Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i What Car?

THE NUMBER OF public chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) has more than tripled since 2016 and there are now more than 24,000 charging points around the UK, with the capacity to charge 42,500 cars simultaneously. What’s more, you no longer have to be in a motorway service station or shopping centre car park to find one; there has been a rapid roll-out of innovative new charging solutions, such as chargers fitted into lamp-posts and the arrival of service areas purely for EVs. And with the likes of BP and Shell fitting them at existing fossil fuel filling stations, it’s starting to feel like the network is filling out to the point where most people will be able to find a rapid charger within the 30-mile limit set by Chancellor Rishi…

TESLA DRIVERS MUST be envied by many other owners of EVs, because they have exclusive access to a fast, affordable, easy-to-use charging network with good coverage and great reliability. It’s this combination of strengths that puts the company at the top of our chart. For non-Tesla owners, the best bet for affordable, reliable charging is Instavolt, which doesn’t offer the fastest charging speeds but has impeccable reliability and is almost as straightforward to use as Tesla’s chargers. Osprey sits in third place with solid scores across the board, especially in the area of reliability. The need to modernise the UK’s motorway charging network with some urgency is evidenced by the fact that the Gridserve Electric Highway only just makes it into the top half of our table, because owners marked…

THE PREMIUM family SUV class is fertile ground for the proliferation of pure electric vehicles (EVs). Not only are such cars big enough to accommodate sizeable battery packs, but buyers are also happy to pay handsomely for the refinement and performance that are trademark EV traits. Which is why both of these new contenders will fit right in. While the Lexus UX and Volvo XC40 are familiar faces, they’re both now available with the option of pure electric power. Their approaches are somewhat disparate, though. The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric gets dual electric motors (producing a whopping 402bhp), four-wheel drive and an official range of up to 259 miles. The Lexus UX 300e takes a more modest tack, with 201bhp from a single motor driving the front wheels only,…

List price £28,495 (before £2500 gov’t grant) Target Price £28,495 Target PCP £336 0-62mph 9.0sec Top speed 93mph Minimum charging time (10-80%) 27min IT’D BE EASY to assume that a small, affordable electric car would be rather basic. Spartan, even, and certainly compromised in terms of comfort and practicality. Well, not in the case of the Fiat 500. This popular little car has been completely reinvented with electric power and fresh design, and it sets the bar for affordable electric motoring. Even its range is good. The 42kWh battery of our recommended version can officially take you an impressive 199 miles between charges – far enough for the 500 to compete with more expensive, bigger alternatives such as the Peugeot e-208 and Renault Zoe. Its broad spread of attributes also…

In production 2018-present Price from £14,000 0-62mph 7.9sec Top speed 89mph Minimum charging time (10-80%) 40min THE SECOND-GENERATION Nissan Leaf took all the promise of the innovative original car, added a bit of polish to the driving experience and updated the battery tech. The result was a truly viable electric alternative to the traditional family car: it’s practical and good to drive, plus its range makes it useful for more than just commuting. There are two models to choose from: one with a 40kWh battery and a 62kWh version (known as the e+). The 40kWh cars have plenty to offer, such as 148bhp and an official range of 168 miles, while the e+ puts out 214bhp and promises a range of up to 239 miles. Bought used, it’s now decently…

List price £31,775 Target Price £31,775 Target PCP na 0-62mph 7.5sec Top speed 136mph Official economy 274.8mpg CO2 23g/km IF THERE’S ONE model that represents Skoda at its very best, we reckon it has to be the Octavia Estate. Not only does it offer family car buyers class-leading space and practicality, but it does so very cost-effectively. And this plug-in hybrid iV version is no exception. Now, we admit that, with a list price that starts at just under £32,000, the iV commands quite a hefty premium over a regular petrol Octavia Estate. For many, though, the initial investment will pay back dividends. That’s because the iV, which uses the same frugal 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, electric motor and battery as the latest Volkswagen Golf GTE, can officially return a…

In production 2019-present Price from £17,500 0-62mph 8.5sec Top speed 87mph Minimum charging time (10-80%) 40min MANY ELECTRIC SUVs carry premium price tags, both new and used. Not the MG ZS EV, though. This car is really in a class of its own, offering buyers a well-equipped, emissions-free small SUV for tempting second-hand prices. Around £18,000 will get you an excellent two-year-old example with a low mileage, and you won’t pay much more than that for a car that’s just a year old. What’s more, even entry-level Excite models come with plenty of kit, such as 17in alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and an 8.0in infotainment screen featuring Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone mirroring. Important safety tech, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, is…

