Looking for a used car, you often see ‘service history’ or ‘full service history (FSH)’ advertised. What does it mean and what’s important?
Firstly, while evidence that a car has been regularly serviced is good, it doesn’t in itself increase the value of the car as far as price guides go. It just makes it more likely a buyer will choose it over the next, as they are reassured that they are buying a well-kept car.
However, when you part-exchange that car it is important, says senior valuations editor at Cap HPI, Jeremy Yea. “Depending on the age of the vehicle, franchise dealers may offer more on a part exchange valuation if they see a history conducted by an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] approved dealer/partner. However, whilst a full service record may produce higher second-hand car values to an extent, many other factors need to be considered.”
Over the years, cars have needed servicing less often but they all need regular check-ups. Services are usually due every 10,000-15,000 miles or every 12 months.
For petrol and diesel cars, this includes engine and sometimes gearbox oil changes, filters for oil, water and fuel, cooling liquid, replacing belts which drive different parts of the engine and spark plugs. That’s aside from things which wear through use like tyres and brakes. Even with electric cars you’ll want to know the battery cooling fluid and especially the tyres and brakes have been looked at and that the software is up to date. They also have air conditioners with the associated filters.
“Everything under the bonnet, much like everything in a grocery store, has an expiration date,” says Jamie Willis, Autodata’s technical support manager, providing technical vehicle repair advice and instruction to both independent and franchised garages. “Oil’s got an expiration date, belts have an expiration date – filters maybe not so much but they do get brittle and lose their ability to filter.”
What to look for
If a car is advertised with a full or part service history you should expect to be shown some evidence. Traditional proof of each service used to be a date stamp and note of the mileage in the service book which comes in the bundle with the handbook, but this is dying out. “If they are there, don’t take them as the sole evidence,” says Willis.
“If somebody just presents me with a book with some stamps in it – every single one I could get made tomorrow on Ebay for any dealership for £10. What I’m looking for is a record that the service has been done, also looking for supporting documentation (a VAT-registered invoice which details what parts and where they got them from).”
Data privacy rules (GDPR) don’t prevent you asking the garage which previously serviced the car you’re looking at to print out a simple list of what was carried out when. Only the personal detail is removed.
With older prestige or sports cars (for example, many older Porsches) you may see ‘main dealer then specialist service history’. This is common as these cars lose their value and new owners don’t which to pay the high prices of an official dealership. This shouldn’t be a problem and many specialists pick up more knowledge about the quirks of these cars as they get older. Specialist garages may be happy to confirm work they’ve done over the phone (they may want your new business).
How to read the evidence
You want to see a regular series of entries from a year after the car was registered. The bottom line is seeing a regular inspection by a garage even if few or many miles have been covered. In the latter case, no work may have needed to be done for cars with flexible service intervals.
Some makes such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi which are often sold to high-mileage business drivers have offered flexible, or condition-based servicing.
Modern engine oils in cars covering steady daily motorway miles (where the engine is fully warmed up and under less strain) don’t need an annual oil change. Under flexible servicing Audis for example only need to be serviced a minimum of every 18,600 miles or every two years.
The pandemic has added to gaps between services where people didn’t use their cars and/or were unable to find a garage open anyway. Some owners will have had the service when it became possible, others not, covering thousands of miles over the original interval.
If you’re looking at a BMW or a Mercedes, since the 2010s these have a feature where you can sit in the car and use the rotary controller in the centre console to scroll through the menu settings to see service history after a BMW/Mercedes dealer or specialist has input the date and type of service.
You can check individually the oil and brake pad changes, whether the brake fluid was changed and also what is due to be changed next and when.
Cam belts
The rubber on the belts which drive the alternator (electrics) and the air conditioning pump will become brittle over time so need replacing at some point but the most important belt is the cam belt.
Since the 1970s, cars have had the valves at the top of the engine (which let fuel and air in and exhaust gases out) open and close in sequence by camshafts which are driven by a rubber and synthetic toothed belt at the front of the engine. The same belt usually drives the water pump that circulates cooling water.
All you need to know about a cam belt is that if it is so worn that it snaps, the valves hit each other and your engine has to be rebuilt or scrapped.
Manufacturers usually recommend that cam belts are changed based on time or mileage. This could vary from 40,000 to 100,000 miles, and between four and six years. An online search can reveal the exact mileage/time for your chosen car.
All that said, some cars have metal or chain-driven cams (also called timing chains), which last a lot longer, usually 150,000 miles, but you can only really find out if the car you are looking at has one of these by googling or getting hold of and owner’s handbook.
Not every petrol or diesel car owner will need to have a cam belt changed in their ownership. “In reality a lot of people aren’t putting 60,000 miles on their own vehicle,” says Willis.
“They tend to move them on a little bit quicker. What that means is that I’ve put 40k on it maybe and you as the new owner are going to have to pick up that cambelt bill, or people are moving them on just before they’re due one. There is a lot of emphasis put on that. Yes, it is big ticket – five or six hundred quid – and if it goes, you’re in a world of pain. For me prevention is way better than cure.”
So, if a cam belt has just been changed, that’s bonus, but if the mileage shows the car you’re buying is due one, bargain hard if you can or set money aside.
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the all-new electric C-Class saloon, marking the first time the model has been offered as an electric car.
The C-Class has traditionally been one of Mercedes’ best-selling models, and this new version effectively becomes the brand’s core electric offering in the mid-size saloon segment – rivalling the likes of the BMW i4, Polestar 2, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model 3. It will be sold alongside the petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid C-Class range, instead of replacing it.
Electric powertrain and range
The new C-Class has been built from scratch on its own unique foundations, rather than being based on the current petrol-powered model.
Mercedes quotes a maximum range of up to around 473 miles from full charge, which places it towards the upper end of the electric executive saloon segment. For context, rivals such as the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 typically offer between 350 and 390 miles depending on version.
Like the all-electric Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ that arrived last year, the electric C-Class uses 800V electrical architecture, allowing for faster charging. Mercedes claims that the battery can be topped up with around 202 miles of range after around 10 minutes of rapid charging, under ideal conditions.
The car is powered by a 94kWh battery which also supports bidirectional charging, meaning it can supply power back to a home or external devices.
Design and practicality
The electric C-Class has been given a slightly different body shape and new exterior looks, with a coupé-style silhouette and revised front-end styling.
At the front, there is a closed grille design with illuminated elements, while the rear adopts a more pronounced, sportier shape.
Practicality has also been improved with the addition of a 101-litre front boot (frunk), alongside the main rear luggage compartment. Towing capacity is rated at up to 1.8 tonnes.
The car also has rear-wheel steering, which reduces the turning circle to just over 11 metres, making the saloon more agile on tight city streets.
Interior and tech
Inside, the new C-Class introduces a major on-board tech overhaul. The highlight is a 39-inch ‘MBUX Hyperscreen’ display, which spans the dashboard and integrates driver, infotainment and passenger screens into one unit.
Other features include:
An AI-based voice assistant capable of more natural conversations
Google Maps-based navigation with EV route planning
Mercedes has also focused on comfort, with features such as ventilated and massaging seats, improved cabin insulation and a panoramic glass roof.
Availability
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the new electric C-Class as a global model, with rollout starting in the US before the UK and Europe. The exact timing of the UK launch, as well as trim specifications and pricing, are yet to be confirmed.
The Geely EX5 is a mid-sized electric SUV and the first car sold in the UK under the Geely name – though the brand behind it will be familiar to anyone who follows the automotive industry. Geely Holding Group owns or has significant stakes in Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and LEVC, the company that builds London’s electric black taxis. One in every 14 electrified cars currently sold in the UK comes from a brand within the Geely group. The EX5 is the first to carry the Geely badge here, with further models planned over the coming years.
The EX5 competes in size with the Skoda Enyaq and Kia EV6, but is priced closer to smaller rivals such as the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq. Three trim levels are available – SE, Pro and Max – starting from just under £32,000. All versions use a single front-mounted 215hp electric motor with a 60kWh battery, claiming up to 267 miles of range. A heat pump and vehicle-to-load capability are standard across the range. The ride and handling has been tuned with input from Lotus Engineering.
Early UK reviews have been broadly positive on value and interior quality, though more critical on driving experience and infotainment. The EX5 earned a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2025. As well as a six-year new car warranty, Geely also offers four years of roadside assistance as standard.
As of April 2026, the Geely EX5 has an overall New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 75%. It earns top marks for its five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, its zero tailpipe emissions and eight-year new-car warranty, while its running costs are also good. However, its initial media review scores have been below average.
Stuart’s view:
“The Geely EX5 earns an A grade despite a below-average media rating – and that gap is worth explaining. Reviews have consistently praised the value, interior quality and safety credentials while criticising the infotainment and driving experience. The A grade reflects the full ownership picture: a five-star safety result, strong warranty cover and competitive running costs that most rivals at this price can’t match. If you’re buying a car primarily to drive for pleasure, look elsewhere. If you’re buying one to own reliably and run economically, the EX5 makes a stronger case than the media reviews suggest.”
Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with consistently strong scores across all categories
Competitive pricing against significantly larger and better-established rivals
Generous standard equipment across all trim levels, including heat pump and vehicle-to-load
Strong warranty and ownership package
EX5 lowlights
Infotainment system is over-complicated and relies heavily on touchscreen menus
Battery range is modest compared with some rivals at a similar price
Driving experience and exterior design have divided reviewers
Geely is new to the UK market, so long-term reliability and residual values are unproven
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV Engines:electric, battery-powered Price:From £31,990 on-road
Launched: Winter 2025/26 Last updated: N/A Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“Maximum range on a charge is disappointing and there’s no bigger-battery option. If you don’t do too many long trips, though, and you value the EX5’s combination of a plush interior with loads of standard equipment, then this bargain-priced EV might be a good choice.”
“The standard equipment list is vast, pricing is exceptionally keen, and the Geely is very much on the larger end of its class – resulting in acres of interior space. It’s not without fault, though. Far too many functions go through the slightly fiddly touchscreen, there’s just one battery and electric motor combination, and its range is nothing special.”
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The EX5 is a great first effort from Geely, it rides particularly well, is well-made, has plenty of standard equipment, and is good value, with prices starting at £32k, and will surely tempt fleet buyers.” Author: Martyn Collins Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “A reasonable first effort from Geely Auto, leaning heavily on its low price and generous equipment to tempt you over more than how it drives or looks. The fact it undercuts almost all of its competition means you can forgive its very average range and power to a degree, and it offers plenty of space.” Author: Jake Groves Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “It’s got loads of equipment, rapid charging, useful comfort and a launch “Geely Grant” that makes the monthly prices hard to ignore. Oh, and a standard eight year warranty on the car and battery! Take that, Kia…” Author: Ginny Buckley Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The EX5 has clean styling on the outside and in the interior, lots of space, and the driving experience is easy, refined, comfortable and responsive. The driving range of up to 267 miles is competitive, as is the maximum rapid charging rate of 160 kW. So all is good, but the real selling point is the EX5’s price.” Author: Paul Clarke Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “Evidence points to the Geely EX5 being spacious and comfy. Handling being honed by Lotus should be a good thing, and it’s likely to be a great value package. However, unfamiliarity with the brand could be a stumbling block.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6.2 / 10 “More than anything else, the EX5’s handling is a little rough around the edges. It’s still more predictable than something like a Jaecoo 7, but the ride isn’t very comfortable and the overall performance is pretty bland.” Author: Jake Groves Read review
The Independent
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Yes, I’d like a bit more range, and there’s still some work to do refining the infotainment shortcuts and sound insulation, but these are small niggles in what’s otherwise a hugely impressive first effort from a “new” brand that clearly knows what it’s doing.” Author: Steve Fowler Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 5 / 10 “Like an own-brand packet of ready salted crisps. The Geely EX5 is as plain as motoring gets.”
Author: Greg Potts Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of April 2026, the Geely EX5 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the EX5 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
260 miles
B
Electrical efficiency
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
3.8 m/KWh
D
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
35
D
As of April 2026, we only have partial running cost data for the Geely EX5. We are still waiting on five-year servicing and maintenance costs. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of April 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Geely EX5 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the EX5, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Geely EX5
Overall rating
A
91%
New car warranty duration
6 years
New car warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
125,000 miles
Geely’s new car warranty is better than average, and better than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the EX5. The duration is six years, with a limit of 100,000 miles.
In addition to the standard new car warranty, this electric SUV has an eight-year/125,000-mile warranty for its battery components.
As of April 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Geely EX5. However, recall information is updated very regularly, so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Geely dealer.
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a Geely EX5
If you’re looking to lease a new Geely EX5, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carwow. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Geely EX5
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
The Omoda 7 is a mid-sized SUV that sits between the smaller Omoda 5 and the larger Omoda 9 in Omoda’s UK range. It arrived in the UK in early 2026 with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with a petrol-only version due to arrive later this year.
As of April 2026, all media reviews have covered the plug-in hybrid version, which pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and an 18kWh battery.
Omoda’s plug-in hybrid system (which it calls Super Hybrid System) is more capable than most at this price. The claimed electric-only range of 56 miles is enough for most daily commutes without touching the petrol engine, and unlike many plug-in hybrids, the Omoda 7 can charge quickly at a public fast charger rather than being limited to the slower speeds of a home wallbox. Vehicle-to-load capability – powering external devices from the car’s battery – is also standard.
The Omoda 7 comes in two trim levels, Knight and Noble, both well equipped by class standards. A 16-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a cooled wireless charging pad are standard across the range. Knight gets a six-speaker Sony audio system; Noble upgrades to 12 speakers and adds further comfort and convenience features.
The Omoda 7 has not yet been assessed by Euro NCAP. All previous Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery models have achieved five stars, and a similar result here would improve the overall Expert Rating significantly. The seven-year/100,000-mile new car warranty – which includes seven years of breakdown cover – is one of the strongest packages available at this price.
