Coming up on The Top Ten Auto Show, we take a look at the top ten mid-sized estate cars of 2001.
Which will be crowned number one by our panel of experts? Watch now to find out!
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss a video!
------------------
Enjoyed this video? Don't forget to LIKE and SHARE the video and get involved with our community by leaving a COMMENT below the video!
Check out what else our channel has to offer and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Men & Motors for more classic car and motorbike content! Why not? It is free after all!
Our website: http://menandmotors.com/
---- Social Media ----
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/menandmotors/
Instagram: @menandmotorstv
Twitter: @menandmotorstv
If you have any questions, e-mail us at talk@menandmotors.com
© Men and Motors - One Media iP 2023
Which will be crowned number one by our panel of experts? Watch now to find out!
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss a video!
------------------
Enjoyed this video? Don't forget to LIKE and SHARE the video and get involved with our community by leaving a COMMENT below the video!
Check out what else our channel has to offer and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Men & Motors for more classic car and motorbike content! Why not? It is free after all!
Our website: http://menandmotors.com/
---- Social Media ----
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/menandmotors/
Instagram: @menandmotorstv
Twitter: @menandmotorstv
If you have any questions, e-mail us at talk@menandmotors.com
© Men and Motors - One Media iP 2023
Category
🚗
MotorTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03,
00:31 Hello, this is Dave Lee Travis, welcoming you
00:33 to the Top 10 Auto Show.
00:35 This week, we continue our roundup of the top 10 vehicles
00:38 from the main categories of the motor world,
00:40 as voted by our panel of editors from the UK's top motoring
00:43 magazines.
00:44 This week, we're taking a look at the best mid-sized estate
00:47 cars on the market.
00:49 And no, that doesn't mean this week's show
00:51 is going to be a boring look at long, box-shaped, slow cars.
00:54 You know better than that.
00:56 You know that the estate has put that image far behind it.
01:00 Nowadays, estates, station wagons, touring models,
01:03 Avants-- call them what you will--
01:05 are stylish, comfortable, brimming with technology,
01:08 and most importantly, fast.
01:10 [MUSIC PLAYING]
01:13 At number 10 is the Vauxhall Vectra Estate.
01:19 The Vectra's popularity as a company car
01:22 brings what is essentially a boring car into our top 10.
01:25 Vauxhall have designed the Vectra
01:27 to be cost-effective and cheap to run.
01:29 All those things that will make it attractive
01:31 to the accountants at work.
01:33 Unfortunately for the traveling rep,
01:35 excitement isn't cost-effective and isn't
01:37 to be found in the Vectra.
01:39 Vauxhall are doing their bit for the environment,
01:41 however, with their dual fuel engines.
01:44 The 1.8-liter dual fuel petrol engine available in the Vectra
01:47 can use either LPG--
01:49 that's liquefied petroleum gas-- or unleaded.
01:51 [MUSIC PLAYING]
01:55 If all of this has got you tempted
01:57 to do your bit to save the planet--
01:59 and let's be honest, save more than a few quid--
02:01 fine, by all means go ahead.
02:03 But you will need to sit down and do your calculations.
02:05 You don't need to do the kind of interstellar mega-mileages
02:08 that you used to have to do to justify an old-fashioned diesel
02:12 just to save a few pence.
02:13 It's not that big a difference.
02:15 But you will need to do a few miles
02:16 before you save enough money to justify
02:18 the extra expense in buying a car that can take LPG.
02:21 [MUSIC PLAYING]
02:25 Also on the plus side, the Vectra
02:28 is a reliable runner and quite happy to sit
02:30 on the motorway all day.
02:31 Inside, the decor is not at all bad.
02:34 And the sturdiness of it all guarantees
02:36 the accountants will keep one in the company
02:37 fleet for a good while.
02:39 [MUSIC PLAYING]
02:42 After all this cost-effectiveness,
02:45 the residual value is low--
02:47 very low-- as little as 22% of the original price.
02:51 But by then, the company will have squeezed every last pennies
02:54 worth out of this workhorse so the accountants
02:56 will be able to stomach it.
02:57 But will you?
02:58 [MUSIC PLAYING]
03:02 Number 10, the Vauxhall Vectra estate.
03:04 [MUSIC PLAYING]
03:08 At number nine, down one place from last year,
03:20 is an estate from a company who started out in 1818
03:23 making tools and saws.
03:26 It is, of course, the Peugeot with their 406 estate.
