US vs UK (Part one) Entry-level engines

Have you ever wondered what an entry-level Volkswagen Golf looks like in UK vs what we get here in the US? Well fret not here is our blog focusing on entry-level engines offered in UK vs US.



Volkswagen Golf (U.S. vs U.K.)
Golf S (U.S.) 1.8t 170hp ($19,895)
Golf S (U.K.) 1.0t 83hp ($23,743)

The 1-liter turbocharged three-cylinder sold in Europe has 129lb-ft torque at low revs. It has diesel like torque which should help it feel flexible around town and on the highway. This engine only comes with a five-speed manual gearbox which is the proper way to go with this engine. We find it quite interesting that despite it being more expensive than the U.S. version, this engine has really low running costs and still seems decently kitted.



BMW 3-series Sedan (U.S. vs U.K.)
320i (U.S.) 2.0t 180hp ($33,450)
318i (U.K.) 1.5t 136hp ($33,124)

The 318i sedan uses the same engine from the Cooper trim that’s sold here. It’s a 1.5 turbo three-cylinder which is great in the Mini Cooper Hardtop 5-door. It’s an interesting option for the entry-level 3-series considering that it’s a larger vehicle, but the rear-wheel-drive platform should make it more fun to drive.



Mercedes CLA (US vs UK)
CLA 250 (US) 2.0t 208hp ($32,700)
CLA 180 (UK) 1.6t 122hp ($32,577)

We do complain about how Europe gets better product than us, but with an engine like this and a price tag as steep as ours. We should be happy this CLA 180 stayed in Europe, however with stricter emissions standards coming. We too could be seeing less is more aspect of new engines. The turbo really does give low-end torque so it shouldn’t feel too weak but a 86hp drop won’t go unnoticed.



Toyota Yaris
L (US) 1.5-liter 106hp ($16,375)
Active (UK) 1-liter 69hp ($16,079)

The Yaris sold here gets 37hp for $296 more than the UK version which has only 69hp. The standard 5-speed manual gearbox should help make it feel peppy around town. Running costs on the Euro version should be way lower than the US version in theory, but if we had this engine here. You’ll have to really thrash it to keep up with traffic and that means that you won’t be driving it as economically as it should be driven.



Jaguar XE
25t (US) 2.0t 247hp ($35,725)
20d (UK) 2.0d (diesel) 163hp ($36,412)

Jaguar already offers a fantastic diesel engine here for about $2-3k more than the 2-liter turbo. The diesel engine we get is also a 2-liter but pumps out 180hp instead of the more efficient 163hp found in this example here and it also is the base engine for those in the UK. We loved the 2-liter diesel engine that was offered in the Passat here because it had such high torque at low revs and never felt underpowered. The XE here may not be to everyone’s taste considering that it’s near $40k with only 163hp but with such a premium feeling interior and the looks of a Jaguar. It’s basically a win – win when you think about it.



Honda Civic Hatch
LX (US) 1.5T 174hp ($19,700)
SE (UK) 1.0T 127hp ($24,021)

The trend we are starting to notice here is that turbocharged three-cylinders are starting to make a comeback in Europe. The 1-liter turbo three cylinder offered in UK could serve as a great engine option in the Honda Fit to rival the Ford Fiesta Ecoboost three-cylinder engine. Also, it would be quite an interesting option against the Focus here as well. We know that the 2-liter is plenty efficient, but if Honda ever did decide to bring the Civic Hybrid back. This engine coupled with an electric motor would be a great start.



Land Rover Discovery
SE (US) 3-liter supercharged 340hp ($49,990)
S (UK) 2-liter Sd4 240hp ($60,539)

It really doesn't surprise us that the Discovery is far more expensive in the UK than in the US considering the vast number of stringent fuel economy and emissions standards. What we would love to see here is that 2-liter turbo-diesel engine. We've had the opportunity to drive on in the Velar and it is a great engine and should be optional on at least the Disco Sport.

Pathological isn't impressed with the Mercedes CLA

Audi and Mercedes both are offering four-door sedans for buyers who can't afford the more expensive A4 and C-class offerings. The CLA is the stylish of the two and offers that Mercedes quality at a lower asking price. But does this mean that you get what you pay for with a cheap Mercedes?

Performance: The CLA only offers two engine choices. It's a no brainer here as to which engine is the pick of the range. The CLA250 which is the cheaper of the two offers a turbocharged four-cylinder producing 208hp. Top of the range CLA45 AMG offers the same turbocharged four-cylinder producing 375hp. Most buyers will pick the CLA250 because it's cheaper to buy and makes the most sense financially.

On the road: The CLA suspension is set up towards comfort which is fine if you desire a smooth ride. The car still shimmies around over rough surfaces. The sports suspension sharpens handling but the ride comfort is much firmer and produces a choppy ride over rough surfaces. The AMG is great fun but is much harder to live with. There is little wind noise at highway speeds, there is a lot of road noise on patchy road surfaces. Both engines are smooth in operation but the AMG has a contagious exhaust that makes it hard to drive casually.