List price £69,915 Target Price £64,447 Target PCP £637 0-62mph 5.6sec Top speed 146mph Official economy 235.4mpg CO2 27g/km THE PROBLEM WITH most luxury SUVs is that they drink like a bunch of students during freshers’ week, but the BMW X5 xDrive45e is an exception. Indeed, this plug-in hybrid can travel up to 54 miles on electric power before it needs to use any petrol at all. That’s significantly better than key rivals such as the Audi Q7 55 TFSIe and Volvo XC90 Recharge T8. And that range advantage also helps the X5 to qualify for a low 7% benefit-in-kind tax rating. Company car drivers who choose the Q7 or XC90 will be taxed at 15% and 16% respectively. True, the 45e won’t be as efficient as a diesel X5…

NEW Ford Fiesta ST1.5 Ecoboost ST-3 Performance Pack 3dr List price £24,580 Target Price £23,609 One of our favourite hot hatches when new and more fun to drive than others at this money USED Renault Mégane RS 300 Trophy Price new £38,035 Price today £26,000* One size bigger than the Fiesta ST, and quite a lot quicker into the bargain WE BRITS ADORE our hot hatches. Combining fast, fun performance with practical everyday usability, they tick a great number of boxes. A prime example is the Ford Fiesta ST. Like its predecessors, the current ST is a blast to drive, with strong acceleration and agile, entertaining handling. What’s more, it still gives you five seats, a reasonable-sized boot and good fuel economy. No car can match it at its asking…

Seat Leon AS A FAMILY car, the latest Leon gets the basics right by offering a big boot and even more space for passengers than the gigantic Skoda Octavia. But it also serves up a very welcome slice of fun and costs less to run than you’d think. Don’t go thinking that the Leon feels even remotely hairshirt, either. It’s every bit as smart inside as the more expensive Volkswagen Golf, while its infotainment system is more user-friendly. Our pick 1.5 TSI Evo 130 FR List price £24,065 Target Price £21,124 MPG 50.4 CO2 127g/km For Great handling; smart, spacious interior; punchy yet frugal petrol engines; generous standard spec Against Ride is on the firm side; more wind and road noise than some rivals; very few optional extras available WHAT…

Volvo XC40 IT MAY HAVE been a few years since we voted Volvo’s most affordable SUV our overall Car of the Year, but it remains a hugely desirable product that’s backed up by real substance. The XC40 blends generous passenger space and a practical boot with a quality interior and the sort of top-notch safety you expect from the brand. Plus, our recommended version has plenty of poke and comes well equipped. Our pick T3 R-Design auto List price £34,080 Target Price £31,871 MPG 38.2 CO2 166g/km For Stylish, high-quality interior; big and clever boot; supple ride on most versions; comprehensive safety kit Against Fiddly infotainment system; lacks the rear seat flexibility of some rivals; body sways around a bit WHAT CAR? SAYS Range Rover Evoque Our pick P300e R-Dynamic…

BMW 5Series OUR FAVOURITE LUXURY car for the past four years still offers the very best traits of this class. Take the interior, for example: it’s virtually identical to that of the pricier 7 Series and just as well made, despite the 5 Series costing far less. As a bonus, the 530e plug-in hybrid variant can complete many journeys on electric power. And even when its petrol engine does fire up, the car is quiet enough to shame full-on limousines. Our pick 530e M Sport Pro Pack List price £54,820 Target Price £49,181 MPG 188.3 CO2 34g/km For Fast and fun, yet comfortable and refined; low running costs, particularly as a company car; superb interior Against You need to add adaptive suspension (part of the Pro Pack) for the best…

Skoda Superb Estate SPACE IS THE name of the game when you’re looking at wagons, and the Superb Estate has been our favourite for six years, striking the sweet spot of practicality, comfort, low running costs and value more accurately than any rival. In fact, with masses of load space for flat-pack furniture or suitcases and palatial comfort for passengers, it’s one of the most impressive family holdalls in any class of car. Our pick 2.0 TDI 150 SE L List price £31,590 Target Price £29,134 MPG 56.0 CO2 132g/km For Comfortable ride; limo-like rear passenger space; huge boot with lots of practical touches; well priced Against Some rivals are more fun to drive on twisty roads; automatic gearbox can be a tad jerky in traffic WHAT CAR? SAYS Skoda…

