5 surefire stress-busting cars

Stress has evolved into a part of modern life for the majority of people.

Research shows that 85 per cent of UK adults experience stress regularly, with over a third of Brits feeling stressed for at least one full day a week. This prolonged and elevated level of stress is taking its toll too.

Almost two-fifths of us (39 per cent) admit we feel too stressed in our day to day lives, while more than half (54 per cent) of people who experience stress are concerned that it is impacting their health.

Fortunately, there are effective methods to relieve stress. A third of us exercise to overcome stress, while those aged between 18 and 24 (statistically the most stressed age bracket) are most likely to listen to music.

We believe that driving is a great way to blast out some of that stress too, so to mark National Stress Awareness Day, here are some cars we think could help you out on that front…

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

The car officially known as the G-Class has always been an unrestrained brute. You only need a glimpse of the boxy SUV to realise it doesn’t do anything by halves.

A second-gen G-Class was finally launched at the start of 2018 after decades of updates for the original model from 1990. This new iteration made the G-Wagon wider, longer, taller, yet lighter.

Despite its cumbersome appearance, it can certainly shift, with a four-litre V8 twin-turbo engine capable of getting it from zero to 62mph in 4.5 seconds (AMG G 63).

The fact it can tackle virtually any kind of road it faces makes it an unstoppable machine and perhaps the ultimate stress reliever.

Audi R8

On the more nimble side of things is the Audi R8.

Newly updated for 2019, the refreshed R8 uses a 612bhp V10 to clear a 0-62mph sprint in 3.1 seconds.

The suspension has been revised to provide even more stability and precision, while a convertible version really allows you to let your hair down.

Read more on the facelifted R8 here

Lamborghini Urus

Lambo is renowned for its ridiculously spikey supercars, but the Urus represents the brand’s debut offroader and ‘the world’s first super SUV’.

That means no other car combines high luxury with this amount of power (641bhp) and the kind of driving dynamics you’d expect from any other Lamborghini.

Zero to 62mph is just 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 189mph and switching the Urus into more aggressive settings delivers the kind of soundtrack that has become synonymous with Lambos.

What does the UK motoring press think of the Urus?

Mazda MX-5

Perhaps the smallest and weakest car in this list is the MX-5. However, don’t underestimate the plucky Mazda’s ability to deliver satisfaction by the bootload.

Its modest power output is unlikely to win you any drag races, but a speedy straight line dash isn’t what the MX-5 is about. The tight, precise handling is its forte, with the roadster gripping the road like an unfortunate superglue incident.

Read up on the facelifted MY2019 Mazda MX-5

Ford Ranger

 

You can walk into any Ford showroom today and pick up a Ranger, but we’d recommend waiting for the Ranger Raptor, due mid-2019.

Developed by Ford Performance, it sits on an ultra-strong chassis with bespoke suspension and uses a two-litre EcoBlue diesel engine with 210bhp, which is considerably more than the 130bhp you get in the entry-level model.

It has been designed to tackle virtually any road surface, so there’ll be no stopping you in this jurassic pick-up truck.

Find out more on the Ranger Raptor