Chery has confirmed UK pricing and specifications for the Tiggo 4 ‘CSH‘, a new petrol-electric hybrid compact SUV that will serve as an entry point to the brand’s line-up.
The compact family car is scheduled to arrive in this Summer and will be offered with a single hybrid powertrain and two trim level choices.
Hybrid powertrain
The Tiggo 4 ‘CSH’ uses Chery’s latest petrol-electric hybrid system, combining a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, a 2kWh battery and a dedicated hybrid automatic transmission.
Total system output is quoted at 204hp. Unlike a plug-in hybrid, the system does not support external charging and instead relies on regenerative braking and the petrol engine to maintain battery charge.
This setup places it alongside other hybrid crossovers such as the Toyota Yaris Cross and Renault Captur E-Tech, although the Chery offers higher quoted power output than most direct rivals in the B-SUV segment.
How big is it?
The Tiggo 4 sits in the ‘B-segment’ SUV class, making it one of the smaller models in Chery’s range. Its size is comparable to UK best-sellers like the Nissan Juke and Ford Puma.
Chery says the car is designed to balance compact exterior dimensions with practicality. Boot capacity is up to 1,155 litres with the rear seats folded, and it uses a five-seat layout.
What’s it like inside?
Inside, the Tiggo 4 features a dual-screen layout on the dashboard, with two 12-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard, along with a voice control system activated by the “Hello Chery” command. Keyless entry and remote start are also standard across the range.
Higher-spec ‘Summit’ models add features such as cooled wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera system and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
Trim levels
Two trims will be available:
‘Aspire’ – includes fabric upholstery, heated door mirrors, electric windows and a rear-view camera
‘Summit’ – adds eco-leather upholstery, a 360-degree camera, electric driver’s seat adjustment and privacy glass
Both versions share the same powertrain and core tech features. The crossover comes with a seven-airbag setup and a range of driver assistance systems. These include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot detection, lane departure warning and rear collision warning.
Pricing and availability
The Chery Tiggo 4 ‘CSH’ is priced from just south of £20k for the ‘Aspire’ trim and just under £22k for the ‘Summit’. Pre-orders are now open, with first UK deliveries expected in the Summer.
From a funny-looking, underpowered, rear-engined car to one of the biggest manufacturers in the world, the story of Volkswagen – German for ‘people’s car’ – is unlike any other in the car industry.
Take a deep breath… Founded by the Nazis as the pet project of Adolf Hitler. Largely bombed into oblivion during the second world war. Resurrected by a British army major when no other car company wanted it. Exploded into international popularity on the back of the hippie wave. Acquired a range of other car companies to become one of the world’s most powerful industrial organisations. Nearly bought out by Porsche in a family scuffle, responded by acquiring Porsche instead. Embroiled in a global emissions cheating scandal. Now one of the car companies leading the global shift to electric vehicles.
The story of Volkswagen could fill not just a book but a bookshelf. We have a selection of the highlights and lowlights here.
Volkswagen’s origin story is one of the darkest in automotive industry. As part of the Nazi economic expansion programme in Germany in the 1930s, Adolf Hitler sought to create a locally-built car that every German family could afford. He gave the job of designing such a car to a man who would become his good friend and designer of many German wartime machines, Ferdinand Porsche (who started his own sports car company after the war).
Porsche’s design – some say stolen from a Czech designer – was a car powered by a small air-cooled engine mounted in the back rather than in front, and with a beetle-shaped body designed to compensate for its lack of engine power with smooth aerodynamics.
What would become Volkswagen came into being with a state-owned factory (and accompanying town) that opened in 1937. The first prototype car appeared the following year, but the factory was switched over to making military vehicles – mostly designed by Porsche – for the looming war before production of the little car could even begin.
As well as being responsible for producing a huge amount of war material, the factory and its war machines were largely built by slave labour from nearby concentration camps. Allied bombing decimated the facility, and it was ultimately captured by American forces as the war drew to a close.
After the war, the plant was occupied by British forces and Major Ivan Hirst was put in charge of resurrecting production of the passenger car. The patched-up factory was soon producing 1,000 cars a month but the business was generally considered worthless. It was offered for sale to almost every car company in the world, but they all passed. Ford was even offered the company for free but turned it down.
Instead, Volkswagen was developed as a company owned by the new West German government – the Type 1 (universally known as, but never officially called, the Beetle) was its first car, but the Type 2 commercial vehicle became equally iconic in camper form as a symbol of the 1960s.
Volkswagen Type 1Volkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 1 would go on to become one of the most popular cars in history, remaining in production for more than 60 years and with more than 21 million cars built.
In the second half of the 20th century, Volkswagen built up a reputation for quality that was the envy of its rivals. By the mid 1970s, however, the company was struggling to replace its very old models and sales suffered. Volkswagen’s next generation of cars drew heavily from its first brand acquisitions – two German companies called NSU and Auto Union (which consisted of four further brands, including Audi). These would generally be far more conventional than the quirky originals.
First came the Passat in 1973, followed by the Golf in 1974 and the Polo in 1975. Beetle production continued alongside the new models in Germany until 1978, although it continued in Brazil until 2003.
The Golf, Polo and Passat have formed the core of the VW range ever since. The Golf is now in its eighth generation and is one of the three most popular cars in the world, with more than 35 million sold.
By the end of the 20th century, Volkswagen was a massive global automotive group with four core brands (VW, Audi, SEAT and Skoda). It subsequently added Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and motorcycle maker Ducati to the list, and also created SEAT spin-off Cupra. An American-focused budget brand called Scout is also on the way in the second half of this decade.
During the 2000s, among a series of legal actions by the EU against Volkswagen’s ownership laws in Germany (it’s a long story), sibling company Porsche rather audaciously tried to buy the much larger Volkswagen. However, Porsche’s enormous debt made it vulnerable to a takeover itself and Volkswagen ended up buying a controlling stake of its smaller sibling instead. It was officially described as a merger, but ultimately Volkswagen ended up in control.
Volkswagen was caught in a major scandal that spread around the world in 2015 when US authorities discovered that the company had installed software to deactivate legally required emissions systems in some of its diesel cars. It quickly emerged that millions of Volkswagens, as well as cars from Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Porsche, contained various versions of the software.
Millions of vehicle recalls followed, along with prosecutions and compensation payments in various countries (although not much in the UK, as our laws are weak). Other car companies have subsequently been charged with emissions equipment tampering, but not on the scale of Volkswagen. It was also discovered that the company had, through a third party research company, experimented on monkeys and then humans in diesel fume inhalation tests.
The company showed little public remorse for its actions for a long time, although eventually began a management clear-out and a shift in direction away from diesel.
As part of efforts to rehabilitate its public image, Volkswagen announced a massive investment in electric vehicles with a new line of vehicles carrying the ‘ID’ branding. So far, this has resulted in five models (ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7 and ID. Buzz) with more to come among 10 new models the brand says it will launch by 2028.
What models does Volkswagen have and what else is coming?
Volkswagen today has one of the most extensive line-ups on the UK market, with more than 20 models to choose from. The core remains three names that have been around since the 1970s, the Polo supermini, the Golf family hatch which remains one of the best-known cars on the market, and the Passat large car – the last is a remarkable survivor, VW ignoring the virtual demise of the larger car market to launch a new model in 2024 with plug-in hybrid options.
The rise of the SUV has certainly been exploited by Volkswagen, with a range of models whose names all start with the letter ‘T’. The first was the Touareg, a large model launched in 2002 – now in its third generation, the current model is set to be last, VW intending to drop it in 2027. It is the only mainstream VW model that does not have a New Car Expert Rating of ‘A’ or ‘B’ in The Car Expert’s industry-leading Expert Rating index, its ‘E’ score earned for its poor reliability, high emissions and running costs, and poor warranty.
Volkswagen followed the Touareg with a host of further SUVs across the entire size range. In ascending size order, the T-Cross, Taigo, and Tiguan remain while the T-Roc, which formerly sat between Taigo and Tiguan, was dropped in 2025 ahead of an all-new model set to arrive in 2026. Also in 2025, the Tayron arrived as a five or-seven-seater which will replace the Touareg as largest SUV in the VW line-up.
If you prefer MPVs, Volkswagen can offer you the Golf-based Touran, the Multivan, and the electric ID. Buzz – with styling that directly recalls the original Type 2 of the 1950s. There is also a camper van, the latest California, launched in 2025 and based on the Multivan.
‘ID.’ is the moniker used by Volkswagen across its bespoke EV models. The Golf-sized ID.3 was Volkswagen’s first purpose-built electric car, going on UK sale in 2020. It was followed a year later by a crossover version dubbed the ID.4 and then a coupe-SUV version called the ID.5. The most recent EV model is the ID.7, which is effectively an electric Passat.
After all that, we haven’t even mentioned Volkswagen’s van range…
As well as the second-generation T-Roc, Volkswagen plans to start integrating its combustion-engined and electric models by moving away from numbers for its EVs. A new small electric car that was going to be called the ID.2 will now carry an ID. Polo badge, while there will also be a higher-riding off-road themed version called the ID. Cross X and pitched as an electric alternative to the T-Cross.
In similar vein a major update of the ID.4 is likely to include renaming it the ID. Tiguan, while slightly more surprising is the revamped version of the pioneer VW EV being branded as the ID.3 Neo – the same was a code used during the car’s development.
We also expect to see a new small EV from VW, possibly in 2027. It likely won’t now be known as the ID.1 – a concept version was dubbed the ID. Every1 but the production model may be called the ID. Up as per VW’s previous small car. And an ID. Golf is also reportedly in development.
Current Volkswagen range on our Expert Rating Index
You’re never too far from a Volkswagen dealership in the UK. With some major rivals such as Ford reducing their outlets in recent years, VW now has one of the most prolific networks on the market, with more than 250 dealerships spread across the UK.
What makes Volkswagen different to the rest?
Even the Dieselgate scandal has failed to seriously dent Volkswagen’s long-held reputation as a mainstream manufacturer of higher quality than rivals such as Ford, Toyota or Vauxhall.
For decades, highly-rated TV advertising emphasised this image, with one of the company’s most memorable tag lines being “If only everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen”. Even today, the brand still jealously guards an image of quality.
A Volkswagen fact to impress your friends
What will you get if you order part number 199 398 500 A from your local Volkswagen dealer? The surprising answer is a sausage – Volkswagen makes and sells more of them than it does cars.
Volkswagen began producing food for its workers as soon as its factory first opened in the 1930s, as the location was then very remote. The currywurst sausage has been produced since 1973, and in that time has attracted much critical acclaim – in 2019, seven million were made.
