The Car Expert

BMW iX

Sean Rees

-

10 December 2021

0

Table of contents – BMW iX

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Summary

First unveiled at the 2018 Paris motor show, the BMW iX is a high-end all-electric SUV and the flagship model in the German manufacturer’s premium ‘i’ line-up. It is known for its polarising styling, but the mechanical package underneath is quite compelling.

Unlike the BMW iX3 SUV, the iX is built from the ground up, the first purpose-built electric car that BMW has released since the i3 city car almost ten years ago.

At launch, there were two powertrain options available on the iX, but this subsequently expanded to four. A mid-life update in 2025 saw improvements in performance and battery range across the board. All models offer all-wheel drive.

Depending on motor and specification, BMW claims a maximum driving range of 366 to 426 miles in government lab tests. In real-world driving, 300-350 miles should comfortably be achievable.

The mid-life update in 2025 saw some styling revisions both inside and out, higher power outputs on some models and improvements in driving range.

Reviewers from UK media outlets have given the BMW iX a very warm reception, singling out the EV’s ride comfort, plush and tech-laden interior, and driving experience for particular praise.

British journalists agree that the iX has some very bold exterior styling – a little too bold if anything. “This is a face that knows people hate it. And tells them to get used to it”, says The Sun.

“Even if the garnish is a little too strong in some places, the not-so-basic basics are spot on”, concludes Car. “The BMW iX is good to drive, good to sit in and good at making you feel like you’ve just slightly stepped into the near future. Which is surely what a modern high-end electric car should be.”

As of September 2025, the BMW iX holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 74%. It scores top marks for its excellent media review scores, zero tailpipe emissions and BMW’s new EV warranty coverage, while its safety rating is also good. Running costs are average overall, which is a decent result for a large luxury SUV that starts at £75K. Insurance premiums can be expensive, though.

More BMW Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

iX highlights

Very relaxing driving experience
Impressive infotainment
Class-leading battery range
Spacious and luxurious cabin
Full of user-friendly tech

iX lowlights

xDrive50 model is particularly expensive
Polarising styling
Recharging takes up to 17 hours
Its heavy weight is apparent on tough terrain
Smaller but cheaper BMW EVs are available

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUV/crossover
Engines: electric motors, battery-powered
Price: From £70,985 on-road

Launched: Winter 2021/22
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The BMW iX, freshly updated for 2025, is intended to appeal to a minority of customers, not the majority. Whatever you think of the polarising styling, you can’t argue with the driving experience or the cabin ambience. It has a hefty price tag, but it’s a fantastic car.”

Model reviewed: xDrive60 M Sport

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Stuart Masson

“BMW’s big electric SUV is high-class, huge and rapid, but you may struggle to live with that styling.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 9 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: iX M70 (facelift version)
Score: 9 / 10
“The superb BMW iX gets a range of useful updates, but the pricey M70 isn’t the pick of the range.”
Author: Alex Ingram
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Remarkably capable in almost every area, the BMW iX is expensive to buy, but is a deeply impressive all-electric family SUV.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The M60 offers outstanding performance for a car of its size, but it doesn’t completely outshine the lower-priced members of the iX range.” (Alex Ingram)
Read review

Model reviewed: xDrive50
Score: 9 / 10
“The new BMW iX xDrive50 is a seriously impressive electric car. With the bigger 105kWh battery, this bells-and-whistles SUV now has a real-world range to match its exemplary motorway manners. The standard-fit air suspension transforms the way the iX drives, too, making it feel either plush or pointy, depending on your mood. It’s expensive, but it raises the bar in what is becoming an increasingly competitive area of the new-car market.”
Author: Richard Ingram
Read review

Model reviewed: xDrive50
Score: 8 / 10
“Supreme refinement is what characterises the BMW iX. It’s quiet and comfortable, which provides a cornerstone for its other abilities, which include practicality, quality and excellent tech. Of course, this is reflected in the price, and for the money we’d like more range and faster charging. However, these points are unlikely to impact iX owners every day. This is a superb effort at a premium electric SUV.”
Author: Sean Carson
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: 2025 facelift range
Score: 9 / 10
“BMW updates its big, fancy electric SUV and makes it even more appealing – especially when it comes to battery range.”
Author: Mark Nichol
Read review

