An increase in the cost of living has left drivers looking for savings in their motoring costs – including now cancelling their breakdown recovery, worrying new research has discovered.
Rising fuel costs, increases in parts and labour prices and a general upsurge in the cost of living is hitting motorists hard and they are looking for areas in which to claw back some everyday outgoings.
Now new research has revealed that one of those considerations is to cancel their breakdown insurance.
The findings, from road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has revealed that one in five (21%) of the 1,000 drivers surveyed are considering cancelling their recovery cover.
Within the findings, half (50%) of 18-24 year olds questioned said they have considered cancelling their cover, compared with just 14% of 55-64 year olds and only 7% of drivers over 65.
Answers also varied according to region, with nearly half (44%) of Londoners stating they’re thinking of cancelling – the most likely to cut these costs – compared with just one in ten (10%) of residents from the North East.
Though it saves money in the short term, cancelling your breakdown recovery outright could prove to be quite counter-productive. In the unfortunate event that you become stranded by the roadside, without cover, you could end up paying through the nose to sign up for a membership on the spot in an effort to get on your way as soon as possible.
In addition, the longer you spend on the roadside, the more exposed you are to potentially fatal accidents. “Most fatalities on motorways involve a stationary vehicle, so having cover means you are more likely to be rescued quicker, reducing your chances of being hit on the hard shoulder or in a running lane,” says Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart.
There are ways to save money by altering your breakdown cover instead of cancelling it – keeping you on the road while putting a dent in your expenses:
Breakdown recovery policies can essentially be split into two types in the UK – personal cover, where you can claim on any vehicle (as long as it meets the requirements stated in your policy) whether you are the driver or a passenger, and vehicle cover, which lets you claim for a specific vehicle.
If you have a personal cover policy, choosing to cover just one vehicle instead could net you a big saving – potentially cutting your monthly spend on breakdown cover in half.
The large majority of breakdown cover policies in the UK are national – covering drivers across the UK should their cars start to faulter. However, if you only use the car to nip around town and not much else, a local cover policy may be more appropriate, and cheaper too.
The next step up from national coverage, some providers offer European breakdown cover. These policies are quite expensive, and definitely not necessary unless you travel by car in mainland Europe on a monthly basis.
If you currently have European breakdown cover, consider the savings you could make opting for a local or national cover policy, and only consider upgrading to European cover when it’s time for the family holiday.
Breakdown policy providers also offer a few optional policy extras that can hike up your monthly payments, including key replacement, battery replacement, tyre replacement, and cover for when you use the wrong fuel at the pumps. If you have any of these, it’s a good idea to assess if these are really necessary.
Also, remember to update your policy so that it reflects your current status. Have you sold your second car? Then you need to change that multi-car breakdown policy. No longer using the trailer or getting rid of the caravan? Then they need to be removed from your breakdown recovery policy.
With cost-cutting in mind, it is crucial to repeat your shopping around every year before accepting your renewal quote. It’s a common ploy from the big providers to offer you a cheap rate when you first sign up, then jack the price up to double or more when you need to renew it a year later.
When it’s time to renew, check the best offers elsewhere then call your current provider and demand that they match the best price you can find, even if it’s a big difference. It’s almost certain that they’ll do so, or at least offer you something competitive.
If you conclude that your car’s breakdown cover is still too expensive to keep, Neil Greig explains that there are a number of things you can regularly do to avoid breaking down in the first place.
“While we will always urge motorists to take out breakdown cover, those who are unable to afford it during such straitened times should carry out a series of regular vehicle checks themselves, which may prevent any avoidable breakdowns.
“These include ensuring engine oil is topped up, checking tyres daily, practising good driving habits and paying attention to warning lights and strange noises.”
There’s something still rather futuristic, and certainly highly convenient, about walking up to your car, touching the door handle to open it, jumping inside and pushing a button on the dashboard to start the engine (or in the case of electric vehicles, to wake up the system).
You haven’t once touched the car’s keys. No fumbling about in your pockets or wading through your handbag to find them. You still have a fob of some sort to operate your car, but you don’t physically have to take it out and use it.
It’s all clever stuff and one of the fastest growing features on today’s modern cars as manufacturers vie with each other to keep up with latest trends and advances in equipment.
But not having a key for your car can cause its own problems – certainly in the case of security, where crooks looking for easy pickings, have contributed to a recent rise in the number of thefts of vehicles with no keys.
While the Covid pandemic and subsequent national lockdowns saw a drop in car crime, since the end of restrictions, the number of drive-offs has risen sharply again.
The high-tech key fobs on a keyless car use a transmitter to unlock and start the vehicle, rather than a physical key, so it can be easy for thieves to use technology to ‘tap into’ the key’s signal, copy it and use it to their advantage. This practice, known as a relay attack, is responsible for a growing number of car thefts.
A relay attack involves two criminals with clever – but cheap and easily available – electronic devices. One thief lurks outside your home or office to ‘steal’ the unlock signal from your key while you’re inside. He or she transfers it to another thief with a similar device next to the car, relaying the key’s signal to unlock and start the car. The theft can take place in minutes, with the car in your driveway, with you being completely unaware of what’s going on.
Nearly 50,000 vehicles were stolen in the UK in 2021, according to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and thousands of these were attributed to keyless car thefts. Keyless technology used to be reserved for more expensive, higher end cars but are becoming more commonplace across all models.
That means that the majority of luxury, highly desirable models are likely to have keyless entry and go… and they are exactly the ones that are featuring on car gangs’ shopping lists.
It’s worrying and distressful for owners and is also a great expense for the motor industry generally, including vehicle leasing companies and insurance organisations.
For a vehicle provider such as Tusker, the award-winning company car and salary sacrifice scheme organisation, car theft prevention is paramount as insurance implications can affect them as much as the vehicle user. The company is urging its customers to be vigilant to the keyless entry threat and to take steps to help lock it out for good.
Source: PA Media
So what can you do to prevent it?
Keep your distance: When you’re not using them, store your keys away from the car, and well inside your house, away from doors and windows. That will make it harder for thieves to identify and pick up the device’s signal.
Block buster: Putting your keys in a biscuit tin or similar container that blocks the signal from seeking devices can work and there are specialist items you can buy, such as a Faraday pouch, which will do the job. The fridge can have a similar effect and putting your keys in the microwave oven has also been suggested, but don’t cook them by accident!
Switch off: Some key fobs can be temporarily disarmed when not in use. The car’s manual will explain how, or the dealer should be able to help.
Post haste: Locking your car away in the garage overnight is a top way to protect your asset, but if you can’t do that, physical deterrents such as a post or bollard, professionally fitted across the exit of your driveway, will go a long way towards putting would-be crooks off.
Doubling up: If you own two cars, and one of them needs keys to open it, park that one behind the keyless model.
Lock and go: A visual steering wheel lock, a wheel clamp over one of the car’s wheels or a security device that protects the vehicle’s pedals are all useful ideas in the fight against crime.
Make tracks: Most cars have alarms and immobilisers fitted now but these can be overcome. It’s worth considering a tracking device to make things easier for the police if your pride and joy does go missing.
“We supply great cars to our customers and we want them to stay with their rightful keepers so we’re asking all our clients, big and small, to do everything they can to help reduce this worrying rise in car theft,” says Paul Gilshan, CEO of Tusker.
“Why should someone else enjoy the car that you or I have worked hard to achieve, so let’s slam the door firmly in the face of car thieves – and lock it for good.”
From spacious hatchbacks to high-riding SUVs to seven-seat estate cars, there is a wide array of options capable of ferrying around the family on the market right now, and if you have the money for a new car, there is something for every budget.
We’ve analysed all the family cars available at key price points in the new car market, and consulted our industry-leading Expert Rating Index to see which models have the highest review scores from across the UK motoring media.
With comprehensive review data backing our recommendations – based on nearly 12,000 new car reviews from 30 of the UK’s top motoring websites – you can be confident that this is the definitive guide to the best new family cars for every budget that are on sale right now.
Best new family car under £20,000: Skoda Fabia Estate
Skoda is offering some great value-for-money options across its range at the moment, including the award-winning estate version of its Fabia hatchback.
This spacious five-seat estate car is based on the old-generation Fabia hatch that has recently ended production, but it is still a great example of the Czech brand’s ‘Simply Clever’ ethos, with a whole host of practical features, a comfortable interior, polite road manners and an enormous boot, all in an affordable package.
Reviewers have consistently noted a couple of trade-offs for the estate car’s value-for-money – it is not all that exciting to drive, and fairly bland in the looks department too. The third-generation Skoda Fabia holds an Expert Rating of 70%, and if you would like a test drive in this estate variant, you will have to act quickly – Skoda is in the process of selling the last of its stock.
If you are looking for a bigger cabin, the seven-seat Dacia Jogger would appear to offer great value for money, but cannot be recommended due to its abysmal one-star Euro NCAP safety rating. If you would prefer more ride height, check out the Nissan Juke, which is one of the most affordable options in the small SUV class.
The new family car market starts to get very competitive passing the £20k mark, but if your budget maxes out at around £25k, then opting for a Skoda is still your best bet.
This Skoda Octavia, which currently holds an Expert Rating of 76%, has been well-received by the British media since its arrival in 2020, highlighted for its spacious cabin, low running costs and leisurely driving experience. On the other hand, reviewers have labelled the Octavia’s infotainment “confusing”, and its performance is nothing to write home about.
If you would prefer an alternative with more driver appeal, the compact Ford Puma SUV comes with the mild-hybrid technology of much more expensive family cars – praised for its surprisingly impressive practicality and its grin-inducing driving dynamics and performance.
Yes, it’s another Skoda… Despite being one of the oldest models still on sale in this price bracket, the Skoda Superb really is the perfect economical family car, which rivals upmarket executive saloons at a more mainstream price. Available as either a liftback or estate, the fact that this car is called ‘Superb’ is no exaggeration. It has won more than 50 UK awards since its launch in 2015.
Praised for its practicality, design and value for money, the Skoda Superb has an Expert Rating of 83%. Its infotainment system is a bit harder to use on the move however, and other large saloons offer more driver appeal.
The Skoda Karoq is another comfortable and economical option at this price point, just in SUV form, and if you would rather opt for a more premium brand with great resale value, the BMW 1 Series hatchback is highlighted for its class-leading interior quality and infotainment, as well as its practicality and ride comfort.
Best new family car under £40,000: Hyundai Ioniq 5
The first electric entrant on this list, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 became a favourite among motoring journalists in 2021, thanks to its unique retro-futuristic exterior styling, as well as its competitive battery range and charging ability.
It may look like it’s the size of your average hatchback, but looks can be deceiving – the distance between the front and rear wheels is actually a huge three metres, meaning that there is plenty of cabin space for five passengers.
The cabin floor is completely flat, meaning that there is a nice amount of legroom for passengers in the rear middle seat, and there is decent storage space in the boot and under the bonnet. Add to this equation the Ioniq 5’s intuitive infotainment and punchy performance and you get one of the most impressive family cars on the market – if not one of the most intriguing.
If you are not ready to make the switch to all-electric motoring, the BMW 3 Series saloon and Touring estate is highlighted for its driving dynamics and upmarket interior.
Best new family car under £50,000: BMW 5 Series Touring
Known for its impressive build quality, great performance and lavish looks inside and out, the BMW 5 Series is the current benchmark for cars in the premium saloon class, and the BMW 5 Series Touring is particularly talented at ferrying around the family with poise.
The 5 Series has an Expert Rating of 87%, and has won over 25 different industry awards since 2017. With entry-level models costing just over £40k, UK buyers with a £50k budget have plenty of room to opt for higher trim levels and optional extras – though these can get expensive rather quickly.
The 5 Series Touring adds a fair chunk of extra boot space over the standard saloon, and both the saloon and Touring estate have mild-hybrid technology as standard – offering fuel economy that is likely to save you a few pounds at the pumps.
For a little more money than it costs to get behind the wheel of an entry-level 5 Series Touring, you can pick up a new Tesla Model 3, which has been the best-selling electric car in the UK in recent months thanks to its tech-laden interior and the brand’s exclusive Supercharger network.