BMW X6 THE COUPÉ SUV class wouldn’t exist without the BMW X6. However, the latest version isn’t the benchmark due to its history, but because it moves the game on again. It’s one of the more entertaining cars in the class to drive, and offers stunning performance, no matter which engine you choose. Meanwhile, the interior is as easy to use as it is beautifully built, and you even get generous rear space. Our pick xDrive30d MHT M Sport List price £66,235 Target Price £61,885 MPG 42.2 CO2 176g/km For High-quality interior; powerful yet frugal diesel engine; practical by the standards of the class; great to drive Against Ride is on the firm side; some options you’ll want are pricey; looks won’t appeal to all WHAT CAR? SAYS Range Rover…

Porsche 718 Cayman IT’D BE EASY to write off the Cayman as a poor man’s 911. It can be bought for as little as half the money, so it must be half the car, right? Well, actually, no; in the ways that matter most, the Cayman is the best sports car on the planet. The only caveat is that you need to go for the GTS version, because this swaps the uncouth engines of lesser versions for a glorious 4.0-litre flat six. Our pick GTS 4.0 List price £67,355 Target Price £67,355 MPG 25.9 CO2 247g/km For Brilliant handling; rich, soulful naturally aspirated six-cylinder GTS engine; classy interior Against Lacks the level of standard kit you’d expect of such a pricey car, both in terms of luxuries and safety WHAT…

Porsche Taycan SOME MIGHT VIEW it as heresy to declare an electric car the number one performance car, but the Taycan is proof that such models can be just as rewarding and usable as the best petrol rivals, and then some. Even the entry-level 4S version can sprint from 0-62mph in just 4.0sec. Plus, the Taycan has exceptionally precise, tactile steering and incredible poise in corners. Its brakes are monstrous, too. Our pick 4S Performance Battery Plus List price £87,541 Target Price £87,541 Official range 288 miles CO2 0g/km For Massive and instantaneous performance; remarkably agile; gorgeous interior; seats four adults Against Charging network isn’t as good as Tesla’s; similar-priced Model S is more spacious WHAT CAR? SAYS Mercedes-AMG C63 Our pick S Estate List price £78,163 Target Price £70,199…

Can I reject my leaky BMW after repairs? I have owned a low-mileage 2018 BMW M3 CS for 28 days now, and it’s spent 14 of them in BMW dealerships because it had two serious issues that I identified less than a day after taking delivery. The brakes were worn out and it had a leak that left the carpets sodden. The supplying dealer, Douglas Park BMW in Hamilton, Scotland, has now fixed the brakes and claims to have fixed the leak, but when the car was returned to me apparently fully valeted, the carpets were all stained and dirty. They weren’t like this when I took delivery. In response to my complaint, BMW and the dealer are both refusing to replace the carpets under warranty. Instead, they have offered…

IF YOU CAN answer the odd question on University Challenge, you might know this already: ‘Qashqai’ isn’t a made-up name. It’s the people of anomadic group of tribes based in Iran. And collectively their numbers are between 300,000 and 800,000, depending on who’s counting. So, Nissan has sold way more Qashqais (five million worldwide) than there are Qashqais, if that makes sense? Amazing. In this test, we’re talking about the all-new third generation of Nissan’s ubiquitous family SUV, and as those sales figures suggest, it’s a big deal. What’s new? Well, the styling, for a start. It looks sharper and more modern, so that’s a tick. It promises to be roomier than before, too, especially in the back seats. And it’s building on the previous car’s comfort credentials while adding…

Given the recent influx of excellent electric SUVs that you could have for far less money, you could argue that it’s hard to justify spending so much on either of our contenders. But assuming you’re happy to do so, the XC40 is by far the better option. It’s comically fast yet also comfortable, sumptuous and one of the more practical cars in the class. Upcoming cheaper, less powerful variants promise to make more sense, but the performance of this Twin model, and that useful range, does help to justify the price. The UX, meanwhile, is inoffensive to drive, but it falls short on practicality, driving range, performance, infotainment and charging speed. It’s outclassed on too many fronts to be recommendable. Volvo XC40 For Storming performance; classy interior; longer range; more…