The bratwurst sausage is cut into bite-sized chunks and seasoned with a spicy ketchup sauce (also listed as a VW part), while a vegetarian version of the sausage is also available. In Germany, the sausages are given to customers, and sold in local supermarkets and football stadiums.
Summary
Few car manufacturers have anything like the heft of Volkswagen. The German manufacturer has weathered its controversial beginnings and more recent scandals, and today the VW badge on the front of a car remains an object of some desire.
The Toyota Aygo X (pronounced ‘Aygo Cross’) is a crossover city car that challenges compact supermini rivals like the Fiat 500 and Hyundai i10.This is the newest petrol-electric hybrid version, which is now the only variant of the Aygo X you can buy new in the UK.
While Toyota defines this change to an updated hybrid model as a facelift and not a standalone model, we have decided to give the Aygo X Hybrid its own Expert Rating page due to the vastly different driving experience, and because the pre-facelift petrol-powered Aygo X is no longer on sale.
Now available to order in the UK, the Aygo X Hybrid has been given a warm reception by the British motoring media, with a collection of review scores that are greatly improved over the petrol Aygo X.
“The Toyota Aygo X now feels like it has the engine should have been available from the start”, says Car’s Ted Welford. “It’s considerably faster but also much more efficient.”
Likewise, the Top Gear team calls the car’s fuel economy “incredible”, and “positively rapid” when compared to the Aygo X, also praising the city car’s “nimble” steering and brakes. That said, they also criticise the car’s automatic gearbox, the lack of a manual option, and the price premium that comes with the car’s hybrid powertrain.
As of April 2026, the Toyota Aygo X Hybrid holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 72%.
Body style: Small city car Engines:petrol-electric hybrid Price:From £21,695
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 petrol/electric powertrain has transformed the Toyota Aygo X Hybrid into almost a completely different car from the original – and woefully underpowered – Aygo X. This is now a proper city car that can keep up with the cut and thrust of commuter traffic while still returning excellent fuel economy, and it’s even fun to drive.”
Model reviewed: Excel
Score: 7.8 / 10
The Car Expert
Stuart Masson
“Compact, charismatic and curiously potent, we think there’s lots to love about the Toyota Aygo X Hybrid.”
Score: 8 / 10 “Toyota’s cute little Aygo X gets a welcome electrified boost with an all-new hybrid engine.” Author: Dan Trentr Read review
Car
Score: 8 / 10 “The Toyota Aygo X now feels like it has the engine should have been available from the start. It’s a significant improvement over the tired and slow 1.0-litre, and the fact it’s considerably faster but also much more efficient is a true best of both worlds. Even if it does mean it now needs to cost a lot more, at least by city car standards.” Author: Ted Welford Read review
Carwow
Score: 9 / 10 “A highly efficient hybrid engine, chunky looks and fun driving experience make the Toyota Aygo X a charming city car, but you can buy a bigger car for the same price.” Author: Mario Christou Read review
Parkers
Score: 8 / 10 “The hybrid system represents a significant improvement to the way it drives, not just in terms of its performance but also its all-round driving manners. The fuel economy is also terrific, and paired with Toyota’s long warranty and famed reliability, this should prove to be a very hassle-free and affordable car to run.” Author: Ted Welford Read review
The Telegraph
Score: 8 / 10 “Maybe you can live with the cramped rear quarters and small boot; maybe you just want an easy-going urban runaround. If so, the good news is that Toyota hasn’t forgotten about you. Indeed, it has spent much time and effort making a car with you in mind – and making sure it’s more than just a pretty face.” Author: Alex RObbins Read review
Top Gear
Score: 6 / 10 “It rides and steers well enough, although the new hybrid engine is gruff when you put your foot down and the CVT ‘auto’ is truly, eye-wateringly awful. No manual now either.” 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 Toyota Aygo X Hybrid 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
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Hybrid models
72 mpg
A
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Hybrid models
87 g/km
A
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
18
A
The Toyota Aygo X Hybrid should be a very cheap car to run, according to key data currently available on the car.
We don’t yet have servicing and maintenance costs, so check beck 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 Toyota Aygo X Hybrid 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 Aygo X Hybrid, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
Overall rating
C
50%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Toyota’s standard new car warranty is essentially the bare minimum offered by car manufacturers in the UK, and worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the Aygo X.
The duration is three years, with a limit of 60,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, this hybrid version has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Toyota does offer the opportunity to extend the new car warranty out to ten years, but only if you have the car serviced by an official Toyota dealership.
Warranty on a used Toyota Aygo X Hybrid
If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Toyota Aygo X from an official Toyota dealership, you will get a minimum one-year warranty included.
If you are buying a used Toyota Aygo X 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 Toyota Aygo X 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.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Toyota Aygo X Hybrid
As of April 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Toyota Aygo X Hybrid. 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 Toyota dealer.
The field of petrol-powered city cars is much smaller than a few years ago – petrol-powered rivals have been dropped for bigger alternatives, and if the do come in this size, they are now usually all-electric. The Aygo X Hybrid doesn’t have many key rivals to contend with, the closest competitors being the Fiat 500 which has also been hybridised.
Cupra has announced updates to its all-electric Tavascan coupé-SUV, including a new entry-level variant, revised interior technology and additional features.
This is the Tavascan’s first mid-life update since its UK launch in Autumn 2024, as Cupra aims to keep the family car competitive with similarly-sized newcomers like the MG S6 EV, Citroën ë-C5 Aircross and BYD Sealion 7, as well as recently-updated alternatives like the Skoda Enyaq.
New entry-level version added
The main change is the introduction of a new lower-powered variant, which sits below the existing models in the line-up.
This version uses a 190hp electric motor paired with a 58kWh battery. Cupra quotes a range of around 270 miles from full charge and a 10% to 80% rapid charging time of approximately 28 minutes.
It joins the existing Tavascan range, which includes:
A 286hp model with a 77kWh battery
A 340hp dual-motor ‘VZ’ version, also using a 77kWh battery
The addition of the smaller battery and lower output brings the Tavascan more in line with other electric SUVs that offer multiple battery options, such as the Volkswagen ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq.
On-board tech updates
The updated Tavascan introduces changes to the in-car technology and controls.
A new ten-inch digital instrument display replaces features behind the steering wheel, while the infotainment system now runs on Android Automotive OS. This allows access to apps via a built-in app store, similar to systems used by Volvo and Polestar.
Cupra has also added physical buttons to the steering wheel, moving away from touch-sensitive controls used in some Volkswagen Group models.
Other tweaks and additons
New digital access features have been introduced, including the ability to use a smartphone as a key. Owners can share access with other users, while functions such as automatic locking and unlocking based on proximity are also included.
The Tavascan also gains vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing it to supply power to external devices using the car’s battery. This feature is increasingly common in electric vehicles, with similar functionality offered by models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
Cupra has also added or updated several driving-related features. Launch Control is available on versions with the larger 77kWh battery, enabling maximum acceleration from a standstill. One-pedal driving is also included, allowing the car to slow down and stop using regenerative braking when the driver lifts off the accelerator.
Further updates include:
A revised climate control system that can pre-condition the cabin before entry
An updated sound system developed with Sennheiser
A new exterior colour option, Midnight Black
When is the update arriving?
Production of the updated Cupra Tavascan is due to begin in the coming weeks, with the first customer deliveries expected in the latter part of the third quarter of 2026.
What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of Volvo? Chances are, it will be “safety”. The Swedish brand has built a long and enviable reputation for producing some of the safest cars in the world, which continues today.
From its very beginning, almost 100 years ago, safety was Volvo’s number one priority. Its most famous innovation is the three-point seatbelt, introduced in 1959 and claimed by the company to have saved more than a million lives around the world over the last 65 years.
Today, Volvo combines its expertise in safety with high standards of quality and technology, making it a credible rival to the German luxury carmakers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Volvo is a brand currently trying to be the most technologically savvy in the market and, unsurprisingly, a leading player in the transition to electrification.
A very Swedish brand, despite being Chinese-owned since 2010, Volvo enjoys a brand reputation that makes it the envy of many rivals.
So who or what is Volvo?
At the time of writing, Volvo is just one year shy of its centenary anniversary. Founded in Sweden in 1927, the car company had safety as its guiding principle from the start, and it’s a mantra the company has never moved away from. The name Volvo comes from the Latin, meaning ‘I roll’. This is because the original intention had been to create a new type of ball bearing but those plans never came to pass.
The first Volvo car was followed within a year by the first Volvo truck, the start of a truck and bus division that immediately became more profitable and important than its cars, especially as it was not until the launch of a small car called the PV444 in 1944 that Volvo really took off as a car manufacturer. It quickly became Volvo’s best seller, especially in North America, and led to the company opening a new factory in Canada.
However, by the 1970s, Volvo was struggling against a wave of new Japanese brands, particularly in the United States. The company decided that it could only survive by merging with a larger car manufacturer. After a failed attempt to join with fellow Swedish car manufacturer Saab, the Volvo Car Corporation was separated from the rest of the company in 1978. It worked closely with Renault for more than 15 years until a planned merger in 1994 was rejected by the board and shareholders, and the partnership ended.
Volvo Group management then decided that commercial vehicles were the future and looked to offload the struggling car division altogether. In 1999, Ford paid more than $6 billion for the Volvo Car Corporation and placed the Swedish brand in its ‘Premier Automotive Group’ alongside Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover.
Ford made the most of its asset – Volvo technology was used by the other three Premier brands and in Ford cars. But the division faced mounting losses, and Jaguar and Land Rover were sold to Indian giant Tata in 2008. Ford was loath to lose Volvo, however, and repositioned the brand with a more upmarket image to take on the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Typical of this new breed of Volvo was the first XC60 crossover, which was an immediate success and continues on sale in its second generation today.
2008 Volvo XC602025 Volvo XC60
Despite the sale of Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin to boost cash reserves back in America, Ford’s troubles deepened in the great financial crisis of the late 2000s. Fears for the future of Volvo increased and pleas to ensure the brand’s survival were even made to the Swedish government. Volkswagen was touted as a suitor, but the successful bidder proved to be Chinese giant Geely, and a $1.8 billion deal was signed in 2010.