First arriving on UK roads back in 2018, I-Pace was Jaguar’s first attempt at an all-electric luxury SUV, and if British reviewers can agree on anything, it is that it certainly hit the nail on the head the first time around.
With attractive upmarket exterior styling, a great battery range, excellent safety features, sports car performance and a polished and practical cabin with plenty of space for the family, the Jaguar I-Pace was named World Car of the Year in 2019, and currently holds an Expert Rating of 85%.
It is fair to say that the I-Pace is one of the most desirable large family cars on the market right now, though its pricing is likely to deter many – entry-level models cost just over £65k with the I-Pace price list reaching as high as £77k without optional extras.
Reviewers also comment that the I-Pace’s infotainment lags behind rivals like the Tesla Model Y. This electric SUV launched in early 2022 and is already proving to be a sales hit in the UK, praised for its innovative on-board tech, impressive performance and family-friendly interior – all for £10k less than the I-Pace.
For the definitive rankings of the best new family cars for every budget, we’ve used The Car Expert’s industry-leading Expert Rating index. The index analyses new car reviews from 30 of the top UK motoring websites, using an advanced algorithm that we have developed specifically to compare review scores.
It constantly recalculates and updates the Expert Rating score for every single car in real time to make sure you’re getting the most accurate and reliable ratings for every new car.
Are we seeing the long, slow death of the city car? They may be the smallest cars on the market, but such vehicles have until recently also proven some of the most popular, only outsold by their slightly larger sisters the superminis.
Their popularity has been based on one simple fact – they’re cheap. The typical city car buyer tends to be a young person looking for their first car, or elderly people not needing space to carry the family around, or a second (or third car) for a household.
Traditionally city cars have also been fitted with small, not very powerful petrol engines which, as a result, use very little fuel and produce low emissions figures – so seemingly the perfect choice in these cost and environmentally-conscious times?
Yet over the past three years, city cars have started disappearing – and increasingly rapidly. Car manufacturers appear to be in an unseemly rush to get out of a market that has previously produced some of their biggest volumes. Why? Having decimated other markets such as large family cars (goodbye, Ford Mondeo), are the SUVs that seemingly everyone wants these days now marching all over the city car sector?
Well no, actually, SUVs aren’t to blame the slow demise of the city car – what has turned manufacturers off is the cost of meeting increasingly strict emissions legislation.
While city cars and superminis dominated the popularity charts for years, big sales didn’t translate into big profits for their makers. In a hugely competitive market mainly consisting of buyers with limited budgets, they had to be priced to compete, which meant very little mark-ups for their manufacturers.
A few years ago the European Union announced its intention to fine manufacturers who could not achieve average CO2 emissions across their range of 95g/km. All cars on sale had to be modified to have any hope of their makers meeting the targets. And weirdly the rules are most demanding for the small low-powered cars, those producing low emissions anyway, making it tougher, and so more expensive, to modify them.
With the small cars earning very little money anyway, the extra cost of modification made them a far less viable proposition for their manufacturers. Back in 2019, Peugeot boss Carlos Tavares was quoted as saying that all ‘A-segment’ cars would disappear because there would be no profit in them. “Putting the price up makes them sustainable but then younger generations cannot afford them,” he said.
Small cars are also more difficult to electrify. Battery packs and electric motors are expensive, which makes them very uncompetitive in such a price-sensitive market. And hybrids are just as problematic – as well as the cost of a (smaller) battery and electric motor, there’s very little room in which to fit it all in.
So the future looks bleak for the city car, particularly as it’s been made clear that the emissions regulations and penalties are only going to get tougher. Search for new city cars online and you will find many a manufacturer now describing superminis such as the Mazda2 and the Dacia Sandero as ‘city cars’ when they really aren’t.
There still could be some hope for a future revival, however – if someone can invent a very small, very light and very cheap battery pack…
Despite all this there are still come city cars to be had, and good ones too. Let’s have a look at the leading city car manufacturers, and what’s on offer today.
Citroën
Used to sell: The C1 (above), a joint effort with sister brand Peugeot and Toyota, also producing the almost identical and equally successful Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo.
Sells now: Citroën no longer lists the C1, thought you may find one or two still in dealer stock. The brand now describes the C3 as its ‘city car’, which it patently isn’t, and is about to introduce a tiny new electric model called the Ami, which is actually a quadricycle rather than a car. What’s a quadricycle? Well, it has two seats, left-hand drive, a range of just 60 miles and a top speed of 28mph, which means it’s only going to be useful in an urban environment. But, crucially, a quadricycle doesn’t have to meet the same safety regulations that a normal car does.
Fiat
Used to sell: The Fiat 500, a model that scores on its lifestyle appeal as much as its small-car credentials, and the slightly larger and more square Panda.
Sells now: The 500 is still in showrooms and likely to carry on for a while yet. It now runs a mild hybrid petrol engine, and sits alongside the all-new and fully electric Fiat 500e (above). The ancient Fiat Panda is still around too, also powered by a mild hybrid engine and still available with a 4×4 option. It has a zero-star crash rating, though, so probably best avoided.
Ford
Used to sell: The Ka, a curvy city car once famously described as looking like a teapot by Jeremy Clarkson at the UK motor show.
Sells now: No city cars – the Ka, latterly dubbed the Ka+ in its unloved second generation (above), disappeared in 2020. Now the smallest available model is the Fiesta supermini, which has just ben updated – although current waiting lists apparently stretch for months due to ongoing supply problems.
Honda
Used to sell: The Jazz, a car that sort of plugs the gap between city car and supermini in the Honda range and has long had a reputation as the preferred transport of the more mature driver.
Sells now: You can still buy the Jazz and it continues to maintain its fan base, but it’s not Honda’s smallest car any more, that going to the quirky, electric but limited-range Honda e.
Hyundai
Used to sell: The i10, launched in 2004 to replace the Atos and scoring on its interior space.
Sells now: Hyundai stills sells an i10 – in fact, an all-new third-generation version was launched in 2020 and is flying in the face of trends, with Hyundai insisting that the little car is still a very important part of the line-up even as it expands its electric Ioniq range.
Kia
Used to sell: The Picanto, a city car which is a model not paid a lot of attention to but which should be. Like its sister, the Hyundai i10, the little Kia is one of the most spacious in the class.
Sells now: The current Picanto has been on sale since 2017. It’s powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine and, at under £12,000, still fulfils the city car aim of being among the cheapest new buys. It’s one of Kia’s global models and thought to have a future with hints of an electric version being produced.
Peugeot
Used to sell: The 108, the almost identical triplet to Citroën’s C1 and the Toyota Aygo.
Sells now: The 108 and sister Citroën C1 have now ceased to exist as the model reached the end of production. The factory was sold off to Toyota to build the new Aygo X (see below), but the joint venture programme for Peugeot and Citroën to take their own new-generation city cars was not renewed.
Renault
Used to sell: The Twingo, which passed through three generations – the final of which was a joint venture with Mercedes that also resulted in the Smart Forfour.
Sells now: The Twingo was taken off UK sale in 2019. Renault now offers the Zoe as a city car model which, as a small electric vehicle, is ideally suited to urban driving. However, the Zoe is actually about the same size as the Renualt Clio supermini, so larger than a typical city car. It also has a zero-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, so probably not a good choice if you enjoy living.
Renault is planning an all-electric revival of its famous Renault 5 city car in the next few years, which could share its platform with a budget electric city car from Dacia.
SEAT
Used to sell: The Arosa – a badge-engineered version of the Volkswagen Lupo was SEAT’s small car until VW stopped making the Lupo in 2004. In 2011 SEAT returned to the market with the Mii, effectively an identical sister to the Volkswagen Up and Skoda Citigo. There was an electric version as well, but it vanished at some point last year.
Sells now: Nothing for the moment, although a rebadged version of the forthcoming Volkswagen ID.1 (see below) could be forthcoming. The smallest car in the range is the supermini-sized SEAT Ibiza.
Skoda
Used to sell: Like SEAT, the Skoda Citigo was a clone of the Volkswagen Up, first introduced in 2011. Again, there was a short-lived electric version called the Citigo iV.
Sells now: Like SEAT, we may see a Skoda-badged version of the forthcoming electric Volkswagen ID.1. For now, the smallest Skoda is the supermini-class Skoda Fabia.
Smart
Used to sell: The Smart Fortwo and Forfour(above) were – as the names suggest – two-seat/two-door and four-seat/four-door city cars. The Fortwo went through three generations, with the most recent being launched in 2014.
The Forfour was re-introduced for a second time in 2014 after the flop of the first version, which was sold between 2004 and 2006 and was basically a rebadged Mitsubishi. The later one shared its chassis with the Fortwo and the Renault Twingo, and proved rather more popular.
Both models ended in 2019 when Smart stopped making petrol-powered cars as part of a range overhaul.
Sells now: You can still buy electric versions of both the current Fortwo and Forfour, although probably not for too much longer as they are both old models and are thoroughly outclassed by newer electric cars.
An all-new small crossover called the Smart #1 was launched in early 2022, and marks yet another fresh start for Mercedes’ perpetually struggling small car company.
Toyota
Used to sell: The Aygo (above), product of the highly successful tie-up with Peugeot group that also produced the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108. Toyota’s small car was one of the most popular especially among young, cash-strapped buyers.
Sells now: Toyota replaced the Aygo with the all-new Aygo X, a small crossover. It’s slightly larger and now has a pseudo-SUV style, but it’s basically a fairly convenional city car underneath.
Vauxhall
Used to sell: The Viva, a car aimed squarely at low-budget buyers; the Adam, a lifestyle-pitched small car; and the Agila, bridging the gap between city car and small MPV.
Sells now: All three were gone by 2020 and Vauxhall’s smallest car is now the Corsa supermini. Don’t hold your breath waiting for any new city cars.
Volkswagen
Used to sell: VW’s city car history includes the oddly-named Lupo and from 2005 the equally uninspiring and Brazilian-built Fox. The Volkswagen Up (above, in GTI spec) launched in 2011, proved far more popular with both critics and car buyers.
Sells now: The Up is still with us – VW took petrol versions off sale in 2019 in favour of the electric e-Up, but then appeared to change its mind, and today both three and five-door petrol models are on the VW website, while the e-Up now seems to have vanished. However the model’s days are numbered, likely to be replaced by a new electric small car, the Volkswagen ID. 1, in 2025 with sister brands SEAT and Skoda potentially offering their own versions.
Powered by a 408hp engine with mild-hybrid technology, the performance-focused Mercedes-AMG C 43 will go on sale in the UK in May, available as either a saloon or estate car.
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG C 43 is essentially a sportier, more powerful version of the current-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which arrived in the UK in Autumn 2021.
Instead of the 1.5-litre engine found in the entry-level C-Class, the C 43 uses the same 2.0-litre petrol engine unit found in the powerful Mercedes-AMG A 45 S hot hatch, but with the addition of mild hybrid technology, for a total power output of 408hp.
This means that the saloon version of the C 43 can complete a 0-62mph sprint in 4.6 seconds, while the estate can complete the same run in 4.7 seconds. Both variants are all-wheel drive, and are fitted with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
To cope with this added power, Mercedes-AMG has given the C 43 upgraded brakes, and fitted with a sportier exhaust system, which feeds the sound of the engine into the cabin to give the driver ” a particularly emotive sound experience.”
Adaptive dampers as standard, which automatically adjust the suspension as you drive to suit your driving style and the conditions of the road ahead. The car has a number of drive modes to choose from, including ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport+’ modes which Mercedes-Benz says makes the engine more responsive, the steering more agile and makes gear shifting faster.
If you have driven a Mercedes-AMG model before, the C 43’s black faux-leather upholstery with red stitching is likely to give you some deja-vu. The C 43 uses the same infotainment software as the standard C-Class range, and also features a digital instrument cluster behind the AMG-branded steering wheel with aluminium paddle shifters.
The Mercedes-AMG C 43 also comes with the brand’s ‘Track Pace’ data logger feature, which can gather data on your speed, acceleration, steering angle and more when you are darting around a test track.