03:29 If you've got a long drive ahead of you,
03:31 then the 406 is the car to do it in.
03:33 Peugeot have always been strong when
03:35 it comes to ride and handling.
03:37 But with cruise control as standard,
03:39 motorway traveling is effortless.
03:41 The comfortable seats with fine adjustments
03:43 stop you getting stiff over those long journeys.
03:46 And the recently updated and airy cabin
03:48 makes the 406 a pleasant place to spend a few hours.
03:52 That schnobbery hides the fact that the 406
03:54 is a good alternative to the base level estates
03:57 from the German manufacturers.
03:58 So if you want to do more than just pose,
04:01 then your money will be better spent on a top class 406
04:04 than a standard Audi, BMW, or Merc.
04:07 [MUSIC PLAYING]
04:11 Of the new engine range, the 3-liter V6
04:14 is the one that stands out.
04:15 But if you're after fuel economy,
04:17 then look to the others.
04:18 The 406 is a good financial decision.
04:21 And running costs are kind to your pocket.
04:23 But watch out for any surprises when you come to sell it on,
04:26 as the 406's growing popularity as a company or fleet car
04:30 is bringing down residual value.
04:32 [MUSIC PLAYING]
04:35 [MUSIC PLAYING]
04:54 In at number eight, it's the Rover 75 Tourer.
04:58 So Rover is British again.
05:00 And what better reason is there to buy one?
05:02 Not because of a sense of patriotism,
05:04 but because Rover have had it tough in previous years.
05:07 And wouldn't it be nice to have a world leading British car
05:10 company?
05:11 Plus, the 75 is not a bad motor at all.
05:14 As with most estates, the 75 Tourer
05:17 is likely to be notching up lots of miles on the motorway.
05:20 So you'll want the interior to be the kind of place
05:22 you'll enjoy spending a few hours.
05:25 Now personally, I prefer the interior of the MG ZT.
05:29 Same layout, but no fake wood, no cream dials.
05:32 It's all aluminum and graphite.
05:34 Or maybe it's just that I'm too young and trendy
05:37 to appreciate fake walnuts.
05:40 Though the 75 hails from the old BMW days,
05:43 it does have an old English charm about it,
05:45 which makes you forget about its German roots.
05:48 But it's still an estate.
05:49 So what's it like when it comes to moving your stuff?
05:53 The external chrome trim is a nice touch,
05:56 as is this separate boot hatch when you want
05:59 to throw things in in a hurry.
06:00 But what about this boot space?
06:02 I mean, after all, that is why you buy a car like this.
06:05 Now that is very impressive.
06:10 And it's obvious that the Rover engineers have
06:12 been very clever in maximizing the amount of space
06:15 available in here.
06:17 And that's just her luggage.
06:18 [MUSIC PLAYING]
06:21 At number seven, slipping six places from last year's number
06:41 one, is the Audi Avant.
06:43 So why has Audi lost its crown at the top?
06:46 The old A4 was known for style, quality,
06:49 and reliable performance, and enjoyed huge success.
06:52 But the Audi stood still too long,
06:54 as its competition overtook it with more dynamic new models.
06:58 There is, of course, the new A4 Avant,
07:00 which, while it has a more brawny appearance,
07:03 is pretty much the same Audi, but with the odd nip
07:06 and tuck here and there that sets it out
07:08 as a new incarnation.
07:10 But it's still an Audi, and the usual refinements
07:12 are all there.
07:14 High up on the list of priorities in the Audi A4
07:16 makeover is the chassis, which has
07:18 been redesigned and strengthened.
07:20 Also redesigned is the rear suspension,
07:23 which is now very similar to that of the Audi A8.
07:26 In fact, Audi are claiming that the handling is now
07:29 on a par with the rear wheel driven Mercedes C-Class
07:33 and BMW 3 Series.
07:36 Safety is a top priority with the A4.
07:38 You're protected by airbags in all directions.
07:41 Braking is safer and more effective,
07:43 thanks to ABS and electronic brake force distribution.
07:46 And there is, of course, the standard Audi warning triangle.
07:49 There is a huge engine range for you
07:51 to choose from in both petrol and diesel forms.
07:54 Most notable is the 3-liter Quattro Sport,
07:57 which will do 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds.
08:00 But that'll be when it's empty, of course.
08:02 [MUSIC PLAYING]
08:05 At number six is the Swedish Saab 9-5.
08:20 Saab have made 1,265 individual changes to their flagship 9-5.