Geely proved an excellent fit for Volvo. Technical advancements, such as new vehicle platforms and more efficient petrol and diesel engines, helped to establish quality alongside the company’s long-standing reputation for safety. In 2015, the brand hit half a million annual sales for the first time. In recent years, Geely has also become the second-largest shareholder in Volvo Group, the parent company that sold off Volvo Cars to Ford, so in a way the car company has come home under its Chinese owners…
It is perhaps no surprise for a car manufacturer from Scandinavia (where the switch to electric has progressed much faster than elsewhere) and owned by the Chinese (who are amassing a considerable lead in developing new EV technology), Volvo has made large strides towards EV adoption. It dropped its traditional saloons and estates to focus on SUVs, and announced that they would all be fully electric by 2030.
Recently, however, this ambition has been scaled back slightly as the growth in EV demand has slowed and fierce competition has increased the number of options in the market. Some of the estates are now back on sale, and the brand is now saying that by 2030 it intends at least 90% of its sales to be ‘electrified’ – meaning both full EVs and hybrids. The end goal is still a purely EV line-up, but it has probably been delayed by five years.
Volvo also steered a different direction for three years following the appointment of former Dyson executive Jim Rowan as CEO in 2022. He made no secret of his aim to turn the brand into effectively a software company that makes cars, but this also brought technical issues and inevitable delays to new models which led to falling share prices. Following Rowan’s surprise resignation in 2025 Volvo turned to Håkan Samuelsson as an interim boss – his appointment widely seen as ‘steadying the ship’ as he led the company for 10 years between 2012 and 2022.
What models does Volvo have and what else is coming?
Once known for its large saloons and particularly estates, Volvo has moved away from such cars – the S60 and S90 saloons were both dropped in 2023 while their estate siblings, the V60 and V90, were also cut but then reinstated a year later, when Volvo decided the estate market was not dying after all. They now sit in a showroom otherwise dominated by SUVs. The current nine-strong model line-up also includes four electric vehicles.
The V60 and V90 estates are unlikely to be around for much longer, despite having their fans and both being regarded as quality premium products. The V60 receives consistent praise for its general quality of design and comfort levels and earns a New Car Expert Rating of B in The Car Expert’s Expert Rating analysis. It cannot match the rival BMW 3 Series Touring for its handling, but this is an area in which BMW excels.
It’s a similar story with the Volvo V90 – much-praised design, quality and comfort but if you want the best drive go for the BMW 5 Series Touring. Today, the Volvo earns a New Car Expert Rating of C – its safety specification now regarded as only average.
In recent years the core Volvo range has been the three SUVs, going up in size through XC40, XC60 and XC90. With the Swedish brand having committed to selling only electric vehicles by 2030, all were thought to be coming towards the end of their lives.
However, Volvo has indicated that it could keep these three around a while longer. The XC90 recently underwent a major update, inspired by the electric EX90 that was supposed to replace it. But it only earns an New Car Expert Rating of D, marked down for high running costs and average ratings for its CO2 emissions and safety specification.
The three fossil fuel SUVs were formerly sold with plug-in and mild-hybrid drivetrains but the XC40 is now only available with the latter. The XC60 is considered the best of the trio with a New Car Expert Rating of B. And with the general slowing of the electric switchover Volvo has indicated that all three are set to be significantly updated, centring on new ‘Gen 2’ plug-in hybrid systems.
The flagship of the Volvo electric range the EX90 large SUV, launched in 2024 and offering seven seats. It’s earned good reviews from some testers though it has also been dubbed too large and heavy, and expensive. The Car Expert gives it a New Car Expert Rating ofA, an accolade shared with the smallest sibling the EX30.
The EX30 has particularly impressed, racking up a couple of Car of the Year titles from UK media but also being criticised for the lack of buttons in the cabin, with almost everything controlled through a central touchscreen. A more rugged version called the EX30 Cross Country joined the line-up in 2025.
The EX40 was the first fully electric Volvo, initially known as the XC40 Recharge, and is closely related to the Polestar 2 produced by Volvo’s sister brand. A coupé SUV version of this model is called the EC40 (initially called the C40) – this was the first Volvo model to launch only in electric form. While generally praised, it has been criticised for being notably more expensive than the mechanically identical EX40. Yet it also earns a New Car Expert Rating of A, the EX40 only managing a B.
Set to arrive in 2026 is the EX60, which as its name suggests is the electric version of the XC60 but described by Volvo as “a new beginning” with improvements in battery range, charging and performance. It has also been the first significant model launched since the company’s tilt towards more ‘software-defined vehicles’ and inevitably suffered glitches as a result – an issue that has also affected the new flagship large saloon, the ES90. Effectively replacing the S90 this car is designed to take on the likes of the BMW i5 and Audi A6 e-tron.
Where can I try a Volvo car?
Volvo is one of the manufacturers that has been evolving towards offering direct sales of its cars through its website, and has even extended this to used cars. Despite this, dealerships still form an essential part of the sales process, especially when it comes to offering test drives.
The brand has just over 100 retail outlets, reasonably well spread across the UK, so a prospective Volvo buyer should not have to drive too far to try one out.
What makes Volvo different to the rest?
Volvo has managed to change its 1970s reputation for tough but not particularly luxurious cars to become one of those makers that sits above other mainstream brands, with levels of quality and technology that makes them a credible rival to the ‘premium’ makers such as BMW and Audi. But the one quality that has stayed with this maker is its reputation for safety.
Volvos offered laminated glass windows way back in the 1940s. The company invented the three-point seatbelt, then opened up the patent to ensure all makers could fit them in their vehicles. Rear-facing child seats, side impact protection and side airbags, and blind-spot information are among a long list of safety features universally used today but first seen on a Volvo.
Despite routinely clocking up some of the highest scores in Euro NCAP crash tests, Volvo continues to heavily develop its safety package – the company has a stated aim of a future which produces “zero collisions”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj_WFwVOYn8
“A million more” – Volvo’s superb advertisement celebrating the value of the seat belt
A Volvo fact to impress your friends
Volvos have always been known to be robust vehicles, and nowhere is this more acutely demonstrated than in the manufacturer’s own High Mileage Club. When your car passes 150,000 miles you qualify for Bronze membership and a badge for your car celebrating the fact, 300,000 miles gets you Silver membership, and to hit Gold you just have to clock up 500,000 miles.
Top of the club as we write is the late Irv Gordon in the USA, who between buying his Volvo 1800S in 1966 and his death in 2018 completed 3.1 million miles in it.
Summary
The Volvo of today is a brand that offers much in all areas – its cars are built to high standards, are comfortable to travel in and perform well. Anyone who gets into a Volvo also knows they are travelling in one of the safest cars around, the quality that this maker values more than any other.
Additional reporting by Stuart Masson
This article was published in May 2025 and updated in March 2026
Mitsubishi has officially revealed UK details for the all-new Outlander PHEV, marking the return of a popular SUV nameplate and a brand that left the UK due to cost-saving measuressix years ago.
Arriving a few months from now, the latest Outlander aims to reassert Mitsubishi’s presence in a competitive and increasingly crowded field of plug-in hybrid family-friendly haulers like the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan.
Powertrain and performance
The new Outlander PHEV is powered by a 2.4-litre petrol engine working in tandem with two electric motors, one in the front and one in the back, giving it four-wheel drive as standard. Mitsubishi states a combined output of over 300hp and a total driving range of more than 500 miles without re-fueling and re-charging.
While full UK homologation figures are yet to be published, this setup broadly aligns it with other plug-in hybrid SUVs in the segment. For comparison, the Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid produces 302hp, while the Hyundai Santa Fe plug-in hybrid has 261hp.
Seating and practicality
A key change for this generation is the introduction of a seven-seat version for the UK market. The previous model was only available with five seats due to packaging constraints.
The new range will include:
‘Nativa’ – a seven-seat variant
‘Diamond’ – a five-seat model with higher specification
This brings the Outlander into closer alignment with other large plug-in hybrid SUVs such as the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV and Volvo XC90 Recharge, both of which offer three-row seating.
Plenty of strong competitors
When the original Outlander PHEV launched, it had relatively few direct competitors. The segment has since expanded, with alternatives now available from brands including Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Volvo and Lexus, as well as a host of similar options from Chinese newcomers like BYD, Chery, Jaecoo and Omoda.
As a result, the new Outlander enters a more competitive market where buyers have a wider choice of plug-in hybrid SUVs with similar performance and capability.
Pricing and availability
The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV will start from just south of £47k. Mitsubishi has opened registrations of interest ahead of first UK deliveries, which are expected in May 2026.
The Volvo ES90 is a large all-electric executive saloon that is now available to order in the UK, with the first orders arriving on UK roads in late 2026.
Built on the same foundations as the taller Volvo EX90 SUV, the ES90 is Volvo’s answer to the likes of the Audi A6 e-tron, BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE, and following the British motoring media’s first batch of test drives, reviewers largely agree that the flagship EV stacks up well against its rivals.
“The Volvo ES90 has Scandi-design sumptuousness to spare” says Electrifying.com’s Ginny Buckley, “and offers even more tech and value than its EX90 sibling”, praising the saloon for its “really impressive” tech suite and its “pretty good” battery range.
Largely in agreement, of Ellis Hyde of Auto Express concludes that the ES90 “has plenty of plus points, but the Polestar 4 does it it all and more for significantly less money”, arguing that the Polestar offers a “more modern-feeling and more practical interior” for around £10k less up front.
While the Volvo is now available to order in the UK and there are several reviews published on the model from British outlets, we are holding off on giving the ES90 a full-fat Expert Rating score just yet. Once reviewers get their hands on the model on UK roads and we have collected running cost data for the model, we will update this page with a score. Check back soon!
Score: 7 / 10 “Big, luxurious, fast and very clever, Volvo’s electric flagship is quite literally a lot of car.” Author: Dan Trent Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “With supreme refinement and a long-distance electric range, it ticks the two key boxes required for a car like this. Its rear space is also vast and, when combined with its plush material quality and generous equipment levels, in many ways feels more like a car from the class above.” Author: Ted Welford Read review
Electrifying.com
Score: 9 / 10 “The Volvo ES90 has Scandi-design sumptuousness to spare, and offers even more tech and value than its EX90 sibling.” Author: Ginny Buckley Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Regardless of how you want to categorise it, the Volvo ES90 is a very good premium EV. Elegant looks on the outside are complemented by a proper luxury car inside. It’s probably a bit too tech-heavy for our liking, but you can’t not be impressed.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6.8 / 10 “In many respects, the Volvo ES90 is an impressive electric car, offering buyers a sense of quality, calm and space that’s closer to luxury limos like the BMW i7 than its direct executive class rivals. But we’re disappointed by the over-reliance on the touchscreen and aren’t blow away by the driving experience.” Author: Ted Welford Read review
The Independent
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The ES90 is a stylish, super-quiet and very comfortable electric saloon that’s nicely equipped, brilliantly made and avoids the SUV clichés. It’s not quite perfect, but it feels like a grown-up car for a grown-up world.” Author: Steve Fowler Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Single Motor RWD Score: 8 / 10 “While it’s far more likely to be a car you ride in rather than drive, I rather enjoyed driving the Volvo ES90. It feels like one of those old-fashioned limos with a large capacity combustion engine that can cross continents in a day – although these days you’d need to factor in charging.” Author: Andrew English Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The ES90 is well conceived, and takes a whole host of the company’s core values and reimagines them for the EV world.” Author: Jason Barlow Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of March 2026, the Volvo ES90 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of March 2026, the Volvo ES90 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 ES90 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 March 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Volvo ES90. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volvo ES90 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 ES90, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Volvo ES90
Overall rating
C
50%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Volvo’s new car warranty is fairly average, and similar to what is offered by rival brands in a similar price bracket as the ES90.