Model reviewed: Pre-facelift (2021 – 2024) range
Score: 9 / 10
“Combining luxury and technology in one boldly styled package, the BMW iX is an electrified premium SUV with a difference.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: 2025 facelift, 45 M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW iX’s exterior styling is still controversial but doesn’t stand out so much after four years. If you can get past the styling (we could!), this facelifted, big BMW EV is an impressive car. The interior feels special, spacious and beautifully detailed, it drives well, has enough performance, yet remains superbly refined, and few rivals can match the substantial range.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Above everything else, the BMW iX is incredibly intriguing. It’s such a dramatic step in its design inside and out for BMW (even by its own recent radical standards) and yet still has plenty of the brand’s DNA sewn into it. Even if the garnish is a little too strong in some places, the not-so-basic basics are spot on – the iX is good to drive, good to sit in and good at making you feel like you’ve just slightly stepped into the near future.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Not only is it impressively comfortable, but it’s well made both inside and out and surprisingly fun on a windy road, too. The top-spec model brings a huge amount of range, while even the lower-powered model will slot into everyday life for those making the change to an EV.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The BMW iX SUV boasts an impressive range and cutting-edge interior but is expensive.”
Read review

Discover EV

Model reviewed: xDrive40 M Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW iX is our pick of the bunch when it comes to a high-end, luxury electric SUV. So if you’ve got deep-enough pockets and want to shout about your move to zero emissions this is the EV to go for – that’s, of course, if you can live with the controversial styling!”
Read review

Driving Electric

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“BMW’s flagship electric SUV boasts love-it-or-hate-it styling, but to drive, it’s a thoroughly impressive all-rounder that gives the Tesla Model X a run for its money.”
Read review

Electrifying.com

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“What ever you think of the looks, there’s no doubt that the BMW iX is an impressive engineering achievement and brilliant electric car.”
Read review

Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: xDrive50 M Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW iX is big, boxy and heavy. However, if you need to drive long distances with lots of stuff, then there are few cars that can do this as comfortably or as effortlessly as the iX. And if you need to get past something quickly, performance is huge.” (Paul Clarke)
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW iX’s 2025 facelift is unlikely to sway those put off by the car originally but the refresh has improved an already hugely talented car in other areas. Range and performance have improved and there are a few more options too, but the iX remains one of the most relaxing and refined cars on sale at any price, and its cabin is still enormously welcoming and well-built. The BMW iX is still one of the most desirable electric vehicles on the market.”
Author: Antony Ingram
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The BMW iX is a flagship electric SUV with an impressive 375-mile battery range, set to rival the Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“If you want a stand-out, high-price, high-quality electric car, close to the cutting edge of the current state of battery electric vehicle technology then the BMW iX could well be for you. The look of the thing is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows, but as a statement-maker that may be exactly what you’re looking for anyway.”
Author: Tom Wiltshire
Read review

The Sun

Model reviewed: xDrive 50
“If you were expecting some sort of cuddly-wuddly tree-huggers’ special, just look at the photos. This is a face that knows people hate it. And tells them to get used to it.”
Read review

The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: xDrive50
Score: 8 / 10
“Many will write off the iX because of its controversial appearance, which is a shame as underneath the divisive body is an incredible statement of intent by BMW, one that previews a range of future electric cars that are beautifully made, packed with technology, incredibly civilised and yet, somehow, still good to drive.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: xDrive40 M Sport
Score: 6 / 10
“If you want a big, fancy car that can fit the family with space to spare, runs on electricity and feels like a boutique hotel inside, the BMW iX delivers. But there are alternatives that are quieter, smoother, more spacious, and still others that are sweeter to drive. And most of them don’t look quite this… well, let’s give it the benefit of the doubt and call it ‘challenging’.”
Read review

Model reviewed: xDrive50
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW iX displays such assured body control, a decent enough ride and a very powerful and reasonably efficient battery-electric drivetrain.”
Read review