In production 2017-2019 Price from £12,000 0-62mph 11.4sec Top speed 84mph Minimum charging time (10-80%) 2hr IF YOU WANT a small electric vehicle (EV) but your budget is limited, the answer, of course, is to buy a used one. But even then, a lot of them are beyond the pocket of the average motorist. That’s where the Renault Zoe scores. You see, the Zoe is one of the older EVs on the market now, and it really does bring zero-emissions motoring within the reach of the masses; you can pick up an early example for as little as £6000. Admittedly, those earlier Zoes with the 22kWh battery and 88bhp motor had pretty modest ranges, but later models with a 41kWh battery upped the official range to 186 miles – a…

‘The Sport is in a lower company car tax bracket than its siblings’ Price £33,550 Target Price £32,237 Target PCP £350 0-62mph 7.6sec Top speed 141mph Official economy 282.5mpg CO2 25g/km THE YOUTH OF today are astute to the electrification of cars, so don’t be surprised if your kids want the family’s next set of wheels to have batteries in the back. But which car should you choose to quell their well-intentioned nagging if you’re not ready to go fully electric? Simple: the Audi A3 Sportback. In fact, a plug-in hybrid A3 in entry-level 40 TFSIe Sport guise will fit the bill for parents and company car drivers alike. Why? Well, for starters, at £33,550, it’s one of the more affordable plug-in options out there. What’s more, Sport trim gets…

In production 2016-present Price from £10,000 0-62mph 7.6sec Top speed 140mph Official economy 156.9mpg CO2 40g/km THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Estate has been around in various guises for more than 40 years, making it a staple of the used car market. This latest version is noticeably bigger and more upmarket than earlier generations, though, and the star of the range is undoubtedly the GTE plug-in hybrid. With a 1.4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, it pumps out a total of 215bhp – enough for a 0-62mph time of 7.6sec and decently brisk performance at all other points thereafter. But the GTE’s biggest draw is its official range of 31 miles in electric mode. If your journeys are mostly short and you keep the battery charged up, this can lead to…

‘Our 2018 overall Car of the Year is still our favourite family SUV’ List price £39,445 Target Price £37,126 Target PCP £365 0-62mph 8.5sec Top speed 112mph Official economy 134.5mpg CO2 47g/km IT’S SAFE TO say that we’re big fans of the Volvo XC40. It won our overall Car of the Year award in 2018 and is still our favourite family SUV. While efficiency wasn’t its strongest suit when it was launched, Volvo has gradually replaced the thirsty petrol and diesel engines with more frugal mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids. You can now buy a pure electric version, too. We reckon the pick of the range is the Recharge T4. It used to be a powerful petrol version that would struggle to do much more than 25mpg in the real…

List price £38,955 Target Price £36,623 Target PCP £315** 0-62mph 9.2sec Top speed 125mph Official economy 201.8mpg CO2 32g/km PLUG-IN HYBRID LARGE SUVs don’t simply cut your tax bill. The Ford Kuga PHEV can potentially slash your running costs too, because it’s capable of 35 miles of electric-only driving officially, allowing you to do daily trips without burning any petrol. Charging up your Kuga’s battery from empty to full takes around 3hr 30min with a typical 7kW home wallbox. If you do that regularly and cover mostly short journeys, you could return as much as 201.8mpg. Even when the battery is flat, the 2.5-litre petrol engine can achieve more than 50mpg in the real world, rivalling many diesel equivalents. If you’re able to charge it up at work as well,…

On sale October Price from £40,895 COULD LIGHTNING BE about to strike twice for Kia? The South Korean brand really shook up the electric car market when it launched the e-Niro a couple of years ago, proving that you didn’t need to win the lottery or inherit a fortune before you could afford a zero-emissions SUV with a world-class range. We were so impressed that we named it our 2019 Car of the Year, and now Kia hopes to move the game on again with the EV6. We’ll find out whether it’s succeeded when we get a chance to drive one later this year. What’s already clear, though, is that this strikingly styled new model has captured the imagination of What Car? readers. It beat seven other contenders to win…

In production 2016-present Price from £32,000 0-62mph 5.8sec Top speed 112mph Official economy 100.9mpg CO2 63g/km THERE ARE MANY figures associated with the Volvo XC90 T8 that’ll make you stop and think. Keen drivers, for example, might well be impressed that this large and luxurious seven-seat hybrid SUV can accelerate from 0-62mph in a sports car-rivalling 5.8sec. For those in charge of the purse strings, there’s also the fact that you can now pick up a2016 T8 for well under half the price of a new one (around £32,000 for a car with an average mileage for the year). Consider, too, that if you can recharge the battery regularly and a lot of your journeys are on the short side, you can make the most of this car’s ability to…