The Mercedes-AMG C 43 will go on sale in May, though pricing for the range is yet to be released. The next iteration of the more powerful Mercedes-AMG C 63 is also expected to be unveiled soon – Mercedes-Benz have already confirmed that the next C 63 will be a plug-in hybrid.
Start-up 4×4 manufacturer Ineos Automotive has announced that its upcoming Grenadier 4×4 SUV will be available to order from the next month, this new boxy station wagon set to challenge upmarket rivals like the Land Rover Defender.
With the first customer orders expected to arrive in the UK in late Autumn or Winter 2022, the Grenadier is the brainchild of Ineos head Jim Ratcliffe. He conceived the vehicle as a tough go-anywhere replacement for the original Defender, which was dropped by Land Rover in 2016 ahead of the launch of an all-new design in 2020.
With both petrol and diesel models available, the Grenadier is powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine supplied BMW that has been tuned to provide ‘optimal’ off-road performance. The petrol version produces up to 286hp for tackling difficult terrain, while the diesel can muster 249hp. Both variants use an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Available as both a two-seater commercial wagon and a five-seater passenger SUV, the Grenadier can tow up to 3,500kg and winch up to 5,500kg of weight. The passenger version has 1152 litres of rear load space thanks to the 4X4’s boxy silhouette, and Ineos says that its fledgling 4×4 will be customisable, with an “extensive choice of accessories” on offer.
Above the standard model, Ineos has also partnered with outdoor clothing company Belstaff to produce two top-spec special edition variants of the new Grenadier. The Trialmaster Edition comes with a number of mechanical upgrades with extreme off-roading in mind, while the Fieldmaster Edition comes with interior upgrades and additional on-board tech – offering more comfort and convenience in off-road scenarios.
Prices for the standard five-seater Grenadier 4×4 start at £52,000, and can be ordered online from the 18th May 2022. A few months later, Ineos says it will begin selling the Grenadier at a number of dealer locations across the UK.
Ineos says that its UK locations include “established dealer groups, 4×4 specialists and agricultural outlets” – several of the initial 24 are in groups alongside outlets for upmarket brands Audi, BMW and Ferrari, with others being placed with dealer groups holding Ford franchises.
The first dealer will open in June and Ineos intends to add a further ten UK outlets to the initial 24, as part of a network that will initially consist of 160 locations globally.
By the end of 2022, the brand expects to grow its global network to 200 locations and is also setting up a number of aftersales service centres following an agreement with Bosch. In the UK the stated aim is that customers will never be more than 45 minutes from a dealer.
The Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer will soon join the ever-growing list of people carrier models that have been discontinued, after nine years on sale.
Originally known as the C4 and Grand C4 Picasso, the range was facelifted and renamed C4 SpaceTourer in 2018. The smaller C4 version was subsequently dropped, leaving only the larger Grand C4 model to soldier on in recent years.
The decision to drop the Grand C4 SpaceTourer leaves Citroën with two van-based electric people carrier models in its line-up – the ë-Berlingo or ë-SpaceTourer.
There is no direct replacemet model lined up from the Grand C4 SpaceTourer, with Citroën unwilling to develop an all-new model for a severely diminished peopler carrier market. Seven-seat SUV models have basically destroyed the people carrier market in recent years, with most car manufacturers having already abandoned it.
Peugeot relaunched its 3008 and 5008 people carriers as SUVs in 2016 to meet rising demand, while Renault gave its Grand Scenic people carrier an SUV makeover to attract punters before ending its lifespan in 2019.
In fact, with the Citroën saying farewell to the Grand C4, there are now very few car-based people carriers left on the market. The Ford S-Max, Ford Galaxy and Volkswagen Touran are still available, although the all-electric retro-styled ID.Buzz will soon replace the Touran, which is likely to end production soon.
The final Grand C4 SpaceTourer is scheduled to roll off the production line at the French brand’s factory in Vigo, Spain, in July. Praised for its value-for-money and its comfortable ride, the Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer currently holds an Expert Rating of 71%, this score hindered mainly by its lack of driver appeal.
Two thirds of car owners are willing to accept less money when selling their car if it means saving them time and hassle, new research has revealed.
Motorists admit they are daunted by the thought of selling their car on the second-hand market and are willing to take less for their pride and joy than it’s worth, just to get the deal out of the way and get on with their lives.
Nearly 70% of drivers questioned by online used car marketplace (and our commercial partner) Motorway said they would accept less money for their car if it made the process more straightforward. Of those who have already sold their car, more than half (54%) believe they sold it for an average of almost £1,000 (£977) less than it was probably worth.
At a time when used car prices are at an all-time high, thousands of drivers simply can’t face the prospect of going through the car-selling motions and are looking for easy ways out – which usually means letting their car go for a snip.
Getting the best price is now easy
However, getting the best possible price for your car has never been easier. There are a number of online selling options available, all of which can give you an instant valuation, then arrange collection from your home and full payment within days.
The survey by Motorway found that three quarters (76%) of Brits find the process of selling their car daunting, while seven out of ten (70%) are knowingly compromising on cash for a quick sale.
With a third (32%) saying they don’t have the time to find the best price and one in four (28%) accepting the first offer for their car, the research shows that drivers are not getting the best value when it comes to selling their vehicles.
In fact, nearly nine out of ten (85%) admitted that the priority when selling their car was simply to get rid of it as quickly as possible. As time is of the essence for sellers, almost half (49%) are likely to have lost money when parting with their car because they didn’t do simple things such as buying new floor mats, changing the oil or making small repairs.
Other issues among the 2,000 people polled included: not having an up-to-date service history (14%), not having their car valued before sale (12%), and struggling with paperwork (10%).
Seven out of ten drivers admitted putting off selling their car altogether because of the hassle, while it emerged that over two thirds (69%) have felt out of depth when selling their vehicle. Hundreds have ended up feeling they had been ripped off.
When selling their car, only 14% felt very confident they had achieved a good price, with an acceptance by 69% that they would be willing to take an offer less than market value in order to make the process easier.
More than 60% admitted they regret rushing to sell a car in the past because they received less money as a result.
*The Car Expert has a commercial partnership with Motorway. If you click through to the Motorway website and proceed to sell your car, we may receive a commission. This does not affect the amount you receive.
If you’re considering an electric car lease, you’ve probably had to deal with some conflicting theories and myths about how practical they are to live with.
Unsurprisingly, many of those common myths you see bandied around are false and we’re here today to finally bust those myths and put your mind at ease.
‘Electric cars can’t travel far’
As the electric car sector continues to evolve, manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries of engineering to create the best possible EV.
From Skoda to Volkswagen and Tesla, there are now several 300+ mile range electric cars readily available on the market.
The real-world range of these will of course be dictated by conditions and driving habits, but you no longer have to break the bank to find an EV that can go the distance.
‘Electric cars are too expensive’
While the likes of Mercedes, Tesla and Audi may steal the headlines with their top of the range electric cars, there are plenty of more affordable options available.
Top manufacturers like Volkswagen, Smart and Fiat offer cost-effective electric cars for a more affordable electric driving experience.
A Nissan Leaf lease is another valuable option for an electric car that doesn’t have to come with a humungous monthly payment and still has a range of up to 239 miles.
‘Electric cars break down more often’
Despite what many people might think, there’s no evidence to say electric cars break down more frequently than their combustion engine alternatives.
They are built with significantly fewer moving parts than their diesel or petrol alternatives, so in theory, they can result in less maintenance.
Gone are the days of worrying about your engine oil or an expensive clutch replacement, but the car’s battery will need to be maintained in place of the engine.
‘Electric cars take too long to charge’
There isn’t one set way to charge your electric car, giving you the freedom to charge your car at a speed that suits you.
Depending on the method you choose to charge your EV will determine how long it takes.
The most basic method to charge an EV is with a three-pin plug. This is not often advised as it will be the slowest method.
Wallbox chargers at home can operate at up to 7kW and depending on your battery size, might take anywhere between 6 and 8 hours.
Many modern electric cars can now rapid charge at up 120kW, which allows a car to charge from 20-80% in as a little as 30 minutes.
Take out a Tesla Model 3 lease and you’ll recoup up to 175 miles in just 15 minutes at your nearest Supercharger.
‘Electric vehicles can’t be driven or charged in the rain’
Historically, we’re always taught that electricity and water combined is bad news, so we understand why many people might have concerns about driving an EV in wet conditions.
Fear not, though, they’re perfectly safe to drive in the rain. Follow traditional road safety advice when it comes to driving in the wet, as you would with a combustion engine.
‘You can’t tow with an electric car’
Despite what you might think, many electric cars come with very competitive towing capacities.
Higher torque figures have always made diesel cars the go-to choice when towing something like a caravan. This is where an EV comes in, the combination of instant torque and regenerative braking means there are many advantages that come with towing with an EV.
Carparison’s best car lease deals can suit your every need. Contact their leasing experts at www.carparisonleasing.co.uk for more information.
The Toyota GR Supra will now be offered with a manual gearbox, according to the Japanese brand the result of “listening to sports car fans and customers.”
The two-seater sports car launched in 2019 as the first model in the performance-pitched GR range – named after Toyota’s motorsport division, Gazoo Racing.
The Supra was initially offered with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine of 340hp, which was joined a yeaar later by a cheaper 2.0-litre unit offering 257hp. But until now, both have only been available with an auto transmission.
Now the 3.0-litre version of the Supra is to be offered with a six-speed ‘intelligent manual’ gearbox, following the example of Toyota’s other two GR models – the Yaris and GR86. According to its makers, the new unit has been specifically developed for the car, with a larger diameter clutch to cope with the engine’s power and software that produces the most performance-friendly shifts.
The traction control system has also been modified – improvements include measures to ensure that there is less chance of wheelspin when pulling away in first gear, more potency when taking uphill hairpin bends and an anti-roll programme.
Toyota has not released performance figures for the manual version of the Supra but it should be slightly quicker than the auto, as it is around 40kg lighter. The new transmission saves around 22kg, while a changed audio system and the removing the leather upholstery and power adjustment from the seats has cut another 16kg.
Further changes to the Supra include returned suspension, with stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars and dampers.
Toyota is yet to release prices and final specifications for the manual GR Supra but does expect it to become the most popular version of the car.
With particular praise for its comfort, performance and overall balance, the Toyota GR Supra has received consistently positive reviews from the British media since its arrival in early 2019, and holds an Expert Rating of 74%.
Jaguar has announced that new performance-focused 300 Sport models are available at the top of its XF and XE saloon line-ups, and that every new XF and XE model now comes with Amazon Alexa voice command software installed.
While entry-level XF and XE models are powered by a 204hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with mild hybrid technology, the new range-topping 300 Sport versions use an uprated 300hp petrol version – both capable of a top speed of 155mph.
The Jaguar XF 300 Sport, which is available as either a saloon or estate car, can complete a 0-62mph sprint in 5.8 seconds, while the smaller XE 300 Sport saloon has a slightly quicker sprint time of 5.6 seconds. These top-spec models are all-wheel drive only, and make use of an eight-speed automatic transmission.
As well as enhanced performance, 300 Sport models have been given Jaguar’s ‘Black Pack’ treatment, distinguished from entry-level variants by a gloss black roof, tinted privacy glass and a subtle rear spoiler. While the standard XF and XE models come with a choice of 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels, range-topping 300 Sport versions feature larger 20-inch alloys that can be trimmed in either grey, silver or black.
Jaguar XF 300 Sport in ‘Eiger Grey’Jaguar XE 300 Sport in ‘Carpathian Grey’
In the cabin, the XF 300 Sport’s interior is finished in an aluminium colour tone, while the XE 300 Sport is trimmed in an ash-coloured grey. Both new trims include metal shift paddles behind the steering wheel, and foot pedals are finished in a bright metallic colour.
The XF and XE 300 Sport, as well as the rest of the XF and XE model line, also come with Amazon Alexa software installed, allowing the driver and passengers to manage navigation, play music or check the news or weather using voice commands. The software is integrated into the brand’s Pivi Pro infotainment system, which is already compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Prices for the Jaguar XF 300 Sport start at £47,730, while entry-level models can be purchased for £33,985. The smaller XE 300 Sport is more than £5,000 cheaper at £42,345, but this is still over £12,000 more expensive than the standard Jaguar XE.
