packs a 3.0-litre straight-six engine making it ideal for those undertaking long motorway slogs. Opt for a new one, and you’ll pay in the region of £42,870 – though go for one a year old, and that will fall to £39,990.

Infiniti QX30

Price new: £29,720
Price one-year: £17,000

It was intensely tricky to recommend the Infiniti QX30 when it was new. An ungodly union of Mercedes platform, Nissan interior and Renault diesel engines, it was actually a pretty good mix until you looked at the price. However, at just £17,000 or thereabouts for a year-old example, the QX30 becomes much easier to recommend.

Suzuki Swift Sport

Price new: £18,499
Price one-year: £13,999

When Suzuki released the all-new Swift Sport last year, it was met with a mixed reception. Sure, it offered a fun driving experience and bags of equipment, but it’s £18,499 price tag put into a performance bracket where it couldn’t really compete.

Fortunately though, if you look for an ever-so-slightly used exampled — most likely an ex-demonstrator — it’s not hard to find this junior hot hatch for under £14k. That takes it back to the level many expected, making it a real bargain.

Ford Mondeo Vignale

Price new: £30,625
Price one-year: £19,999

Ford introduced Vignale to its range in a bid to move upmarket. But with great luxury comes great depreciation, and Mondeo Vignales have gone from a rather overpriced nonsense to an absolute steal on the used market. And at this price, it’s hard to argue with the lengthy list of equipment and additional soundproofing that Vignale bestows upon you.

Vauxhall Astra

Price new: £21,760
Price one-year: £9,799

Looking at the prices of lightly used Vauxhalls might make you wonder why anybody buys a new one. It’s possible to get nearly £12,000 – or a discount of 54 per cent – off the price of an Astra after just a year on the road. That’s not even for a basic model either – we found a sporty-looking SRi with the excellent 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine.

Toyota Yaris GRMN

Price new: £26,295
Price one-year: £21,995

While £21,995 may still make the Toyota Yaris GRMN a shade pricier than rivals like the Ford Fiesta ST, it may just be a bargain buy at its current price on the used market — with examples comfortably under 1,500 miles plenty.

Just 85 units of this limited-run hot hatch were destined for the UK. That, combined with its widely-hailed driving experience means it could well become a collector’s item in future. Now might just be the time to cash in…

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 6.2

Price new: £63,995
Price one-year: £38,995

In America, a big car needs an even bigger engine. And so it seems perfectly correct that a Jeep Grand Cherokee, even those sold in the UK, require a monstrous 6.2-litre V8 engine to ferry their owners between destinations (via a fuel station, of course). Of course, not many bought into this vision of FREEDOM, and lightly used prices are correspondingly low. For performance, power, and sheer noise on a budget, this is a great way to go.

Traditionally, the North American International Auto Show (or Detroit Motor Show if you’re lazy) has been one of the most important events in the motoring calendar. However, it’s fair to admit that 2019 was a slight disappointment, especially for European markets.

With more and more manufacturers choosing to exhibit their tech-filled motors at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas just days before Detroit, the motor show itself was fairly barren for new car releases. There was some wheat among the chaff, though – here are eight of the most important or interesting exhibits from the show.

Toyota Supra

After years of concepts, teasers, promises and leaks, Toyota finally revealed the Supra at this year’s Detroit Motor Show.

Co-developed with BMW, it’ll get a 3.0-litre straight-six engine pushing out 335bhp when it arrives in the UK — although Japan also gets the option of lower-output four-cylinder variants. Will it live up to the hype? We’ll find out later this year…

Ford Explorer

SUVs may be big business in Europe, but they’re even more important in America. The new Explorer is therefore a crucial model for the brand.

It’s fitted with as much technology as Ford can squeeze in, including driver assistance tech, and it’s even managed to increase towing capacity by 66 per cent while making the Explorer lighter and more efficient.

Shelby GT500

All eyes may have been on the Toyota Supra, but one of Detroit’s own was on hand to steal the performance spotlight.

This is the latest Shelby Mustang GT500 — the most powerful road-going Ford ever built. Boasting in excess of 700bhp from its 5.2-litre supercharged V8 engine, the firm says it’ll deliver a 0-60mph time around the mid three-second mark and cover a quarter-mile drag run in under 11 seconds. It’s unlikely to come to the UK by official means, but there’s always the import route if this horse takes your fancy…

Lexus LC Convertible

It’s only a concept for now, but we’re fairly certain the Lexus LC Convertible previews an eventual production model. A flagship cabriolet is something that Lexus has never dabbled in before, but the slinky and powerful LC looks ripe for the opportunity if this concept is anything to go by.