THE LINE FROM the car industry is that the latest official range tests (called WLTP) are reflective of real-world driving, so you can rely on them when choosing an electric car to suit your needs. But is that really true? To find out, we lined up all six of the fully electric winners from the new-car side of our awards, plus four wildcards – the Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mazda MX-30 and Renault Zoe – and drove them until they died. HOW WE DID IT For fairly obvious reasons, it wouldn’t have been safe to deliberately run the cars out of charge on the public road, so we used our proving ground in Bedfordshire. We devised a relatively simple test route of around 15 miles, which included 2.6…

Both of these cars are excellent hot hatches: they’re fast, decently practical, well equipped and good value for money. Choose either of them and you’ll drive away more than happy. If what you want is a quick small car with a feisty yet frugal engine, playful handling and a slick gearchange, the Fiesta ST ticks all those boxes and more. It is a five-star car, after all. However, for so little more cash, we think the Mégane RS is worth stretching for. It’s faster, more practical and just that bit more of an event to drive. Grinning has never been such great value. Buy this car at whatcar.com/used-cars Renault Mégane RS For Incredible agility; great used value; stronger performance; bigger boot Against Not much more spacious in the back; less…

Toyota GR Yaris THE GR YARIS is a truly special machine that feels tailor-made for tackling a British B-road. With its small proportions, clever four-wheel drive system and firecracker of an engine, its performance is incredibly accessible, yet it’s also fast enough to frighten thoroughbred sports cars. For pure driving thrills, hot hatches don’t get any better. And yet it’s well priced and should be fairly cheap to run. Our pick 1.6 Circuit Pack List price £33,520 Target Price £33,520 MPG 34.4 CO2 186g/km For An absolute riot in the bends; incredible traction and acceleration off the line; tempting finance deals Against Limited rear seat and boot space; interior too similar to a regular Yaris’s; small range of options WHAT CAR? SAYS Honda Civic Type R Our pick 2.0 VTEC…

Kia Sorento THE SORENTO’S HYBRID tech combines good real-world fuel economy with comparatively low CO2 emissions, while the ride is forgiving and the steering pleasingly accurate. Throw in a nicely made interior that can seat seven adults in comfort, a driving position that’s lofty enough to make HGV drivers jealous, and Kia’s unmatched seven-year warranty, and you’ve got an outstanding all-rounder. Our pick 1.6 T-GDi HEV 2 List price £39,100 Target Price £37,489 MPG 40.9 CO2 158g/km For Vast interior; frugal and strong engine; industry-leading warranty; comfortable ride; well equipped Against Expensive considering you don’t get a premium badge; automatic gearbox can be hesitant WHAT CAR? SAYS Hyundai Santa Fe Our pick 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid 4WD Premium List price £42,535 Target Price £40,001 MPG 40.4 CO2 159g/km For A great…

BMW X5 WHEN CHOOSING A plug-in hybrid, it goes without saying that you want economy and cost-effectiveness, but if you don’t want to compromise on the finer things in life, the X5 xDrive45e is right up your street. It offers the same fantastic interior as any other X5, and is even more refined. Yet it’s cheaper to run than rivals, not least because it can travel a whopping 54 miles on electric power. Our pick xDrive45e M Sport List price £69,915 Target Price £64,447 MPG 217.3 CO2 29g/km For Superb ride and handling balance; excellent infotainment; big pure electric range; low company car tax Against Only seats seven if you go for our preferred engine; the boot isn’t as big as you’d expect WHAT CAR? SAYS Audi Q7 Our pick…

Fiat 500 Cabrio THE LATEST FIAT 500 Cabrio is all-electric – a sign of the times, no doubt. However, don’t think that it takes the number one spot just because it taps into the zeitgeist. True, the way you can whizz around near-silently gives it a trump card that no other drop-top can match, but just as appealing is its high-quality interior and the fact that it’s every bit as good to drive as the hatchback on which it’s based. Our pick Icon List price £30,645 Target Price £30,645 Official range 188 miles CO2 0g/km For Great interior with lots of kit; refined and good to drive; low running costs; useful range between charges Against Tiny rear seats; ride could be more settled; pricier than some conventionally powered rivals WHAT…