Behind the wheel: The driving position is good for drivers of all sizes. With plenty of adjustments for both driver's seat and steering wheel. This is sadly where the positives end. Just like all other Mercedes, you have to operate many functions by scrolling through menus with a single control dial in the center console. The lay out isn't very user friendly and is just too distracting to fully operate while on the go. The swooping roofline means that rear visibility is poor. There's plenty of room in the front with so-so rear passenger space. You'll have to becareful not to bash your head when getting in the back of the CLA. The boot is fairly large but its shallow and makes loading bulky items tricky.

Equipment: The CLA250 comes with decent kit for the money. Although you'll have to pay extra for Bi-xenon headlamps and a sport package which makes the CLA look sportier. Attention Assist is standard as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, start/stop system and Bluetooth hands-free interface. Top of the range AMG offers unique AMG trim, all-wheel-drive system and Bi-Xenon headlamps.

Buying & owning: The CLA looks pricey compared to the A3 sedan. Many of the features you'll most likely want pushes the price higher. At least the running costs will be decent if you stick with the front-wheel-drive variant. Resale value should be strong too thanks to good looks and the legendary Mercedes badge.

Quality: Interior quality and materials used feel upscale but don't feel as classy as the A3. Plus there are some areas that feel cost cutting. What worries us even more is the fact that Mercedes continues to score low in reliability surveys even though they have improved dramatically over the years. It's still not as good as Audi and BMW.

Safety: 10 airbags come standard as well as Attention Assist which monitors drowsy drivers. Optional is Bi-xenon headlamps on the CLA250 as well as blind spot warning detection. Deadlocks and an imobiliser come standard to keep theft at bay.

The CLA is a great entry level luxury sedan for those who really want the Mercedes badge but can't afford the more expensive C-class. Even though it is a great car all round, it still makes us wonder is it really worth considering? There are many indirect rivals that offer more kit for similar money and there's the Audi A3 which offers a few extra bits standard for the same price tag. Unless love the looks and can over look the short comings of the CLA this is the car for you. Otherwise we suggest looking at the A3 and top of the range indirect rivals.

Likes: Stylish inside out. Smooth turbo engine. AMG is a total hoot to drive. Mercedes at a low price what's not to like?

Dislikes: You'll pay an arm and leg to get the features you'll most likely want. AMG version is expensive. Reliability is still iffy and there's too many better indirect rivals.

Devon test drives a CLA (Used)

Audi and Mercedes both are offering four-door sedans for buyers who can't afford the more expensive A4 and C-class offerings. The CLA is the stylish of the two and offers that Mercedes quality at a lower asking price. But does this mean that you get what you pay for with a cheap Mercedes?

Performance: The CLA only offers two engine choices. It's a no brainer here as to which engine is the pick of the range. The CLA250 which is the cheaper of the two offers a turbocharged four-cylinder producing 208hp. Top of the range CLA45 AMG offers the same turbocharged four-cylinder producing 355hp. Most buyers will pick the CLA250 because it's cheaper to buy and makes the most sense financially.

On the road: The CLA suspension is set up towards comfort which is fine if you desire a smooth ride. The car still shimmies around over rough surfaces. The sports suspension sharpens handling but the ride comfort is much firmer and produces a choppy ride over rough surfaces. The AMG is great fun but is much harder to live with. There is little wind noise at highway speeds, there is a lot of road noise on patchy road surfaces. Both engines are smooth in operation but the AMG has a contagious exhaust that makes it hard to drive casually.

Behind the wheel: The driving position is good for drivers of all sizes. With plenty of adjustments for both driver's seat and steering wheel. This is sadly where the positives end. Just like all other Mercedes, you have to operate many functions by scrolling through menus with a single control dial in the center console. The lay out isn't very user friendly and is just too distracting to fully operate while on the go. The swooping roofline means that rear visibility is poor. There's plenty of room in front for two with so-so rear passenger space. You'll have to becareful not to bash your head when getting in the back of the CLA. The boot is fairly large but its shallow and makes loading bulky items tricky.

Equipment: The CLA250 comes with decent kit for the money. Although you'll have to pay extra for Bi-xenon headlamps and a sport package which makes the CLA look sportier. Attention Assist is standard as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, start/stop system and Bluetooth hands-free interface. Top of the range AMG offers unique AMG trim, all-wheel-drive system and Bi-Xenon headlamps.

Buying & owning: The CLA looks pricey compared to the A3 sedan. Many of the features you'll most likely want pushes the price higher. At least the running costs will be decent if you stick with the front-wheel-drive variant. Resale value should be strong too thanks to good looks and the legendary Mercedes badge.

Quality: Interior quality and materials used feel upscale but don't feel as classy as the A3. Plus there are some areas that feel cost cutting. What worries us even more is the fact that Mercedes continues to score low in reliability surveys even though they have improved dramatically over the years. It's still not as good as Audi and BMW.

Safety: 10 airbags come standard as well as Attention Assist which monitors drowsy drivers. Optional is Bi-xenon headlamps on the CLA250 as well as blind spot warning detection. Deadlocks and an imobiliser come standard to keep theft at bay.