A capable alternative to the class-leading BMW 3 Series, the Jaguar XE has received particular praise for its driving dynamics and upmarket interior trim, though criticisms have been directed at its cramped rear cabin space. It currently holds an Expert Rating of 74%.
The larger Jaguar XF challenges the likes of the BMW 5 Series, and like the XE, reviewers generally conclude that the saloon is decent, but a long way behind BMW standards. Praised for its generous equipment levels fitted as standard, the XF holds an Expert Rating of 73%.
On sale in the UK from the end of 2012 to early 2019, the fourth-generation Renault Clio was a compact five-door hatchback built on the same platform as the smaller Renault Zoe.It was replaced by the current fifth-generation Clio in 2019.
Rivalling other mainstream superminis like the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo, the fourth-generation Clio was available as a petrol, diesel or hybrid model, with both manual and automatic gearboxes available.
This iteration of the Clio had a more spacious cabin than its predecessor thanks to a longer wheelbase. The hatchback was given a mild mid-life facelift in the middle of 2016, consisting of exterior styling tweaks, new interior trim details and functions, infotainment updates and the addition of LED headlights.
There was a performance-tuned version called the Renault Clio R.S., but that’s not covered here. The Renault Clio was also sold as an estate elsewhere in Europe, but this version was not sold in the UK.
Throughout its lifespan, the fourth-generation Clio received average to very good reviews scores from the British media – affordable, well-equipped and comfortable, Parkers concluded that the Clio didn’t have “any particular weaknesses” when it was on sale. However, now off sale, many reviewers comment that the Clio’s interior is now looking dated.
Carwow explained that “newer models have simpler designs, bigger screens and better infotainment systems”, while Carbuyer said that the Clio’s cheap interior plastics meant that the car’s interior build quality was somewhat inferior to the likes of the Volkswagen Polo.
Most reviewers agreed that the Clio was a stylish hatchback and a good value-for-money package – a great all-rounder that proved to be a capable alternative to the supermini class leaders during its tenure.
Now no longer on sale, the fourth-generation Renault Clio holds a Used Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 62%. It scores top marks for its excellent reliability record and also gets good grades for its low running costs. However, its media review scores were poor and its safety rating has long expired due to age.
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: “The Renault Clio is a stylish supermini that’s relatively cheap to run, but it’s not a class leader.” Read review
Model reviewed: (2016) Score: 6 / 10 “The Renault Clio remains a capable and perfectly recommendable supermini, with this light facelift tweaking the car in several key areas to ensure it keeps pace with the class best.” Read review
Model reviewed: Expression Score: 6 / 10 “The Renault Clio Expression cuts back on the standard equipment to keep the price manageable. The interior lacks some essential kit and feels a bit spartan, but practicality is strong and you wouldn’t necessarily know this is the basic model by looking at it from the outside.” Read review
Model reviewed: GT-Line (2015) Score: 6 / 10 “The warmed over Clio looks good on paper and in the showroom, but it fails to live up to its promise.” Read review
Model reviewed: Dynamique MediaNav Score: 6 / 10 “Despite its bold looks, the Renault Clio Dynamique MediaNav can’t match the class leaders. It’s surprisingly fun to drive, but the cheaply trimmed interior already looks dated in some areas, despite having lots of kit.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: (2016) Score: 6.6 / 10 “The Renault Clio is a solid contender in the supermini class, if not quite up there with the absolute best. There’s a lot to like, including its style, sophisticated driving manners and some punchy turbocharged engines, not to mention decent equipment and affordability.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 6.2 / 10 “The Renault Clio is great to look at, ok to drive and comes with a range of efficient engines. And, being a Renault, it’s also one of the safest superminis around.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Dynamique S TCe 120 Score: 8 / 10 “The Renault Clio Dynamique S TCe 120 has stylish looks, nippy performance, and generous levels of kit.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “Although the Renault Clio may not lead the competition when it comes to costs, it’s close enough to be considered, and this 1.2-litre petrol is a good compromise for those drivers looking for added performance at only a little extra cost.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Renault Clio has an all-round appeal across CO2, running costs, looks and interior quality that it has not previously enjoyed, and putting it up around the VW Polo, Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 208. Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1.5 dCi 90 Dynamique MediaNav Score: 8 / 10 “This Renault Clio has a much more serious look, it’s lighter, it has nearly class-leading luggage space, it’s more economical and it has more glass area.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Score: 6.2 / 10 “The Renault Clio is good to drive and looks great, but on the inside it’s some way off rivals, which offer more space and are better made.” Read review
Model reviewed: Dynamique Nav “The Renault Clio does suffer from body lean in the corners, but it is extremely comfortable at motorway speeds.” Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10 “The Renault Clio is a stylish small hatchback that’ll prove easy to drive.” Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: Trophy (2015) “If you want a new hatch that looks special and is exciting to drive fast, the Renault Clio Trophy won’t fall short.” Read review
Model reviewed: GT-Line “Like all Clios, the GT-Line looks really good, but the GT-Line feels disappointingly slow.” Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed: “The Renault Clio is comfortable and capable, with good roadholding, fine handling and decent economy.” Read review
Model reviewed: “The Renault Clio is a cracking and stylish not so small supermini with plenty of the latest technology and a high level of equipment straight out of the box.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: GT-Line Score: 6 / 10 “Renault’s Clio GT-Line promises Renaultsport influence in a more affordable package – but falls short of the warm hatch sweet spot.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2016 Score: 7 / 10 “The chic Renault Clio has verve, but isn’t a class-leader.” Read review
Fleetworld
Model reviewed: Clio 0.9 TCe Dynamique MediaNav “Renault’s new petrol engine puts the Clio on the same page as the Ford Fiesta. For those who don’t need the extraordinary economy of the diesel version it could be the most cost-effective Clio yet.” Read review
Model reviewed: “The new Clio is a cracking little car to drive, especially the brilliant new three-cylinder petrol engine. With a vastly improved cabin and some quality touches which will help residual values no end, the new Clio is a huge leap forward and is now up among the best in the sector.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10 “The Renault Clio really hit its styling stride when the fourth generation model was launched in 2013.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “Bigger and better looking Renault Clio an improvement on previous model’ both 90 TCe petrol and 90 dCi diesel under 100g/km CO2.” Read review
Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The latest Clio is a car that’s been thoroughly reworked to enable it to rub shoulders with the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo – two of the best cars in the segment.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Score: 7.8 / 10 “The Renault Clio is stylish, cheap to run and good to drive.” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: “Renault have got this Clio off to a tee. This sweet drive will undoubtedly give them big sales.” Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: (2016) Score: 8 / 10 “Put the Renault Clio on your supermini shortlist.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10 “The Renault Clio Mk4 impressed at first but was surpassed by the competition.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10 “The Renault Clio has five-star looks but three-star space and ride comfort.” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Renault Clio isn’t as fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta or as classy as a VW Polo, but it should be cheaper than both to run. It also a stylish and safe choice, and it comes with a long warranty.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Renault Clio isn’t as fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta or as classy as a VW Polo, but it should be cheaper than both to run. It also a stylish and safe choice, and it comes with a long warranty.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: “The facelifted Renault Clio is not bad at all. You get six engine choices in non-Renault Sport Clios, but the most interesting of all is the 118hp 1.2-litre turbo in this TCE 120.” Read review
Model reviewed: Dynamique S (2016) The updated Renault Clio is very nice and the new engine is actually very useful and noticeably less clattery than most small diesels.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10 “Renault has rediscovered its form with a loveable car in a class that lacks them.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
The fourth-generation Renault Clio was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2012 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2018 and is no longer valid. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Clio to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The fourth-generation Renault Clio was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 175 Average repair cost: £283.04 Last updated: April 2025
As of April 2025 (our most recent data point), the Renault Clio has an excellent reliability score of 87%, according to workshop and extended warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score covers not only this generation of Clio, but also newer (2019 onwards) and older (pre-2012) models.
Average repair costs for the Clio are very reasonable at less than £300. The only thing to really watch out for is gearbox issues, as the average repair bill for these is nearly £1,300 to date.
If you are looking to buy a used Clio, make sure any used car warranty you purchase covers all of the potential problem areas shown above.
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Hyundai has updated its Ioniq 5, adding a new battery pack that gives the electric car more range and power.
Installed just over a year after the Ioniq 5 went on sale in the UK, the new 77kWh battery pack will add the equivalent of 11hp when compared to the previous range-topping 73kWh pack, and extend the maximum projected range between charges from 299 to 315 miles.
Cars fitted with the 77kWh battery pack will now form a new range-topping trim level dubbed Namsan Edition, named after a mountain in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
Equipment in Namsan Edition models also includes a full-length panoramic roof, leather upholstery and for the first time on European Hyundais, digital side mirrors – these reduce air resistance, helping to increase range, and offer a better view than traditional mirrors particularly in poor weather.
Alongside the new battery Hyundai has revamped the entire Ioniq 5 range – the entry-level SE Connect model is now priced from £39,400 with a 58kWh battery giving a range of up to 238 miles.
Premium trim variants of the car start from £41,900 and now come with more standard equipment, including the Vehicle to Load (V2L) system which allows use of the car’s electrics to power AC tools. Premium models also add a camera to the rear spoiler, projecting an image onto the rear-view mirror which compared to a typical reflected view is unobstructed by rear-seat occupants.
Premium versions of the Ioniq 5 can be specified with either the 58kWh or new 77kWh battery pack, while the options list includes a heat pump. This helps maintain battery efficiency in cold conditions by heating the interior rather than employing the car’s main battery to do so.
Ultimate trim level starts from £48,400 and now includes as standard previous safety options of blind and surround-view monitors, while the range-topping Namsan Edition models cost from £52,900.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 currently holds an Expert Rating of 86%, praised for its battery range and handing but criticised for its ride quality.
The Alfa Romeo Mito was a compact three-door supermini that arrived in the UK in 2009 as an alternative to premium rivals like the Audi A1 and Mini hatch – built on the same platform as the third-generation Fiat Punto.
Named after the cities of Milan, where the car was designed, and Turin, where the car was manufactured, the Mito range consisted of several petrol engines, the most expensive being turbocharged, and a more economical diesel engine. Both manual and automatic transmission models were sold.
Discontinued in 2018 with no direct replacement, the Alfa Romeo Mito received average to poor review scores over its lifetime. Some reviewers commented that the hatchback aged gracefully, while others asserted that it was a flawed model that never really lived up to the Alfa Romeo badge.
Most media reviewers praised its distinctive styling that stood out in a very crowded supermini class, but tended to conclude that the driving dynamics didn’t live up to the styling’s promises.
Several outlets also added that, while the Mito was well-equipped for a car of its age, the interior build quality was poor and cabin space in the front and back was limited compared to other superminis.
Parkers asserted that the turbocharged petrol engines at the top of the range were a highlight, while the diesel option “saps the fun” out of the driving experience. Lastly, some reviews questioned the reliability of the Mito – citing Alfa Romeo’s patchy history of reliability and a 2012 Mito recall that was triggered by braking system issues.
As of February 2026, the Alfa Romeo Mito holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 59%.