Ford Puma ST UNTIL RECENTLY, BUYING a sports SUV required a sizeable outlay, but the Ford Puma ST changes that. And don’t think the fact that it costs far less than the competition means it’s far less fun. Even the mighty Porsche Cayenne has to bow to the Puma’s incredible agility, while its greater driver engagement and less extreme acceleration mean there’s far more chance to enjoy yourself on public roads. Our pick 1.5 Ecoboost 200 Perf Pack List price £29,460 Target Price £27,875 MPG 41.5 CO2 155g/km For Hugely entertaining handling; tuneful and punchy engine; relatively cheap to buy and run Against Occasionally bouncy ride; infotainment system could be slicker; Volkswagen T-Roc is bigger in the back WHAT CAR? SAYS Porsche Cayenne Coupé Our pick GTS List price £92,600…

YOU MIGHT HAVE seen peacocks strutting about in your local zoo, displaying their plumage in order to attract a mate. Of course, the new Honda Civic doesn’t have feathers to rely on, but its bold design and headline-grabbing features might just catch your eye. This is the 11th generation of Honda’s family car, which will rival the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and class-leading Seat Leon. On the design front, it features aggressive-looking front and rear bumpers and a smaller front grille than the old car. Honda’s designers have pushed the front pillars rearwards to aid visibility, and the side mirrors now sit on the door panels, rather than in front of them. The new Civic will be available exclusively as a hybrid, at least initially. It uses the same set-up…

Audi Q7 WHAT CAR? SAYS Model 50 TDI quattro S line List price £64,010 Target Price £60,293 Target PCP £607 The Q7 is an outstanding luxury SUV, with a pillowy ride, stunning interior quality and a range of smooth but powerful engines – of which this 50 TDI diesel is our favourite. S line is our pick of the trims, too; it gives you sporty styling, 20in alloy wheels and tinted windows. BMW X1 WHAT CAR? SAYS Model sDrive18i SE List price £29,935 Target Price £27,990 Target PCP £308 The X1 is good to drive, and its practical nature makes it a fine fit for growing families. This version teams our recommended 1.5-litre petrol engine with SE trim, which comes with dual-zone climate control and 17in alloys. Skoda Octavia WHAT…

Talk about grasping the zeitgeist; the C40 is an electric coupé-style SUV that can only be bought online, and order books are open in advance of its arrival. With power from dual motors for 402bhp and four-wheel drive, 0-62mph takes just 4.9sec. And because it’s based on the electric version of our favourite family SUV, the XC40, it promises to be classy inside. Price from £57,400 SMALL AND FAMILY SUVs Alfa Romeo Tonale Autumn Sporty little brother to the Stelvio. Honda HR-V December Adopts coupé-like looks and hybrid power. Kia Sportage Summer Curved digital displays and styling inspired by the electric Kia EV6 lend high-tech appeal. Renault Kadjar December Should be better to drive and swankier inside than before, with several hybrid options. Volkswagen Taigo Winter Coupé-style sister to the…

We also visited charging points for six networks that survey respondents didn’t tell us about. Here’s what this snapshot revealed CHAR.GY Charging speed Up to 5kW Cost per kWh 33p Char.gy’s aim of creating a charging network for people with no off-street parking is a great idea. But while the chargers are on residential streets, they don’t have dedicated EV bays, so they’re often likely to be blocked by non-electric cars. This was our experience in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, where we found a non-EV in front of the first five lamp-post chargers we tried to use. One of the chargers we managed to park close to was broken, but we did eventually find one we could use, and although you can only charge via an app, the process was simple. ESB…

Target PCP This is how much our Target Price mystery shoppers think you should expect to pay per month if you buy a car on PCP finance. Each deal is for a 48-month term, based on a 15% deposit and with a limit of 8000 miles per year, unless stated otherwise.…

Price £32,240 (before £2500 gov’t grant) Target Price £31,267 Target PCP £311 0-62mph 7.3sec Top speed 99mph Minimum charging time (10-80%) 33min THE PROMISE OF a car that’s every bit as practical as the big-selling and iconic Volkswagen Golf, yet which is also kind to the planet, presents a humongous order to fill with the potential for huge disappointment. Thankfully, the ID.3 lives up to its promise, and then some. Our recommended Pro Performance model has asingle 201bhp electric motor, and while it doesn’t offer the kind of grin-inducing pace you’ll find in a Tesla, its instant surge of power nonetheless gets you up to speed quickly. And don’t forget that, thanks to its 58kWh battery pack, this ID.3 will take you farther between charges than the rival Nissan Leaf…