As of April 2026, the Omoda 7 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 65%. It earns top marks for its low CO2 emissions and comprehensive new-car warranty, but its media review scores to date have been below average.
“The Omoda 7’s B rating reflects early market data and a media score pulled down by a couple of outlying low reviews. After extensive driving of this car in both China and the UK, I’d rate it as the best car Omoda has brought to UK buyers – better value than the Omoda 9 and genuinely competitive with European plug-in hybrid rivals at a similar price. The running costs score will improve as more real-world data accumulates. A strong Euro NCAP result – which Omoda’s track record suggests is likely – could push the overall rating to an A grade. Worth looking beyond the headline score.”
Plug-in hybrid offers real-world electric range and fast public charging
Excellent value against equivalent European rivals
Comprehensive warranty is one of the best available in this class
Well-equipped as standard across both trim levels
Omoda 7 lowlights
Media reviews have been mixed, with some outlets rating it significantly below others
Euro NCAP safety testing still pending
Petrol model not available from launch
Driving experience doesn’t match best cars in class
Key specifications
Body style: Mid-sized SUV Engines:petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £29,915 on-road UK launch: Winter 2025/26
Image gallery
Media reviews
Featured reviews
“The Omoda 7 is the most complete car the brand has brought to the UK yet – a plug-in hybrid SUV that outperforms the pricier Omoda 9 and undercuts equivalent European rivals by thousands of pounds.”
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Noble
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “With so much of its technology shared with the smash-hit Jaecoo 7, it would be easy to assume the Omoda 7 will be a success too. There are lots of positives – it’s slightly cheaper and more spacious than the Jaecoo, has the same plug-in hybrid system with tremendous EV range, and while Jaecoo might be targeting premium appeal, the Omoda doesn’t feel cheap in comparison. Clumsy driving dynamics and a fussy infotainment screen detract from the appeal though.” Author: Alastair Crooks Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “Occupying the middle ground between the mid-sized Omoda 5 and larger Omoda 9 is the slightly-larger-than-mid-sized Omoda 7 SUV. We were impressed with the 7’s quiet and comfortable cabin, responsive infotainment system and had to keep reminding ourselves of the price. It’s one of those cars where you can see the work that’s been put in to make it feel posher than its price tag would suggest, and it largely succeeds.” Author: Tom Roberts Read review
Car
Score: 6 / 10 “The Omoda 7 is possibly the best car from Omoda yet, and in fact the wider Chery Group. There’s more polish to its driving manners that have been missing from its other models to date, and it’s certainly closing the gap on its European competition. Yet it’s still being offered at a price that can undercut rivals by a significant margin, and with a more comprehensive equipment list.” Author: Ted Welford Read review
Honest John
Score: 8 / 10 “The Omoda 7 is inexpensive and yet comes stacked with equipment. It doesn’t drive as well as something like a Kia Sportage, and some of its technology irritates, but its high-value proposition makes its pitfalls much easier to overlook.” Read review
Parkers
Score: 6.8 / 10 “Spacious, good value and a credible family SUV.” Author: Ted Welford Read review
RAC
Score: 7.5 / 10 “Overall, the Omoda 7 reminds us of Goldilocks and the Three Bears: this mid-sized model is the brand’s best compromise between price, space and capability. The interior is roomy and well-equipped, but some fiddly tech still detracts from the experience. Given the price, though, it’s a compromise many will happily make.” Author: Lawrence Allan Read review
The Independent
Score: 7 / 10 “The Omoda 7 makes a strong impression. A 745-mile combined range, 56 miles of electric driving and a price comfortably below the segment average are all persuasive arguments. The hybrid system itself is smooth, efficient and technically impressive. But the overall package isn’t quite as cohesive as the numbers suggest. The ride quality never fully settles, the steering lacks precision and some lower-cabin plastics undermine the premium aspirations.” Author: Steve Fowler Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of April 2026, the Omoda 7 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of April 2026, the Omoda 7 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Plug-in hybrid models
288 mpg
A
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
168 g/km
D
Plug-in hybrid models
23 g/km
A
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Plug-in hybrid models
56 miles
D
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
32
C
As of April 2026, we only have partial running cost data for the Omoda 7. Although the electric-only range only gets a D grade, that’s a decent result for a plug-in hybrid. A similarly sized fully electric car would expect to get about 300 miles.
The fuel consumption looks highly impressive, but this is a function of the inadequate UK/EU government lab testing methods and is a common issue for all plug-in hybrids.
We are still waiting on fuel consumption data for the petrol model, and servicing costs for the whole range. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of April 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Omoda 7 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Omoda 7, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Omoda 7
Overall rating
A
88%
Petrol or diesel models
A
81%
Electric or hybrid models
A
98%
New car warranty duration
7 years
New car warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Omoda’s new car warranty is one of the best in the business, and better than almost all rival brands in a similar price bracket to the Omoda 7.
The duration is seven years, with a limit of 100,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, there is an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components on the plug-in hybrid models.
If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
As of April 2026, we are not aware of any recalls for the Omoda 7.
There are hundreds of mandatory vehicle recalls issued each year, although most are for easily fixable issues. But not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local dealer.
Electric cars can lose a significant amount of battery range in cold weather – sometimes between 20% and 30% – and heat pumps are one of the main tools manufacturers use to reduce that loss.
Dealers and manufacturers sometimes market them as an essential feature, but many buyers aren’t entirely sure what they do or whether they’re worth paying extra for. This article explains what a heat pump actually does, and helps you decide whether you need one.
What exactly is a heat pump?
The easiest way to understand a heat pump is to compare it to something you already use at home. An electric heater in a normal car is like a kettle – it creates heat from electricity. That works, but it uses a lot of energy.
A heat pump works more like a fridge, but in reverse. Instead of creating heat, it moves heat from outside air into the car. Even when it feels cold outside, there’s still some heat energy in the air. The system captures that heat, compresses it and brings it into the cabin. Because it’s reusing existing heat rather than generating it from scratch, it needs much less energy to do the same job.
Why heating matters more in electric cars
In a petrol or diesel car, the heater uses waste heat from the engine. Electric cars don’t have that option, so every bit of cabin heating comes directly from the battery.
That’s why winter driving reduces electric car range so significantly. Heating alone can draw several kilowatts continuously, which quickly eats into available range – especially on longer journeys.
How much difference does a heat pump make?
A heat pump doesn’t eliminate range loss in winter, but it does reduce it. Estimates suggest a heat pump can improve cold-weather efficiency by around 8% to 10% compared with a standard heater, though this varies depending on conditions and the car.
In the UK specifically, the benefit tends to be moderate rather than dramatic. Our winters are relatively mild, typically sitting between 0°C and 10°C, which is where heat pumps work well – but also where standard heaters aren’t under extreme strain. For most drivers, that translates to a noticeable but not remarkable gain – perhaps an extra 10 to 30 miles on a longer winter journey.
Heat pumps are useful, but they’re not magic. They still use energy, and their effectiveness drops in very cold conditions. The overall design of the car also matters – some cars manage heat far better than others, regardless of whether a heat pump is fitted. In many cases, a well-designed electric car without a heat pump can outperform a poorly designed one that has it.
Which drivers benefit most?
The value of a heat pump depends heavily on how you use your car. If you regularly do longer motorway trips in winter – particularly early mornings or late evenings – you’re more likely to notice the benefit. It’s also more useful if you don’t always preheat the car while it’s plugged in, or if your electric car has a relatively modest battery.
On the other hand, if most of your driving is short local trips, or you routinely preheat the car before setting off, the difference becomes much harder to notice in day-to-day use.
Which electric cars include a heat pump as standard?
Heat pumps are not yet universal, and provision varies significantly across the market. Some premium brands, including BMW, Porsche and Tesla, include heat pumps as standard across their electric ranges – as you might expect, given the prices involved. A few mainstream models also include them without extra cost: entry-level versions of the Renault Megane E-Tech and Scenic E-Tech come with a heat pump as standard, as does the compact Hyundai Inster.
Other popular models – including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID.3 – offer a heat pump as an optional extra or as part of a higher trim, typically costing around £1,000 more. Some manufacturers charge separately for a heat pump even on entry-level models where it could reasonably be considered standard equipment, so it’s worth checking the options list carefully when configuring your car.
Should you pay extra for a heat pump?
If the heat pump is a relatively low-cost option and you plan to keep the car for several years, it’s generally worth having – mainly for preserving range and reducing winter inconvenience. But it’s unlikely you’ll recover the cost through electricity savings alone, so think of it as a comfort and convenience upgrade rather than a financial investment.
If it’s tied to an expensive trim upgrade and you mainly drive short distances around town, it becomes much harder to justify. In that case, getting into the habit of preheating the car while it’s still plugged in on cold mornings can be just as effective – it warms the cabin without drawing on the battery’s driving range, and costs nothing extra.
The honest answer is that a heat pump is a useful feature, but not an essential one for most UK drivers. If it comes as standard on the car you’re buying, that’s a genuine benefit. If you’re being asked to pay significantly extra for it, weigh it against how you actually use your car before deciding.
The Lepas L6 is a new mid-size SUVrange set to arrive in the UK in 2026, which includes both petrol plug-in hybrid and all-electric versions.
Lepas may be a new name in Europe, but not a standalone startup. It’s part of the huge Chery Group and a sister brand to Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo, which have all enjoyed successful UK launches in over the last two years.
The L6 will be the manufacturer’s second model to arrive on UK roads, following the larger L8 plug-in hybrid SUV.
The plug-in hybrid variant pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, with Lepas claiming a combined range of over 700 miles. This is the same system that has proven enormously popular on the best-selling Jaecoo 7 and other Chery Group models launched over the last 12 months.
Meanwhile, the electric model uses a 67kWh battery with an official driving range of 270 miles; the company says it can charge from 30% to 80% in around 20 minutes.
Its a bit early to give the Lepas L6 an Expert Rating score just yet – the SUV is yet to be reviewed in the UK at the time of writing. When the SUV does arrive, we will split this page into two – covering the plug-in hybrid and electric versions of the L6 separately.
Body style: Medium SUV Engines:petrol plug-in hybrid, electric Price:TBA
Launching: 2026 Last updated: N/A Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media.
There are no reviews on the Lepas L6 – foreign or UK-based test drives – to display here currently. Once reviews from the UK automotive media are published, we will update this section.
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of April 2026, the Lepas L6 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of April 2026, the Lepas L6 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the all-electric L6 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of April 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Lepas L6. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of April 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Lepas L6 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the L6, we’ll publish the results here.
As of April 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Lepas L6. However, recall information is updated regularly, so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Lepas dealer.
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Subscribe to a Lepas L6
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Chinese manufacturer GWM has packed great confusion into a UK expansion that now includes three brands. Read on to make sense of it all.
Among the several established Chinese car manufacturers now looking to take a slice of the UK car market is GWM, Great Wall Motors. But this company has been in the UK longer than most of its rival Chinese brands, while making possibly the least impact.
An early foray in 2013 with a forgettable pick-up was followed a decade later by the much delayed arrival of a small electric car called the Ora Funky Cat, which was soon renamed after the name amused but did not impress UK buyers.
So the car became the Ora 03 and plans to call the company GWM Ora were tweaked to GWM UK. Another brand has since been added, called Haval, and GWM is now also trying the pick-up route again with a new model.
So who or what is GWM Ora?
Great Wall Motors is the eighth-largest automotive manufacturer in China; formed in 1984 – the name of course is inspired by the Great Wall of China – the company is today best known for its SUVs and pick-up trucks and in 2024 sold 1.23 million vehicles across the world.
GWM made an almost unnoticed foray into the UK market in the early 2010s with a forgettable light pick-up called the Steed, but the company has made major progress since then on the back of the move to electric power.
This move led to the formation in 2018 of sub-brand Ora, standing for ‘Open, Reliable and Alternative’, and designed from the ground up to be an electric-only brand targeting younger buyers. It started sales in Europe in 2022 and finally arrived in the UK at the end of that year with its first car, the Funky Cat.
While the car had its plus points many reviewers failed to get past the name so it was soon renamed the GWM Ora 3, in the process stymying plans by UK distributor International Motors to call the UK company GWM Ora.
The now GWM UK has since launched two more of its parent company’s brands into Britain. The first car with a Haval badge is a small and affordable hybrid SUV called the Jolion Pro, and it has been followed by a vehicle from a GWM pick-up brand, the Poer 300.
When did GWM launch in the UK?
Ora was supposed to launch into UK showrooms in the Autumn of 2022 but the process has taken a little longer than planned. The company’s first model, called the Funky Cat, was launched in late 2022 and started arriving in early 2023.
Confining the ill-starred attempt to sell pick-ups in the UK in 2013 to history, GWM’s second launch into the UK was a drawn-out process, the first Funky Cats finally hitting the roads in early 2023.
The brand had plans to grow quickly, the five-star Euro NCAP safety rating for its UK launch model opening up the possibility of sales to a fleet market keen to fill rising demand for electric cars. But even with its new models GWM has not had the impact that Chinese brands such as BYD and Omoda, Jaecoo have achieved.
What models does Ora have and what else is coming?
The first Ora model to arrive in the UK was called the Good Cat in Europe, but marketing types felt the urge to update Good to ‘Funky’ for the UK market. As mentioned that decision proved short-lived…
Looking beyond the name what you get is an electric hatchback, costing from around £25k and around the size of a Volkswagen ID.3 or MG 4 – Car magazine described it as looking like the love child of a 2001 Nissan Micra and a Fiat 500.
Updates made alongside the renaming included extending the official range of the top model to just shy of 250 miles, and generally reviewers have summed up the Ora 03 as a competent first model for the brand’s UK debut. The five-star Euro NCAP safety rating earns universal praise – particularly as the crash testers named the car ‘best in its class’ that year. All of this helped its position in The Car Expert’s Expert Rating Index to climb to a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 73% as more reviews came online.