An eventual production version would likely be fitted with the 3.5-litre hybrid powertrain, but we’d hope that the V8 model makes its way over, too…

Infiniti QX Inspiration

Continuing a long trend of electric concept cars, Infiniti unveiled the QX Inspiration in Detroit — a glance at what the next generation of SUVs from the Japanese brand could look like.

Clearly an evolution rather than revolution of the firm’s current corporate design, it boasts ‘human eye’ headlamps, sculptured surfaces and a brash stance. Details are pretty scarce and it’s unlikely to see production in its current form, but don’t be surprised to see future cars from Infiniti taking inspiration from the, er, Inspiration.

Kia Telluride

Kia sells several cars in the US that we don’t get in Europe, and the Telluride is the latest. It’s based on the concept first revealed at the 2016 Detroit show, and takes its place as the largest Kia model available.

Telluride is a three-row, eight-seat SUV fitted with a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine – too juicy for the UK, no doubt. It’s fitted with the latest off-road tech, as well as some interior gadgets we might see trickle down to European models, such as the ability to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

Lincoln Continental Coach Door Edition

Lincoln is somewhat of an underdog in the American luxury car market, but this Ford-owned brand has some serious history to draw upon. It’s now decided that its flagship Continental needed something special to make it stand out from the crowd – so it’s debuted the lengthened Coach Door Edition.

As the name suggests, this car comes with a pair of rear suicide doors, paying homage to the fourth-generation ‘60s car. It’s a really special touch and one that Ford no doubt hopes will revive the brand’s standing in the luxury car stakes.

Subaru WRX STI S209

Subaru finished UK sales of the WRX STI last year — but the model is still going strong around the world. The latest in a long line of ‘S’ series limited-run models, the S209 gets a huge boost in performance to make it the most powerful Subaru ever made.

A US-exclusive, it also benefits from racy aerodynamic upgrades, grippy Dunlop tyres and trademark gold wheels to complete the package.

Driving in the city can be difficult. There’s congestion, endless yellow boxes and tight, narrow streets to navigate. It’s why the city car makes so much sense; they’re compact, cheap to run and cheap to repair too.

And thankfully they aren’t too expensive to buy used. We’ve picked a £7,000 budget to find some of the best used inner-city cars available to buy today.

Volkswagen up!

The oddly-punctuated up! started a revolution for city cars when it launched in 2012 – proving beyond any doubt that they could rival their larger siblings for quality, refinement and driving enjoyment. The up! may only be 3.5 metres long, but offers a supple ride and nippy handling that many a supermini would be proud of.

It also looks brilliant, costs absolute peanuts to run and will genuinely seat four six-foot adults. What is there not to like? Our budget will give you your pick of the classifieds, and there’s plenty of individually configured models to choose from. We’d opt for the beefier 74bhp engine, and avoid any extra-large alloy wheels that spoil the ride.

Smart ForTwo

You couldn’t really have this list without a Smart, could you? One of the most iconic city cars of all time, the Smart ForTwo is most at home in urban environments. A teeny-tiny turning circle coupled with an equally dinky body size makes it perfect for nipping in and out of traffic, while its short length famously allowed it to park nose-in into parallel bays.

There are plenty of these available on the used market now, with most available for well under our £7,000 budget. You may even be able to grab a punchy, Brabus-tuned version – there for those who want a little more performance.

Renault Twizy

Electric power may be the future of motoring, but if you’re on a budget it can be pretty hard to muster the cash needed for a full-sized model. The Renault Twizy neatly sidesteps this, though, by offering electric mobility with a difference – the difference being, it’s not really a car.

The Twizy is classed as a ‘heavy quadricycle’ and its options list includes items such as doors and windows. Occupants sit one behind the other, and with a top speed of 50mph it’s strictly for inner-city use. However, if you’ve a short commute and want to slash your fuel bills, it’s a step up from a moped… Even a new Twizy comes in under our budget, though you’ll need to factor in the cost of leasing the battery.

Suzuki Cappuccino

When it comes to small cars, the Japanese are the experts. The Kei car is the country’s answer to large, dense cities — offering surprising amounts of space, comfort and safety in an incredibly compact package.