Model reviewed: xDrive50
Score: 8 / 10
“Uncannily quiet and refined, super-fast and with a great ride, the iX debuts a lot of future technologies coming out of BMW. Did they all have to be crammed into a huge and expensive SUV, though? Discuss…”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: iX xDrive40
Score: 7 / 10
“Well, the iX 50 lists at £91,905 and the 40 at £69,850 without options, so that’s a truly hefty saving. And although the iX 50 gets 200kW charging ability, you’ll have to find a charger big enough to feed it, and they aren’t as common as you think.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 73%
Safety assist: 81%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of September 2025, the BMW iX has not been lab tested 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 iX is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	303 miles	A

Electrical efficiency	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	3.4 m/KWh	E

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	48	E

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£446	E
Year 2	£824	D
Year 3	£1,221	D
Year 4	£1,534	D
Year 5	£1,934	D
Overall	£5,959	D

As well as being an expensive vehicle to buy, the BMW iX is quite an expensive EV to run. In particular, its electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is relatively poor, so it uses more electricity than most EVs.

It’s also an expensive car to insure and to service. While it might cost less to run than a large fossil-fuel SUV, it will still require a fair amount of money to run.

If you can charge your iX at home or work, rather than relying on public charging, it should still be significantly more economical to run than a similarly sized SUV like a BMW X5.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of September 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW iX 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 iX, we’ll publish the results here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the BMW iX

Overall ratingA82%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileageUnlimited miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

BMW’s new car warranty is only average, and not as attractive as some other cars in a similar price bracket as the iX.

The duration is three years, with no limit on mileage – although, in reality, the mileage numbers are likely to be fairly irrelevant as most cars only cover about 10,000 miles each year.

In addition to the standard new car warranty, there’s an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.

Warranty on a used BMW iX

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ BMW iX from an official BMW dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used BMW iX from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used BMW iX from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BMW iX

Aug 2023

May 2023

Oct 2022

May 2022

Oct 2021

Date: August 2023
Recall number: R/2023/235
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2022 to 09/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 27
Defect: On affected vehicles, due to a supplier component production process error, a damaged Combined Charging Unit may have been installed.
Remedy: Replace the Combined Charging Unit.

Date: May 2023
Recall number: R/2023/133
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2021 to 01/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 28
Defect: A cable bridge connection connecting two circuit boards within the cell supervision circuit (CSC) might not have been installed properly.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the cell supervision circuit (CSC) inside the high-voltage battery will be replaced.

Date: October 2022
Recall number: R/2022/330
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2021 to 08/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 211
Defect: During assembly of the high-voltage battery cell, the cathode plate may have been damaged and a broken piece may have entered the interior of the cell. BMW strongly recommends refraining from charging the high-voltage battery and to not use the vehicles until the repair is performed. BMW also recommends parking the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the defective cell modules of the high-voltage battery will be replaced.

Date: October 2022
Recall number: R/2022/282
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2021 to 06/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 4,313
Defect: In the event of a restraint system fault, the airbag warning light or warning message is not displayed to the driver due to a software error.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the airbag control unit (ACSM6) will be reprogrammed with new software.

Date: May 2022
Recall number: R/2022/282
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2021 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 3,023
Defect: If a failure is detected by the control unit, the airbag warning light and check control message would not be illuminated and activated.
Remedy: The airbag control unit (ACSM6) will be reprogrammed with new software.

Date: October 2021
Recall number: R/2021/362
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2021 to 09/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 7
Defect: The A-pillar cover holder may not have been correctly fastened.
Remedy: The screw connection of the A-pillar cover holder will be checked and reworked.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been six DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the BMW iX. These cover battery, airbag and interior trim issues.