The duration is three years, with a limit of 60,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, the car has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
As of March 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Volvo ES90. 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 Volvo dealer.
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The BMW i3 is a new electric family car, and is an electric version of the upcoming BMW 3 Series. It was revealed in March 2026 and is expected to hit UK roads by the end of the year.
Although it recycles the ‘i3’ name from BMW’s previous small electric car, this one is not a replacement for that model. This time around, the name follows BMW’s current EV naming convention – the i3 is an electric 3 Series, like the i5 is an electric 5 Series and the i7 is an electric 7 Series.
The i3 is the second model from BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ programme. It follows the iX3 SUV, which is now on sale in the UK. Neue Klasse is a name that BMW enthusiasts will be familiar with, as it refers to a BMW saloon range launched in the 1960s that was so influential that it influenced BMW’s design and engineering principles for the next 40 years. As the company moves into a more sustainable, EV-dominated, era in the 2020s, BMW has revived the name for its latest models.
UK pricing and specification have yet to be finalised. Like the new iX3, the first model to be launched will be the i3 50 xDrive, which is a high-end, 469hp all-wheel drive powertrain that offers both high performance and up to 560 miles of driving range (UK specification is yet to be finalised).
Inside, the i3 shares its cabin design with the new iX3, particularly the distinctive Panoramic iDrive display that stretches right across the width of the base of the windscreen.
Lower-priced models will join the line-up at a later date. Initially, the i3 will only be available as a saloon, but it was announced at the world premiere that an estate model will also be offered later this year.
We expect that the first media reviews will start to be published in late summer, with Euro NCAP safety data likely later in the year.
Body style: Medium-sized saloon and estate Engines:electric, battery-powered Price: TBA
Launched: Spring 2026 UK arrival: Autumn 2026
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media.
No media rating
As of March 2026, we don’t have any reviews of the upcoming next-generation iX3. We expect to see first reviews published in late summer, with first reviews on UK roads in late 2026.
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of March 2026, the BMW i3 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP. Production doesn’t start until August 2026, so we are unlikely to see Euro NCAP results until late this year at the earliest.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of March 2026, the BMW i3 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 i3 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 March 2026, we don’t have running cost data available for the BMW i3. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of February 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW i3 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 i3, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the BMW i3
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
While the BMW i3 hasn’t arrive yet, we can mention BMW’s new car warranty, which is better than average, and better than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the i3.
The duration is three years, with no limit on mileage. In addition to the standard new car warranty, this electric car has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
As of March 2026, the BMW i3 has yet to enter production so we don’t have any recall information. However, this information is updated regularly, so this may change once production begins.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BMW dealer.
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Having launched a range of electric vehicles in recent times, Kia has now returned to one of its most successful traditionally powered market segments with a replacement for the Ceed.
The K4 will sit alongside the EV4 to give buyers a choice of petrol or electric power, and will no doubt appeal to those who simply don’t want to follow the crowd and drive an SUV.
The hatch version of the K4 is arriving now, with an estate sister to follow before the end of 2026. We’re unlikely to see the saloon version that’s sold in other markets. Meanwhile, the Xceed crossover will continue to be sold as the sole remaining member of the Ceed line.
The K4 makes an immediate impression with sharp styling, and while one of the larger cars in its class, it has a low stance that aids the visual appearance.
The K4 is offered with three petrol engine choices and Kia’s standard three trim levels dubbed Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S. The 1.0-litre 115hp powerplant is available across all three trim levels and the only engine with the choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed auto gearboxes, though only Pure buyers can choose to go manual.
GT-Line buyers can choose a 1.6-litre engine with 150hp, with a significantly better 0-62mph time but at a cost of 6mpg in fuel economy, rated just shy of 44 mpg. On top-spec GT-Line S cars, the 1.6-litre engine has power bumped up to 180hp, with an 8.4-second 0-62mph time and fuel economy of 42 mpg.
Currently, only the 1.0-litre engine comes with mild hybrid assistance – regular hybrids are on the way, but there’s no indication yet as to whether the K4 will get a plug-in hybrid variant.
K4 prices start at a competitive £26K for the manual Pure, with an automatic gearbox adding an extra £1,500. The only real extra-cost option is the paint, with ‘Premium finishes’ adding £620. Standard equipment across the line-up includes such niceties as a three-screen dashboard layout with a 12-inch driver’s display and a central touchscreen, wireless smartphone connection, multiple USB-C ports in both the front and rear, automatic climate control, and a rear camera and parking sensors.
GT-Line variants cost £30K with the 1.0-litre engine and just over £31K with the 1.6-litre version. Additions include an increase in alloy wheel size from 16 to 17 inches, several styling tweaks, artificial leather upholstery, and heated front seats with the driver’s being electrically adjustable.
You’ll pay £34K for the top-level GT-Line S in 1.0-litre form, and just under £37K for the 180hp 1.6-litre variant. The extras include a tilt/slide sunroof, more stylish upholstery, vented front seats plus heating on the rears and the steering wheel, an eight-speaker upmarket sound system and wireless phone charging.
All of the usual electronic driver aids come as standard, though Pure grade cars do without an extra blind spot collision avoidance system (a camera view on the driver’s display) and the GT-Line S gets an extra forward collision avoidance system – as of March 2026, the Kia K4 is yet to be crash tested by Euro NCAP under new stricter protocols introduced this year.
Finally, all versions come with Kia’s still industry-topping seven-year/100,000-mile warranty with service intervals of one year/10,000 miles.
Inside the car
On getting into the K4, it scores even before considering the interior layout – it is bigger than both its Ceed predecessor, and the EV4, and so is roomy, especially in the rear seats, often a pinch point in this market. The boot space is excellent too, at least in the larger-engined models at 438 litres (rising to 1,217 with the rear seats folded). The mild hybrid drivetrain eats up some 110 litres.
The dash layout will be familiar to anyone who has checked out a recent Kia, with two 12-inch touchscreens in a large panel and separated by a third screen for the climate control. Thankfully, there are also proper buttons for the climate functions, as the screen sits rather awkwardly behind the steering wheel rim.
The central touchscreen displays all of the efficiency one has got used to in recent Kia models and such prowess is matched by the general fit and finish – there is still a fair amount of black plastic, but it’s all bolted together to a reasonable level of quality.
One oddity is the drive selector on the auto versions – it sits in the same position as the gear lever on manual models, but its huge proportions suddenly seem so last-generation in an era of using delicate stalks to select go.
On the road
The Car Expert’s initial test drives were in cars with the 1.0-litre powerplant – we will be conducting a review of the larger engines later. On paper, it appeals with official fuel economy not far shy of 50mpg and competitive emissions.
Taking 12 seconds to pass 60mph is, however, quite slow in today’s market, and the engine does not feel particularly eager even with a lot of revs. However, in general use, and especially negotiating busy urban roads, it’s reasonably refined.
We tried cars with both the six-speed manual gearbox and the seven-speed auto – the latter is fast becoming the norm in today’s world as doing your own gear shifting becomes a dying art, but the auto did disappoint, feeling indecisive, slow to react when accelerating away from a standstill.
In terms of its general road manners, the Kia comes up to the mark. It rides generally in comfort, with only the poorest road surfaces unsettling it. In corners the steering is highly precise, the car being as enjoyable to drive as it is practical.
Of course, you have to put up with the various driver alerts that are a feature of today’s cars, particularly the lane departure warning, but thankfully, this can easily be cancelled on the steering wheel without resorting to the touchscreen.
Verdict
Kia’s designers faced a big task replicating the success of the Ceed, and on the early evidence, they’ve met the brief. The K4 is a good-looking car, but more importantly, it ticks all of the important boxes for family transport – it’s well-built, comfortable, with loads of room and lots of equipment at a competitive price. It should do well.
We like:
• Good value pricing • Lots of room in back • General fit and finish • Sharp steering
We don’t like:
• Slow 1.0-litre engine • Indecisive auto gearbox • Hybrids not here yet, no news on plug-in hybrids • Mild hybrid cuts size of boot
We’ve been here before, many times. A conflict erupts in or around an oil-producing country, markets panic, and British drivers spend a few weeks wincing at vastly inflated petrol prices before things eventually settle down again. It’s been going on for 50-odd years, most recently when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and petrol almost hit £2 per litre.
Each time, drivers simply had to absorb the hit and carry on, largely because there was no realistic alternative. This time, that might finally be about to change.
Unleaded petrol is currently pushing towards 150p per litre, with diesel approaching 170p. Oil is getting close to $120 a barrel, and things very much look like they’re going to get worse before they start to get better. For a typical UK driver covering 8,000 miles a year, that already means around £200-£300 a year extra compared to January’s prices – and with prices still rising, those figures are likely to increase further before the crisis is resolved.
But the more significant question isn’t how high prices will go or how long the spike will last. It’s whether this crisis – unlike all those before it – arrives at a moment when enough buyers have a genuine, affordable alternative to simply putting up with it.
Four years has made a big difference
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, there were around 600,000 electric cars on UK roads. Charging was patchy, ranges were limited on affordable models, and the upfront cost premium remained a serious obstacle for most buyers. Switching was possible for some, but not straightforward for most households.
Just four years later, the picture is now substantially different. By the end of this year, there will be around two million electric cars on UK roads, with plenty of choice at every price point of the new car market. Monthly finance payments on some electric models are now comparable to or lower than their petrol counterparts. This has also really benefited used car buyers, with thousands more 1-5 year-old EVs coming onto the used car market every month.