Kei cars can also be fun, too, and that brings us to this — the Suzuki Cappuccino. This dinky little convertible offers style and efficiency — thanks to a tiny three-cylinder engine. Thanks to its compact dimensions and two-seat form though, it also weighs a mere 725kg — making it serious fun to throw around a corner too.

Dacia Sandero Stepway

Dacia’s cars are all stunningly cheap, and the Sandero Stepway is no exception – our budget will buy you a virtually brand-new model. It may be based on the foundation of an old Renault Clio, feature comparatively underpowered and polluting engines and have all the interior luxury of a fridge-freezer, but the Stepway does have plenty going for it – especially as a city car.

First of all, there’s the comfort. It’s not exactly clear how Dacia does this, but the Sandero Stepway is capable of completely ignoring speedbumps. Space is good too, with the large Sandero giving plenty of room for large adults. Add in a good reputation for reliability and decent driving manners and the Sandero Stepway is a winner.

Kia Picanto

Kia’s Picanto has, for some time now, been the go-to choice for those drivers who want a reliable, efficient and good-to-drive city car on a budget. Used examples make even more sense, particularly if you can get one with some of its seven-year warranty still intact (it stays with the car, not the driver).

There are several examples available at this price point, and though you may not get bundles of in-car tech, you will get a superbly reliable car which will deliver each and every day.

Dream cars are meant for bedroom wall posters, right? Well that’s not always the case, as on occasions you can get the car of your dreams for a reasonable sum of money.

We’ve plucked a £50,000 budget from the air, and found ten of the very best ‘dream’ cars that you could realistically buy with it.

Audi R8

Audi’s original R8 broke the mould when it came to supercars, because it was one you could actually use day in, day out. Rock-solid build quality paired with good looks and an inspiring drive meant that the R8 was immensely popular when it was first released – and there are now plenty of used examples to choose from.

At this price point you’ll be able to get your hands on the full-fat 5.2-litre V10-powered version, and you can even get it with a manual gearbox, which is the one to have.

Bentley Continental

Bentley’s Continental makes for an exceptionally good used purchase. Particularly in this price range, you’ll be able to get yourself a clean, relatively low-mileage example. But that’s not the best thing – you’ll be bagging a W12 engine, and a luxurious cabin too.

For under £50,000 you’ll be able to choose between coupe or drop-top too.

Porsche 911

You can’t go wrong with a Porsche 911, right? One of the most beloved sports cars of all time, the 911 is an ideal everyday dream car – you can enjoy it on tight, twisty roads, but it’s just as adept at doing the supermarket run.

You’ll be able to pick up a clean 991 example at this price point, though there are a variety of classics available too – it’s down to what you fancy.

BMW Z1

BMW’s striking Z1 may not be your stereotypical dream car, but it’s one we feel is worth considering. Why? Well, for starters, the doors go up and down electronically – and it’s hard to describe just how cool this is.

On a bright summer’s day, you won’t regret opting for the Z1. We promise.

Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin’s DB9 relaunched the brand back into the mainstream, taking over from the older DB7. It was a resounding success; the car’s engine, construction and general driving style were leagues ahead of the car it replaced.

It’s an impressively good used buy, too. The market is awash with decent examples, and our budget will net you a decent, well cared for model.

Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R

In terms of cult followings, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R is right up there. Made famous by its appearance in iconic motoring movie Fast and Furious, the R34 is loved by enthusiasts across the globe.

Twin-turbocharged engines were used throughout the car’s life, though this was one vehicle favoured by tuners more than any other – so these powertrains were frequently boosted and pushed to incredible power outputs.

Jaguar E-Type

Think ‘classic car’ and your brain has probably already started forming the picture of an E-Type. Still touted as one of the most beautiful cars ever built, this picture of classic elegance is unlikely to ever depreciate in value again and can provoke smiles in even the meanest of pedestrians. Opt for a Series 1 for maximum kudos, but you may need to stretch our £50k budget to get a good one…

Mercedes 280SL ‘Pagoda’

Our £50,000 budget won’t stretch to the iconic 300SL – more’s the pity – but it will get you a 280SL and that’s almost as good. This gorgeous cabriolet produced a genuinely impressive (for the time) 168bhp from its 2.8-litre straight-six engine, and the option of a distinctive detachable ‘Pagoda’ hardtop. Timeless, classic, beautiful and distinctive.