08:26 Being able to account for each and every modification
08:28 may seem a little bit pedantic for any other car manufacturer,
08:32 but not one that also builds jet fighters.
08:35 The first thing to hit you when you get into the Saab
08:37 is just how comfortable these seats are.
08:39 You really do get the impression that this aircraft is club class.
08:43 Thank you very much.
08:44 And that impression is bolstered by the presence of this little card
08:48 that we find in the car, giving us details of the car's safety.
08:52 But I keep expecting to face backwards and address
08:54 my passengers for where the exits are in case of emergency.
08:58 Or is that just me?
08:59 [MUSIC PLAYING]
09:03 Few changes are apparent on the outside,
09:08 leaving the majority of alterations under the skin.
09:11 There's barely any turbo lag in here.
09:13 And that's not surprising, really, because Saab
09:15 have been fiddling around with turbos since the '70s.
09:18 So you'd expect them to get it right.
09:20 In fact, the only interruption in the acceleration
09:22 comes from waiting for kickdown on the automatic gearbox.
09:25 The best way to enjoy your 9-5 estate
09:27 is to sit back, calm and unruffle.
09:30 Think club class again on a long intercontinental flight.
09:34 So you get an excellent, comfortable ride
09:36 as you'd expect from Saab.
09:37 But it is an estate.
09:39 And their job is to move lots of things from A to B.
09:41 So how big is the hold on this craft?
09:44 There's good news in store for rear seat passengers in the Saab,
09:51 because there's loads of room.
09:52 And it's really comfortable as well.
09:54 And then the boot space.
09:55 Well, it's every bit as cavernous as you would demand
09:58 in any estate car in this class.
10:00 But there's more to it than that,
10:01 because we get this extremely nifty hard luggage cover,
10:05 and then this very clever system of nets,
10:07 and these movable anchor points to which you could tie up ships
10:10 if you really felt the need to.
10:12 The Saab 9-5 estate, an aircraft without wings,
10:15 at number six in our chart.
10:18 [MUSIC PLAYING]
10:21 In at number five is another Gaelic offering
10:39 from our friends across the channel.
10:41 It's the C5.
10:43 And no, we're not talking about the failed three-wheeled electric
10:46 car brought to us by Sir Clive Sinclair in the mid-1980s.
10:49 This is the Citroen C5.
10:52 And it uses either petrol or diesel to propel itself
10:55 and has four wheels.
10:57 Outside, the C5's looks let it down.
11:00 It's not that it's ugly or bland.
11:02 It just seems that there was little thought
11:04 put into the design.
11:05 Inside, however, the C5 makes amends
11:08 with an impressive list of high-tech specifications.
11:11 I like the look of the cabin as well,
11:13 apart from being very spacious.
11:15 The materials are pretty plush, has a quality feel to it.
11:20 All of the instruments are very, very well laid out.
11:23 Ergonomically, it's excellent.
11:27 The C5's also full of lots of clever, very user-friendly
11:30 technical touches, things like automatic headlights
11:34 that come on when it gets dark or you go into a tunnel.
11:38 And apart from the satellite navigation system,
11:40 Citroen have developed a voice activation unit
11:43 where you can put the CD on or use the telephone simply
11:47 by voice commands.
11:49 Unlike its electric three-wheeler namesake,
11:52 it is ideally suited for long motorway journeys or country
11:55 roads, even with the car fully laden with family and luggage.
11:59 And with the 3-liter V6 supplying 210 brake horsepower,
12:03 you definitely know you're in a C5 from Citroen and not Sir
12:06 Clive.
12:08 [MUSIC PLAYING]
12:11 Hello, and welcome to the Top 10 Auto Show.
12:29 I'm Dave Lee Travis.
12:31 This week, we're taking a look at the best mid-sized estate
12:33 cars on the market.
12:35 [MUSIC PLAYING]
12:38 At number four is the Volkswagen Passat.
12:42 Sharing the same platform, the Volkswagen Passat estate
12:45 is a close relative to the A4 Avant.
12:48 And like the Audi, the Passat has taken a good, hard look
12:51 at itself and done some fine tuning,
12:53 not because there was anything wrong with it,
12:55 but because this sector moves on fast,
12:57 and Volkswagen wants to keep ahead of the competition.
12:59 [MUSIC PLAYING]
13:03 Inside, the Passat radiates quality in no small part
13:07 to the standard leather interior.