In Spring 2025, GWM brought another of its badges to the UK in the form of Haval. The Jolion Pro is a small SUV, only available with a 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain. This is quite punchy but even combined with a cheap price tag for the entry-level model has not endeared the Jolion Pro to reviewers. Its been described as one of the least-inspiring offerings in a very competitive market – contributing to its basement-level New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 53%.
As these words are written The Car Expert has just had its first run in the latest GWM model – the Poer 300 is a large and very traditional double-cab pick-up with a 2.4-litre diesel engine and full off-road capability. With a price tag that undercuts virtually every rival, it could find a ready market with rural business users such as farmers.
Ora unveiled a second model at the 2023 unveiled at last week’s Fully Charged electric vehicle show in Farnborough. It looks vaguely like an oddly proportioned mashup between a first-generation Porsche Panamera and a Bentley Continental GT. The Ora 7 was supposed to launch in 2024 but as of April 2026 we are still waiting and it now seems more likely that next to arrive will be a crossover version of the Ora 3 – it’s called the Cat in China, and you can bet it won’t be called that here.
Remarkably in China GWM has unveiled a supercar, a currently unnamed vehicle said to be pitched as a rival to the Ferrari SF90. There’s no indication if this vehicle will make it to the UK.
Where can I try an GWM car?
GWM models are distributed in the UK by International Motors, a long-established importer which also manages Subaru and Isuzu here. The GWM sales network has been steadily growing and as of April 2026 there are 26 showrooms across the UK, along with some additional service centres and smaller ‘test drive’ locations.
Those that have signed up to offer GWM sales and service centres include major dealer groups such as Lookers, Peter Vardy and Chorley.
What’s particularly significant about this company?
GWM Ora has a very solid connection to today’s version of a British automotive icon. Revelling in its rapid growth, parent company Great Wall Motors has set up a joint company with BMW to develop the latest generation of the Mini.
Great Wall is assembling the new five-door electric crossover Mini variant called the Aceman at a huge new plant in Jiangsu, China. The Aceman and Ora 03 share the same underpinnings.
What makes GWM different to the rest?
GWM’s Ora has targeted younger buyers with its cars, reflected in the equipment levels, the technology and particularly in the styling. The curvy looks of the Ora 03, with just a slight indication of a Mini style up front, have been dubbed ‘cute’ by many reviewers.
When it launched the then Funky Cat’s technology, including wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera, and its five-star safety rating were not what was expected of affordable Chinese cars. The trouble is, just two years on the aggressive launch efforts of rivals have made such features the norm in Chinese cars.
Summary
It’s difficult to sum up GWM as its message has changed more than once over a very short period. For a time it appeared that the whole focus was on Ora as a more niche-focused brand than rivals such as BYD Auto, but the strategy doesn’t seem to have worked. GWM sold just over 500 cars in the Uk in 2025, around half of what it managed a year earlier.
Few reviewers can see the reasoning behind adding the Haval brand into what is now a market saturated with good quality rivals. The Poer pick-up could prove a success, however, its price and capability appealing at a time of economic pressure on small and especially rural business users.
It’s impossible to predict what comes next for GWM – watch this space…
Kia has announced that its new second-generation Seltos SUV will be coming to the UK – a hybrid family car that will rival the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson.
Hybrid-only for the UK
While the Seltos range will include both petrol and hybrid options in other markets, the SUV will be only offered with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain in the UK. The system pairs a petrol engine with an electric motor, producing 154hp in front-wheel-drive form or 178hp with all-wheel drive.
This puts it broadly in line with key rivals, but a key difference is that the Seltos introduces ‘e-AWD’ electrified all-wheel drive, which allows torque to be distributed between axles electronically to improve cornering stability. It’s also the first hybrid Hyundai to offer vehicle-to-load (V2L), allowing the car to power external devices—something not currently offered on most hybrid rivals.
How big is it?
At just under four and a half metres long, the Seltos is almost identical in size to the Nissan Qashqai, which measures around 4.425m.
Opening the boot lid reveals 536 litres of luggage space, which is more than the Qashqai offers and is competitive with the Hyundai Tucson, which offers around 546 to 620 litres depending on version.
Rear seat flexibility is also a focus, with reclining seats and a flat-folding load area designed to improve everyday usability.
Interior and technology
Inside, the Seltos adopts a layout similar to Kia’s newer electric models, with a panoramic infotainment display setup combining two 12-inch screens and a separate climate control panel.
Additional features highlighted in the press material include:
A head-up display that projects driving information on to the windscreen
64-colour ambient lighting
‘Digital key’ and over-the-air updates
A Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims
Availability
The new Kia Seltos will be introduced in Europe during 2026, with UK models arriving later in the year. Full UK specifications, trim levels and pricing are expected to be announced in the second half of this year.
Leasing a new car was once limited to business motorists and large fleets, but for consumers it has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional car finance in recent years.
Walk into a new car showroom and you’ll find them offering PCH (personal contract hire) deals alongside the longer-established PCP (personal contract purchase) schemes. Additionally, there are hundreds of independent brokers, including many major business-lease players, all offering tempting deals.
Leasing can offer several advantages, particularly in terms of cashflow. Depending on the sort of car you’re looking at, you will often pay less to lease a new car rather than buying it using a finance product like a PCP or hire purchase.
Most leasing products these days also include the option to include servicing and maintenance in the monthly payments, which removes the risk of big bills when you take the car for its annual service.
We won’t go into detail about the pros and cons of car leasing here, but if you’re keen to know more then check out our guide to personal contract hire.
So if you’ve added up the sums and decided leasing is for you, you’ll face a new question – which car leasing operator should you go for?
The most important thing to remember is to ensure you are looking at PCH offers, and not BCH (business contract hire), available only to business customers. It’s also vital to be careful when entering your details, particularly the annual mileage, as it can make a big difference to your potential costs.
The vast majority of new car leasing is arranged through specialist leasing companies, and we’ve listed more than a dozen of them below.
The biggest leasing operators have very good relationships with the major car manufacturers (which is not surprising, since they buy thousands of new cars every year). That also means that they’re paying a lot less for their cars than you would when you walk into a dealership, so you get to benefit from their purchasing power.
Most of the top 12 companies listed here are brokers, rather than actually providing the lease – a bit like franchise car dealers who sell vehicles on behalf of a manufacturer, rather than the manufacturer selling you a car directly.
The list of companies below isn’t ranked – they all provide a high level of service and are worthy of consideration. They’re simply sorted by those who are commercial partners of The Car Expert (the ones with an asterisk next to their name), which means that we may get a small commission if you click through to their website, and those that are not. This doesn’t affect the deals you are offered or the price you pay on any of the sites.
Leasing.com describes itself as the car leasing expert and is one of several comparison sites on the internet. The company doesn’t lease cars itself but acts as a comparison site for lease companies, enabling customers to compare deals and select the one that best suits them.
Having been trading since 2000, Leasing.com claims to have helped more than a million people find a deal, and it certainly offers plenty of choice. The rates we looked at were also cheaper than leasing the same cars directly from the manufacturers.
As with most comparison sites, there’s a huge choice of potential cars – from MG to Maserati and Renault to Rolls-Royce. And the site also includes a number of tutorials, including a video explaining how ‘you’re in the driving seat’.
Since July 2021, Leasing.com’s vehicle ratings have been powered by The Car Expert’s industry-leading Expert Rating Index, so you can be sure that the vehicles have been reviewed and rated by professional journalists from 30 of the UK’s top automotive websites.
Select claims to be one of the biggest providers of lease cars, boasting 50,000-plus cars delivered in around 16 years of trading, and 21,000 five-star Trustpilot reviews as a result.
Each car includes all the usual information plus a useful review of the car, both in ten-second short form and a much more detailed version. Our sample search brought up only a few choices but they were at very competitive prices. As well as the usual EV section, there’s also plenty of general information about car leasing and whether it is right for you.
Select also currently promotes a price-match service, paying out £50 in Amazon vouchers if customers find a comparable deal at a better price elsewhere.
First Vehicle Leasing has been around since 1998, offering car leasing solutions “from Fiats to Ferraris” and a five-star Trustpilot score. It has office in both England and Scotland but, as with most leasing companies, operates nationwide. There are plenty of in-stock vehicles to choose from, or you can order a specific colour and specification if you’re happy to wait a bit longer.
The website is clean and easy to navigate, including a ‘Special Offers’ page, so you won’t be wasting time hunting around to find the right car. Although if you do want to waste time, there’s a blog section full of information about how leasing works.
The company also offers leasing for vans and pick-ups if you’re running a commercial vehicle for your business.
Driveway Vehicle Solutions is a Nottingham-based fleet finance and leasing broker that offers nationwide delivery on a wide selection of manufacturers and models through its partner Evans Halshaw, which has over 150 dealerships across the UK.
Customers can select their desired car specs, term, and annual mileage limit and get an instant quote for a 24 to 48 month lease agreement. There are no processing fees, and road tax, manufacturer’s warranty, and breakdown assistance is included too, and optional maintenance packages are available with every car.
DreamLease is a family-run leasing broker based in Buckinghamshire but servicing the entire UK. The company works with customers small and large, whether you’re looking for one car for personal use or a fleet of cars for a whole company.
The clean, easily scannable site has a prominent search bar front and centre, so you can quickly find quotes for any particular vehicle. There are also plenty of special offers on the home page, so you could even find a bargain that might not have been the car you had in mind. You can easily tweak the upfront payment, term and mileage to see how the monthly payments are affected so you can be sure you’re finding a car that perfectly fits your budget.
There are also dedicated pages for electric vehicles, van leasing and salary sacrifice.Finally, there’s a useful help page that has a load of FAQs and tips for first-time leasing customers.
VIP Gateway is a Manchester-based leasing broker with customers all across the UK. To back up its ambitions to provide the very highest levels of service, the company claims to have customers on their ninth or even tenth vehicles.
The site has a colourful menu to highlight special offers, in-stock vehicles, electric cars, short-term leasing, used leasing offers, prestige vehicles and so on.
There’s also a whole raft of testimonials from famous customers, with a particular emphasis on Manchester-based football stars and celebrities.
Established in 2001, Rivervale Leasing has grown to become one of the UK’s leading car leasing companies for both business and personal users.
As it’s not tied to any car maker, Rivervale Leasing promises to find you any make and any model of car and its website features 35 manufacturers to choose from. There’s a simple slider to switch between Personal and Business quotes, and a section high up showing the latest ‘Hot Deals’ currently available.
To find the car you’re looking for (your ‘Perfect Car’) you can choose to go one of four ways: manufacturer, preference (luxury, economical etc), car type or size, or budget (under £150 to over £500). From these, it’s easy to follow the next drop down boxes until you find yourself with a pared-down list, whichever way you’ve arrived there.
The site also has a growing library of car leasing advice plus some general features, tips advice and surveys.
Wrexham-based company Fleet Sauce offers a wide range of competitive leasing and salary sacrifice deals, with a focus and expertise on business leasing for sole traders to fleets. The company’s website says that the Fleet Sauce team aims to provide the highest level of customer service, and this is reflected by the company’s excellent five-star Trustpilot rating.
The company’s website has listings for models from over 50 different manufacturers, including some lavish exclusive makes not found elsewhere like BMW Alpina, and the search tools allow you to set your maximum budget and mileage. The site also has a growing library of car leasing advice.
They say: “We do the leg work, you enjoy the ride”
Carparison presents a friendly and personal image to help you to sort out a lease car. For a fast, simple start you can enter your wish list details (starting with your monthly budget) and then follow up with all their latest top deals, which show initial rental outlay and the monthly payments.
The company says it was launched in 2018 to fill a demand not met by existing leasing sites for sourcing quick and easy deals. The site majors on personal service with lots of smiling faces all over the site.
Personal and Business options are sensibly kept very separate – in fact one is in a black box and the other in white. Click on the button and you’re taken to a more detailed page in which to enter more details and requirements.
You can do a simple search for make and model and then narrow it down, or an advanced search with far more details, including whether the offer that tempts you is actually in stock (which is helpful, as not all deals offered in the leasing market are available immediately at the moment).
There are several interesting features and advice pieces such as ‘Leasing fees explained’, ‘How to order a lease car’ and even ‘Is leasing right for me?’.
LeaseLoco is another car lease comparison site, and once you get beyond the home-page graphics recalling Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, the site has much to recommend it.
Chief among these is the score system. It uses a comparison algorithm to analyse the value of each lease deal and whether customers can do better – for example, leasing an Audi A6 for the price of an A4.
The site majors on affordability – there is no make and model menu on the homepage, but a simpler one asking how much you want to spend each month. The site then seeks out the deals available, which you can narrow down by make, model, mileage and such like. One advantage of this is that, although you may have been tempted by one particular vehicle, the site shows alternatives you might not have considered.
It helpfully keeps Business and Personal schemes quite separate and the choice is wide. Another neat feature is a ‘dream garage’, enabling you to save certain cars and track their price movements, with notifications when the price drops.
Gateway2Lease offers both new and used cars, as well as vans and pick-ups for commercial customers. The site emphasises its latest offers in all of those categories so you can potentially grab the perfect car at a discounted price.
There are also pages for the latest electric car deals, as well as deals for both personal and business customers. Each car is given a ‘G2L score’, although it’s not clear how those scores are calculated.
You can sort models by trim levels, fuel type, CO2 levels and P11d values to find the right car for your budget. Cars that are in stock are also tagged so you can see which models are available for immediate delivery. As with most other sites, there’s also plenty of useful information for first-time leasing customers to explain how everything works.
Hippo Leasing’s parent company certainly knows a thing or two about cars and the automotive business – the family-owned Hippo Motor Group has been trading for more than a century. They use that experience and know-how to make car leasing simple for customers, using their access to a wide range of vehicle manufacturers to bring a vast choice of vehices, from Ford to Ferrari.