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: 2010-18 Score: 6 / 10 “The Alfa Romeo Mito is a stylish premium supermini, but it falls well behind the class best.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2010 “The Alfa Romeo MiTo should be a hugely enticing buy, with its distinctive styling, semi-premium badge and smart cabin.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Twinair Score: 7 / 10 “The Alfa Romeo delivers petrol class-leading emissions, and adequate performance.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Quadrifoglio Verde (2014) Score: 6 / 10 “The changes to the Alfa Romeo Mito for 2014 cannot transform a car that lacks a hard enough edge for enthusiasts to be drawn away from some brilliant rivals, yet it doesn’t have the polish to pass a performance-luxury offering.” Read review
Model reviewed: TwinAir (2014) Score: 4 / 10 “Much as we love Alfa Romeos, and appreciate the Mito’s distinctive looks and game engine, its all-round ability simply isn’t convincing enough against newer, sharper opposition.” Read review
Model reviewed: 1.3 JTD Veloce (2010) Score: 8 / 10 “The Mito is a flawed gem, with stunning looks but lacklustre dynamics.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10 “The Alfa Romeo MiTo is a stylish and well-equipped supermini that should prove fairly cheap to run.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10 “If you find MINI’s too common and the Audi A1 too sensible, the Alfa Romeo MiTo’s stylish looks could be right up your street.” Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: 2010-18 Score: 5 / 10 “From the classic grille to the offset number plate, this is a car that could hardly be more distinctive, but the suspension is lumpy and there’s no sharp handling to compensate.” Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: “The Alfa MiTo is great fun to drive.” Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed: “The Alfa Mito is a stunning and very distinctive three door with a lovely shape in the Italian marque’s tradition; and decent to superb performance from engines with a wide range of power outputs.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10 “The Alfa Mito TwinAir is one of those car that loves to be driven flat out at every occasion, and thanks to the very quick steering it’s not long before you find yourself having a ball.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10 “The Alfa Mito is willing enough, competent, but also rather plain and unmemorable.” Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 1.3 JTDm-2 Score: 9 / 10 “The Alfa Romeo Mito is small and light, and has responsive steering, even though it may not be super-precise. Its chassis adds to the fun, providing agile handling and decent levels of grip.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Score: 5 / 10 “The Alfa Mito has great looks and some very perky engines.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Score: 2 / 10 “If style is your top priority then it’s tricky to top the MiTo, but it falls short in too many other areas.” Read review
Motors
Model reviewed: Score: 4 / 10 “The Alfa Mito has great styling, a good level of equipment, and is a good size for the city.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10 “The Alfa Mito is a stylish small premium car that’s ageing gracefully.” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: “The MiTo is a stylish alternative to other hot superminis like the Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208 GTI and Renault Clio RS. But it is also more expensive and that will hold it back.” Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 1.3 JTDM-2 95HP Speciale Score: 6 / 10 “The Alfa Romeo a car you could love, despite its irritations, as long as you’re not too fussy about the way it drives.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: 2010-18 Score: 5 / 10 “The Alfa MiTo has a decent engines, but good value it is not.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Alfa Romeo Mito was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2008, and was awarded five stars for adult occupant safety. However, this rating expired in January 2014 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Mito to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Alfa Romeo Mito preceded Green NCAP by about a decade and ended production before Green NCAP commenced, so it was never tested during its production cycle.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 77 Average repair cost: £416.71 Last updated: April 2025
As of April 2025, the Alfa Romeo Mito has an average reliability score of 60%. This score applies to all Mito models in MotorEasy’s database, registered from 2008 to 2018.
The average repair cost to date is just over £400, which is more than the cost of a used car warranty, so that’s certainly worth keeping in mind.
The most common problems to data relate to suspension issues, with an average repair bill of only £180. However, gearbox problems are significantly more expensive, with an average repair bill of more than £1,000.
If you’re looking at a used Mito, make sure that any used car warranty covers all of the potential problem areas shown above.
Date: November 2017 Model types: All Build dates: 09/2016 to 03/2017 Number of vehicles affected: 352 Defect: Due to a potential non-conformity in the supplier’s production process the front seat belt pretensioner could malfunction and the front seat belt pretensioner may not function as intended in the event of a deployment. The locking mechanism operates independently from the pretensioner therefore locking mechanism functionality is still guaranteed. Remedy: Fit new seat belt assembly to either the driver or passenger front seat or both. The seat belt assembly to be replaced will be determined on the vehicle VIN/ chassis number which will be checked against a list to ensure the correct operation carried out.
Date: December 2012 Model types: All Build dates: 06/2012 to 09/2012 Number of vehicles affected: 268 Defect: A connector on the brake servo pipe may fail and cause a loss of vacuum assistance necessitating the driver to include additional effort when braking. Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to fit a new brake servo pipe.
As of August 2024, there have been two DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Alfa Romeo Mito. These cover seat belts and brakes. These date from 2017 and 2012, respectively, so any required remedial work should have been done long ago.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Alfa Romeo dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Mito, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
Due to its age, we don’t have whole-life running cost data available for the Alfa Romeo Mito.
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Car subscriptions offer a new way of providing company cars which can work well for both employers and employees.
A car subscription is halfway between a lease and long-term car rental. You or your employer can pay for a car (or a van) from 28 days to 36 months, with the ability to get exactly the car you want, change it when you like – subject to conditions – and have insurance and maintenance included.
Unlike a lease there is no major upfront charge (such as nine months’ advance payment) but the monthly charges are higher than a fixed-term lease. There are also short-term leases on offer – between three and 12 months – but the choice of car may be limited. In all cases, neither you nor your employer own the car or will have the option to do so.
Vehicle subscriptions for employers
Traditionally employers have run company car schemes which fall into three types; company-owned vehicles, employee car allowances or an employee salary sacrifice scheme. We explain them here.
For business owners and fleet managers, using car subscriptions is suggested as a way to have a flexible fleet of vehicles which can be quickly scaled up or down without being tied into lease cycles of several years. There are no ‘start-up’ costs to buying a fleet of cars, then taxing, insuring and maintaining them. You can also use them to make a job offer more appealing.
“The modern working world has changed immeasurably in the last two years,” says Duncan Chumley, chief executive officer of our partner, Mycardirect. “A car/van subscription gives your company the agility to change with it. Car subscription offers short term contracts that can be cancelled any time, so if your business is disrupted by external forces, you aren’t stuck with a fleet of company vehicles gathering dust, unused and unwanted.”
Subscriptions could be offered to contractors on temporary contracts, or new staff still in their probationary periods. New businesses may not be able to afford large downpayments on the start of a traditional lease and may not yet have a good credit record. This also applies to commercial vehicles.
Now, with the current delays on new cars (2022), a subscription or flexible short term contract can cover shortfalls in a vehicle fleet while drivers are waiting for a particular car to arrive. Subscriptions provide the opportunity to change cars and try out different models, which traditional leasing can’t offer.
Most providers allow you to swap between cars and vans and some may be set up to administer subscriptions for business users with for example one invoice for subscriptions for a number of cars and favourable rates. Dependent on the company’s financial set up they can claim back VAT (in line with HRMC rules), which is why the subscription is in the name of the employer as the agreement is taken out in the company name.
Subscriptions from the employee’s point of view
You may be driving a subscription car – or more likely a van – just for work, but when a company car is made available for the private use of an employee a Benefit in Kind (BiK) value is calculated in relation to the value car (and to the fuel if that is also made available for private use). As subscription cars are subject to change, like any company car it is up to the company/employee to advise the HRMC of the car that the employee is driving.
Under salary sacrifice the cost of the subscription is taken off your pre-tax salary. You don’t pay income tax or national insurance contributions on the portion of your salary you have ‘sacrificed’. You still pay a BiK based on the value of the car and the private fuel it uses
The traditional company car allowance is a cash sum which is added to your salary, to subscribe to a car of your choice. You are charged tax on it as additional salary, not as a BiK, although you need to keep your own records of business mileage versus private mileage. A business mileage allowance may be available in addition or if not offered you can claim business mileage against tax yourself at a flat rate.
Using a company car allowance to buy a subscription could work to your advantage, depending on the terms your employer sets. If you don’t need a car for a prolonged period such as a month or two working abroad, you could hand the subscription car back and start with a new one when your return. You could also save your allowance by changing to a cheaper car if that suits. Remember, though, that as the subscription will be in your name you’ll be subject to the same conditions as other users, such as damage above normal wear and tear or excess mileage.
Electric incentive
Most companies having been looking at subscriptions as a way to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) into their fleet. They may have corporate policies on reducing CO2 emissions and an electric car subscription offers the chance to try out how they match the businesses’ needs and the best vehicles for the job.
There’s a big tax benefit for both sides. Users of zero-emission cars pay only 1% BiK. This means that if you have a car included with your role, both you and your employer can save money on tax. However, the tax benefit may be doubtful if you have no way to charge at home overnight because you live in a flat or have no off-street parking.
Taking advantage of the 1% BiK, some electric car providers are targeting both employers and employees. Octopus Electric Vehicles provides leases to employers – and helps them set up salary sacrifice schemes – and the employee then chooses the car.
As an EV subscription example, electric-only provider Onto has a salary sacrifice calculator. Calculated at the start of April 2022, on a subscription for a Hyundai Ioniq Premium 38kwh (list price £33,895) an employee earning £40,000 had the monthly subscription (paid by the employer) of £499 deduced from their gross pay (salary sacrifice). There is a tax and National Insurance saving of £166, leaving a monthly BiK of £11.
The brand’s first bespoke electric car, Lexus has revealed the first details about its RZ SUV, which is built on the same platform as the upcoming Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X.
The compact RZ will join the Lexus range as an all-electric alternative to the similarly-sized NX SUV which debuted at the end of 2021, which is available as either a hybrid or plug-in hybrid model. The RZ is set to be the second electric model to join the Lexus line-up in the UK – following the smaller UX Electric SUV – as the Japanese brand aims to be electric-only by 2030.
Embodying what Lexus calls the “next chapter” of the brand’s design ethos, the battery-powered RZ has a similar silhouette to the NX, but with a new minimalist approach to the design of its front end, featuring a lower bonnet and smaller air intakes, sitting below large rectangular headlights.
Most noticable is the absence of a front grille, while the Lexus branding remains front and centre on the SUV’s nose. In the rear, one elongated tail light extends across the width of the tailgate, and the rear window is framed by a lower lip spoiler and a fang-shaped roof spoiler which Lexus says gives the car a “cool, high-tech look”.
In the cabin, The Lexus RZ is very similar to its NX sibling, with a head-up display and 14-inch infotainment screen, though Lexus says that the infotainment sits lower on the dashboard to improve visibility for the driver. The infotainment also includes a new voice-activated on-board assistant, and the brand’s own navigation software.
Like Toyota, Lexus is also looking to introduce its new electric models with a yoke-style steering wheel option. This unusual setup, which will be an optional package for the RZ from 2023 onwards, uses an electrical connection to send steering inputs, with no traditional steering column needed. Lexus says this yoke-style system requires less effort when steering and that its butterfly-like shape improves the driver’s view of the head-up display and the road ahead.
The RZ comes with a conventional steering wheel as standard……but the brand will offer the RZ with a yoke-style wheel from 2023
Another first for Lexus, the RZ also features a dimmable panoramic roof which reduces radiant heat on sunny days, and helps to retain heat on colder ones. The RZ is also fitted with what Lexus calls the ‘e-Latch system’, which works with the SUV’s blind spot monitor to cancel the opening of a door when a pedestrian or cyclist is detected.
Like the Solterra and bZ4X, The Lexus RZ is powered by a 71kWh battery. However, while its Subaru and Toyota counterparts are available with a single motor for a cheaper entry-level price, the RZ comes with an electric motor in the front and rear as part of the brand’s new ‘Direct4’ four-wheel drive powertrain.
This dual-motor setup produces 312hp, and Lexus estimates that the SUV has a maximum battery range of over 250 miles – a considerable improvement over the 190 mile range of the Lexus UX Electric.
UK buyers can now reserve a Lexus RZ online, with pricing and further specification details being available later this year. While the SUV is not yet available to pre-order, Lexus expects to deliver its first RZ orders in the UK around the end of 2022.
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the first details about its seven-seat EQS SUV, which will join the Mercedes-EQ range as the upmarket brand’s biggest ever electric model.
This new all-electric SUV is essentially a raised version of the Mercedes-Benz EQS saloon, which was awardedThe Car Expert’s Car of the Year for 2021. The EQS SUV is 20cm taller than its saloon counterpart, with a rear-end redesign that extends the cabin to add a third row of seats.
From the first teasers Mercedes-Benz has released, it is clear to see that the EQS SUV takes inspiration from the saloon it is based on and the other SUVs in the all-electric EQ range – it has the same headlights, front panel grille and air intake designs as the EQS saloon, while having a similar silhouette to the smaller EQC SUV.