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 BMW 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 iX, 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 iX has received

2025

Caravan and Motorhome Club Awards – Best Towcar (2,000kg+ caravan) + Best Electric Towcar

2023

Auto Express Awards – Best Large Company Car
EcoCar Electrified Top 50 – Best Luxury Electric SUV

2022

Auto Trader New Car Awards – Rory Reid Award
EcoCar Electrified Top 50 – Best Luxury Electric SUV
Top Gear Electric Awards – Best Luxury Electric Car

2021

The Car Expert Awards – Best New Large SUV + Large SUV Class Champion, electric
iF Design Awards – Best Design

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Buy a BMW iX

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Lease a BMW iX

If you’re looking to lease a new BMW iX, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal

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Toyota Yaris Cross review

Car reviews

Andrew Charman

-

10 December 2021

0

The Toyota Yaris Cross launches into an overcrowded market but does offer something new, extending Toyota’s hybrid SUV range and becoming its smallest member, with the result that buyers of small cars can now join the rush to SUVs.

The Yaris Cross is actually a modern successor to a car produced briefly by Toyota between 2009 and 12 – the Urban Cruiser, effectively a small crossover, was not a success but could now arguably be described as ahead of its time. Today everyone wants SUV-style cars and Toyota’s second attempt at extending such choice to the supermini market is a rather better package.

Toyota Yaris Cross review 2021

What’s new about the Toyota Yaris Cross?

There is a simple principle behind this car – take the already popular Yaris supermini and repackage all the key bits, including the hybrid drivetrain, into a compact SUV body. Then give this body a distinctive look with major overtones of the larger and long-established Toyota SUV, the RAV4.

Built on the same chassis as the Yaris supermini, the Yaris Cross becomes the smallest member of an expanded Toyota hybrid SUV line-up that ranges right up to the seven-seat Highlander. It’s slightly larger all round than its supermini inspiration though with the same wheelbase, and stands a couple of centimetres higher off the ground.

Toyota also takes the opportunity with this new model to finally do something about its infotainment systems, the new ‘Smart Connect’ unit fitted to the Yaris Cross a major improvement of what the Japanese manufacturer has offered previously, and not a moment before time…

How does it look?

The Yaris Cross is quite distinctive in its visuals, Toyota differentiating it from the standard Yaris with a blunt front and rear-end treatment, vertical and large daytime-running lights and squared-off wheel arches.

The result is a presence which is good on the eye and quite stylish, while not extending to looks that would be divisive. The belt line of the body, which rises towards the rear of the car, does restrict the side view from the rear seats, especially for children.

What’s the spec like?

Toyota offers the Yaris Cross in four main grades dubbed Icon, Design, Excel and Dynamic. Additionally, a limited-edition, top-spec ‘Premiere Edition’ is also currently available. Only Dynamic and Premiere Edition versions can be bought with the all-wheel-drive powertrain.

Even base-level Icon models are well-equipped, including auto wipers and lights, push-button entry and starting, electric windows all round and a rear-view camera. Design versions, as in our test car, add LED lights, 17-inch wheels, privacy glass and a seven-inch driver’s display panel.

The top-level Excel and Dynamic models are pitched respectively as comfort or sporty variants. Heated front seats, dual-zone air conditioning and powered adjustment on the driver’s seat are common to both and they also boast bespoke interior finishes.

You need to choose either of the top models to gain the new Smart Sense multimedia system (a desirable as we will see shortly) – we are able to try it in our Design test car as it’s a £300 option.

Common to all versions of the Yaris Cross is an impressive safety package, grouped under Toyota’s ‘Safety Sense’ banner. It includes a wide selection of active safety aids – autonomous emergency braking is present of course but with a number of extras including a new system dubbed ‘Intersection Turn Assistance’ – this warns of and tries to prevent collisions when turning, either with other traffic or pedestrians.

All this comes as standard on all models but the Excel specification adds a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, while parking sensors with auto braking and a 360-degree around-view camera are options.

What’s the Toyota Yaris Cross like inside?

Considering this is a small SUV, the Yaris Cross does offer a reasonable amount of space inside, including for rear-seat passengers – it’s actually larger than the Yaris name suggests it should be.

The boot is impressive in its versatility – as well as the 40:20:20 folding rear seats the boot floor itself splits 60:40, easing the transport of taller items while also providing a hidden space for valuable items.