Unlike most of the sites listed here, Hippo devotes a specific section of its website to used car leasing, rather than only offering new cars. All used cars come with a minimum six-month warranty (potentially more if the car is still under its new car warranty) and go through a comprehensive workshop inspection before collection by the customer.
The site is well laid out and begins with four easy steps to lease a car, from finding one to driving one. If you don’t know what you want, there’s a browse section broken down into sections such as price, make, body type, and new or used, and if you need a nudge in the right direction there’s a good section of hottest special offers.
Auto Trader makes the most of its years of experience in selling cars to offer an extensive leasing comparison section on its site. The home page boasts the usual menu finder but majors on offering information on how leasing works. This is extensive, including video advice from former BBC Top Gear presenter Rory Reid.
The site will likely answer most questions a first-time leasing customer might have. There’s a good section showing reviews of some of the site’s latest cars too.
Once you feel you understand what you are after, the site offers a similar search engine to other comparison sites, narrowing down the deals based on the usual entries of model, mileage, monthly cost and such.
The deals on the site are good quality, Auto Trader claiming to source the best deals from the UK’s leading leasing providers, but there is not as wide a selection as on other comparison sites.
In recent years, several car manufacturers have added personal leasing offers to their long-established business leasing services. Often it serves as a way of shifting large numbers of specific models, and to feed their used car forecourts with end-of-lease cars.
Leasing a new car directly from a manufacturer comes with obvious advantages – you are effectively ‘cutting out the middle man’ by dealing direct, with all the front-line servicing and maintenance back-up. And surprisingly, comparing certain models across the market, the manufacturer deals were necessarily not the most expensive.
The biggest downside is a lack of choice. Manufacturer sites tend to offer just a few grades available, sometimes on cars that are less easy to shift off forecourts, and on by no means their entire model line-up. There’s also the other obvious drawback that you can’t directly compare cars from different brands side-by-side.
If you go to a showroom, they’ll happily provide you a PCH quote on any car in the range, in any specification, but it will often cost you just as much as a PCP on the same vehicle.
Additional reporting by Tom Johnston, Sean Rees and Stuart Masson. Originally published in April 2021, most recently updated May 2026.
*The Car Expert has commercial partnerships with Carparison, DreamLease, Driveway Vehicle Solutions, First Vehicle Leasing, Gateway2Lease, Hippo Leasing, LeaseLoco, Leasing.com, Rivervale Leasing, Select Car Leasing and VIP Gateway. If you click through to their websites, we may receive a small commission.This does not affect the price you pay.
Make and model: Toyota Aygo X Hybrid Description: Small five-door hatchback, petrol-electric hybrid Price range: £21,645 to £26,945
Summary: The Toyota Aygo X Hybrid is fun, frugal and transformed by its new powertrain. A compelling city car – just be prepared for the higher price tag.
For a broader ownership picture, see our Toyota Aygo X Hybrid Expert Rating, which combines media reviews, safety data, reliability, running costs and warranty cover.
The original Toyota Aygo X was a likeable little city car with a frustrating fundamental flaw: its little petrol engine was so underpowered that it struggled to keep pace with modern urban traffic, let alone merge confidently onto a dual carriageway. That made it difficult to recommend, despite its low running costs and usual Toyota reliability.
Toyota has now fixed that problem comprehensively. The Aygo X Hybrid replaces the old petrol-engined model with the 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain taken from the larger Toyota Yaris – a significantly larger and more sophisticated unit that transforms the car’s character entirely. The nose of the car has been lengthened slightly to accommodate the bigger engine, and the front-end styling has been updated to match, with a cleaner, sharper look. The result is a city car that now does its job properly.
The Aygo X Hybrid is available in four trims. Icon starts at just over £21.6K and includes a seven-inch driver’s display, automatic air conditioning, diamond-cut 17-inch alloy wheels and two USB-C charging ports as standard. Design at just under £24K adds a larger touchscreen, while Excel at just over £26K brings a larger touchscreen, heated front seats and wireless phone charging. The range-topping GR Sport at just under £27K adds tuned suspension, bigger wheels, a black bonnet and sports seats.
This represents a significant price increase over the old non-hybrid Aygo X – around £4,000 more for the base model. That’s a meaningful jump for a city car, and buyers on a tight budget will find larger alternatives for similar money. The counter-argument is that there’s nothing else in this smallest of small car segments that offers a proper hybrid powertrain, and the running cost savings are real.
One significant loss in moving to hybrid power is the manual gearbox. The Aygo X Hybrid is automatic only, which will disappoint drivers who enjoyed the engagement of rowing through the gears in the old car. It’s also one of the reasons that the starting price is now higher on the new model.
The Toyota Aygo X Hybrid gets a revised front end to accommodate its larger engine – a subtle update that gives the car a cleaner, sharper look than its predecessor
Inside the car
The Aygo X Hybrid is obviously a small car and the cabin reflects that, but then it is a city car and being as compact as possible is part of its job. The dashboard layout is clean and well-organised, the materials are appropriate for the price, and the steering wheel-mounted controls are well placed. The new digital instrument display is also a clear improvement over the old car’s display.
Rear passenger space is tight – inevitable given the car’s compact dimensions – and there’s no glovebox, which is a bit annoying. The boot manages 230 litres, which is on the small side even by city car standards. It’s worth noting that small electric city cars like the Leapmotor T03 have a packaging advantage here, since an electric motor and battery takes up considerably less space than the Aygo X’s hybrid arrangement of engine, gearbox, fuel tank and electric components. That’s not a criticism unique to this car, but it’s worth bearing in mind if boot space is a priority.
Higher trims benefit from dual-zone climate control, which is a welcome addition and helps the car feel more grown-up than its size might suggest.
The Toyota Aygo X Hybrid’s cabin is compact but well-organised, with a new digital instrument display and sensible controls that make it easy to live with
On the road
This is where the Aygo X Hybrid shows how dramatically it has improved over the original model. We drove the Excel and GR Sport trims at the European launch in Florence, which combined city driving with some winding routes through the Tuscan hills, and the new model coped with everything thrown at it very well for a city car.
Power is up to 114hp against the previous car’s 71hp, with the electric motor providing immediate response from low speeds that makes urban driving genuinely satisfying. That’s a 60% increase in peak power, but it feels even more significant thanks to the boost from the electric motor.
A 0-62mph time of 9.2 seconds doesn’t sound exciting on paper, but the old car took a glacial 14 seconds, and it was particularly weak in the initial 0-30 phase that is so important for urban driving. In the context of city traffic, the Aygo X Hybrid feels lively and confident. Threading through Florence’s narrow streets and dealing with assertive locals who seem to treat a trip to the shops like a grand prix, the car felt entirely at ease.
The handling is agile and the steering is well-weighted, giving the Aygo X a playful quality that’s unusual in this class. The tight turning circle makes parking and manoeuvring simple, and forward visibility from the elevated driving position is excellent.
Fuel economy is one of the hybrid powertrain’s headline achievements, with Toyota claiming around 75mpg in the official government lab tests. Even better, that figure appears surprisingly realistic for urban driving – other reviewers have matched or exceeded it in real-world testing.
The GR Sport’s stiffer suspension means it occasionally moves about a bit on rougher surfaces, rather than gliding along smoothly. It’s definitely worth test driving against a standard model before buying. The softer suspension on the Excel felt better suited for daily use. On faster open roads and hills in the Italian countryside, the car was less convincing – but that’s true of any city car, and most Aygo X buyers will spend the vast majority of their time in urban conditions where it excels.
The Toyota Aygo X Hybrid on the city streets – where its new hybrid powertrain makes it a genuinely different proposition from the underpowered model it replaces
Ownership
The Toyota Aygo X Hybrid was awarded a four-star safety rating by Euro NCAP in late 2025. That’s quite a strong result for such a small car and in line with most rivals, although the BYD Dolphin Surf did score five stars.
The scores were mixed across the four categories: protection for pedestrians and cyclists was strong at 83%, but adult occupant protection at 73% and child occupant protection at 72% were on the lower side for a four-star result. The frontal impact tests flagged some specific areas of weakness, including lower leg protection. It’s a reasonable result for a small, lightweight city car, but families should be aware that the scores aren’t as strong as some larger alternatives.
The standard new car warranty runs for three years, which is on the short side. Toyota offers an extension up to ten years in total, conditional on the car being serviced exclusively at official Toyota centres throughout its life – worth knowing if you plan to use main dealer servicing anyway.
The review score reflects the driving experience. Our Toyota Aygo X Hybrid Expert Rating tells a broader story, combining the subjective opinions of car reviews with objective safety data, running costs, warranty information and more – which means the Expert Rating often arrives at a notably different conclusion. It’s worth reading both before making any buying decision.
Verdict
The new hybrid powertrain has transformed the Toyota Aygo X from a car that was hard to recommend into one that’s easy to. It’s fun, frugal, well-equipped and genuinely competent at the job it was designed for. In urban conditions, it’s one of the most satisfying small cars currently on sale.
The price increase over the old model is real, and the loss of the manual gearbox is a genuine disappointment. On faster roads, it runs out of conviction, as any city car will. But judge it by the right criteria – which means city driving, parking, running costs and reliability – and the Aygo X Hybrid makes a compelling case for itself.
Volkswagen has revealed the ID.3 Neo, an updated version of its electric hatchback that effectively replaces the current ID.3 range.
The new model brings changes to design, interior quality, technology and efficiency, rather than an entirely different new model.
The introduction of the Neo comes as Volkswagen aims to keep the ID.3 – currently its cheapest all-electric model before the launch of the upcoming ID. Polo hatchback – competitive in a crowded medium car class that includes the recently-updated MG 4 and newer Renault Mégane E-Tech.
Design and interior changes
The ID.3 Neo introduces a revised front-end design, including a new light signature and illuminated VW badge, bringing it in line with the brand’s latest electric models.
Inside, Volkswagen says there is a noticeable step up in quality, with:
New materials
A redesigned dashboard layout
More conventional physical controls for key functions
The infotainment system has also been updated, with a ten-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a 13-inch central touchscreen.
Range and performance
The ID.3 Neo gets a new electric drive system, with improved efficiency and higher outputs.
Three powertrain choices will be available:
50kWh with an output of 170hp
58kWh with an output of 190hp
79kWh with an output of 231hp
Volkswagen quotes a maximum range of up to391 miles for the largest battery version, which is higher than the current top-spec ID.3 ‘Pro S’ which can officially muster 347 miles on a single charge.
Charging speeds vary by battery, with the largest version supporting up to 183kW DC charging. Again this is an improvement over the ‘Pro S’, which supports up to 170kW DC charging.
Technology updates
The ID.3 Neo introduces new software and driver assistance features, including:
One-pedal driving, allowing the car to come to a stop using regenerative braking
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, enabling it to power external devices like laptops, kettles and even other electric cars
Updated driver assistance systems, including an optional ‘Connected Travel Assist’ with traffic light recognition
Volkswagen has also added an in-car app store, allowing additional features and services to be downloaded.
Model range
At launch, the ID.3 Neo will be offered in three trims – the entry-level ‘Trend’, mid-range ‘Life’ and range-topping ‘Style’. Each can be paired with different battery sizes and power outputs depending on specification.
Availability
The Volkswagen ID.3 Neo is launching first in Europe, with UK specifications and pricing yet to be confirmed.
That just about sums up what we know about the new ID.3 Neo so far. More details, including the official launch date and UK pricing, is sure to follow in the coming months.
The Volkswagen ID.3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 75%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions, while its safety rating and media review scores are also good. However, Volkswagen’s new car warranty coverage is only average.
The Honda Super-N is a new all-electric five-door city car, which is set to arrive in the UK in July.
The compact runaround serves as the replacement for the Honda e supermini, which was removed from sale in 2024. Previewed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, the Super-N is based on the ‘N-One e’ kei car that Honda sells in Japan.
It’s not a direct copy of that model though – Honda says it has made several changes to make the city car better suited to European roads and to boost driving fun. The Honda is set to join a small but growing field of battery-powered city cars, which already includes the BYD Dolphin Surf and Fiat 500 Electric.
That pretty much sums up our summary of the Super-N so far. The only indication of the car’s pricing Honda have given so far is a promise that it will cost under £20k when it arrives in the Summer. When it does arrive in UK showrooms, and reviews of the model have been published, we will update this page with an Expert Rating score.
Body style: Small five-door hatchback Engines:electric, battery-powered Price:TBA
Launching: Summer 2026 Last updated: N/A Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media.
There are no reviews on the Chery Tiggo 4 – foreign or UK-based test drives – to display here currently. Once reviews from the UK automotive media are published, we will update this section.
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of April 2026, the Honda Super-N has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of April 2026, the Honda Super-N has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the [Model] is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of April 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Honda Super-N. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of April 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Honda Super-N to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Honda, we’ll publish the results here.
As of April 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Honda Super-N. However, recall information is updated regularly, so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Honda dealer.
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a Honda Super-N
If you’re looking to lease a new Honda Super-N, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carwow. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Honda Super-N
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
The Mazda CX-5 is a medium-sized SUV/crossover, with this third-generation model launched in Spring 2026. Now on sale in the UK, this new iteration of he CX-5 has some big shoes to fill, as its predecessor was Mazda’s best-selling car the world over.
Due to that sales success, Mazda has kept the design of this latest CX-5 broadly similar to the outgoing version, Car’s Keith Adams commenting that the Mazda is “still delivers many of the qualities that made it popular in the first place”, explaining that the SUV is “spacious, comfortable and more engaging to drive than most family SUVs.”
Autotrader’s Catherine Kent concludes that the CX-5 is “roomy, stylish and well-equipped”, but also a “car of contradictions”, pointing to that fact that Mazda has stuck to tradition with its choice of a large petrol engine – which is “unfathomably underpowered” – while also following the caving to the industry trend of swapping physical infotainment controls for a touchscreen.