In production 2017-present Price from £12,000 0-62mph 10.6sec Top speed 110mph Official economy 256.8mpg CO2 26g/km OKAY, THE ORIGINAL Ioniq doesn’t have the jaw-dropping looks of the latest Ioniq 5, even after the facelift that came in 2019, but it was certainly a trailblazer. For starters, it was the first car to be launched with three different forms of electrification: regular hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric power. It’s the plug-in hybrid version we’re concentrating on here, though, and very good it is too. The earlier cars were able to travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone, and this was upped to a healthy 39 miles in those post-facelift cars – more than enough to cover most people’s commutes. That can lead to some really low fuel bills,…

List price £34,945 (before £2500 gov’t grant) Target Price £34,945 Target PCP £466 0-62mph 7.5sec Top speed 104mph Minimum charging time (10-80%) 44min THE KIA E-NIRO holds bragging rights over all the other cars listed in these pages, because so far it’s the only fully electric car ever to win our overall Car of the Year title. Before its triumph in 2019, if you wanted an electric vehicle (EV) with a long enough range to be your only mode of automotive transportation, you’d need to remortgage the house and buy a Jaguar I-Pace or Tesla Model S. But Kia’s family-sized SUV showed that you could have an excellent range in a brilliant EV for a lot less cash. Two years on, the EV landscape has changed quite dramatically, but one…

In production 2017-present Price from £14,000 0-62mph 6.8sec Top speed 123mph Official economy 134.5mpg CO2 49g/km THE MINI COUNTRYMAN is an impressive small SUV in its conventional guise, and the plug-in hybrid version is even better. It’s economical yet quick while retaining many of the standard car’s plus points, such as neat handling, a classy interior and intuitive infotainment. Better still, used prices are very reasonable, starting at around £18,000 for examples that are three years old in top-notch condition. The Cooper S EAll4 has a 1.5-litre petrol engine plus an electric motor, and with four-wheel drive as standard and 221bhp in total, it has real get-up-and-go. Its official economy figure of 134.5mpg will be elusive in the real world unless you can recharge the battery regularly and do mainly…

‘This isn’t just a great electric car; it also excels in traditional areas’ List price £48,490 Target Price £48,490 Target PCP na 0-60mph 4.2sec Top speed 145mph Minimum charging time (10-80%) 34min NO OTHER ELECTRIC car does a better job of balancing range, performance and ease of charging than the Tesla Model 3. With that in mind, it’s hardly surprising that it’s Britain’s best-selling EV by some margin. We reckon the Long Range model is the pick of the line-up. As its name suggests, it’s the version that can travel the farthest between charges – up to 360 miles, according to the official numbers. That’s about 80 miles more than promised by the cheaper Standard Range Plus model, and a figure bettered only by the Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range…

In production 2018-present Price from £40,000 0-62mph 4.8sec Top speed 124mph Minimum charging time (10-80%) 44min THE I-PACE CAPTURED the Jaguar ethos brilliantly by looking so gorgeous that everyone immediately wanted one. Indeed, it looks as good today as when it was launched in 2018. The only problem was that it cost quite alot to buy. Now, though, there are many examples of this highly desirable car on the used market, offering decent savings on the price of a new one. You can expect to pay between £40,000 and £45,000 for an early car with a reasonable mileage from a franchised dealer. The I-Pace isn’t just good looking and reasonable value used; it also has a huge, 90kWh battery that provides power to all four wheels through two electric motors…

‘It outhandles its rivals but, for all its sportiness, is still a comfy car’ List price £87,541 Target Price £87,541 Target PCP na 0-62mph 4.0sec Top speed 155mph Minimum charging time (10-80%) 20min THERE’S NO SHORTAGE of great electric cars now, but great electric driver’s cars that make battery power properly fun have been a bit thin on the ground. The Porsche Taycan is a notable exception. It’s available with a choice of power outputs, most of them outrageously high. Our pick is the 4S (the cheapest model with four-wheel drive) fitted with a larger, 93kWh battery added as an option. The battery upgrade increases the official range to 288 miles and adds a little more power, with 469bhp in normal use and 523bhp for short bursts. When we tested…