Charging infrastructure has also expanded substantially, with about 120,000 public charging points across the UK, and a much greater proportion of the country now has access to public charging. There are more fast charging points, meaning less time stopped to recharge on long journeys.
For drivers with home charging – those with a driveway or garage who can plug in overnight – the economics are already stark. Home charging typically costs around 3-4p per mile, or roughly £250-300 for 8,000 miles a year. The same distance in a petrol car at current prices costs well over £1,800 – a difference of more than £1,500 annually, and it’s getting wider every time the oil price ticks upward.
For car buyers still nervous about switching, range anxiety is a real issue. But reality is usually quite different to perception. The average battery range on all new EVs on sale is about 280 miles in government lab tests, with plenty of new cars offering more than 300 miles and some now up to 500 miles. When you consider that the average household weekly mileage is about 120 miles, and 98% of all journeys in the UK are less than 50 miles, battery range and access to daily charging become less of a concern.
This won’t change everything overnight
The shift away from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles is inevitable, even if it’s not moving as quickly as previously expected. We are past the point of no return, and fossil fuels will be phased out over the next decade or so, even if there is a marginal stay of execution.
But the barriers to switching that remain are real, and it would be misleading to pretend otherwise. EV drivers without off-street parking can pay up to ten times more per unit of electricity than those charging at home, which eliminates most of the cost advantage. The public charging network, while much improved, still has significant gaps in reliability and availability in many parts of the country.
Electricity prices are not entirely immune to geopolitical events either – rising wholesale gas prices are already a factor in the current crisis. The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that sustained disruption could add a full percentage point to UK inflation this year, squeezing household budgets in ways that make any major purchase harder to justify, including a new car.
The Iran crisis won’t trigger a sudden mass shift to electric and plug-in hybrid cars. Most people don’t change their car because of a news event, and the majority of drivers aren’t in a position to change their car right now anyway.
But car buying decisions are shaped by a gradual process of experience and persuasion rather than a single moment of calculation, and every oil price spike reinforces the same message: petrol costs are inherently unpredictable in a way that electricity costs are not. Every new affordable electric model, every improvement to public charging, every driver who makes the switch and finds the reality less complicated than they feared, chips away at the reasons not to switch.
Most buyers today change their car when their current finance agreement ends. For those customers whose agreements are ending in the next few months, an increasing number will be thinking about whether now is the time to make the jump from fossil fuels to electricity. For some buyers sitting on the fence, this particular crisis will be the moment that tips their decision. Not a majority, maybe, but enough to matter. And every piece of research conducted in recent years shows that once drivers switch to an EV, very few switch back.
The tipping point that’s been 50 years in the making
Anyone buying a petrol car today is accepting that this will probably happen again – another conflict, another price spike, another few months of pain at the pump before things settle. It has happened repeatedly throughout most of our lifetimes, and there is no reason to believe it will stop this time.
For most of the last 50 years, this has simply been the reality of driving a car. But for most buyers of new or near-new cars, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore. An electric car, or maybe a plug-in hybrid, can cover the vast majority of household driving needs with real advantages, and the few remaining disadvantages are being reduced almost daily.
In many ways, the current war in Iran is simply the latest ugly conflict in the world’s most volatile oil-producing region. But it’s the first one that could genuinely shift the needle on how millions of people approach the question of what car to buy next.
The Volkswagen California is a large campervan available with a choice of petrol, diesel and plug-in-hybrid powertrains in the UK.
Described by Richard Ingram of Auto Express as “the king of the compact campers”, the California has been the go-to campervan choice in the UK since it first arrived on UK roads in 2003, and this latest ‘T7’ generation model is no different.
Heycar’s Phil Hall concludes that “it is pricey”, but that the VW is “the best all-round campervan going”, praising the California for its “plush” and well-designed interior.
Built on the same foundations as the brand’s Golf hatchback and Multivan people carrier, the California has also picked up widespread praise for its driving dynamics. Carwow’s Neil Briscoe says that the camper is “far comfier and more car-like” than prior iterations.
As of March 2026, the Volkswagen California holds a New Car Expert Rating of D,with a score of 56%. Beyond the car’s solid set of review scores, this overall rating is hindered by high predicted running costs.
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“In the cab, the California T7 is far comfier and more car-like than the van-based T6, and you no longer have to work around a big gear shifter nor a manual handbrake, as those controls are now just buttons on the dash. The infotainment system is mostly OK, but the touch-sensitive buttons for cabin temperature are infuriating.”
“The latest Volkswagen California isn’t tangibly better than before. The shorter kitchen isn’t as useful, and it reduces the amount of available storage in the cabin – all so you can have two sliding doors. Yet overall, the Cali remains the king of the compact campers, with loads of clever, considered features that just make it super easy to live with.”
Score: 8 / 10 “The latest Volkswagen California is a very impressive thing. The interior tweaks that take advantage of Multivan platform work overwhelmingly well, and intelligent packing will overcome the minor storage issues. It’s better to drive than the old T6, looks sleeker and feels more civilised to travel in.” Author: Graham King Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7.8 / 10 “The Volkswagen California successfully defends its title as the king of camping and feels more modern than before. It feels more car-like to drive than ever thanks to Volkswagen Golf underpinnings.” Author: Richard Ingram Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: California Ocean Score: 8 / 10 “The Volkswagen California Ocean Campervan is amazingly well-packaged. It can seat four or sleep four, and turn into a mini-living room with its own kitchen.” Author: Paul Clarke Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “There’s a reason why campsites are dominated by VW campers, and the latest T7 California looks set to continue that trend. It’s pricey, but it’s the best all-round campervan going.” Author: Phil Hall Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “It might not be perfect, but the latest Volkswagen California is a quality camper van that sets the standard by which all others are judged. We’re sure it will soon become an incredibly popular sight on a campsite near you.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9.2 / 10 “There are lots of clever features such as the drawer-style fridge, outdoor shower and living space touchscreen control panel. The beds are comfortable, it’s warm and cosy, there’s a decent amount of interior storage space. Being spun off from a car platform, it’s also much better to drive than its van-based predecessors.” Author: Graham King Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “A campervan designed by people who actually go camping. Space for four people to travel and sleep in proper comfort.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of March 2026, the Volkswagen California has not been assessed by Euro NCAP. That said, the campervan’s people carrier sister model – the Multivan – has been awarded a full five-star safety rating.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of March 2026, the Volkswagen California 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
Diesel models
35 mpg
D
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Diesel models
210 g/km
D
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
44
E
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£181
B
Year 2
£519
B
Year 3
£858
C
Year 4
£1,122
C
Year 5
£1,510
C
Overall
£4,190
C
The Volkswagen California is a relatively expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
We currently only have fuel economy data for diesel versions, which deliver 35mpg on average. There are many similarly sized large family ferriers that aren’t as thirsty, but campervans like the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo and Ford Transit Custom Nugget return similar fuel economy numbers.
With all of the extra on-board features and equipment that come with a campervan, as well as the rather expensive price tag, you perhaps won’t be surprised to hear that the California sits in one of the highest insurance premium brackets, too.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen California 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 California, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Volkswagen California
Overall rating
D
28%
Petrol or diesel models
E
15%
Electric or hybrid models
C
50%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Volkswagen’s new car warranty is worse than average, and worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the California.
The duration is three years, with a limit of 60,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, the California plug-in hybrid version has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Warranty on a used Volkswagen California
If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Volkswagen California from an official Volkswagen dealership, you will get a minimum one-year warranty included.
If you are buying a used Volkswagen California 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 Volkswagen California 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.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Volkswagen California
As of March 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Volkswagen California. 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 Volkswagen dealer.
BYD has announced pricing for its updated Atto 3 ‘Evo’ range, which gives the all-electric family SUV more power, a longer battery range and faster charging, along with a simpler range structure and a longer standard equipment list.
On sale in the UK since 2023, the Atto 3 was Chinese manufacturer BYD’s first foray into the British market, and it has expanded its range to include eight other model options since then.
The Atto 3 compete for buyer attention in the mid-size SUV category – perhaps the most crowded field of family car choices in the UK – and this mid-life update comes as BYD attempts to keep the Atto 3 competitive with the likes of the Skoda Enyaq, which has been updated since the Atto 3’s arrival, and highly-regarded newcomers like the Renault Scenic E-Tech and Ford Explorer.
First off, front-wheel drive iterations of the SUV are no more. The updated ‘Evo’ range consists of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive model options, and BYD has updated the suspension system too.
There are just two versions of the Atto 3 ‘Evo’, both powered by a larger 75kWh battery. Built on the latest 800V architecture, the SUV charges at speeds up to 220kW using a DC rapid charging station, with a 10% to 80% top-up taking around 25 minutes.
The rear-wheel-drive ‘Design’ is powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 313hp, enough for a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds and an official single-charge travel distance of 317 miles.
The all-wheel-drive ‘Excellence’ adds another electric motor to the front axle, boosting the power output up to 449hp, and cutting the 0-62mph sprint time down to 3.9 seconds. Faster acceleration means less battery range in this case however, with this top-spec model able to muster up to 292 miles of travel without recharging.
Inside, BYD has decided to move of the gear selector from the centre console to the steering column, and the manufacturer has made some revisions to the car’s nine-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
The car’s 16-inch central infotainment touchscreen – which BYD boasts is the biggest infotainment system in the mid-size SUV class – now has integrated Google functions such as Google Maps, Google Play Store for a range of car-optimised applications, and Google Assistant. The car also has AI-powered voice assistant tech.
UK pricing will start from £39k for the ‘Design’, rising to around £43k for the ‘Excellence’. Customers will be able to configure and order the revised Atto 3 from 2nd April.
The BYD Atto 3 currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 74%. It scores top marks for its excellent safety rating and zero tailpipe emissions, although media reviews have been less complimentary.
The MG S9 – or MGS9 PHEV – is a seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV and the largest offering in the MG UK range at the time of its arrival in Spring 2026.
Joining a growing large plug-in hybrid category that already includes the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-80, as well as keenly-priced Chinese newcomers like the Omoda 9 and Chery Tiggo 9, the MG S9 is both longer and taller than the brand’s HS SUV.
“Space in the rear seats, which is the main reason you’d choose it over the HS, isn’t particularly great”, says Alastair Crooks of Auto Express, however adding that the SUV represents “extraordinary value for money.”
While the large SUV is set to arrive in British showrooms imminently, only a select few in the British motoring media has got behind the wheel of the S9 at the time of writing. That means we have no Expert Rating score to display at the moment.
We will update this page with more information and reviews, as well as safety and running cost data, as soon as those are available. Check back soon!