Besides rather consistent complaints about the petrol engine’s adequate but often strained performance, Mazda’s decision to remove the CX-5’s infotainment rotary controller has been broadly unpopular with reviewers. Ellis Hyde of Auto Express adds that the car’s “interior quality is disappointing” and “the tech onboard already feels dated” – criticisms not usually attributed to a new Mazda.
While there are now several published CX-5 reviews online and the car is now available to order, we are waiting for the first UK-based test drives and running cost data to arrive before giving the new CX-5 a full-fat Expert Rating score. Check back in the coming weeks!
Body style: Medium-sized SUV/crossover Engines:petrol with mild-hybrid assistance Price:From £31,550
Launched: Spring 2026 Last updated: N/A Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The new Mazda CX-5 feels like a step backwards from the previous generation. It’s certainly a handsome-looking, reasonably well-equipped family SUV that’s more practical and spacious than the last one. However, interior quality is disappointing, the tech onboard already feels dated and it’s rather dull to drive.”
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “The new Mazda CX-5 is roomy, stylish and well-equipped, yet it also is a car of contradictions. On the one hand it sticks to Mazda’s defiant principles of a large (and unfathomably underpowered) petrol engine, while on the other it has followed the crowd by swapping buttons for a touch-screen. The result might be a compromise too far for Mazda fans and, while those looking for a practical family car will appreciate the space, the CX-5 doesn’t keep up with the competition.” Author: Catherine Kent Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “The CX-5 still delivers many of the qualities that made it popular in the first place. It is spacious, comfortable and more engaging to drive than most family SUVs. Yet the CX-5 also feels like a car playing things far too safe.” Author: Keith Adams Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7.4 / 10 “Weak acceleration and the loss of Mazda’s excellent rotary infotainment controller mean it no longer feels quite as clever as it once did. That does not make the CX-5 a bad choice, but buyers should shop around before committing.” Author: Keith Adams Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “Mazda might tell you that this is an all-new CX-5, but it’s very much evolution rather than revolution for the Mk3. And sure, while we can see the logic behind the retuned dynamics and softer ride, the previous generation was a better steer, the mild hybrid engine is hugely underwhelming, and the screen-heavy cabin feels like a misstep.” Author: Peter Rawlins Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of April 2026, the Mazda CX-5 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of April 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Mazda CX-5. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of April 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mazda CX-5 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the [Model], we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Mazda CX-5
Overall rating
B
64%
New car warranty duration
6 years
New car warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Battery warranty duration
0 years
Battery warranty mileage
0 miles
Mazda’s new car warranty is better than average, and better/worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the CX-5.
The duration is six years, with a limit of 100,000 miles.
Warranty on a used Mazda CX-5
If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Mazda CX-5 from an official Mazda dealership, you will get a minimum one-year warranty included.
If you are buying a used Mazda CX-5 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Mazda CX-5 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
As of April 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Mazda CX-5. However, recall information is updated regularly, so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Mazda dealer.
Denza, a Chinese newcomer owned by BYD, has revealed its D9 DM-i, a large plug-in hybrid people carrier that will be its second model to arrive in the UK.
The D9 uses BYD’s DM-i plug-in hybrid system, combining a 1.5-litre petrol engine with dual electric motors and a large 59kWh battery.
Total system output is 353hp, with power sent to all four wheels.
Denza quotes:
Up to 130 miles of electric-only range
Up to 590 miles combined range from the engine and battery working in tandem
This is significantly higher than most plug-in hybrid models currently on sale, where electric-only range typically falls below 50 miles. Denza adds that the vehicle can charge at DC speeds of up to 559kW.
Size and layout
The D9 is a large people carrier, or MPV, measuring over five metres long, with a three-row 2+2+3 seating layout.
It is designed to carry seven adults, with flexible seating configurations depending on passenger and luggage needs. Boot space ranges from 430 litres with all seats in place to over 2,300 litres with the rear seats folded. Sliding rear doors are fitted as standard.
Interior and features
The focus is on passenger comfort, particularly in the second row.
Key features include:
Reclining “zero-gravity” seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions
Multiple touchscreen displays across the cabin
A 16-inch central infotainment screen
Additional screens for rear passengers
Wireless phone charging and multiple USB ports
A Devialet sound system with 16 speakers is also included.
Model range and availability
Two trim levels will be offered – the entry-level ‘Elegance’ and top-spec ‘Ultimate’ model. Both use the same powertrain, with the ‘Ultimate’ adding additional comfort and technology features.
The Denza D9 DM-i is expected to go on sale in Europe, including the UK, in the coming weeks, with full UK specifications yet to be confirmed. Check back soon for more details!
Lepas, the latest brand from Chinese manufacturer Chery to launch in the UK, has confirmed its Lepas L6 model will go on sale here in the last few months of 2026.
It will be the brand’s second UK model, arriving shortly after the larger flagship L8. The L6 is a mid-size, five-seat SUV, joining Chery’s long list of SUVs already on offer from what is now four different brands.
The L6 will be offered in two versions from launch – a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric model. Both versions will make their European debut at Milan Design Week later this month.
The plug-in hybrid variant pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, with Lepas claiming a combined range of over 700 miles. This is the same system that has proven enormously popular on the best-selling Jaecoo 7 and other Chery Group models launched over the last 12 months.
Meanwhile, the electric model uses a 67kWh battery with an official driving range of 270 miles; the company says it can charge from 30% to 80% in around 20 minutes.
The Lepas L6 arrives in the UK later this year as the brand’s second model, offered in plug-in hybrid and electric form.
No UK pricing or specifications have been announced for the Lepas L6, although we know that the company will match the seven-year new car warranty already offered by its sister brands. Details are expected ahead of the on-sale date later this year.
Lepas is the fourth brand from Chery Group to arrive in the UK, joining Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery itself. We expect even more brands to follow over the next year or two as the company rapidly expands its operations in the UK.
The BMW iX3 is a mid-sized electric SUV and the first model from BMW’s Neue Klasse programme – a complete redesign of BMW’s approach to design, technology and sustainability that will eventually extend across the company’s entire model range.
The iX3 went on sale in the UK in spring 2026, with the range currently starting from about £53K for the rear-wheel drive iX3 40, and from about £59K for the all-wheel drive iX3 50 xDrive. The 50 xDrive models were the first to hit UK roads in spring 2026, with the 40 models joining them in summer.
The iX3 marks a clear departure from BMW’s recent design language. The exterior is sharp and minimal, with light strips replacing the traditional chrome kidney grille surrounds. The interior is more radical: a square steering wheel, a full-width display projection at the base of the windscreen, and ambient LED lighting running across the dashboard, door panels and footwells. Early UK reviews have been strongly positive, with the iX3 earning a media rating of 85%.
Both variants use BMW’s advanced new battery architecture, which supports charging at up to 300kW at a compatible public fast charger – enough to add around 186 miles of range in ten minutes. The iX3 40 carries an 83kWh battery and claims up to 395 miles of range. The iX3 50 xDrive uses a larger battery and claims between 421 and 500 miles, depending on specification.
Our first drive of the 50 xDrive confirmed the iX3 as one of the most accomplished electric SUVs currently on sale, with particular praise for its steering feel and the panoramic windscreen display system.
BMW has placed significant emphasis on sustainability in the iX3’s production. Around 80% of the cast aluminium chassis components use recycled material, interior textiles for the seat upholstery, carpets and headlining are made from 100% recycled fibres, and the battery cells require around 40% less CO2 to produce than those in the previous iX3. On a UK energy mix, the car is estimated to reach its lifetime CO2 break-even point against a comparable petrol model in less than 12,000 miles.
The iX3 has not yet been assessed for safety performance by Euro NCAP. Running cost data is still limited at this early stage. The standard new car warranty runs for three years with unlimited mileage – on the short side for a car at this price – though the battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.
As of April 2026, the BMW iX3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 72%. That score is likely to shift, either up or down, as we get safety results and more running cost data.
The BMW iX3 is the most significant new BMW in a generation – not just as a car, but as a statement of where the company is heading. ‘The Neue Klasse’ programme represents BMW’s largest ever investment, and the iX3 is its opening move. If it succeeds, the design and technology philosophy established here will define BMW’s entire range for the next decade. From my own review here in the UK, the car itself is excellent. The media rating of 85% reflects a genuine step forward and a strong consensus of positivity from the UK motoring media. The three-year standard warranty is on the short side – buyers stepping down from brands like Kia or Hyundai may find it a step backwards, though most direct rivals at this price are no more generous.
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover Engines:electric motor, battery-powered Price:From £53,250
Launch date: Autumn 2025 Last updated: Spring 2026 Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media.
Featured reviews
“The new BMW iX3 is the first car from BMW’s ambitious Neue Klasse programme – and after driving it, we think it might be the best electric SUV money can buy. Most aspects of the car are genuinely hard to fault. The interior technology is genuinely better than the class norm, especially the panoramic display. The driving experience is very good and better than anything else in a comparable price bracket, and the design is the most attractive BMW has produced in years. If the budget stretches, it’s worth it.”
“The Neue Klasse iX3 marks the dawn of a new era for BMW, and moving to a dedicated EV platform means it’s a real game changer. It has strong performance, refined driving manners, lots of space, decent efficiency and user-friendly tech, while the BMW iX3 M Sport version continues to deliver the sporty edge that UK buyers demand. Only an unsettled ride on bumpy B-roads really marks the iX3 down – in every other regard it’s exceptionally good.”
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Score: 10 / 10 “Stylish, luxurious, brimming with innovation, great to drive and practical enough to meet every family need, the BMW iX3 is perhaps the complete modern premium electric SUV.” Author: Dan Trent Read review
Car
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Score: 10 / 10 “Where others have stumbled with electrification, BMW has produced something that truly outshines its combustion sibling, and a talented one at that. The new BMW iX3 is a true family EV for the car enthusiast and proof BMW hasn’t lost the plot with its bold Neue Klasse initiative. Welcome, one and all, to the new electric SUV benchmark.” Author: Jake Groves, Alan Taylor-Jones Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW iX3 has a world-beating electric range and is great to drive – some rough usability niggles can’t detract from what’s now the best electric SUV on sale.” Author: Tom Wiltshire Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Pro Score: 8 / 10 “The iX3 is the model to kickstart a new era for BMW, and while its looks might be divisive, its class-leading stats certainly are not.” Author: Sam Jenkins Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Pro Score: 10 / 10 “The new BMW iX3 is a complete package, and the pricing hasn’t drastically increased compared to the previous generation model.” Author: Paul Clarke Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 10 / 10 “The iX3 is BMW’s best electric car yet, and one of the best EVs currently available. It’s comfortable, fun to drive, can go astonishingly far on a full charge and is packed full of technology that mostly enhances the experience behind the wheel rather than detracting from it. Incoming rivals, including the Volvo EX60, have their work cut out.” Read review
Motoring Research
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Score: 10 / 10 “As the vanguard for BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ range of cars, the BMW iX3 absolutely needed to be right. And it is. In fact, with great road manners, impressive practicality, intuitive technology and the longest range of any production electric car, it accelerates straight to the top of the family SUV class.” Author: Tim Pitt Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 4.8 / 10 “The BMW iX3 is one of the finest SUVs you can buy.” Author: Alan Taylor-Jones, Jake Groves, Keith Adams Read review
The Independent
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Score: 9 / 10 “Neue Klasse technology, 800-volt charging and impressive efficiency make this model one of the most advanced electric SUVs yet.” Author: Steve Fowler Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Score: 8 / 10 “The BMW iX3 is the first of a new generation features novel battery construction and reduced weight, combined with the sharp handling BMW is renowned for.” Author: Andrew English Read review
The Times
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Score: 8 / 10 “Achieving the holy grail of range parity with petrol is a bold claim. Is this the car to convince the sceptics?” Author: Nick Rufford Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Score: 9 / 10 “No obvious weaknesses, a quantum leap for EVs – proves what’s possible when you start from scratch with today’s tech” Read review
Which EV?
Model reviewed: 50 xDrive M Sport Score: 9 / 10 “The era of 500-mile range EVs is here. With great performance, space and technology as well, superb sustainability credentials and a premium but not outrageous price, the iX3 checks all the boxes. It’s no wonder that BMW is having to increase production to cope with orders. If you can afford it, this is the electric family SUV to buy.” Author: James Morris Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of April 2026, the new BMW iX3 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of April 2026, the BMW iX3 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the iX3 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
499 miles
A
Electrical efficiency
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
4.1 m/KWh
C
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
43
E
As of April 2026, we have some data on the BMW iX3 but not a complete overview. The data above only represents partial information for launch-specification ’50 xDrive’ models. We don’t have servicing costs or any data for the recently announced 40 xDrive models yet. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
The BMW iX3 is a brand-new car on an all-new platform, so we won’t have any benchmark reliability data available for years to come.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the iX3, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the BMW iX3
Overall rating
B
76%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
Unlimited miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
BMW’s standard new car warranty is not much better than the bare minimum offered by car companies in the UK, running for three years, with no limit on mileage.
In addition to the standard new car warranty, there’s an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
As of April 2026, there have not been any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the BMW iX3 (which is entirely unsurprising as it’s not yet on sale). However, when the car eventually arrives in the UK this may change.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BMW dealer.
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a BMW iX3
If you’re looking to lease a new BMW iX3, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carwow. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a BMW iX3
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Honda has revealed a new small electric car called the Super-N, which is set to arrive in the UK in July.
The compact runaround serves as the replacement for the Honda e supermini, which was removed from sale in 2024. Previewed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, the Super-N is based on the ‘N-One e’ kei car that Honda sells in Japan.
It’s not a direct copy of that model though – Honda says it has made several changes to make the city car better suited to European roads and to boost driving fun.
Exterior looks and size
The Super-N is based on Honda’s small-car platform used for its Kei models in Japan – agile city cars that are taller and narrower than pint-sized European city cars – and takes styling inspiration from the 1980s City Turbo II. Customisation options will include two-tone exterior paint finishes.