Mileage 8920 List price £29,815 Target Price £28,189 Price as tested £30,545 Test economy 55.4mpg My Titanium-spec Kuga has tech that I wouldn’t have expected to get with this mid-level trim, such as keyless entry, smartphone mirroring and cruise control. I have discovered a flaw, though. It’s great that there’s awireless charging pad, but to use the Apple CarPlay phone mirroring system, I have to plug my phone in via a USB cable, which also serves to charge the phone anyway. It would be far more elegant if CarPlay were wireless as well. On the other hand, I’m really impressed by the Bang & Olufsen stereo – another standard feature. Its sound quality is much better than from the systems of previous cars I’ve run, in terms of both the…

Honda Jazz THE JAZZ IS the small car to beat for passenger space, and its unique and incredibly flexible rear seating only adds to its practicality. It’s neither the most fun car in the class (that’s the Ford Fiesta) nor the most comfortable (that’s the Peugeot 208), but with excellent visibility, it’s definitely easy to drive. Hybrid power also makes it really cheap to fuel, and slow depreciation helps make up for high prices. Our pick 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid SR List price £20,645 Target Price £19,060 MPG 62.8 CO2 102g/km For Remarkably spacious, with great seating flexibility; strong performance; lots of standard kit; holds value well Against Pricey by small car standards; not the quietest cruiser; disappointing infotainment system WHAT CAR? SAYS Volkswagen Polo Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 Match…

Ford Puma THE PUMA IS a joy to drive, because it’s super-nimble for a small SUV, while the steering gives you a real sense of connection with the front wheels. These are things you’ll appreciate no matter what type of road you’re driving on. True, rear seat space is only so-so, but the Puma is still surprisingly practical, thanks to a huge boot with a height-adjustable floor. It’s also well equipped, strong on safety and very fuel-efficient. Our pick 1.0 Ecoboost Hybrid 155 Titanium List price £22,795 Target Price £21,387 MPG 50.4 CO2 127g/km For Great fun to drive, yet rides bumps well; remarkable blend of performance and economy; big, clever boot Against Space in the back is adequate rather than outstanding; over-the-shoulder visibility could be better WHAT CAR? SAYS…

BMW 3Series THE HYBRID BMW 330e slickly integrates the latest tech with the long-held wants and needs of executive car drivers. It’s easy to live with, has a high-quality interior and is great to drive, yet it’s also cheap to run. When charged, it can officially cover 37 miles on electricity, and it remains fairly frugal when running on petrol power. The resulting low emissions yield huge tax savings for company car drivers. Our pick 330e M Sport Pro Pack List price £44,635 Target Price £41,683 MPG 188.3 CO2 34g/km For Great to drive; low emissions and good electric range; high-quality interior; class-leading infotainment Against Smaller boot and petrol tank than regular 3 Series; sporty suspension setup won’t be to all tastes WHAT CAR? SAYS Tesla Model 3 Our pick…

Volkswagen Touran THE TOURAN MATCHES the flexibility of huge MPVs such as the Ford Galaxy, with its independently sliding middle-row seats. And despite being a far more compact car, adults fit in all three rows. What’s more, the Touran feels much like a normal hatchback from behind the wheel, thanks to tidy handling and a supple ride. So yes, it exists to offer an abundance of functionality, but that doesn’t define the way it drives at all. Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE List price £29,115 Target Price £23,611 MPG 42.8 CO2 150g/km For Compact outside yet spacious inside; seats seven adults; Isofix on all rear seats; tidy to drive; tempting PCPs Against There are cheaper cash buys; Ford Galaxy has more third row space; automatic gearbox can be hesitant…

BMW 4Series ITS LOOKS MIGHT be divisive, but whether or not you’re a fan of this 4 Series’ aggressive styling, you’ll love what’s underneath. This is one of the most rewarding driver’s cars in the class and, if you opt for the Pro Pack’s adaptive suspension, it’s also a very comfortable everyday car. In addition, the 4 Series benefits from a wonderful interior with supportive seats and class-leading infotainment. Our pick 420i M Sport Pro Pack List price £43,300 Target Price £40,685 MPG 42.2 CO2 151g/km For Rewarding handling; no longer so derivative of 3 Series; high-quality interior; composed ride Against Looks won’t be for everyone; some rivals have larger boots; you hear wind and tyre noise at speed WHAT CAR? SAYS Audi TT Our Pick 45 TFSI Sport Edition…