Body style: Large SUV Engines:petrol plug-in hybrid Price:From £34,205
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. Reviews are rather sparse in number at the moment, but that is sure to change in the coming weeks.
Featured reviews
“The MGS9 is extraordinary value for money and will appeal to anyone looking to ferry kids around while not breaking the bank on running costs. It comes with a few annoying quirks that spoil the experience.”
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “MG has manoeuvred itself into a nice little corner of the market – more dependable than some of its upstart rival Chinese carmakers but plenty cheaper than the likes of Hyundai and Kia who made their name doing a similar sort of thing.” Author: Sam Burnett 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 March 2026, the MG S9 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 March 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the MG S9. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the MG S9 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 S9, we’ll publish the results here.
As of March 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the MG S9. 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 MG dealer.
The Toyota C-HR+ is an upcoming mid-sized SUV/crossover electric car. It sits between Toyota’s other two electric SUVs, being smaller than the bZ4X but larger than the Urban Cruiser (also coming later in 2025).
Despite the name, the C-HR+ is a completely different car to the Toyota C-HR. That car is designed for petrol and hybrid power, while the C-HR+ is a purely electric car and is built on a different platform. It is quite different both inside and out.
The new Toyota C-HR+ will enter a hugely competitive electric SUV market, with pretty much every car brand having something to offer in this segment. It’s also the most popular segment for private EV buyers.
There will be three trim levels available (Base-spec Icon, mid-level Design, and top-spec Excel). The entry-level Icon will get a 167hp motor with a 58kWh battery, which should yield an official driving range of about 280 miles. The Design and Excel models get a more powerful 224hp motor with a 77kWh battery, which means the official battery range improves to about 370 miles (for Design) and 330 miles (for Excel). All of these numbers are subject to final confirmation before the C-HR+ goes on sale in the UK.
Toyota expects the mid-spec Design model to be the biggest seller, based on expected pricing and specification – and because it gets the best driving range of all the models.
Being a dedicated EV, rather than being based on a petrol car design, the C-HR+ benefits from more cabin and boot space. The interior layout is completely different to the C-HR, and is quite reminiscent of the Citroën ë-C4 with a low steering wheel and high-mounted display above it. The boot runs to 416 litres, which is notably larger than the 310-litre boot in the plug-in hybrid C-HR.
The Toyota C-HR+ is now on sale in the UK, with the model available to configure on the Toyota UK wesbite. First deliveries are expected in March 2026.
Body style: Medium-sized SUV/crossover Engines:electric, single or dual motors Price:from £32,995 (including £1,500 electric grant)
World launch: Spring 2025 UK arrival date: Spring 2026
Image gallery
Media reviews
The first media reviews of the Toyota C-HR+ have started to be published, though keep in mind that some of these test drives are based on the prototype version. Keep checking back for the latest updates.
Auto Express
Score: 7 / 10 “The new Toyota CH-R+ has plenty of plus points, but ultimately fails to stand out from the crowded family EV class.” Author: Paul Barker Read review
Auto Trader
Score: 8 / 10 “Toyota’s second electric car is an appealing coupe-SUV, promising a long driving range and decent all-weather charging speeds.” Read review
Car
Score: 8 / 10 “There’s a lot to recommend about the Toyota C-HR+, and that extends beyond the usual Toyota build-quality and reputation for not going wrong. It’s nice to drive, the battery tech is competitive and its undeniably stylish. Arguably, it’s not quite as versatile as a Skoda Elroq or Kia EV3, and try as they might, it’s still not brimming with personality.” Author: Ryan Gilmore Read review
Electrifying.com
Score: 8 / 10 “The Toyota C-HR+ is a very sensible car. It’s got good range, fast charging, and all the peace of mind that a huge battery warranty and Toyota’s many decades at the top of the reliability charts can offer. This is, without doubt, a very solid and recommendable family EV. But it does feel short on charm or character next to cars like the new Nissan Leaf, the Skoda Elroq and the Kia EV3, all of which are also just a bit more practical and enjoyable to drive.” Read review
Top Gear
Score: 7 / 10 “The Toyota C-HR+ is quite stylish, even if the interior is drably trimmed, And it’s pretty good to drive. It rights the wrongs of the early bZ4x and adds some charm of its own. That should be enough to keep it afloat in a sea of rivals.” Author: Paul Horrell Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of March 2026, the Toyota C-HR+ has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of March 2026, the Toyota C-HR+ 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 C-HR+ 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 March 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Toyota C-HR+. Check back again closer to the vehicle’s UK launch.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
The Toyota C-HR+ is a brand-new model so we won’t have any meaningful reliability data 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 C-HR+, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Toyota C-HR
Overall rating
C
56%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
Toyota’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better). Additionally, the battery components are covered by a separate eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Toyota does offer a conditional warranty extension programme for up to seven years beyond the end of the original new car warranty, with an overall limit of 100,000 miles (including mileage already accumulated in the first three years). However, this requires the car to be serviced by an official Toyota dealership every year, whereas your new car warranty is not restricted. Other restrictions also apply, so check with your Toyota dealer for full terms and conditions.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Toyota C-HR+, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
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 Toyota C-HR+
If you’re looking to lease a new Toyota C-HR+, 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 Toyota C-HR+
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?)
TheVolvo EX60 is an all-electric mid-size SUV that the manufacturer says ‘represents a new beginning’ for the Volvo, with improved battery range, charging speed, and performance.
As a mid-sized SUV, this EX60 sits above the smaller EX30 and EX40 models and below the larger EX90 in Volvo’s battery powered line-up, and is now poses a sales challenge to the likes of the BMW iX3, Renault Scenic E-Tech, Ford Explorer and Tesla Model Y.
Volvo claims that the SUV offers a class-leading battery range of 503 miles on a single charge (in an all-wheel drive configuration). The Swedish manufacturer adds that the EX60 can add up to 211 miles of range in ten minutes when using a 400kW DC rapid charging station.
Now available to order in the UK, the EX60 is available with three different powertrain variants. The 680hp ‘P12 AWD Electric’ variant offers that class-leading 503-mile range, while the 510hp ‘P10 AWD Electric’ clocks in at a range of up to 410 miles.
A rear-wheel powered 376hp ‘P6 Electric’ variant delivers up to 385 miles of range. All in all, the EX60 is available in seven different variants, all offered with ten years of battery warranty.
While you can order an EX60 online right now, the first orders won’t arrive until September, so no one in the British motoring media has got behind the wheel of the EX60 just yet. That means we have no review scores to display at the moment.
We will update this page with more information and reviews, as well as safety and running cost data, as soon as those are available. Check back soon!
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover Engines:electric, battery-powered Price:From £56,860
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.
There are no reviews on the Volvo EX60 to display here currently – the model is available to order but reviewers aren’t likely to get their hands on the model until late Summer or Autumn. 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 March 2026, the Volvo EX60 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of March 2026, the Volvo EX60 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 EX60 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 March 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Volvo EX60. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volvo EX60 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 Volvo, we’ll publish the results here.
As of March 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Volvo EX60. 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 Volvo 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 Volvo EX60
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?)
BMW has revealed the new i3, an electric saloon that will sit alongside the upcoming all-new 3 Series petrol models. It marks the second car to emerge from the company’s “Neue Klasse” reinvention.
The i3 name needs a quick explanation. BMW previously used the name i3 for a small city car sold between 2013 and 2022, which was a completely different sort of vehicle. This new i3 is the electric version of the next 3 Series, just as the i5 is an electric 5 Series and the i7 is an electric 7 Series.
The Neue Klasse programme, explained when the BMW iX3 launched late last year, represents a complete reset of BMW’s approach to electric cars. The i3 shares the same underlying technology as the iX3 – including the same advanced electrical systems, the same windscreen-wide information display, and the same fast-charging capability – but in a traditional 3 Series saloon body, rather than an SUV.
For a broader ownership picture, see our BMW i3 Expert Rating, which will be continually updated as new information becomes available.
The new BMW i3 brings the Neue Klasse design language to the 3 Series for the first time – a cleaner, sharper look than any BMW saloon in recent memory
What’s new
In 3 Series terms, everything. The i3 is the first model of the new 3 Series range to be revealed, exactly as BMW did with the 5 Series and 7 Series launches in recent years. But much of the hardware is shared with the all-new BMW iX3 SUV, which we reviewed last week.
As the second model in BMW’s Neue Klasse reinvention, the i3 shares a lot of the new features and innovations that were debuted in the iX3, and the cabin layout is very similar.
The most notable claim is range. BMW quotes up to around 560 miles on a single charge under official test conditions, although that figure is provisional at this stage. We’ll have exact lab test numbers closer to the UK launch later this year.
The charging capability is equally impressive on paper. At a compatible public fast charger, BMW claims around 250 miles of range can be recovered in roughly ten minutes – and the car supports bidirectional charging, meaning it can supply power back to a home energy system or charge external devices like an e-bike directly from the battery.
Inside, the i3 carries over the Panoramic iDrive system that impressed in the iX3 review. Rather than relying solely on a central touchscreen, it projects information across the full width of the windscreen – speed, navigation, media and more – directly into the driver’s line of sight. It’s one of the more genuinely useful pieces of technology in any new car right now, and its presence here confirms it will become a Neue Klasse signature rather than an iX3 exclusive.
Physical buttons are retained for key functions, and the cabin design follows the same clean, driver-focused layout as the iX3. BMW has also continued its sustainability approach from the iX3, with around 30% of the car built from recycled or secondary materials, including aluminium chassis components and seat fabrics made from recycled textiles.
Inside the new BMW i3, the Panoramic iDrive system projects information across the full width of the windscreen – the same feature that impressed us on the new BMW iX3
Timing and pricing
First UK deliveries are expected the last few months of 2026, and we are yet to see full UK pricing and specifications. The only variant confirmed so far is the i3 50 xDrive with all-wheel drive and 469hp, which suggests a premium positioning. A single-motor, lower-powered version at a more accessible price is likely to follow, which is exactly how the launch of the new iX3 is rolling out.
The petrol and hybrid versions of the new 3 Series are expected to be revealed later this year, with UK sales beginning in early 2027.
The context
The 3 Series has been BMW’s defining model for five decades. Launching the electric version first – before the petrol models – is a deliberate signal about where BMW sees the range heading, and puts the i3 in direct competition with the Tesla Model 3, the Polestar 2 and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz C-Class EQ, among others.
Whether it drives as well as a traditional 3 Series is the question that matters most to many BMW owners, and one that can only be answered once we can get behind the wheel later this year.