Morgan Aero 8

When Morgan’s Aero 8 first came out, it was slammed for being, well, a little odd-looking. However, behind the rather frog-eyed front end sat a proper V8 engine, linked to the rear wheels via a manual gearbox – though it was later available with an automatic.

In terms of standing out, you’ll do well to better the Aero 8. Both in terms of styling and overall theatre, this a tough car to beat – particularly at this price point.

Ferrari 360

We couldn’t finish this list without a Ferrari, could we? And what better Ferrari to pick than the 360 – arguably one of the most iconic and popular cars to ever wear the prancing horse.

And better still, 360 models are relatively simple to get your hands on, particularly for our budget. Just keep a close eye on the car’s service history and general condition – 360s are notorious for going wrong if not maintained properly.

It’s a problem many of us have encountered on Christmas Eve.

The tree is up, the sherry’s poured and the presents are bought – but there’s no wrapping paper! Worse still, maybe the scissors have gone missing – and where’s that sticky tape?

Well, this year, Christmas Eve crises could be a thing of the past – thanks to car manufacturer Fiat.

The car maker is set to deploy a team of ‘little helper’ 500 models across central London to aid last-minute present purchasers who need emergency supplies.

The fleet of four Fiat 500s will be despatched over Zones 1 and 2 in central London on Christmas Eve, and each car will be equipped with all of the last-minute wrapping essentials families could need – all for free.

The public will be able to call on the free service by using the Twitter and Instagram hashtag #WrappedbyFiat, after which Fiat will aim to send a team of helper elves directly to their door.

Even if it’s just tape or scissors which have been forgotten, the team will be able to provide these too.

Andrea Lo Presti, Fiat Marketing Director, said: “The Fiat 500 is a car that spreads cheer and happiness everywhere it goes, so it’s fitting that it should be there for you to ensure your Christmas celebrations go without a glitch.

“With family stress levels reaching their peak on Christmas Eve, gift givers can relax in the knowledge that if they run out of essential supplies, a response team of little helpers is only a hashtag away.”

Fiat’s team will be monitoring social media channels to come to the rescue of as many people as possible between 5pm and 10:30pm on Christmas Eve.

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has unveiled his ground-breaking underground transportation tunnel, which he hopes will provide an answer to “soul-destroying traffic” across the world.

Reporters and invited guests took some of the first journeys in the subterranean tube system beneath the surface of Los Angeles, which could eventually hit speeds of 150mph.

The vehicle jostled significantly during the journey, which was bumpy enough to give one reporter motion sickness. And at 40mph, the demo journeys were considerably slower than the future system will run at, according to Mr Musk.

Guests were driven along the city’s streets in a Tesla Model S electric car about a mile away from the departure point known as O’Leary Station.

The station, situated in the middle of a residential area – “basically in someone’s backyard,” Mr Musk said – consists of a wall-less lift which slowly took the car down a wide shaft, roughly 30ft below the surface.

After a narrow tunnel emerged, the Tesla driver sped up along the route.

Mr Musk described his first journey as “epic”.

He told reporters: “For me, it was a eureka moment.

“I was like: ‘This thing is going to damn well work.’”

He said the journey is bumpy at the moment because “we kind of ran out of time”, and there were some problems with the speed of his paving machine.

Of future systems, he said: “It’ll be smooth as glass.

“This is just a prototype. That’s why it’s a little rough around the edges.”

Later, Mr Musk emerged from the tunnel himself inside one of his cars before giving a speech to reporters and guests about the technology and why it makes sense.

He said: “Traffic is soul-destroying. It’s like acid on the soul.”

The entrepreneur explained for the first time in detail how the system, which he simply calls “loop”, could work on a larger scale beneath cities across the globe.

Autonomous, electric vehicles could be lowered into the system on the special lifts, which could be placed almost anywhere cars can go.

The cars would have to be fitted with specially designed side wheels which pop out perpendicular to the car’s regular tyres, fitted to run along the tunnel’s track.

The cost for such wheels would be about 200-300 dollars (£158-£237) per car, Mr Musk said.

A number of autonomous cars would remain inside the tunnel system just for pedestrians and cyclists. Once they are within the main arteries of the system, every car could run at top speed except when entering and exiting.

Mr Musk said the system would operate more like an underground motorway than a subway.