Stepping inside, the EQS SUV’s luxurious interior is practically identical to that of the EQS saloon, except for some trim pattern and colour scheme tweaks.
Like the saloon, a 1.4 metre wide hyperscreen can be fitted across nearly the entire width of the dashboard, which includes a 12-inch driver display and an 18-inch central display controlling the multimedia system and navigation.
Mercedes-Benz has not released much information about the EQS SUV specifications and trim levels as of yet, but it has said that the car’s ‘Mercedes-Benz User Experience’ operating system can receive voice commands and over-the-air updates, and that an augmented reality feature which projects navigation details onto the windscreen is optional.
The EQS SUV ride height can be raised by an extra 2.5cm by the driver, and will automatically raise or lower depending on your speed and drive mode. These drive modes also include an ‘Off-Road’ setting, which the manufacturer says makes the EQS SUV “capable of tackling light terrain with ease”.
Three different powertrains have been announced for the new EQS SUV range, though it is not yet confirmed which ones are heading to the UK. The entry-level model is the rear-wheel drive EQS 450+, which uses a single electric motor hooked up to a 108kWh battery to produce 355hp and an official battery range of 410 miles.
The all-wheel drive EQS 450 4Matic produces the same power output but with a dual-motor system, for a maximum all-electric range of 380 miles. Last but certainly not least, the range-topping EQS 580 4Matic uses a tuned version of this dual-motor powertrain to produce 536hp, with an identical battery range of 380 miles. All models are capable of 200kW fast charging.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is expected to arrive later in 2022, and pricing and specification details will be announced closer to this launch.
BMW has revealed a totally re-engineered 7 Series range, with the first new version of the German brand’s largest luxury saloon on sale an all-electric model.
The BMW i7 xDrive60 is powered by separate electric motors on the front and rear axles, for a combined output of 544hp with 745Nm of torque. The car will complete the 0-62mph sprint in 4.7 seconds and go onto a top speed of 149mph.
A new and more compact 102kWh battery pack, measuring just 11cm high, is mounted under the car’s floor and provides the car with a official battery range of between 367 to 388 miles from full charge.
BMW says the charging technology, while based on that of the already on sale i4 and iX models, has been further developed with its temperature more precisely controlled to extend battery life and reduce charging times. It also offers the ability to save individual charging profiles.
The car can be replenished through an AC charger at up to 11kW, or via DC power at up to 106kW – at a suitable DC charging station 106 miles of range can be added in only ten minutes.
The i7 will arrive in UK showrooms in December 2022 at prices starting from just over £107,000, and it will be joined in 2023 by two plug-in hybrid 7 Series variants, the 750e xDrive and M760e xDrive.
These two cars will also be all-wheel-drive, pairing a six-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and an all-new eight-speed auto transmission. The 750e produces 490hp, the M760e 571hp, with both cars offering an electric-only range of up to 50 miles. CO2 emissions are between 22 and 28g/km and the official if somewhat meaningless official fuel consumption figures start from 235mpg.
BMW says that the new 7 Series is ‘a considerable step up’ from its predecessor. It has a larger body measuring 13cm longer, 5cm wider and 5cm taller with bolder styling. This is particularly evident on the front end which includes a more prominent grille and the same split-headlamp design element as shown on the newly facelift BMW X7 SUV.
The luxury appeal of the car has been significantly upgraded with new features able to be specified including automatic opening of both the front and rear doors and even a 31-inch cinema screen for rear seat passengers, folding down from within the roof. The front seat occupants also gain the curved digital display panel that has already appeared in other BMW models.
Prices for the two plug-in models are yet to be announced. They are likely to be the only petrol options for the 7 Series in the UK, though industry sources suggest that a single diesel version will be added to the range in 2023.
The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet was the two-door soft-top version of the regular T-Roc SUV that arrived on UK roads in Summer 2020 – nearly three years after the standard T-Roc model.
As a convertible SUV, the T-Roc Cabriolet was essentially in a market segment of one – it was only really directly comparable to the more upmarket Range Rover Evoque Convertible, which Land Rover ditched in 2018 when the original Evoque ended production.
Its closest competitors were more conventional soft-top models like the Mini Convertible. It was also effectively (but not very effectively) a replacement for the long-dead Golf Cabriolet in the Volkswagen line-up
The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet line-up consisted of two trim levels, with only petrol engines available. Parkers argued that the lack of diesel engine options is a misstep.
The Cabriolet’s boot was markedly smaller than the standard SUV, and Volkswagen had to make this convertible version heavier in an effort to reinforce the body structure with the hard-top roof missing – a body structure that Which? called “somewhat compromised”.
Which? added that the folding fabric roof, which took 11 seconds to raise, “simply doesn’t work very well”, and that the rear seats were more cramped than the regular T-Roc, in order to make room for the roof mechanism.
While some reviewers clearly disliked the T-Roc Cabriolet, many outlets conceded that it would appeal to customers intrigued by the idea of a raised ride height and wind-in-the-hair driving in one reasonably affordable package, regardless of its flaws.
As Top Gear concluded, “It doesn’t create a new must-have niche, or take itself too seriously, and neither should you.”
As of February 2026, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet holds a Used CarExpert Rating of D with a score of 58%.
Body style: Compact convertible SUV Engines: petrol Price: From £31,495 on-road
Launched: Summer 2020 Last updated: Spring 2022 Discontinued: Spring 2025
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Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The updates haven’t changed much to the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet experience, so if you were one of the 5% of T-Roc buyers interested before, there’s still much to like. It’s not engaging or quick to drive, but the folding roof adds a sense of fun. If you want to go for this left-field choice, we’d stick with the entry-level model – things get pricey higher up the range.”
“The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet is an open-top version of VW’s stylish family SUV. It’ll have the same solid interior and great petrol engines, but having the wind in your hair means less luggage space.”
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 5.6 / 10 “It would be unfair to criticise the T-Roc Cabriolet for being style over content when that will be a key motivation for buying it – that can’t gloss over some very real practical and dynamic compromises, though.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10 “For soaking up a few rays and enjoying the view on which ever day it is that summer falls, the T-Roc Cabriolet ticks all the boxes. Ask any more of it, however, and its shortcomings in relation to the standard car all to readily surface.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual R-Line Score: 7 / 10 “With decent-sized rear seats and a usable boot, you could happily use the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet every day, and enjoy just how easy and relaxed it is to drive. That’s why it’s worth considering if you’re looking for something a bit different.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6.6 / 10 “The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabrio is heavier, less economical and more expensive than the standard T-Roc.”
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “As a convertible SUV, the T-Roc Cabriolet ticks a lot of boxes. Volkswagen deserves great credit for successfully lowering and raising the roof of a car designed to be a tin-top SUV. It’s just too compromised for it to earn top marks.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The only convertible SUV you can buy new – exclusivity is guaranteed, excellent level of standard equipment, guaranteed to turn heads especially with the roof down.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “It’s the drop-top for those who don’t want to compromise their comfort or convenience – in essence, it’s a normal car that you can take the roof off.” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview “It is comfy, clean-cut, cool and classless. I can’t even grumble about the price.” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “the T-Roc Cabriolet is a cruiser, through and through.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “Doesn’t create a new must-have niche, or take itself too seriously, and neither should you.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of February 2026, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
The hard-top Volkswagen T-Roc was awarded a full five-star crash test rating back in 2017, but this rating does not include the T-Roc Cabriolet, as this drop top version has been structurally altered as a result of taking the roof off.
This means that the T-Roc Cabriolet is heavier than the standard model, and while it has the same safety features, we cannot say that it would have the same crash test results.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet was not assessed by Green NCAP during its production life.
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 Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively from workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the T-Roc Cabriolet, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Petrol models
42 mpg
C
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
143 g/km
C
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
25
B
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£161
A
Year 2
£467
B
Year 3
£767
B
Year 4
£1,018
B
Year 5
£1,369
B
Overall
£3,782
B
The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet 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.
While its fuel consumption is higher than the average new petrol car, the Cabriolet has pretty low insurance premiums and its maintenance and servicing costs over the first five years of ownership should be excellent.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Kia has released the pricing details for its 2022 Kia Niro range, which includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains available across three trim levels.
As we reported in January, Kia is set to replace its first-generation Niro SUV with a brand-new iteration for 2022, which will rival the likes of the Nissan Qashqai. Kia says that the current Niro, which sits between the Stonic and Sportage in the brand’s SUV range, is its second-most popular model, with over 70,000 UK sales since 2016.
Now available to pre-order online, customers can choose between three trim levels when configuring their 2022 Kia Niro. Highlights on the entry-level ‘2’ trim include LED headlights, an eight-inch infotainment screen, cruise control, a parking camera and rear parking sensors.
The ‘3’ trim adds parking sensors in the front, upgrades the infotainment screen, and adds keyless entry and wireless smartphone charging, while the range-topping ‘4’ trim adds an electric tailgate and sunroof, and a ten-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
Entry-level ‘2’
16-inch alloy wheels (17-inch alloys for EV models)
LED headlights
A height-adjustable boot floor
Cloth upholstery
Rear parking sensors
A parking camera
An eight-inch infotainment screen
Smart cruise control
Collision avoidance technology
Mid-range ‘3’
All ‘2’ trim features that are not replaced
18-inch alloy wheels
A ten-inch infotainment screen with navigation
Cloth and faux leather upholstery
Wireless smartphone charging
Front parking sensors
Keyless entry
Heated seats
Heated steering wheel
Rear privacy glass
Blind spot monitoring
Range-topping ‘4’
All ‘2’ and ‘3’ trim features that are not replaced
A ten-inch digital instrument cluster
An electric tailgate
An electric sunroof
An upgraded sound system
Heated rear seats
Parking assistance technology
Hybrid pricing
Combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 141hp, the Kia Niro hybrid is the cheapest powertrain on offer, with prices starting at £27,745.
All hybrid models are fitted with a six-speed automatic gearbox, and feature a new ‘Green Zone’ drive mode, which automatically switches to electric power to reduce exhaust emissions to zero in designated built-up areas.
Trim Level
UK price
‘2’ Hybrid
£27,745
‘3’ Hybrid
£30,495
‘4’ Hybrid
£33,245
Plug-in hybrid pricing
The plug-in hybrid variant uses the same 1.6-litre petrol engine, but paired with a larger 62kW electric motor for a combined power output of 182hp.
Also fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission and Kia’s ‘Green Zone’ drive mode, the Niro plug-in hybrid has a promised all-electric range of 40 miles from full charge.
Trim Level
UK price
‘2’ Plug-in hybrid
£32,775
‘3’ Plug-in hybrid
£35,525
‘4’ Plug-in hybrid
£38,275
All-electric pricing
The electric version (EV) of the 2022 Kia Niro is powered by a 65kWh battery which works in tandem with an electric motor to produce a power output of 204hp – the most powerful powertrain in the range.
Kia’s engineers say that the all-electric Niro has a maximum battery range of 287 miles, and that the SUV’s battery can charge from 10% to 80% in about 45 minutes – which is around nine minutes quicker than the outgoing model.
Trim Level
UK price
‘2’ EV
£34,995
‘3’ EV
£37,745
‘4’ EV
£40,495
Kia also says that the 2022 Niro SUV will be available with a choice of eight exterior colours, with an extra charge of £595 for premium paints. The Korean brand expects to deliver the first UK customer orders in early Autumn this year.
The BMW 2 Series Coupé is a compact 2+2 that’s now in its second generation. Launched in early 2022, the new 2 Series Coupé uses the same engines, transmissions, and suspension as the larger 3 Series and 4 Series models.
The new model is a departure from the original generation, which was based on the BMW 1 Series hatchback. The BMW 2 Series family is a confusing jumble of models – the 2 Series Active Tourer MPV and 2 Series Gran Coupé (which is actually a saloon, not a coupé) are based on the 1 Series hatchback, while this 2 Series Coupé (and any future convertible version) are built on completely separate underpinnings and are far more performance-oriented in their nature.
The BMW 2 Series Coupé engine range comprises three petrol-powered models and one diesel option. There’s a performance-focused BMW M2 coupé that’s covered in a separate rating.