Honda City Turbo II and Super-N
Powertrain and range
The Super-N uses a compact electric drive unit (e-Axle), producing between 63hp and 94hp depending on driving mode (‘city’ or ‘boost’ mode). The electric powetrain is paired with a ‘simulated’ seven-speed gearbox and artificial engine sounds with audible shift sounds between the faux gears.
Honda quotes:
Up to 199 miles of range in ‘city’ driving mode
Around 128 miles of general range (city and motorway travel)
This places it in line with other small electric cars aimed primarily at urban use. For example, the similarly-sized BYD Dolphin Surf can muster up to 137 or 200 miles depending on your powertrain of choice.
Honda says the chassis and suspension have been tuned for UK and European roads, with a focus on handling and responsiveness.
Interior fit and finish
Stepping inisde the narrow cabin, the dashboard features two small displays – a central infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster. Stretching across the dash is a small shelf, storage cubby to the right-hand side of the driver.
Between the retro-inspired ‘sports-style’ seats is a small cubby with a single cup-holder and storage tray. Ambient lighting brightens up the cabin, with different colours depending on driving mode you choose.
Pricing and availability
The Honda Super-N is expected to go on sale in the UK from July 2026, with a starting price of under £20,000.
That sums up all we kow about the Super-N so far. More details, including a more comprehensive list of trim specifications and exact UK pricing, are sure to follow in the coming weeks as we get closer to the city car’s official arrival. Has this tiny Honda piqued your interest? Check back soon!
Make and model: BYD Seal U DM-i all-wheel drive Design Description: Mid-sized plug-in hybrid SUV Price range: £34,995 to £39,995
Summary: The BYD Seal U has strong equipment, a seamless hybrid system and a competitive price – but the ride and steering let it down.
For a broader ownership picture, see our BYD Seal U Expert Rating, which combines media reviews, safety data, reliability, running costs and warranty cover.
BYD has been one of the fastest-growing car brands in the UK over the last couple of years, and the Seal U DM-i is its attempt to crack the family SUV market with a plug-in hybrid rather than a pure electric model. The idea is straightforward: offer the fuel efficiency and electric driving of a plug-in hybrid at a price that undercuts established European rivals, and back it up with a generous equipment list.
The Seal U DM-i is available in three trim levels – Boost, Comfort and Design – with the Boost and Comfort models using front-wheel drive, and the top-spec Design adding all-wheel drive. The car we drove was the Design, priced at just under £40K.
At just under £40K, the Design trim is well equipped as standard. The headline items include a large rotatable touchscreen, a head-up display, wireless phone charging for two devices simultaneously, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats with massage function, a ten-speaker audio system, and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technology. Vehicle-to-load capability – which lets you power external devices from the car’s battery – is also standard, which is a genuinely useful feature at this price.
The six-year manufacturer warranty is competitive, and the eight-year battery warranty provides additional reassurance for plug-in hybrid buyers concerned about long-term running costs.
The BYD Seal U DM-i has a clean, unfussy exterior design – conventional enough to blend into any supermarket car park, which for a family SUV is probably exactly the point.
Inside the car
The most immediately striking feature of the Seal U’s interior is the 16-inch central touchscreen – and not always for the right reasons. It’s genuinely large, to the point where reaching the far side of the screen from the driver’s seat requires an awkward stretch. Content on the driver’s side edge is partially obscured by your hand and the steering wheel when the screen is in landscape mode. The screen can also rotate 90 degrees into portrait mode, which feels more like a party trick than a practical feature – Apple CarPlay isn’t available in portrait mode, which means most drivers will rarely use it that way. Portrait mode also leaves a lot of unused space on the screen, suggesting the software hasn’t been fully optimised for that orientation.
On our car, the screen appeared darker than expected in CarPlay mode. This may have been a settings issue rather than a fault with the car, but we couldn’t fix it over the course of a week.
Away from the screen, the rest of the cabin is more positive. There are enough physical controls for key functions – including a proper volume knob, which is increasingly rare – and the gear selector is in its conventional position rather than relocated to somewhere unusual. It’s an attractive clear crystal-look design that suits the interior well. The twin wireless charging pads in the centre console are well positioned and kept phones in place throughout the drive without the disconnection issues that plague some rival systems.
The cabin design has a generic contemporary feel that will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in a modern SUV, but it’s done competently. The art deco-inspired air vents and speaker covers give it a distinctive touch without veering into the more eccentric design choices found in some other BYD models. The colour palette is almost entirely monochromatic, but enough variation in materials and finishes prevents the interior from feeling oppressive.
The large panoramic sunroof makes a meaningful difference to the cabin atmosphere when open, flooding the interior with light and making it feel noticeably more spacious. The ambient lighting system, which supposedly pulses in time with music, is less successful – it’s distracting in use and actively disruptive if you’re listening to a podcast, where the strobing effect is particularly noticeable.
Front seat comfort is good, with well-shaped and well-supported seats that should cope well on longer journeys. The rear seat is less impressive – it’s an almost entirely flat bench, which lacks the contouring that makes extended rear passenger journeys comfortable. Rear legroom and headroom are decent, and the flat floor between the rear seats is a genuine practical advantage for the middle passenger. Two USB-C charging ports in the back of the centre console are a thoughtful addition.
The boot is modest for a car of this size at 425 litres – noticeably shorter than some rivals, which limits its practicality for bulkier loads.
Inside the BYD Seal U DM-i, the rotatable touchscreen dominates the cabin – too large to use comfortably from the driver’s seat, and the portrait mode adds little in practice.
Driving range and charging
The Seal U DM-i Design has a claimed electric-only range of 43 miles, which is enough for most daily commutes without touching the petrol engine. The combined range on a full tank and full charge is claimed at just under 500 miles, which should provide an ideal combination of electric power for short day-to-day trips and petrol power for longer journeys.
Charging the 18kWh battery takes around two and a half hours from a home wallbox, or 35 minutes for a 30-80% top-up at a public fast charger. The maximum public charging speed of 18kW is lower than some rivals – a reflection of the relatively small battery rather than a significant practical drawback for most users.
As with most plug-in hybrids, the cost equation only works out truly favourably if you can charge the car at home, allowing you to maximise electric running. If the majority of your driving is longer journeys or requires public charging, you won’t be getting any significant benefit from the EV side of the equation.
On the road
The Seal U’s plug-in hybrid system is one of its strengths. The transition between electric and petrol power is seamless in everyday driving, and most drivers would struggle to identify the exact moment the engine becomes involved. Left to its own devices, the car will manage the balance between electric and petrol power for best use. At lower speeds, the electric mode dominates and is highly efficient at urban driving. At higher speeds, the petrol engine will take over – even if the battery is still full of charge – as it’s more efficient for running at motorway speeds than the battery.
Performance is more than adequate for typical family use – the all-wheel drive Design model has enough power to feel confident in most situations without being fast in any meaningful sense. There are other hybrid SUVs with better performance, but in a week of driving the Seal U, we never felt that it needed any more power.
The steering, however, is very light and almost entirely devoid of feedback. Many family SUVs share this trait, but the Seal U is at the more extreme end – there’s very little sense of connection between turning the wheel and what’s happening with the front wheels, which can feel unsettling on less familiar roads.
The ride is the most significant shortcoming. The car bounces awkwardly between bumps rather than absorbing them smoothly, and wallows noticeably through longer curves. On a UK road network that includes significant stretches of poor-quality tarmac, this is more than a minor irritation. The overall driving experience is underwhelming for a car at this price.
The BYD Seal U DM-i on the road, where its seamless hybrid powertrain impresses but its ride quality disappoints.
Ownership
The BYD Seal U was awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP in 2024, with strong scores across all four categories: 90% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 83% for vulnerable road users and 77% for safety assistance technology. That’s a strong safety result and one of the better performances in its class.
The warranty is equally competitive – six years of new car warranty as standard, with eight years on the battery and electric motor. For buyers with concerns about the long-term costs of owning a Chinese-brand plug-in hybrid, that’s a meaningful reassurance.
The review score reflects the driving experience. Our BYD Seal U Expert Rating tells a broader story, combining the subjective opinions of car reviews with objective safety data, running costs, warranty information and more – which means the Expert Rating often arrives at a notably different conclusion. It’s worth reading both before making any buying decision.
Verdict
The BYD Seal U has genuine strengths. The equipment list is comprehensive, the plug-in hybrid system works smoothly, the warranty is generous and the price is competitive against European rivals. For buyers who prioritise running costs, range flexibility and standard equipment, it makes a reasonable case for itself.
But the driving experience falls short of what the price should deliver. The ride quality is disappointing, the steering offers little confidence, and the oversized touchscreen creates more frustration than it resolves. Several rivals offer a more polished overall package at a similar price, and buyers would be wise to cross-shop carefully before committing.
Nissan has bolstered its small Juke SUV/crossover range with a new trim grade, called the ‘Pulse Edition‘, with unique styling and additional equipment.
The Juke remains one of the longest-running models in the small SUV segment, with this current generation on sale since 2019. Competing for sales against other popular compact family haulers like the Ford Puma and Volvo XC40, the Nissan Juke has been a consistent top-ten best-seller in the UK for a couple of years now.
This is likely to be the last minor tweak to the current Juke line-up before Nissan introduces an all-new Juke model
What is the Juke Pulse Edition?
The Pulse Edition is based on the existing mid-level ‘N-Connecta’ trim but adds a number of design and equipment upgrades.
Externally, it features:
A new ‘Ocean Deep’ paint colour
A black roof and mirror caps
19-inch alloy wheels with coloured inserts
A roof graphic design unique to this version
Inside, the changes are mostly cosmetic, including:
Dark blue trim across the dashboard and doors
Synthetic leather upholstery
Ambient lighting
Technology and features
The Pulse Edition adds several features over the standard N-Connecta model, including:
A Bose sound system with 10 speakers
A surround-view parking camera
Built-in navigation
Wireless phone charging
Nissan’s driver assistance systems are also included as standard, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping features.
Engines
The Pulse Edition is available with the same engines as the standard Juke:
1.6-litre petrol mild-hybrid – combines a petrol engine 48V of mild-hybrid assistance, producing 143hp
1.0-litre petrol – produces 114hp, with a choice of manual or automatic gearbox
Pricing and availability
The Nissan Juke ‘Pulse Edition’ is on sale now in the UK, with prices starting from just under £28k.
The Nissan Juke currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 67%. It scores top marks for its low average CO2 emissions, while running costs are low and it has a good safety rating. However, its media review scores and its reliability record are poor.
Now in its third generation, the Jeep Compass is offered with electric power for the first time.
Measuring 4.5 metres in length, it competes with the Tesla Model Y, Skoda Enyaq, Kia EV5, and Volkswagen ID.4. Unlike those rivals, the Compass is not only available in fully electric form, but also as a petrol model with mild hybrid assistance.
We drove the all-electric First Edition model, which had a dual-pane sunroof and was fitted with the optional Convenience Pack and Premium Pack. More on those options later.
Price and equipment
A starting price of £34k gets you an entry-level Altitude trim Compass with the 1.2-litre petrol engine, which Jeep claims is good for around 50mpg. The electric variant starts from £37k, while the range-topping First Edition lands at £39k. The car I drove cost more than £45K after factoring in the additional options.
There’s only one free colour across the range: Hawaii Green, which I liked but might not be to everyone’s taste. Want another colour? That’ll be £800, please.
Still, Jeep’s thrown in quite a fair bit of tech as standard, including a ten-inch digital instrument display, a 16-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, USB-A and C charging, an electrochromic rear-view mirror, front and rear parking sensors, and Level 2 autonomous driving. Annoyingly, a heat pump to improve cold-weather driving range and battery preconditioning is an extra £850. This should really be standard on every EV in 2026.
Stepping up to the First Edition adds the heat pump, along with increasing the alloy wheel size from 19 to 20 inches, and adds keyless entry, a heated windshield, wireless phone charging and more advanced ambient lighting. If you want a heads-up display, you’ll still need to spend £1,500 for the advanced driving pack. Ventilated and massaging seats and a premium audio system are available as another pack at another £1,500.
The new Jeep Compass Electric brings a distinctive, rugged look to the electric SUV segment – and the optional Hawaii green is one of the more striking colour choices available on any family car right now
Inside the car
The Compass’s interior is typically Jeep: rugged and tough. Ambience isn’t its strong point, but the driving position is spot on, even for tall drivers. There are also plenty of grab handles throughout the cabin if you were to come across uneven terrain – not that most owners are likely to tackle much more than the occasional dirt road.
The touchscreen system is shared across several Stellantis brands, including Peugeot, Vauxhall and Citroën, and can be a little slow at times, but it’s not overly complicated to use.
There’s a smattering of physical switches for key functions to minimise touchscreen faffing, and all cars get a terrain control system to optimise the systems for different surfaces.
The new Compass is slightly larger and longer than the last one, which has improved rear head and legroom. Opting for the panoramic roof will reduce headroom slightly, but you’ll struggle to notice unless you’re very tall.
The boot offers a good 550 litres of space, and while there’s no frunk (storage compartment under the front bonnet), it does have deep underfloor storage in the boot – ideal for stashing charging cables.
Inside the Jeep Compass Electric, the cabin is tough and practical rather than plush – but the driving position is excellent and physical controls keep touchscreen faffing to a minimum
Driving range and charging
Jeep claims the Altitude will return up to 304 miles on a fully charged 74kWh battery, putting it behind the Enyaq’s 360 miles and the Kia EV5’s 329 miles. However, it beats the VW ID.4 Pure Essential’s 224 miles. Opt for the First Edition, and you’ll see a slightly lower 290-mile range.
If more is needed, you can wait until later in the year for the larger 97kWh battery, which should return around 375 miles.