13:09 Standard equipment also includes airbags from all directions,
13:12 powered steering, and electric everything.
13:15 Volkswagen have supplied the Passat
13:16 with a wide range of engines to suit the needs of most
13:19 estate drivers.
13:21 Engines.
13:21 Well, you've got a choice of eight in total,
13:23 of which three are new.
13:24 There are four diesel and three petrol.
13:26 The new ones are two 1.9-liter TDI engines,
13:30 one with 101 and one with 130 brake horsepower,
13:33 and a 170 brake horsepower V5 petrol engine.
13:37 Lovely.
13:38 Our advice?
13:39 Go for the diesel, but they can be noisy.
13:42 [MUSIC PLAYING]
13:45 Although they share the same platform,
13:47 having an Audi badge allows the A4
13:48 to go that extra mile where desirability is concerned.
13:52 But badge snobbery hasn't had an effect on our expert panel who
13:55 have positioned the Passat as a car that
13:57 is well above the A4 in our top 10.
14:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
14:03 In at number three is the Ford Mondeo.
14:17 If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
14:18 That's what they say.
14:20 But it's a good job the people at Ford don't think that way.
14:23 They took the already highly successful Ford Mondeo
14:25 and made it better, and in doing so
14:27 have created a quality car to match the best in its class.
14:31 While the design of the saloon hasn't changed much
14:33 from the old model, the Mondeo estate
14:36 has, receiving acclaim for its style from people
14:39 who know about such things.
14:40 It is also larger than its predecessor,
14:42 so space is not lacking.
14:44 Three adults can comfortably enjoy a long journey
14:47 in the rear with plenty of leg room,
14:49 so there's no fear of economy class syndrome.
14:52 And behind the wheel, there's a lot of space.
14:54 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
14:56 is a bit larger than the A4, but it's
14:58 still a bit more spacious than the A4.
15:00 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:02 is a bit larger than the A4, but it's
15:04 still a bit more spacious than the A4.
15:06 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:08 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:10 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:12 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:14 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:16 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:18 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:20 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:22 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:24 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:26 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:28 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:30 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:32 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:34 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:36 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:38 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:40 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:42 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:44 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:46 The Mondeo has a large boot, which
15:48 is a bit larger than the A4.
15:50 [Music]
15:52 [Music]
15:54 [Music]
15:56 At number 2 is another
15:58 French station wagon. It's the
16:00 Renault Laguna. A Renault
16:02 car actually went down with the Titanic,
16:04 as Leonardo DiCaprio went down
16:06 with Kate Winslet in the back seat.
16:08 At least the Laguna doesn't look like
16:10 it's sinking too. Renault
16:12 redesigned their Tourer to take on the
16:14 Passat and Mondeo estates, and it seems
16:16 to be keeping afloat so far.
16:18 The new Laguna has a more sportier
16:20 appearance, however, styling
16:22 such as the sloping rear window do
16:24 compromise on practicality. Despite
16:26 this, there's considerable space
16:28 for both luggage and humans alike.
16:30 Standard features include
16:32 airbags at all angles, electric
16:34 windows and door mirrors, a rather
16:36 lacklustre air conditioning system,
16:38 and the added luxury of leather furnishings.
16:40 Other features of the Laguna include
16:42 some handy gadgetry.
16:44 Now once you're inside the Laguna, the technology
16:46 continues. You've got quite a clever, almost
16:48 head-up display, which actually monitors the
16:50 tyre pressures. There's a synthesised voice
16:52 that lets you know if the tyres are going down or if you've
16:54 got a door open, and there's driver-passenger
16:56 airbags and an electric sunroof.
16:58 Now satellite navigation and
17:00 electronic stability controls are available
17:02 as an option, but everything else I've mentioned
17:04 does come as standard. And the
17:06 materials that Renault have used in this new car, well,
17:08 they feel very, very good, very high quality,
17:10 and it's quite a nice place to spend time.
17:12 And remember that keyless ignition?
17:14 Put it in the slot,
17:16 press the button,
17:18 couldn't be easier.
17:20 All this gadgetry is all well and good,
17:24 but this is a car, a form of transport,
17:26 so how does it drive?
17:28 Now although this new Laguna isn't as
17:30 softly sprung as the old one, it's still
17:32 a very French ride. They tend to go
17:34 for comfort rather than sporty
17:36 performance, and it means it's a lot less firm
17:38 than some of its rivals. And
17:40 when you start to push it, especially on these A-roads,
17:42 it does feel a lot less
17:44 composed. But when you get out onto the motorway,
17:46 it's a completely different story.