The 2 Series Coupé has received a warm reception from the British media since its arrival, which its driving dynamics earning particular praise. Carbuyer explains that the coupé’s eight-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive, while its lightweight components and responsive handling makes the 2 Series Coupé “incredibly agile”.
The 2 Series Coupé has also been praised by the likes of Auto Trader for its “nice balance of performance and real-world running costs”, with the range-topping M240i highlighted as the most potent model in the range. Stepping inside, the 2 Series Coupé shares the same high-quality interior design and dashboard layout as its bigger siblings, and the coupé comes with a slightly larger boot than its predecessor – 390 litres in total.
That said, many outlets noted that the 2 Series Coupé has cramped rear seating, with rear headroom and legroom that Car says is “predictably dismal”. Like many new BMW models, the exterior styling is also divisive, called “fresh and modern” by Auto Express, but labelled as “really unpretty” by the Sunday Times.
As of February 2026, the BMW 2 Series Coupé holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 65%.
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 220d M Sport Score: 8 / 10 “The new BMW 220d’s market may be dwindling, but that doesn’t stop it being a compelling all-rounder suited to those after a frugal, high-mileage two-door that offers more style than a 3 Series. Yes, the 369bhp M240i is more exhilarating to drive, but this diesel version answers back with a beautifully balanced but comfortable chassis and strong refinement.” (Richard Ingram) Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “At a time when buyers of small coupes are starved of choice, the new 2 Series doesn’t just uphold the sharp handling repudiation of its spiritual forebears, but it gives keen drivers an obvious choice. The entry-level 220i wouldn’t be our pick for driver thrills, but as an overall package it delivers a strong blend of performance, engagement and usability.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: 220i Coupé Score: 8 / 10 “Like a baby 4 Series, the 2 Series coupe delivers BMW’s traditional sporty handling in a grown-up alternative to that hot hatch you might otherwise have considered.” (Dan Trent) Read review
Car
Model reviewed: M240i xDrive Score: 8 / 10 “We reckon the new Coupe makes great use of the excellent underpinnings of the 4 Series to create a better driver’s car than its originator. It’s topped off with its striking new styling, which really isn’t flattered by photos.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: M240i Coupé Score: 9 / 10 “BMW seems to have another hit on its hands with the 2 Series, and our first drive of this M240i shows this is a model serious about the sports car market. Though the styling won’t suit all, and it’s not the most practical if you ever have rear passengers, this is a brilliant showcase of BMW’s abilities and is a great affordable sporting model. “ Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.2 / 10 “The BMW 2 Series Coupe offers sports car thrills with four seats and a fairly big boot.” (Andy Goodwin) Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: M240i Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW M240i is a great-looking, even better to drive performance coupe. It does carry a high price tag, though.” Author: Ryan Hirons Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 220i M Sport “Bigger [than the old model] it might be, but this car is still the most appealing model BMW makes. It’s small enough to fit down an English country lane, the suspension is supple enough to soak up bumps, and steering has plenty of feel. I’d still like to see BMW fit thinner rimmed steering wheels but you can’t have everything.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: M240i xDrive coupé Score: 9 / 10 “A weight of 1690kg, an auto ’box and four-wheel drive are very different ingredients to BMW’s usual small coupe fare, but the engineers have cooked up something rather special with the M240i.” (Adam Towler) Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW 2 Series Coupe is now a mini 4 Series rather than a rakish 1 Series. That’s good news for how it drives, while the interior is even more upmarket than before. It’s very useable, too, with four seats and a decent-sized boot.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.4 / 10 “BMW’s smallest coupe is intriguing and fun to drive” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: M240i Coupé “It’s super comfy. The seats are widely adjustable. All the trim looks and feels expensive. And there’s a nice balance between screens and switches for the essentials. Just put your least favourite child in the back.” Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic M240i xDrive Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW M240i is terrifically old-fashioned. It’s more two-door saloon than coupé, really, and for that alone we love it. The fact that it combines just the right amount of power, with a chassis that can not only easily cope with that power, but encourages you to take the occasional liberty, means that it delivers old-fashioned thrills and enjoyment, too.” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: M240i Score: 10 / 10 “It’s a no-brainer. If you’re in the market for a sensibly sized, fast, two-door coupé, buy a BMW M240i now – and if your friends tell you it’s a shame it isn’t an M2, be sure to put them right.” (Alex Robbins) Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: M240i Coupé Score: 8 / 10 “This is a cracking little sports coupe. If you had a previous-gen 2, you’ll love the business class upgrade this one’s taken with its upmarket cockpit and senior-level powerplant. But it’s also a squandered opportunity to create a cheekier, more pugnacious little coupe with its own definable character.” Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “Here’s a pure coupe that’ll warm the heart of traditionalists. It’s a very finessed thing to drive, yet superbly refined for daily use. Not a sports car but a sporting car.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
The four-star score for the 2 Series Coupé is good overall but a point behind the five-star scores for both the 1 Series hatch and the 3 Series saloon. Adult impact protection is almost identical to the 1 Series, but the remainder of the scores are silghtly behind. Overall, however, it’s still a very safe vehicle compared to other new cars on sale.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Clean Air Index: 7.6 / 10 Energy Efficiency Index: 5.2 / 10 Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.5 / 10
The three-star rating above only applies to the 220d diesel model. It does not apply to any petrol models in the range.
Green NCAP concludes that while the powertrain displays “excellent efficiency”, the 220d emits higher amounts of the climate-damaging gas N2O as a diesel, and this hinders its emissions rating.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 279 Average repair cost: £601.49 Last updated: April 2025
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
The BMW 2 Series has a middling reliability rating of 66%, according to workshop data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score covers all current versions of the 2 Series (Coupé, Gran Coupé, Active Tourer) as well as previous models.
The most expensive repair bills tend to be gearbox-related, and those are expensive with an average bill of more than £1,700. Fortunately, they’re not too common. Fuel system faults have an average repair cost of about £1,200, so look out for those as well. The most frequently-seen issues to date relate to the electrical system, with an average repair bill of about £500.
If you own a BMW 2 Series, or are interested in buying a used 2 Series model of any sort, make sure that any used car warranty you buy covers these problem areas.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Petrol models
41 mpg
C
Diesel models
59 mpg
B
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
161 g/km
C
Diesel models
123 g/km
B
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
33
D
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£258
C
Year 2
£612
C
Year 3
£1,002
C
Year 4
£1,319
C
Year 5
£1,718
C
Overall
£4,909
C
Data from our partner Clear Vehicle Data suggests that the BMW 2 Series Coupé is quite fuel-efficient – if you choose the diesel model. However, the vast majority of customers will prefer the petrol versions, which are relatively poor for fuel economy.
Diesel models are markedly more fuel efficient than petrol versions, offering 17 mpg more on average. Service and maintenance costs over the course of five years of ownership are good to start with before getting more expensive in subsequent years, while insurance costs are average.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BMW 2 Series Coupé
Date: March 2023 Model types: All Build dates: 12/2021 to 06/2022 Number of vehicles affected: 538 Defect: On certain vehicles the Body Domain Controller (BDC) control unit may have an incorrect setting applied to it. Remedy: Conduct a check of the settings and if necessary perform a reset on the BDC control unit.
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there has been one DVSA vehicle safety recall on the BMW 2 Series Coupé.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Audi dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used 2 Series Coupé, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW 2 Series has received
Ferrari has revealed its 296 GTS, a mid-engined convertible with a 830hp plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The new ‘berlinetta spider’ is effectively an open-top version of the 296 GTB that launched earlier in 2022, described as “a supercar that is more eco friendly but no less ferocious.”
The only changes to the GTS over its GTB sister are to enable open-top driving. Its uses the same drivetrain, combining a mid-mounted 663hp V6 petrol engine driving the rear wheels, with an electric motor added behind the engine and capable of contributing a further 167hp.
As a result the 296 GTS will sprint through 62mph from rest in 2.9 seconds, reaching 124mph in 7.6 seconds and going on to a maximum speed of 205mph. These figures match the GTB, very unusual for a convertible version of an existing car particularly as the folding roof adds 70kg of weight to the GTS.
Ferrari is yet to release fuel consumption or emissions figures for the 296 GTS but states that the car’s plug-in hybrid system does give the car a potential electric-only range of around 15 miles.
The 296 GTS looks almost identical to its hard-top sibling from the outside, the only noticeable difference being the shape of the rear deck to accommodate a new storage bay for the roof when it is folded down.
Raising or retracting the top takes 14 seconds and can be carried out at speeds up to 28mph. The roof splits in two as its retracts to fold flush over the front of the engine, which Ferrari says maintains the “thermal dissipation characteristics and the balance of the overall design.”
An adjustable rear screen behind the seats allows cabin occupants to make themselves more comfortable when travelling with the roof down.
Despite the folding roof mechanism the aerodynamics of the car are maintained on a par with the GTB, including an active rear spoiler which deploys at speed to add more rear downforce.
An ‘Assetto Fiorano’ package is also available for the 296 GTS, named after Ferrari’s famous test track across the road from its factory in Maranello, Italy. The pack adds uprated adjustable dampers, some aerodynamic tweaks made in carbon fibre and various minor changes to save weight.
Ferrari is yet to reveal prices for the 296 GTS but they will be higher than the £241,550 starting price of the GTB. The car’s prime rival is expected to be the McLaren 720S Spider.
The Ferrari 296 GTB, which currently holds an impressive Expert Rating of 92%, has had a very warm reception from the British media, praised for its distinctive styling and enormous performance, but criticised for its expensive price tag and very costly optional extras.
The Volvo V40 was a five-door family-sized hatchback that was a leftfield upmarket alternative to the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf. The V40’s production cycle came to an end in 2019, and the Volvo range has not featured a hatchback since.
Available as a diesel or a petrol car, and fitted with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox, the Volvo V40 received a mid-life facelift in 2016, which consisted of tech upgrades and interior tweaks. A crossover-style spin-off model called the V40 Cross Country arrived a year after the standard model in 2013, with SUV-style body cladding, bigger wheels and increased ride height.
Throughout its lifespan, the V40 was commended by reviewers for its excellent safety standards and high-quality interior trim, which Auto Express said “lives up to Volvo’s premium brand status”. Although refined, many journalists also labelled the V40’s interior as dated, particularly the car’s ageing infotainment, and many reviews explained that rivals had more passenger space in the rear.
Parkers added that rear visibility was poor, but otherwise stated that the V40 had “nicely weighted steering”, “good body control in the bends”, and a range of very quiet and efficient engines that made the hatchback “an excellent all-rounder”.
As of March 2026, the Volvo V40 holds a Used CarExpert Rating of D, with a score of 57%.