All cars get standard home charging as standard, with a faster (22kW) home charging option available if required, though it’s worth noting that many homes can’t support the higher speeds. Charging the smaller battery from empty to full via a typical 7kW home wallbox will take just under 12 hours. The Compass also supports charging up to 160kW at suitable public charging stations, meaning a 10-80% charge will take around half an hour.
On the road
As with most electric cars, the Jeep Compass has more than enough power for everyday use. For now, all cars are front-wheel drive only, but a four-wheel-drive performance variant will follow at some point.
Nevertheless, the standard car felt fizzy enough on windier tarmac, although I wouldn’t go as far as calling it exciting.
Our launch event took us through the Cotswolds countryside, where the Compass Electric felt most at home at cruising speeds. Its turning circle is spot on for an SUV of this size, and there’s plenty of visibility from the lofty driving position. Bumps and harsh lumps are well damped, although there was some notable motor whine and wind noise at speed.
It also features adjustable levels of regenerative braking, which is adjusted via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, and there’s a one-pedal drive switch on the dashboard.
We never got to test its off-road ability, but most family car owners don’t take their SUVs further off the tarmac than a summer campsite anyway, so there’s not too much to worry about.
The Jeep Compass Electric on the road, where it’s at its most convincing – composed, easy to drive and well suited to everyday family use
Ownership
The Jeep Compass Electric received a four-star safety rating from independent crash testers Euro NCAP in late 2025, with particularly strong scores for child occupant protection at 85% and adult occupant protection at 80%. The safety assist technology score of 66% is the weakest of the four categories, reflecting some limitations in the car’s pedestrian detection system and driver monitoring.
The warranty is less reassuring. The standard new car warranty runs for only three years or 36,000 miles – one of the shorter and more mileage-restricted packages available in the UK at this price. The battery warranty is more competitive at eight years or 100,000 miles, which is broadly in line with the rest of the industry.
The review score reflects the driving experience. Our Jeep Compass Electric Expert Rating tells a broader story, combining the subjective opinions of car reviews with objective safety data, running costs, warranty information and more – which means the Expert Rating often arrives at a notably different conclusion. It’s worth reading both before making any buying decision.
Verdict
The Jeep Compass Electric is a good-looking car – we particularly liked the bright green colour, although you probably won’t see too many customer cars ordered in that shade. It also feels good on the road, offers plenty of space inside, is competitively priced, is easy to drive, and comes with lots of standard equipment.
While it’s a massive improvement over its predecessor, however, the Compass still falls short of some other family electric SUVs that are vying for your money. The cabin is less appealing than several alternatives, while the noise at motorway speeds was also more than we’d like. It’s still quieter than a petrol or diesel SUV, but not as hushed as you feel in other similar cars.
If you like the look and overall features of the Jeep Compass Electric, it will serve you well. But with more than 30 brands offering electric SUVs of a similar size and/or price range, we’d still suggest you look at what else is on offer before committing.
We like:
Rugged, distinctive design stands out from the crowd of increasingly similar electric SUVs
Driving offers good visibility and comfortable seating, even for taller drivers
Easy to drive
Good head and legroom
We don’t like:
Motor whine and wind noise at motorway speeds
Cabin materials feel a step behind the best in class – functional rather than premium
Optional extras quickly drive the price up
Not as refined overall as the best alternatives at a similar price
Looking for a new compact family-friendly runaround? There’s plenty of buyer choice in the small car category, including several new budget electric cars that have arrived on UK roads in the last 12 months. But which cars have stand-out safety credentials?
Car safety features will always be an important factor when choosing your next family car, as strong safety credentials provide peace of mind and protection in the event of an accident.
Small cars aren’t traditionally associated with strong safety, with many car buyers simply assuming that “bigger is better”. Thankfully, that attitude is changing as car brands now tend to fit their smallest models with on-board safety systems that even the most expensive luxury cars didn’t have a decade or so ago.
The organisation we consult to find out a car’s safety credentials in the UK is Euro NCAP, which independently tests new cars in every aspect of vehicle safety, over and above the bare minimum legal requirements. Though it may take a few months or years after the car’s official arrival, the organisation’s goal is to assess the safety of all new mainstream cars. Euro NCAP rates each car in four areas: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection (mainly cyclists and pedestrians) and safety assistance technology (accident avoidance and mitigation). The car is then given an overall star rating out of five.
A handful of new small cars are put through their paces by Euro NCAP each year, some faring better than others. For example, the compact Dacia Spring EV arrived in 2025 but only has a one-star safety rating.
Also missing from this list are the highly regarded Renault 4 and Renault 5 models, which have been awarded four stars out of five. Our top five picks below, which include both petrol and electric models, have all been awarded a full five-star rating.
Euro NCAP regularly updates its test standards to reflect ongoing technology developments. Because of this, we’ve only included models assessed over the past three years, as a five-star model assessed in 2022 might not necessarily be a five-star car today.
Here at The Car Expert, we firmly believe that safety is a core component of any new car. Our unique Expert Rating Index includes the full Euro NCAP results for all cars tested and keeps them up to date, as well as incorporating these safety credentials into the car’s overall score.
Five of the safest new small cars
All of our picks below are fitted with features to both help prevent collisions and protect occupants if a crash can’t be avoided. These include autonomous emergency braking, software to detect driver fatigue and a system to notify emergency services when a crash happens.
Keep in mind that, while older models on this list tested at an earlier date may have higher scores across the categories, five-star safety credentials are tougher to achieve in 2026 as Euro NCAP toughens its assessment scoring year-on-year.
Small car
Year tested
Adult occupant protection
Child occupant protection
Vulnerable road user protection
Safety assistance technology
Mini Cooper
2025
83%
82%
81%
77%
Skoda Elroq
2025
90%
87%
77%
78%
MG 4 Urban
2026
87%
85%
85%
80%
BYD Dolphin
2024
89%
87%
85%
79%
BYD Dolphin Surf
2025
82%
86%
76%
77%
Source: Euro NCAP
Mini Cooper
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Let’s kick things off with the only petrol-powered option on this five-car list – the Mini Cooper. Euro NCAP hasn’t tested many pure petrol small cars in the last couple of years, simply because car brands usually launch electric models in this size category these days. Nevertheless, the fourth-generation Mini has stand-out safety credentials, particularly when compared to petrol-powered rivals like the MG 3, Citroën C3 and Toyota Yaris, which have also been crash tested in the last three years.
The Mini Cooper was awarded five-star safety credentials by Euro NCAP in September 2025, with strong scores across all four categories. The car demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in multiple crash scenarios and has an ‘active bonnet’ system that lifts the bonnet in a collision to reduce injury to a pedestrian.
The Mini Cooper currently holds a New CarExpert Rating of A in our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, with a score of 71%.
Would you be interested in an all-electric Mini instead? There is a battery-powered version of this supermini – the Mini Cooper Electric – which also has impressive safety credentials. Built on newer foundations than this petrol-powered version, the Cooper Electric actually achieved higher Euro NCAP safety scores in the adult occupant and child occupant crash safety categories, while featuring the same suite of safety assistance tech.
Yes, we are crossing into small SUV territory here, but if you are on the lookout for a family car with stellar safety credentials and a smart and spacious interior full of clever and practical features, the Skoda Elroq more than earns its place on this list.
Winner of The Car Expert’sCar of the Year title for 2026, the Elroq holds the highest adult and child occupant crash safety scores of any car on this list.
The Skoda Elroq currently holds a New CarExpert Rating of A with a score of 81% in our Expert Rating Index, which puts it near the top of the small SUV segment.
The newest model on this list, the MG 4 Urban serves as a cheaper and more compact alternative to the award-winning MG 4 hatchback, and it passed its Euro NCAP tests with flying colours in February – highlighted for its impressive driver and passenger protection in the event of a collision.
This new addition to the small car market also boasts the (joint) highest vulnerable road users score amongst its peers, meaning that it provides the best protection for pedestrians and cyclists in the even of a crash.
While the electric car has already been put through its paces by Euro NCAP, we are waiting for further reviews and running cost estimations for the hatchback before we give the MG 4 Urban a full-fat Expert Rating score. Considering its five-star safety credentials and positive initial reviewer reception, it’s likely that the MG will land a solid overall rating in the months ahead.
The all-electric BYD Dolphin was assessed by Euro NCAP back in October 2023, and despite the rather polarising name, it is a stand-out choice for safety-conscious family car buyers.
The Dolphin has the (joint) highest child occupant protection and vulnerable road user protection (pedestrians and cyclists) scores of any car on this list, and it performed well in the adult protection and safety tech categories too.
The BYD Dolphin currently holds a New CarExpert Rating of A with a score of 76%, which puts it towards the very top end of the small car category in our Expert Rating Index.
We’ve mentioned the Dolphin – now on to its newer city car cousin. While they share a similar name, the smaller Dolphin Surf is an entirely different car built with navigating tight city streets in mind, rather than ferrying a family of four around town.
While the Dolphin Surf doesn’t particularly stand out in any of Euro NCAP’s test categories when compared to other options on this list, it is the only pint-sized city car on the market with a valid five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, far surpassing similarly sized models like the Fiat 500 Electric.
The model also has a slightly higher child occupant protection score than the larger MG 4 Urban, which is impressive when you consider that the BYD is roughly 30 centimetres shorter than the MG.
The BYD Dolphin Surf currently holds a New CarExpert Rating of A with a score of 71% in our Expert Rating Index – a commendable score that puts it towards the top of the small car segment.
Not interested in making the all-electric switch just yet? Beyond the Mini Cooper, there are still plenty of petrol-powered superminis you can buy new today, but haven’t been safety tested in the last three years. Nevertheless, all the car’s listed below have been awarded full five-star safety ratings by Euro NCAP, all of which are still valid.
Toyota has announced UK details for its new sixth-generation RAV4 SUV, which will become available to order in May ahead of first deliveries expected in June.
The newest competitor joining the very crowded mid-sized SUV category to challenge the sales of established UK favourites like the Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan, this new RAV4 replaces the outgoing fifth-generation range which had bee on sale since 2018.
The new model range brings changes to powertrain, technology and interior design, while retaining a similar size and target audience, being aimed at Briitsh buyers looking for a spacious family car and capable off-roader.
Plug-in hybrid only
A plug-in hybrid model option joined the previous RAV4 line-up in 2021, which was available alongside the lead-in petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. Now moving into the new sixth-generation, the RAV4 will now only be offered as a plug-in hybrid in the UK, with Toyota quoting up to 85 miles of electric-only driving range.
That puts the RAV4 at the very top end of the current plug-in hybrid SUV class. Close rivals like the Kia Sportage PHEV manage around 43 miles without re-charging, while premium alternatives such as the Lexus NX plug-in hybrid offer roughly 37 miles of electric driving.
The previous-generation RAV4 PHEV was already considered strong in this area, with an official range of about 46 miles, which was higher than many competitors when it first arrived in 2021. Most plug-in hybrids in this segment still tend to sit in the 30- to 50-mile range, particularly once real-world conditions are taken into account.
The new RAV4 is built on the same ‘TNGA-K’ foundations as the outgoing version, but in an updated form with increased structural rigidity and revised suspension mounting points. Toyota says this is intended to improve ride comfort, handling and refinement compared with the previous model.
Design updates
Visually, the new model adopts a revised front-end design with new lighting signatures and a more angular look, bringing it closer in line with Toyota’s newer models.
Compared with the fifth-generation RAV4, the overall size and proportions are largely unchanged, but the styling is updated rather than completely redesigned.
A sportier range-topping ‘GR Sport’ version is also now part of the line-up from launch, adding sportier styling and chassis tuning.
Toyota RAV4Toyota RAV4 ‘GR Sport’
Interior and technology
Inside, the RAV4 receives a more significant update. All models feature a new infotainment system with a 13-inch touchscreen, along with updated digital displays and connectivity features.
The sixth-generation model also introduces Toyota’s newer software platform and updated safety systems, including the latest Toyota ‘Safety Sense’ functions delivered via over-the-air updates.
Pricing and availability
The new Toyota RAV4 will be available to order from May, with first UK deliveries expected from June 2026. Pricing starts from just south of £44k.
Make and model: Vauxhall Astra Electric Sports Tourer Ultimate Description: Mid-sized electric estate Price range: £29,995 to £33,995
Summary: The updated Vauxhall Astra Electric is a comfortable, quiet and well-priced family car – and Vauxhall’s clever pricing strategy makes it the obvious choice over the petrol and hybrid alternatives.
For a broader ownership picture, see our Vauxhall Astra Electric Expert Rating, which combines media reviews, safety data, reliability, running costs and warranty cover.
Vauxhall Astra Electric review 2026 – first drive | The Car Expert
The Vauxhall Astra has been around long enough that most people have a rough idea what to expect from it: a sensible, mid-sized family car that doesn’t do anything particularly wrong.
That reputation has been a double-edged sword for Vauxhall over the years – reliable but rarely exciting, which is fine until the market starts moving and you need to give people a reason to pay attention.
The freshly updated Astra gives them one, and it’s not the styling changes or the new colours, welcome as those are. It’s the pricing. Every version of the updated Astra – electric, plug-in hybrid or mild hybrid, hatchback or estate – costs the same at each trim level. Griffin starts at £29,995 regardless of what’s under the bonnet or how many doors it has. The car I drove was the top-spec Ultimate version of the electric Sports Tourer (Vauxhall-speak for estate), and it costs £34K – exactly the same as a mild hybrid hatchback version.
The headline pricing is one thing, but Vauxhall has gone further for electric buyers specifically. Every electric Astra comes with eight years of roadside assistance, £500 of credit towards a home charging unit or public charging account, and access to 10,000 miles of free home charging if you switch to Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Go tariff. Taken together, it’s a comprehensive package that further enhances the numbers in favour of going electric.
The Griffin models are priced at £30K and get heated front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and adaptive cruise control as standard.