Jaecoo has expanded its UK line-up with two new versions of the Jaecoo 7 SUV which arrive in May: a new petrol-electric hybrid model and a blacked-out special edition of its existing plug-in hybrid.
JAECOO 7 Hybrid (SHS-H)
For the first time, the Jaecoo 7 will be offered as a full hybrid, badged ‘SHS-H’. It’s positioned as a more affordable and convenient alternative to the plug-in hybrid, especially for drivers who can’t easily charge at home.
The ‘SHS-H’ uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor, producing 224hp. Performance is respectable, with 0–62 mph taking 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 112mph. Jaecoo claims CO₂ emissions of 125g/km and fuel economy of up to 53mpg.
Two trims will be available:
Pure (from £29,195)
Cloth upholstery
13-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Dual-zone climate control
Parking sensors.
Deluxe (from £32,795)
All ‘Pure’ features not replaced
Eco-leather seats
Upgraded eight-speaker sound system
Larger 15-inch infotainment display.
Black Luxury Edition
Alongside the hybrid, JAECOO has introduced a new Black Luxury version of the existing plug-in hybrid ‘SHS-P’ model.
This model is based on the top-spec ‘Luxury’ trim and focuses purely on styling changes rather than mechanical updates. It features a full blacked-out look, including:
Black front grille and exterior badges
Black mirrors, roof, wheels and roof rails
A black ‘Luxury’ badge on the rear pillar
Dark interior details such as a black headliner and sun visors
The Black Luxury edition is priced from at over £37k. Both new variants will be available to order through Jaecoo’s UK dealer network from May 2026, and like the rest of the range, they come with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty and one year of RAC breakdown cover.
Who are Jaecoo?
Jaecoo is a brand owned by Chinese motoring giant Chery, and its taking the UK by storm. The brand has recorded over 35,000 registrations since launch, and the Jaecoo 7 was the fifth best-selling car in February 2026, with 1,446 units sold that month.
Plug-in hybrid models have made up more than 70% of Jaecoo 7 sales so far, and the addition of a and other hybrid option broadens the range of model choices further.
The Lepas L8 is a large plug-in hybrid SUV from Chinese newcomers Lepas, launching in the UK in the second half of 2026.
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 L8 is a five-seat SUV based on the Chery Tiggo 8, which arrived in the UK late last year. Although technical details have not yet been confirmed, it’s likely to be powered by the same 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid powertrain, promoted by Chery Group as its Super Hybrid System.
Based on Chery’s approach with its other brands already launched in the UK, we expect the Lepas L8 to offer a high level of standard specification at a price that undercuts most other vehicles in its class.
Lepas will be announcing the details of its UK rollout in coming weeks, but we expect that it will be plugged into the extensive dealer network that Chery Group has already established. It’s also likely that another model or two will soon be announced by the time showrooms open.
At the time of writing, no one in the British motoring media has got behind the wheel of the Lepas L8. That means we have no review scores to display at the moment.
We will update this page with more information and reviews, as well as safety and running cost data, as soon as those are available. Check back soon!
Key specifications
Body style: Large SUV Engines:petrol plug-in hybrid Price: TBA
Launching: Autumn 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.
There are no reviews on the Lepas L8 – 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 March 2026, the Lepas L8 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of March 2026, the Lepas L8 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 L8 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 March 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Lepas L8. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Lepas L8 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 L8, we’ll publish the results here.
As of March 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Lepas L8. 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.
DS Automobiles has now been on the UK market for 12 years but, even after more than a decade of sales, many still struggle to understand just what the brand stands for and where it sits in the automotive market.
Part of this is perhaps due to the fact that before setting up on its own, DS spent six years as an extra badge on Citroëns, signifying top-level models with more luxurious finishes and higher levels of kit.
So is DS Automobiles still a part of Citroën? Or is it something different?
When DS was spun off from the French automotive giant as its own brand in 2014, the newcomer’s stated ambition was to “revive the tradition of premium vehicles in the French automotive industry”. It’s been trying to do that ever since, emphasising its links to Paris and the centre of high fashion.
The company claims that this has been transmitted into its cars, while trying, like many have before, to break into the executive market dominated by the German heavyweights – Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
So far, the Germans are losing little sleep. DS models have been praised for their distinctive design and extensive equipment offerings, but have earned criticism from many reviewers as having too much style over substance.
This elicits little more than a gallic shrug from DS, which still bases its strategy around being fashionable. It insists that its models “embody the French art of travel” with French luxury and plenty of savoir-faire.
DS first appeared in 2009 as an additional badge hung on cars in the mainstream Citroën range, designed to signify a more upmarket model with the likes of special paint finishes and upgraded interiors – a spotlighted example has always been leather upholstery patterned to resemble a watch strap.
The first model to carry the new badge was the Citroën DS3 hatch, which appeared in 2010. Other high-spec Citroëns called the Citroën DS4 and Citroën DS5 followed in quick succession. But parent PSA Group had long desired a premium badge to site above its mainstream Citroën and Peugeot ranges, so DS was launched into Europe in 2014 as a standalone brand (having been successfully trialled in China two years earlier). As such, its three models were renamed DS 3, DS 4 and DS 5, respectively.
More than a decade on, the DS brand still struggles for recognition or appeal amongst many buyers, probably not helped by a fairly lukewarm reception to its initial model range from the motoring media. For many years, none of its models carried an Expert Rating of more than 60% which compared poorly to the aforementioned German rivals, not to mention booming brands such as Hyundai or Kia.
DS planned to evolve out of this reputation from 2024 by reinventing itself as an upmarket electric brand, even claiming bold ambitions of moving “above premium” to take on the likes of Bentley. DS UK sales dropped in 2025, barely breaking 1,000, just as the new boss of parent group Stellantis was telling journalists that slower-selling brands would be axed.
Despite that DS management argues that the company is turning a profit and coming models will help it grow significantly – while the second generation range is taking a while to establish itself, the first of the new models, the DS No8, has attracted some positive comment. A lot is riding on the soon to arrive DS No4 and a replacement due in 2027 for the DS 3.
When did DS Automobiles launch in the UK?
DS-branded Citroëns started appearing in the UK in 2010, and the first cars rebranded as DS models were launched in 2014.
Even then, the process took a while – DS cars continued to be sold out of Citroën dealers for several years, while the first distinct DS ‘boutique’ eventually opened in London in 2016.
What models does DS Automobiles have and what else is coming?
The DS range has undergone major changes in what the company describes as ‘transition years’ of 2024 and 2025. Just three models are currently listed, with the DS 3 the one remaining car from the brand’s ‘first generation’.
The DS 3 has undergone very confusing model naming over the years and if you are thinking of buying used make sure you know which car you are getting. The original Citroën DS 3, launched in 2010, was a supermini, which lost its Citroën moniker with the launch of DS as a standalone brand in 2014, becoming the DS 3. In 2019, it was replaced by a jacked-up crossover-style model called the DS 3 Crossback. Then in 2023 the crossover was updated and dropped the Crossback tag to become… the DS 3. Confused yet?
The DS 3 is currently available as a hybrid or a full-electric model, dubbed the E-Tense, but is due to be replaced in 2027 – not before time as poor reliability and media reviews, plus average running costs and safety, have as of March 2026 earned it a paltry 53% Expert Rating.
The next DS3 will likely be known as the DS No3, the new moniker applied to the second-generation line-up. The first of these is the No8, a medium-sized liftback that took the role of range flagship when it arrived in Autumn 2025. Available with three power outputs and front or all-wheel drive, it has certainly boosted the DS reputation with an A-level 70% Expert Rating.
Next in showrooms will be the No4, which is just going on sale in early 2026. This is a family-sized hatchback – it was originally planned as an EV but with the global slowdown in the switch to electric will now also be offered with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Not at Citroën outlets – DS has been one of those manufacturers to try and shun the traditional dealer model and set up ‘boutique stores’ in high-profile shopping malls, the first in the world opening in the Westfield shopping centre in West London in 2016.
It didn’t entirely work – today these boutiques have become ‘Stores’ and there are only around 25 in the UK – the only ones in Wales are in the very south and in Scotland you will find them only in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. Many of these stores are on motor retailer parks, with Citroën outlets close by.
What’s particularly significant about this company?
In an automotive market where mechanical components are becoming uniform across the board, DS Automobiles is a car brand that trades heavily on an image of a lifestyle brand, centred on Paris and high fashion.
Alongside that novel watchstrap leather, its car interiors feature design touches like pearl stitching – a thread that disappears into the leather it holds and comes directly from haute-couture dressmakers. The instrumentation, meanwhile, employs the skills of luxury watchmakers.
The DS obsession with upmarket fashion and lifestyle extends to a service called ‘Only You Privilege’, which it claims “opens the door to an exclusive world”. Available for three years to anyone buying a new DS, Only You offers access to high-class dining, private shows, exclusive tours of museums and such like.
A DS fact to impress your friends
Why is DS called DS? There are several supposed explanations, with the accepted convention being that the name harks back to one of Citroën’s most revered models, the revolutionary Citroën DS that was first launched in the 1950s.
The letters are said to stand for ‘Different Spirit’ or ‘Distinctive Series’, while in French you pronounce DS in a similar way to ‘déese’, and that means ‘goddess’. Take your pick…
1956 Citroën DS
Summary
The fashion-dominated image of DS has so far only generated niche appeal here in the UK. The brand is regarded as a bit of an oddity and has never really fully enthused British car buyers. Even the brand’s management have been less than happy with the sales from its UK showrooms.
The planned switch to electric only in 2024 was intended to reinvent the brand, with models launched as recently as 2023, such as the BMW 5 Series-rivalling DS 9, dropped. Global markets have diluted those electric plans but DS management certainly ‘talk the talk’, claiming now they want to go further upmarket to become a rival to the likes of Bentley – brave words, but difficult to see this becoming reality.
The Mini John Cooper Works, or JCW, is a hot hatch that sits at the top of the highly-regarded Mini Cooper hatchback range. First arriving on UK roads in early 2025, this latest John Cooper Works range also includes electric models, which we cover separately.
One of the last pure petrol-powered hot hatches available in the UK – a dying breed that also still includes the Toyota GR Yaris and Volkswagen Polo GTI – the British motoring media are thankful the petrol JCW has been re-booted for this latest generation of Minis, praising the car for its swift acceleration and its polished interior fit and finish. Nevertheless, reviewers cite several complaints.