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: “Volvo has a winner here. The V40 is a car that really should be considered by ‘premium’ buyers.” Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: 2012 “It’s easy to see why the V40 is Volvo’s best-selling model in the UK.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2012 Score: 6 / 10 “The Volvo V40 is a classy and economical alternative to the Audi A3 Sportback.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2016 Score: 6 / 10 “While the V40 is a match for its class rivals in terms of style and handling, it can’t match the best for practicality.” Read review
Model reviewed: V40 SE Lux automatic (2015) Score: 6 / 10 “While this new 1.5-litre T3 petrol auto Volvo V40 model is good, it’s pricey against rivals like the Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3 – cars that offer a more premium feel and badge.” Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Score: 7.4 / 10 “The Volvo V40 is stylish, strong on interior quality, and really well equipped, especially when it comes to safety.” Read review
Model reviewed: 2012 Score: 7 / 10 “The Volvo V40 is stylish, strong on interior quality and really well equipped, especially when it comes to safety.” Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: V40 D2 R-Design Nav Plus Score: 9 / 10 “The Volvo V40 D2 is a mature and refined choice with a premium cabin and impressive running costs.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: T5 R-Design Pro Polestar Score: 6 / 10 “The Volvo V40 Polestar’s spikey front end lends itself to a bit of fun if you’re in a playful mood and you can’t deny the V40’s leftfield charm.” Read review
Model reviewed: D4 Geartronic SE Lux Nav Score: 6 / 10 “There are so many safety devices fitted to this car that it could virtually drive itself.” Read review
Model reviewed: Cross Country D2 (2013) Score: 6 / 10 “You’d have to be sorely tempted by the V40 Cross Country’s butch styling to spend an extra £1000 on one over the commendable standard car.” Read review
Model reviewed: V40 R-Design (2013) Score: 8 / 10 “R-Design trim enhances the V40’s styling without ruining the ride: we give the thumbs up to the quarter of UK buyers who’ll opt for it.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10 “The Volvo V40 Cross Country is comfortable to sit in, has lots of standard kit and the diesel engines are brisk and very efficient.” Read review
Model reviewed: D2 R-Design Nav Plus Score: 8 / 10 “The Volvo V40 Cross Country has luxury, practicality and efficiency in spades.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Volvo V40 performs very strongly in terms of efficiency, running costs, equipment and cabin quality.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Score: 6.6 / 10 “The Volvo V40 is a comfortable hatchback, with a version to suit most drivers and impressive safety kit.” Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Cross Country “The Volvo V40 Cross Country stands out from other trims in the range thanks to its unique look, with more ground clearance, a front skid plate, silver roof rails and side scuff plates.” Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed: “The Volvo V40 offers a mix of Scandinavian design, high-tech safety features and all-round versatility; and comes loaded with goodies buyers now expect as standard in premium-brand cars.” Read review
Model reviewed: “The Volvo V40 is a premium hatchback in the same class as the Audi A3 and much of the time is as good to drive.” Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10 “Smaller and less engaging than a Volkswagen Golf, the Volvo V40 has style and safety as its key strengths.” Read review
Fleetworld
Model reviewed: D4 “While the V40 D4 isn’t the most focused driving machine in its class, it ticks a lot more boxes than before.” Read review
Model reviewed: V40 D2 SE Lux “The V40 has all the right ingredients to be a great premium hatchback – it drives well, it’s efficient and well-equipped too.” Read review
Model reviewed: Cross Country “There’s not really any reason to choose this Cross Country version over a standard V40 if you’re being entirely rational about it, but it’s a good-looking thing, redolent of all those excellent, chunky Volvos that manfully contend with the great outdoors, and it’s efficient too.” Read review
Model reviewed: “Low running costs are not enough to set the Volvo V40 apart from its competitors, but its high quality, feel-good interior gives it an appeal missing in its German rivals.” Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: D2 Score: 9 / 10 “The all-new Volvo V40 is – at last – the company’s contender in the vital C-segment hatchback class, and in the case of the D2 it combines low emissions of just 94g/km CO2 and 78.5mpg with an upmarket feel.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Cross Country Score: 7 / 10 “The smoother ride and attractive styling only add to the appeal of an already accomplished Volvo V40.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 5 / 10 “The Volvo V40 is very pleasant to drive, refinement is impressive and the engines offer a good balance of performance and economy.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: 2012 Score: 6 / 10 “There’s still plenty to like about the V40 and it’s a more affordable option that its main rivals.” Read review
Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Cross Country T5 “With 245hp on tap and all-wheel drive, the Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 could – at a push – be the thinking man’s Subaru WRX STI.” Read review
Motors
Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10 “The Volvo V40 has a stylish design, premium interior and lots of standard safety kit.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review Score: 7.4 / 10 “Comfortable old stager that’s still a sound all-rounder” Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: “The Volvo V40 feels reassuringly safe. It breeds confidence in you and your car.” Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The Volvo V40 is a premium alternative to the usual German offerings, and better to drive.” Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “This car scored a whopping 98% in independent safety tests for adult occupancy. The highest score of any car in history.” Read review
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Notes on safety rating
The Volvo V40 was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2012 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2018 and is no longer valid. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually, with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
The V40 did win many awards throughout its life cycle for safety, and remains an excellent choice for safety as a used car compared to similar vehicles.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Volvo V40 pre-dated Green NCAP by several years, so it was not tested during its life cycle.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 144 Average repair cost: £397.95 Last updated: April 2025
The Volvo V40 has a reliability score that’s better than average, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both the current-generation V40 and the original (pre-2018) version.
If you’re looking at a used Volvo V40, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of the potential problem areas shown above.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volvo V40 has received
2018
Safest Used Car Awards – Safest Used Car
2017
Safest Used Car Awards – Safest Used Car
2016
Safest Used Car Awards – Safest Used Car
2013
Auto Express Awards – Safest Car
Carsite Awards – Car of the Year + Best Medium Family Car
2012
Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Executive Hatch
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volvo V40, you might also be interested in these alternatives
The Mercedes-Benz EQV is a seven-seat people carrier which is essentially the electric version of the diesel-powered V-Class, which is in turn closely related to the Mercedes-Benz Vito commercial van.
The EQV has kept much of the exterior styling traits of the V-Class, but uses a 90kWh battery and electric motor instead of a traditional engine. Mercedes-Benz says that it can travel a maximum of 213 miles on a full battery.
Many motoring outlets commend the EQV for its competitive battery range, though Car Keys notes that the electric powertrain makes the EQV over 450kg heavier than its combustion-powered counterpart, and this added weight is noticeable in the corners.
Despite this added weight and some reports of loud wind noise, reviewers generally conclude that the EQV is a very competent cruiser that is a very comfortable way to travel – with a refined and spacious cabin, and one of the best infotainment systems in its class.
Where reviewers often take issue is the car’s price – the entry-level Mercedes-Benz EQV trim costs north of £70,000, which is steep for private buyers. By comparison, the similarly-sized Citroën ë-SpaceTourer is half this price, but opting for the ë-SpaceTourer means losing out on the EQV’s cabin luxuries and battery range.
As of July 2025, the Mercedes-Benz EQV holds a New Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 58%. Its score is helped by producing no tailpipe emissions, but its running costs are only average, while poor media reviews and a long-expired safety rating drag the overall score down.
Body style: Seven-seat people carrier Engines: electric, battery-powered Price: From £87,135 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2021 Last updated: Summer 2024 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 Mercedes-Benz EQV’s niche positioning is growing even less relevant when you factor in its expected price. If you must have a seven-seat electric car, there’s a growing list of alternatives – most of which are much cheaper to buy.”
Model reviewed: Score: 7.8 / 10 “A great alternative to the plethora of SUVs that litter our streets, with a lot going for it. If you’re after something very spacious, this van might be a great alternative for you.” Read review
Car Keys
Score: 8 / 10 “While expensive to buy, the Mercedes-Benz EQV is a very appealing prospect for those looking for a large premium people carrier, not least due to its well-integrated powertrain and credible electric range.” Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: “Range and practicality are big plus points, but the Mercedes-Benz EQV looks expensive next to the large people-carriers on the way from volume brands, even though they have significantly shorter ranges.” Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “The Mercedes-Benz EQV builds on the basis of the smart V-Class people carrier to offer VIP transport with silent and refined electric power.” Author: Richard Ingram Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7.5 / 10 “The pricing looks lofty for a posh van, but the £70,000 starting point isn’t too different to the many, upmarket SUVs that so many convince themselves are the right solution for hauling their families around in. Well, they’re not – this is, if you are really being honest with yourself.” Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: EQV 300 Sport Premium Plus Score: 9 / 10 “The seven-seat electric Mercedes-Benz EQV may look like a van, but it feels like a luxury Mercedes car to drive – a car that’s very, very practical.” (Paul Clarke) Read review
Model reviewed: EQV 300 Sport “There is no getting away from the fact that the EQV is expensive. If you are thinking of taking the plunge its best not to look at the V-Class pricelist first. At least the EQV offers Ultra Rapid charging capability, a good range, and 7 full sizes seats, which is impressive for an electric MPV.” Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: “Capable of covering 252-miles on a single charge, the Mercedes-Benz EQV can be specified with eight, seven or six seats, with the latter getting seats that can be individually configured.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6.8 / 10 “We’d argue that the Citroen e-Spacetourer and its Peugeot and Vauxhall siblings offer almost as much space and versatility, but they don’t have the cachet and can’t travel anywhere near as far on a charge. There’s no doubting the Mercedes feels far more luxurious inside and it’s comfier when fitted with air suspension.” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Score: 4 / 10 “Unless the combination of seven full-size seats and a 200-mile-plus range are must-haves for you – or indeed, you want an EV in which you can work in comfort while it charges – there are better alternatives out there.” Read review
The Van Expert
Model reviewed: “Given that the EQV sits at the forefront of Merc’s EV plans, you can’t fault how well-rounded it is as an overall proposition. This is bound to prove attractive to all manner of people who are already considering a new multi-purpose people carrier.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “The EQV is probably the best of the seven-seat electric options currently available – it’s well specced, comfortable enough for everyone onboard and doesn’t compromise on practicality. There are some compromises that have endured in the van-to-MPV-to-electric conversion, and the EQV’s age can’t be disguised that easily.” Read review
Model reviewed: EQV 300 Sport Premium Plus Score: 8 / 10 “It’s a lot for a van, even a hugely appealing electric one, which the Mercedes-Benz EQV undoubtedly is. Indeed, we’d go so far as saying it’s the way EVs should be, but you all love SUVs so much you’ll go and buy the plug-in versions of those instead. But you’d be wrong to.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
The Mercedes-Benz EQV shares its safety rating with the regular V-Class, which was tested by Euro NCAP way back in 2014.
It’s not always the case that an electric version gets the same safety score as the regular petrol/diesel model, but in this case, Mercedes-Benz was able to show that the EQV would perform comparably to the other V-Class models in equivalent circumstances.
Unusually, the EQV/V-Class safety rating has not expired after seven years, which is generally the case for Euro NCAP safety ratings.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of July 2025, the Mercedes-Benz EQV 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 EQV is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of July 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-Benz EQV 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 EQV, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
221 miles
B
212 – 222 miles
B – B
Electrical efficiency
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
2.4 m/KWh
E
2.4 – 2.6 m/KWh
E – E
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
50
F
12 – 50
A – F
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£180
A
Year 2
£441
A
Year 3
£697
A
Year 4
£856
A
Year 5
£1,135
A
Overall
£3,309
A
The Mercedes-Benz EQV is a relatively affordable vehicle to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Insurance costs should be low, while servicing and maintenance are much cheaper than equivalent combustion-engined Mercedes models.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz EQV, 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 Mercedes-Benz EQV
If you’re looking to lease a new EQV, 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 Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from DreamLease. Find out more
Subscribe to a Mercedes-Benz EQV
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?)
Range Rover Velar buyers now have seven different trim levels to choose from following the addition of a new HST grade to the line-up.
HST is a performance-pitched range-topping trim level and is already offered on the Range Rover Evoque and Sport.
On the Velar it will be available with new 300hp diesel and 400hp petrol engines, these new six-cylinder mild-hybrid units from Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium range built in the UK in Wolverhampton. Sister brand Jaguar has just added the two engines to its F-Pace range.
The HST grade takes the base R-Dynamic specification and includes electronic air suspension with adaptive dampers as standard, the driver also able to tailor the response of the dampers to personal preference.
Exterior additions to the SUV include a black contrasting roof and a ‘Black Pack’ styling treatment. Privacy glass and bespoke 21-inch five-spoke alloy wheels are also standard, while the body colour choices include a new ‘Arroios Grey’ finish that is only available on the Velar HST.
Inside the steering wheel and headlining are finished in a black suede cloth, while a sliding panoramic roof is fitted as standard.
Land Rover has also reintroduced the Edition trim level to the Velar line-up. Based on the R-Dynamic SE grade and powered by a 250hp petrol engine or a 204hp diesel, the Edition gets the same exterior treatment, panoramic roof and privacy glass of the HST, but sits on 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels.
Velar buyers can now also add the Amazon Alexa voice assistant to their car’s functions, so long as they specify Land Rover’s Pivi Pro infotainment system.
Velar HST prices start from £69,865 for the 300hp diesel version and £73,815 with the 400hp petrol engine. The Velar Edition is priced at £61,005 for the diesel and £62,020 with the petrol unit.
The Range Rover Velar, which currently holds an Expert Rating of 72%, receives consistently good review scores, with particularly praised for its design and comfortable driving experience, however it has been criticised for being overly expensive and not hitting the same quality standards as rivals.