The mid-range GS at £31.5K adds twin ten-inch displays over the entry-level Griffin’s single screen, as well as ergonomic seats and dual-zone climate control.
At £34K, the Ultimate gets the full equipment list: advanced adaptive LED headlights, heated and ventilated front seats with massage function, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, keyless entry and a power tailgate on the estate.
The updated Astra range gets a sharper front end and some attractive new wheel designs – a light refresh for one of Britain’s best-known family cars
Inside the car
The seats deserve a mention before anything else. Vauxhall developed them in conjunction with a German organisation that independently certifies ergonomic seating, and the result is one of the more comfortable front seats you’ll find in a car at this price. Long motorway journeys feel easy rather than merely tolerable, and there’s a massage function on the Ultimate models as well.
The steering wheel is pleasingly normal – circular, comfortable to hold, with no quirky spokes or unusual shapes. With car designers increasingly favouring theatrical steering wheel designs that look space-age but are not actually that comfortable to use, that’s more of a compliment than it might sound.
The rest of the cabin is a little less impressive. The layout is functional rather than inspiring; the materials feel a step below what you’d find in a Kia at a similar price, though maybe better than a Toyota; and the overall effect is a cabin that does the job without particularly delighting you. The dark grey tones throughout don’t help – the bolder exterior colours available on the updated Astra don’t carry through to the cabin in any meaningful way.
The infotainment system is the most significant frustration. Menus are not intuitive, the steps to reach basic functions aren’t clear, and the navigation voice speaks slowly enough to be annoying when you’re approaching a junction and need a prompt instruction. We spent a reasonable amount of time attempting to find the massage seat function and managed to disable the navigation in the process.
In fairness, plenty of other brands have equally poor systems – and most drivers will spend the majority of their time in Apple CarPlay or Android Auto rather than the native software anyway. This was a European launch event drive with the navigation pre-programmed, which meant we couldn’t use those alternatives, so the system’s limitations were more exposed than they would be in normal use.
The Vauxhall Astra Electric’s cabin is functional rather than flashy, but the front seats are among the most comfortable in the class – and that counts for more on a long journey than any amount of premium trim
Driving range and charging
Vauxhall claims up to 281 miles from the updated battery on the hatchback, or 276 miles on the estate. As this was a launch drive on Croatian roads rather than a longer UK test, real-world range under typical British conditions can’t be confirmed here – but the battery is large enough that daily charging shouldn’t be necessary for most households.
The car offers three levels of regenerative braking, adjustable via paddles on the steering wheel, plus a one-pedal driving mode. Switching between the Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes affects the predicted range by around 5% at each step – a useful illustration of how much difference driving style makes to real-world efficiency.
Public fast charging is supported at up to 100kW, which is reasonable for a family car at this price, though some rivals charge faster. It’s good enough for a 20-80% top-up in around half an hour.
On the road
The electric Astra is impressively quiet. After driving the DS Nº8 a few days earlier, which had a significant tyre noise problem on its optional larger wheels, the Astra’s refinement was immediately apparent. Motorway cruising is hushed and relaxed, and the car feels composed and fairly responsive through twistier sections of road.
The launch drive took place in Croatia, where the road surfaces were considerably better than most UK roads, so it’s difficult to draw firm conclusions about ride quality on the potholed and patched surfaces that British drivers deal with daily. What I can say is that on smooth roads, the ride is comfortable and well-controlled, and the standard 18-inch wheels fitted to our car didn’t introduce any harshness.
The Intelli-Lux HD headlights are a genuine highlight. On a brief night drive on dark rural roads, they were excellent – bright, adaptive, and notably good at managing the reflective glare from road signs that plagues many high-powered LED headlights now common on new cars. Worth having if you do any significant night driving.
The Vauxhall Astra Electric Sports Tourer on the road, where its quiet, refined character makes a strong case for choosing the electric version over the petrol and hybrid alternatives
Verdict
The updated Vauxhall Astra Electric is a genuinely good family car at a price that’s hard to argue with. The seats are among the most comfortable in the class, the electric version is impressively quiet, the headlights are excellent and the pricing strategy makes the electric model the obvious choice for most buyers rather than an expensive upgrade. At £33,995 for the top-spec electric estate, it represents real value.
The infotainment system lets it down, and the interior lacks the quality feel of the best rivals at this price. But neither of those is unusual at this level, and they don’t undermine the car’s core appeal. For a family looking for a well-priced, comfortable and practical electric car, the Astra Electric Sports Tourer is a serious option.
You’ve prepared your car, written a strong advert and set a realistic price. Now it’s time to turn interest into a successful sale — while avoiding common pitfalls and scams.
Respond promptly to enquiries while your advert is live. Buyers often contact several sellers at once, so quick, helpful replies can make the difference between selling your car and losing out.
If you’re using an auction platform like eBay, be available as the listing ends to handle last-minute questions. Be open, polite and professional — treating the process like customer service will help build trust and give you a better sense of who you’re dealing with.
Arranging a viewing
Most buyers will want to see the car in person and take it for a test drive — this is entirely normal. Be cautious of anyone willing to buy immediately without viewing, as this can be a red flag.
Before arranging a meeting:
Get the buyer’s contact details (at least a mobile number)
Confirm they can legally drive the car
For a test drive, the buyer must:
Bring a valid driving licence
Provide proof they’re insured to drive your car (often included in comprehensive policies)
If they’re not covered, they can arrange short-term insurance — many providers offer hourly cover specifically for test drives.
Safety tips:
Always meet at your home, not a location suggested by the buyer
Have a friend or family member present if possible
Keep control of the situation at all times
Our Expert Partner Auto Trader produces a free safety checklist which is available to all visitors to its site.
Make sure all the paperwork is at hand to view; the crucial bit of paper is the logbook, called the V5C, which proves you are the owner. This should be two sheets of A4 folded, with none of the tear-off sections missing. Showing a paper MOT certificate no longer applies as they went online from January 2021. Also find any paper service records and bills.
The inspection and test drive
Before any viewing, make sure your car is presentable and ready:
Clean it inside and out
Remove personal belongings
Check tyres, lights and fluid levels
Make sure the car starts without issue. If it hasn’t been used regularly, check the battery.
Fuel or charge:
Petrol/diesel: enough fuel for a test drive
Electric: ideally fully charged so buyers can see the range
Buyers may bring someone with them — this is common and not a concern in itself.
During the test drive:
Always check insurance before handing over the keys
Always accompany the driver
Never leave the buyer alone with the car
In a private sale (as opposed to a dealer), a test drive isn’t a case of ‘see if you like it’ but more to check for any faults.
In all cases, never leave a potential buyer alone with the vehicle or give them the keys. If you have a keyless fob, keep hold of it at all times, even on a test drive.
Negotiating and agreeing a sale
Most buyers will expect to negotiate, so decide in advance the lowest price you’re willing to accept.
The best way to avoid disputes is transparency:
Be honest about any faults in your advert
Include clear, detailed photos (inside and out)
As we explained in this earlier feature, the more photos in your advert the better. Auto Trader allows up to 100 photos in all its price packages – you definitely don’t want that many, but make sure you cover all of the key aspects both inside and outside the car.
If you’re not comfortable with an offer or the buyer, you can walk away. There’s no obligation to sell unless payment has been made — especially with classified ads.
For auction platforms like eBay, rules may differ — once a sale is agreed, you may be committed, so always use the platform’s payment system for protection.
Payment
The safest and simplest payment method is a bank transfer.
Use Faster Payments where possible (usually instant or within a few hours)
Only share your account name, sort code and account number
Never share your PIN or banking login details
Do not release the car until the money is fully cleared in your account.
Be cautious with:
Cheques or banker’s drafts (can be cancelled or fraudulent)
Buyers who rush or pressure you to hand over the car early
We generally advise against accepting large cash payments:
Risk of counterfeit notes
Personal safety concerns
Difficulty proving legitimacy
If you do accept cash:
Complete the transaction at your bank
Have staff verify and deposit the money immediately
Common scams to watch out for
Most private sales are straightforward, but scams do happen. Be alert to these common tactics:
“Vehicle matching” scam
A fraudster claims they already have a buyer and asks for an upfront fee to arrange the sale. The sale never happens, and your fee is lost.
Overpayment scam
A buyer sends more money than agreed and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment later turns out to be fraudulent, leaving you out of pocket.
Distraction tactics
Two people attend a viewing — one distracts you while the other tampers with the car (for example, the “dirty oil” trick to fake engine problems).
General warning signs
Buyer refuses to view the car
Overly eager to pay immediately
Requests unusual payment methods
Asks for personal or financial information
Remember:
Only deal directly with the buyer
Never release the car or documents before payment clears
Don’t allow anyone to photograph sensitive paperwork
Collection day
Once payment has cleared, then you can hand over the car to the buyer. Find the second set of keys if applicable, charging cable for an EV, owner’s handbook and locking wheel nut key there is one.
Cut out the blank green part 6 ‘new keeper’ slip from the logbook (V5C) to give to the buyer and you keep the rest. Selling to a private person, you then fill in the green part 2 for which you need their full name and address, and you send it off.
You can also tell the DVLA online when you no longer own a vehicle, or when you buy a vehicle as its registered keeper. When a car transfers ownership sold, you can cancel your tax and get a refund for any whole unused months and the new owner taxes the car afresh.
Not sure it’s worth the hassle?
Many private car sales take place every day where everybody ends up happy, but if having read this you decide that maybe it’s not for you this time round, you’re certainly not alone.
Selling privately can get you a better price, but it does take time and effort — and not everyone wants the inconvenience.
That’s why many sellers choose car buying services instead. They’re quicker and easier, although you’ll usually receive a slightly lower price.
It’s always worth getting a quote — you might be surprised at the offer.
Chinese car brands are continuing to reshape the UK new car market, with another storming set of registrations in the all-important month of March.
According to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this morning, the UK new car market grew 7% year-on-year in March. But the bigger story is that continued growth from Chinese giants BYD and Chery Group (Chery, Jaecoo and Omoda) now accounts for more than the market’s overall growth, meaning established brands are losing ground.
Two years ago, BYD was only just launching its first cars in the UK and Chery Group did not yet exist here at all. Now, their combined year-to-date registrations are ahead of Volkswagen, the UK’s biggest single brand and traditionally the dominant force in the UK market.
Their growth is also greater than that of the market overall, meaning they are taking thousands of sales away from other brands rather than simply adding to total registrations. March was the clearest example yet of how this is changing the market.
While March 2026 was the best March of this decade so far, it was still well short of the pre-pandemic years of 2017 to 2019. The last few years have suggested that car buyers are no longer as interested in the traditional new number-plate frenzy as they once were.
Private sales continue to drive growth
Continuing a consistent pattern from the last six months or so, overall market growth was led by private new car sales rather than fleet registrations. While fleets still accounted for 55% of all new cars registered in March, their market share slipped from 57% a year ago.
This largely reflects fleet acquisitions plateauing after two years of solid post-Covid growth, which in turn followed a two-year period where fleet numbers fell sharply during the pandemic.
Private sales grew by 10%, comfortably ahead of the overall market growth of 7%, but these numbers are still well down on pre-pandemic levels when private buyers used to outnumber fleets in March.
Source: SMMT
EVs and plug-in hybrids growing, with more to come?
Both electric cars and plug-in hybrids posted strong growth in March. Battery-electric cars were up 24%, while plug-in hybrids surged by 47%.
That meant electrified vehicles – battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and conventional hybrid models combined – accounted for more than half the market in March, while petrol and diesel registrations both declined.
EVs still need sustained growth this year if manufacturers are to stay on track with government-mandated sales targets, so March was a better month for the industry. However, given the recent spike in petrol prices following the conflict in the Middle East, many may have been expecting a more dramatic showing.
Because of supply chain timings, any real increase in demand caused by higher fuel prices is likely to feed through more clearly into the April and May results, with March only providing an early glimpse. Indications from within the industry are that EV demand has increased dramatically, with strong growth in orders being taken. However, it will take a month or two for those cars to arrive and be registered.
Plug-in hybrids have now been enjoying a renaissance for the last 12 to 18 months, led largely by BYD, Chery Group and MG. With the latest generation of plug-in hybrids capable of around 50 miles of electric driving, they allow many households to do most day-to-day journeys on battery power while keeping a petrol engine in reserve for longer trips.
Source: SMMT
Good month, bad month
March was another strong month for the leading Chinese brands, with BYD, Jaecoo and Omoda all posting huge gains. The pressure they are applying to the market is broad-based, but it is most severe among mainstream volume brands.
On top of this, we also have new brands who weren’t around 12 months ago and therefore are not included in the above, such as Changan, Chery and Geely. Jaguar is also still missing in action as the company retools for its EV relaunch later this year.
Jaecoo recorded the largest absolute growth, adding more than 10,000 cars compared to last March, which is not surprising given that the brand had only just launched a year earlier. Going in the other direction, Ford had the biggest drop, losing almost 4,500 units compared to last March and sliding back after a stronger performance over the last six months.
Jaecoo 7 tops the charts
If you need a clear example of the Chinese grip tightening on the UK car market, the Jaecoo 7 is it. With more than 10,000 registrations in March, the mid-sized SUV was comfortably the UK’s best-selling car in the most important month of the year. That is especially significant in a month when private registrations outpaced fleet growth, suggesting this is not simply a fleet-driven story.
Source: SMMT
The Jaecoo 7 topping the charts also fits with the broader plug-in hybrid growth story. Along with the MG HS, it shows how quickly Chinese and Chinese-linked brands are moving into the mainstream of the UK market rather than remaining niche players on the edge of it.
Legacy best-sellers like the Ford Puma, Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Vauxhall Corsa are still performing strongly, but they are increasingly having to share space with newer entrants that barely existed in the market a year or two ago.
March confirms that Chinese brands are no longer a niche addition to the UK market. They are now a structural force within it, and established brands are being squeezed as a result.