The CLA is a great entry level luxury sedan for those who really want the Mercedes badge but can't afford the more expensive C-class. Even though it is a great car all round, it still makes us wonder is it really worth considering? There are many indirect rivals that offer more kit for similar money and there's the Audi A3 which offers a few extra bits standard for the same price tag. Unless love the looks and can over look the short comings of the CLA this is the car for you. Otherwise we suggest looking at the A3 and top of the range indirect rivals.

Likes: Stylish inside out. Smooth turbo engine. AMG is a total hoot to drive. Mercedes at a low price what's not to like?

Dislikes: You'll pay an arm and leg to get the features you'll most likely want. AMG version is expensive. Reliability is still iffy and there's too many better indirect rivals.

Devon's Choice: The CLA250 is a no brainer here. If you want a cheap Mercedes this is the version to go for. However, you'll have to pay extra for features that you'd most likely want. They don't come cheap either!

Devon test drives an Audi A3 (Used)

If you acquire the taste of luxury but the price tag leaves you running for the hills. Fret not because the Audi A3 is here.

There are two engines to choose from. The standard 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 170hp while the top of the range 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 220hp. Picking between the two is all a mere matter of taste. The 1.8 only comes with front-wheel-drive and is our pick of the range. It makes the most sense financially and running costs are decent too. It’s nice though that you can have more power with the 2-liter turbo but you can only have it with all-wheel-drive. Both versions don’t even offer a manual gearbox, in both cases however you’ll have to go with the upcoming redesigned Volkswagen Golf/GTI to satisfy that desire.

Unless you’re downgrading from a Bentley, the interior won’t be as classy in comparison. However both are classy and both won’t disappoint. Audi's interior decors are some of the best in the industry. Even the optional infotainment display that sort of leaps out of the dash is a welcome touch; everything is within easy reach of the driver’s hand and the seats are comfortable with plenty of support. Rear passengers however may suffer a bit in legroom.

Premium trim offers leather seats, Xenon headlamps, dual zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof. Premium plus trim adds keyless start, 18-inch alloy wheels and heated front seats. You’ll have to step up to the Prestige trim to full LED headlights, 14 speaker 705watt sound system and voice control navigation system.

The A3 may seem expensive compared to indirect rivals such as the Mazda3 and even Volkswagen GTI. But for those who crave the Audi badge but can’t afford the A4 we strongly suggest sticking with the standard form and you’ll be fine. Resale value is too soon to call since the A3 is new to the market.

The A3 is a classy offering and is worth considering if you want a four-door sedan with premium image. However it’s just not as compelling to look at compared to the Mercedes CLA and it’s not as fun to drive as a BMW 2-series. It is the best between the two and we think it’s the top pick for those who want a classy well rounded sedan.

Likes: Both engines have strong pull. The standard kit is impressive for such a low asking price.

Dislikes: Bland exterior looks. There are so many indirect rivals that offer more for similar money.

Devon’s Choice: The A3 Premium 1.8t is where our money would go. It offers enough kit to satisfy most needs without being too expensive. Plus running costs are decent too.

The worse cars of 2017 (with our critique of course!)

Worse cars of 2017



Mitsubishi Mirage
Likes: It’s cheap to buy and cheap to run. The hatchback has a decently sized boot and the standard kit list is generous.

Dislikes:  Dislikes: It's rubbish to drive; engine is weak and has idle vibration. Steering feedback is almost nonexistent and the styling (in sedan form) is a little too goofy for our tastes.

Overall: This is the vehicle for someone that wants to get from point A to B. Everyone else will benefit from the second-hand car market.



Mitsubishi i-MiEV 
Likes: Cheap electric car that’s easy to live with.

Dislikes: It takes literally forever to recharge. The range is not even great compared to the Nissan Leaf. It’s clumsy to drive on faster paced roads and its interior is cramped.

Overall: The only reason to buy this is because it’s cheap. Everyone else will benefit the most from the Nissan Leaf.



Fiat 500L 
Likes: It’s roomy interior with attractive starting price. Standard features are pretty generous.

Dislikes: The sole turbo engine isn’t up for the job. Running costs are so-so and reliability is very iffy.

Dislikes: You can get a 500L with a nice discount but it doesn’t seem worth it.



Chrysler 200
Likes: The exterior styling is very sleek. The 3.6 engine is the sweet spot of the range. It’s not as bad to drive as the previous generation.

Dislikes: The transmission is too jerky and build quality is iffy. Fit and finish is worrisome as well as resale value.

Overall: The 200 is no longer in production and you can pick up many with deep discounts. Despite the deep discounts your investments aren’t well protected and reliability issues should be factors to consider before buying.



Mercedes CLA 
Likes: It’s more stylish than the Audi A3 and certainly roomier as well. AMG version has incredible power, while the entry-level four-cylinder is flexible enough.

Dislikes: The larger alloys produce an overly firm ride. Mercedes is stingy on standard kit and a well kitted CLA is overpriced. Interior fit and finish isn’t even up to Mercedes standards, not to mention the interior is just way too cramped.

Overall: Stick with the Audi A3 which is a more compelling package. It may not have the appeal of the CLA but you get more bang for your buck with the Audi.