17:48 The ride is superb, and the car
17:50 feels extremely refined.
17:52 And as for noise, well, you've just got a bit of a purr
17:54 from that V6, and a bit of wind noise
17:56 to keep you company.
17:58 So, let's run down the
18:06 top ten mid-sized estates of
18:08 2001 so far, from ten to two.
18:10 [Music]
18:12 Dragging its heels
18:16 at number ten, the boring but
18:18 efficient company car, the
18:20 Vauxhall Vectra. In at number nine,
18:22 the company that used to make saws,
18:24 but which didn't cut the stuff with our
18:26 panel, the Peugeot 406.
18:28 At number eight,
18:30 recently liberated from the Germans,
18:32 the Rover 75 Tourer.
18:34 And at number seven, sliding
18:36 from the top spot last year, but still a
18:38 good estate, the Audi A4 Avant.
18:40 At number six,
18:42 the aircraft without wings,
18:44 it's the Saab 9-5.
18:46 Motoring in at number five, no,
18:48 it's not Sir Clive's electric three-wheeler,
18:50 it's the Citroen C5.
18:52 At number four, the Audi
18:54 A4's cousin, the Volkswagen
18:56 Passat. Nearing the
18:58 top spot, at number three,
19:00 it looks like the Passat, but we like
19:02 it more, the Ford Mondeo.
19:04 And close, but no cigar,
19:06 it's granddad went down with the
19:08 Titanic, but it's up near the top with us,
19:10 the Renault Laguna.
19:12 And now, the number one
19:14 mid-sized estate car of 2001,
19:16 as voted for by the editors
19:18 of Britain's top motoring magazines.
19:20 [Music]
19:25 From the masters of the estate car,
19:27 the Volvo V70.
19:29 Always high on the agenda
19:31 for Volvo is safety. Their cars
19:33 are built like tanks, you always feel safe
19:35 inside one. The V70
19:37 has anti-lock brakes, dual-stage
19:39 drivers airbag, inflatable side
19:41 curtains, side impact protection,
19:43 whiplash protection, this list
19:45 goes on. If it's practicality
19:47 in space you want, it's got to be a
19:49 Volvo, it's been that way for hundreds of years.
19:51 Well, yes and no.
19:53 For a start, this
19:55 luggage cover,
19:57 forget it, horrible thing.
19:59 There are anchor points, but they're only in
20:01 the corners, there aren't a whole rack of them like
20:03 a Saab. There is a nice little space here,
20:05 good news for smugglers, as long as
20:07 customs are particularly gullible.
20:09 And that's about it.
20:11 [Music]
20:15 Most estates spend many hours
20:17 on the motorway, so the cabin has to be a place
20:19 where you feel at home. Now, I'm
20:21 actually quite a fan of these simple
20:23 solid slabs of controls that
20:25 Volvo seem to be turning out, but I know plenty
20:27 of people find it, well, rather
20:29 Euro-blend. They have been
20:31 in the same school of cup holder manufacture, though.
20:33 Look at this beauty.
20:35 It's the kind of thing that would
20:37 finally make you talk in a torture chamber.
20:39 Whatever you say.
20:41 [Music]
20:47 On the road, the V70 gives a very comfortable
20:49 ride. It quite happily absorbs
20:51 all those bumps and potholes out there
20:53 and surprisingly sticks to the road like
20:55 glue round corners.
20:57 So, despite those extra cubes,
20:59 the Volvo loses out on power
21:01 and it does feel quite a lot slower
21:03 than the Saab. It's another light pressure
21:05 turbo and this time
21:07 there is turbo lag. In fact,
21:09 that seems to be the only effect of it.
21:11 The turbo basically flattens the bottom end
21:13 and brings no particular benefits.
21:15 [Music]
21:21 The 2.3 litre T5 with its
21:23 250 brake horsepower engine
21:25 will take you from 0 to 60 in
21:27 1.1 seconds, however.
21:29 And, if fuel economy is your thing,
21:31 try the 2.4 litre diesel
21:33 which operates at a very frugal
21:35 44.1 miles to the gallon.
21:37 [Music]
21:43 [Music]
21:53 This is Dave Lee Travis
21:55 saying thanks for watching. Join me
21:57 for the top 10 next week running down the chart
21:59 of recreational off-roaders.
22:01 [Music]
22:30 (upbeat music)