He added that the cars would have to be autonomous to work in the system, but not Teslas specifically, and they would have to be electric owing to the fumes that would be created otherwise.

For the privately-funded test tunnel, Mr Musk acquired a tunnel-boring machine which had been used in a San Francisco Bay Area building project and put it down a shaft in a car park at the SpaceX headquarters.

One project Mr Musk is planning, known as the Dugout Loop, would take Los Angeles baseball fans to Dodger Stadium from one of three subway stations.

Another would take travellers from the centre of Chicago to O’Hare International Airport. Both projects are in the environmental review phase.

Mr Musk said he is hoping that an extensive network will be open in Los Angeles before the city hosts the 2028 Olympics.

He said: “Wouldn’t it be incredible if you could travel around LA, New York, (Washington) DC, Chicago, Paris, London – anywhere – at 150mph?

“That’d be phenomenal.”

We’re well and truly into the festive season now, and it’s about time to wrap up the last bits of Christmas shopping (or, for those less organised among us, start it).

Every year though, there seem to be more and more presents to buy — and somehow, you’ve got to get them to your recipient. Playing Father Christmas this year? These are the cars you should be looking towards for your sleigh…

Audi RS6

Fast and practical are two attributes every good sleigh needs — and nothing brings these two qualities together better than the Audi RS6.

With a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 under the bonnet, it’s got the go for quick deliveries and can make plenty of them too thanks to a 565-litre boot. Oh, and you can get it in red for the full Father Christmas effect.

BMW 5 Series Touring

There are few cars quite as good at load-lugging in absolute comfort as the BMW 5 Series Touring. It’s spacious, comes with a range of engines and packs one of the biggest boots in the business.

It’s also got a feature which you won’t see included on many cars on sale today – a split glass tailgate. It means that you can access the boot without having to open the whole hatch; it’s a feature you’ll use a lot more than you’d expect.

Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial

Need to deliver presents here, there and everywhere? You’ll need a Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial, then. It’ll tackle any type of terrain, and its lack of rear seats mean that there’s loads of room for all manner of gifts – you could fit a few brand new bicycles in the back of this one.

It’s also relatively rough-and-ready, which means it’ll stand up to any type of abuse over the festive period. A sludgy farm track? This car won’t even miss a beat.

Mercedes S Class

In contrast, there’s the luxurious Mercedes S-Class. Though it’s arguably one of the best cars to be driven in, the S-Class is also great for whoever is behind the wheel too. It’s also got a decent sized boot, and it’s nearly the length of Santa’s sleigh too. All it needs is reins and some reindeer out front and it’d be close to the real thing.

You can also get a range-topping S63 version packing Mercedes’ powerful 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, making those last-minute dashes to deliver presents even quicker.

Ford Ranger Raptor

If you’ve got to cover some difficult terrain at a pace with your drop-offs this Christmas, look toward the Ford Ranger Raptor.

Designed for taking on even the most treacherous of turf, this tarted-up truck gets more ground clearance, chunkier BF Goodrich tyres and more capable suspension. Plus, with a respectable 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel outputting 210bhp and 500Nm of torque, it can do it at a good rate of knots.

Tesla Model S

What’s better than one boot when carrying tons of presents? Two, of course — and that’s exactly what the Tesla Model S has.

With its batteries stored on the floor of the car, that extra space in the bonnet can come in handy when playing eco-friendly Father Christmas this year. Plus with up to 334 miles of range between charges, you’ll be able to quietly cover even the longest of drop-off runs.

Volkswagen Up! GTI

For the urban-based, last-minute delivery runs, you’re going to need some agile enough to navigate tight city streets but also quick enough to get the presents under the tree in time.

Step in the Volkswagen Up! GTI. Taking the German city car’s proven capabilities and adds a spritely 108bhp engine — giving it go-kart like credentials. Okay, so you’re going to struggle on larger presents, but those stocking fillers won’t be a problem.

Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

If Father Christmas has a dream car, we suspect it’d be a Rosso Corsa Ferrari GTC4 Lusso. This genuine Italian stallion not only boasts a screaming V12 under its long bonnet, but also four-wheel drive and a decent sized boot thanks to its shooting-brake bodystyle — making it a capable delivery machine too.

Perhaps the only thing holding him back is just how loud it is. He knows you won’t be sleeping after pulling up in it…