“It’s a shame that the JCW is so combative”, says Evo’s Yousuh Ashraf, explaining that the car “wears you down” and “becomes a nuisance” a lot of the time due to its “unyielding” ride. Parker’s Graham King also criticises the car’s “extremely stiff ride quality”, while Carwow’s Tom Wiltshire concludes that “doesn’t feel like a big enough step from the standard Cooper S and it’s very uncomfortable.”
“If you’re after a fast, top-spec Mini Cooper with all the toys and plenty of performance, this is a great car”, explains Jordan Katsianis of Auto Express. “If you’re looking for a brilliant hot hatchback, you might have to look elsewhere.”
As of March 2026, the Mini JCW holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 66%. Beyond the car’s rather average set of review scores, this overall rating is bolstered by the car’s full five-star Euro NCAP safety credentials.
“The Mini Cooper JCW looks good, has plenty of pep and a really cool interior – but it doesn’t feel like a big enough step from the standard Cooper S and it’s very uncomfortable.”
Score: 8 / 10 “If you’re looking for the hottest Mini, the new JCW nicely carries over from its predecessor. It’s quick, looks the part and is good fun, with its latest interior representing a real step up compared to the previous car. But if you come to it expecting the same thrills as the late Fiesta ST, be prepared to be slightly disappointed.” Author: Ted Welford Read review
Evo
Score: 6 / 10 “It’s a shame that the JCW is so combative, because there is fun to be had and genuinely playful handling to be enjoyed. In these moments the JCW is really exciting, but for a lot of the time, it wears you down. The best hot hatches are exploitable in all conditions, but the JCW falls out of its sweet spot and becomes a nuisance.” Author: Yousuh Ashraf Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6.8 / 10 “We like the JCW’s pugnacious styling, it’s turn of speed and its interior. We’re not keen on its extremely stiff ride quality, and the somewhat edgy feeling the car has in corners.” Author: Graham King 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 March 2026, the Mini John Cooper Works 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
Petrol models
43 mpg
C
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
147 g/km
C
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
27
C
The Mini John Cooper Works is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The car’s fuel economy is estimated to be 43 mpg on average, which is poor when compared to the average hatchback of this size but still quite competitive for a petrol-powered hot hatch. Insurance estimates from Thatcham Research also suggest that the JCW will be cheaper to insure than many other hot hatch competitors too.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mini John Cooper Works 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 Mini John Cooper Works, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Mini John Cooper Works
Overall rating
D
37%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
Unlimited miles
Battery warranty duration
0 years
Battery warranty mileage
0 miles
Mini’s new car warranty is slightly better than average, and better than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the JCW.
The duration is three years, with no limit on mileage.
Warranty on a used Mini John Cooper Works
If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Mini John Cooper Works from an official Mini dealership, you will get a minimum one-year warranty included.
If you are buying a used Mini John Cooper Works 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 Mini John Cooper Works 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.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Mini John Cooper Works
As of March 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Mini John Cooper Works. 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 Mini dealer.
For most new cars, the buying equation tends to be that the electric version of a particular model is more expensive than the same or similar car with petrol power. You pay more for the EV and then save money on your running costs over time.
But that creates a position where the petrol version is the ‘default’ choice, and plug-in hybrid or electric versions are optional upgrades. At a time when car manufacturers are trying to encourage buyers to choose EVs, it reinforces the idea that there’s a higher upfront cost to going electric.
For the last few months, Vauxhall has been starting to flip that script. With the new Frontera, launched late last year, it priced the petrol and electric versions at the same price. And there have been finance campaigns on the Corsa hatchback that put the electric and petrol versions on the same monthly payments (although the rest of the terms were not identical). Now, Vauxhall has taken another big step forward with the updated Astra, launched this week and hitting UK streets this summer.
The revised Astra starts at £29,995, regardless of whether you choose the electric, plug-in hybrid or mild hybrid version. On top of that, the hatchback and estate models are the same price. It only gets more expensive if you go for a higher trim level.
Reframing the conversation
The effect is deceptively simple but significant in what it signals. When the electric version costs the same as the alternatives, the buyer stops asking “Can I justify paying more for the electric car?” and starts asking “Is there a reason not to get the electric one?” That’s a very different conversation, and it’s one that most buyers will answer differently.
While most brands charge more for their electric cars and then have to discount them further to bring them within buyers’ budgets, Vauxhall is reframing the entire proposition. The EV model becomes the default, with the plug-in hybrid or mild hybrid versions becoming fallback options.
As the UK government’s ZEV (zero-emission vehicle) mandate starts to really bite into the new car market, Vauxhall’s approach feels like a much smarter way of positioning EVs to the average buyer who has no strong allegiance to any particular powertrain philosophy and just wants the best options for their needs.
It will be very interesting to see whether this approach pays dividends for Vauxhall. The Astra is no longer a massive seller, as customers have been steadily moving away from hatchbacks and estates to SUVs, but if it helps shift more Astra customers into electric models, we can expect to see this pricing structure rolled out across the rest of the Vauxhall line-up and the wider Stellantis family.
We’ll have a review of the revised Astra next week, as well as updates to our Expert Ratings pages for both the petrol/hybrid Astra and the Astra Electric.
Vauxhall has announced pricing for a mid-life update to the Astra, with revised exterior styling, a new interior finish and a larger battery for the electric version.
The physical changes are modest. The front end gets a narrower grille and an illuminated Vauxhall badge, the gloss black interior trim has been replaced with a satin grey finish that should show fewer fingerprints, and physical buttons return for climate control and audio functions. The electric version’s battery has grown slightly, with claimed range rising by around 22 miles to up to 281 miles.
The more interesting development is the pricing. Every version of the updated Astra – electric, plug-in hybrid or petrol mild hybrid, hatchback or estate – costs exactly the same at each trim level, starting from £29,995. That’s a deliberate reversal of the usual approach, where electric versions cost more than conventional alternatives. Here, the electric model is effectively the default choice: buyers who’d prefer a plug-in hybrid or hybrid instead can have one, but they won’t save any money by doing so.
The estate – Vauxhall calls it the Sports Tourer – is also priced identically to the hatchback, which the company says is unique in the market.
There will be small variations in monthly payments on PCP or PCH contracts, despite the identical pricing, as these finance agreements take the value of the car in three or four years’ time into account.
One note on the mild hybrid option: it uses a petrol engine with electric motor assistance and can run on electric power for very short distances at very low speeds. That’s more than most mild hybrid cars, but it can’t drive for any meaningful distance on electric power.
As mentioned, there are only three prices to consider at the moment – £29,995 for the entry-level Griffin specification, £31,495 for the mid-spec GS, and £33,995 for the top-of-the-range Ultimate. Pure petrol models will rejoin the range later in the year, with both manual and automatic gearbox options. These will presumably be cheaper.
Orders open in June, with deliveries from July. We’ll have our review of the updated Astra, as well as updates to our Expert Ratings, next week.
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its new electric VLE –a large electric people carrier with seating for up to eight passengers.
Built on new 800-volt foundations – like the brand’s CLA EQ and GLC EQ models – Mercedes-Benz says the VLE will offer a driving range of more than 435 miles. By comparison, close rival the Volkswagen ID. Buzz can muster up to 293 miles on a single charge, so the VLE offers a significant battery range upgrade.
Its 800-volt electrical system allows charging for up to 220 miles of range in around 15 minutes, and the model will feature air suspension and rear-axle steering, with Mercedes claiming a turning circle of just under eleven metres.
Inside, the VLE will offer a flexible seating layout, with removable seats that can be moved on integrated wheels. Buyers will also be able to choose electrically adjustable seats with features including massage, lumbar support and wireless charging.
A large 31-inch retractable screen will be available for rear passengers, while the dashboard features a three-screen ‘MBUX Superscreen’ layout consisting of a ten-inch driver display and two 14-inch screens for the infotainment touchscreen and passenger media display.
The infotainment operating system – ‘MB.OS’ – supports over-the-air software updates and an AI-based voice assistant. That just about sums up what we know about the new VLE at the moment. UK pricing and full specifications will be announced at a later date.
MG has revealed its new plug-in hybrid MG S9 SUV, which is MG’s first SUV to feature three rows of seating.
Joining a growing large plug-in hybrid category that already includes the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-80, as well as keenly-priced Chinese newcomers like the Omoda 9 and Chery Tiggo 9, the MG S9 is both longer and taller than the brand’s HS SUV and has been designed “to meet the needs of modern families looking for versatility without sacrificing efficiency or value.”
Power comes from MG’s plug-in hybrid powertrain, that also features in the HS range. The system pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 25kWh battery, delivering an electric-only driving range of up to 62 miles.
MG is yet to release the car’s full technical specs and trim grade list, but adds that leather-style upholstery, a large panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control, a Bose sound system and heated and ventilated seats with massage functions, and tri-zone climate control will all be available, with the last two reserved for the ‘Premium’ trim.
Inside, the SUV has a similar interior layout to the smaller HS, with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch infotainment touchscreen jutting out of the dashboard as part of a single display.
Opening the boot reveals 332 litres of luggage space behind the third row of seats, which extends to more than 1,000 litres of boot capacitywhen the third row is folded away. The S9 has also already been crash tested by safety body Euro NCAP, achieving a five-star safety rating.
That just about sums up what we know about the MG S9 so far. The manufacturer says that the model is coming soon, with more details, including UK pricing to be announced later this month.
The Jaecoo 8 is a large six- or seven-seat SUV and the new flagship model in Jaecoo’s UK range. Now available to order, the SUV is currently only offered as a plug-in hybrid.
Powered by the same hybrid powertrain as the Chery Group stablemates like the Omoda 9 and Chery Tiggo 9, the Jaecoo 8 has just become available to order at the time of writing, and the British motoring media is yet to score the model in its reviews. That is sure to change in the coming weeks.
Once reviewers have got their hands on the SUV, and when we receive running cost estimations for the model, we will give the Jaecoo 8 an Expert Rating score. Check back soon!
Body style: Large SUV Engines:petrol plug-in hybrid Price:From £45,500
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. Reviews are few and far between at the moment, but that will change in the coming weeks.
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview “The upcoming Jaecoo 8 promises loads of standard kit and generous interior space, but it’s not as stylish as the smaller Jaecoo 7.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of March 2026, the Jaecoo 8 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of March 2026, the Jaecoo 8 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 March 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Jaecoo 8. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of March 2028, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Jaecoo 8 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 Jaecoo 8, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
Jaecoo’s new car warranty is better than average, and better than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the Jaecoo 8.
The duration is seven years, with a limit of 100,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, this plug-in hybrid version has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
As of March 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Jaecoo 8. 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 Jaecoo dealer.