The car is generally comfortable to travel in, especially sitting in the front seats, while the cabin design is innocuous – there’s nothing particularly memorable about the layout of the dash, though in this market nor does there particularly need to be. The materials are mostly suited to purpose though the use of some hard plastics does jar the overall effect.

One major improvement is in the infotainment system. The Yaris Cross debuts Toyota’s new Smart Connect multimedia platform, based around a nine-inch high-definition touchscreen in the centre console and a long overdue update – it’s a shame that it’s only offered on top-spec versions or as an option.

Most users these days will simply plug their smartphone into it – the system is fully compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (which the previous Toyota infotainment wasn’t) and with wireless capability. But even if you rely on Toyota electronics the navigation is vastly better than the over-coloured and not exactly user-friendly ‘last generation’ maps still fitted to such recent cars as the Highlander.

What’s under the bonnet?

just one self-charging hybrid powertrain is available for the Toyota Yaris Cross, though it’s offered in two varieties. The front-wheel-drive versions of the car unit combine a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 59kW electric motor, for a combined output of 116hp.

Dynamic and Premiere Edition versions can also be bought with a second 3.9kW electric motor on the rear axle, providing all-wheel-drive capability which is ‘intelligent’ – the rear-axle motor only cuts in when road conditions require. Whether front or all-wheel-drive all versions drive through an automatic transmission.

Toyota quotes an 11.2-second 0-62mph time for the front-wheel drive Yaris Cross, extended to 11.8 seconds for the all-wheel drive version. Officially, fuel economy ranges from 54.6 to 64.2mpg on the industry test, with corresponding CO₂ emissions from 100 to 116g/km.

What’s the Toyota Yaris Cross like to drive?

On the road you have three driving modes to play with, the standard one sandwiched by Eco and Power settings, which do make a noticeable difference to the engine’s responses. The car will spend most of its time in the standard mode, however, defaulting to it each time you restart the engine.

In such mode the Yaris Cross glides away virtually silently from rest with the electric motor doing all the work, the petrol engine cutting in at around 30mph, or if you accelerate very swiftly.

The change is almost seamless – the only obvious indicator is a slight increase in the audio note, unless one watches the oddly addictive display on the centre console showing which bits of the drivetrain are in operation – electric, power or a combination of both with the car’s efficient ECU making all the decisions. This does actually help you to adapt your driving style to make more use of electricity, with running cost savings as a result.

It’s not exactly rapid, but acceleration is as assured as one gets with instant electric torque – it feels more perky from behind the wheel than it actually is. The overall impression on the road is of a relaxed drive with no surprises – it is generally cosseting at lower speeds, only being unsettled by larger bumps, and these in turn smooth out at higher speeds for comfortable progress.

In corners the Yaris Cross is quite surprising for an SUV, – steering response is pretty instant and the car easy to place, holding its pose with little body roll. It’s not quite as sharp as the supermini Yaris, but pretty close and actually reasonably fun to drive.

Verdict

The Toyota Yaris Cross competes in an increasingly competitive environment with the number of rivals to it steadily growing, prime competitors including the Hyundai Kona Hybrid and Renault Captur E-Tech. And the new Toyota becomes a prime contender in its segment, basically because it follows the mantra of previous Toyota hybrid models – making no grand statements but being an extremely easy car to live with.

With prices starting from £22,515 the car is also good value for money – there are few minus points of any significance and a lot to like about the Toyota Yaris Cross.

More Toyota reviews, ratings, news and features

Key specifications

Model tested: Toyota Yaris Cross
Price (as tested): £24,140
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid
Gearbox: CVT automatic

Power: 116 hp
Torque: 141 Nm
Top speed: 106 mph
0-62 mph: 11.2 seconds

Fuel economy (combined): 54.6-62.8 mpg
CO₂ emissions: 102 g/km
Euro NCAP safety rating: Five stars (2021)
TCE Expert Rating: 70% (as of Dec 2021)

Nissan Ariya EV set to arrive in UK next summer

New model

Andrew Charman

-

10 December 2021

0

Nissan Ariya EV set to arrive in UK next summer

The Nissan Ariya will hit UK roads in summer 2022, and we now have prices and specifications for the new electric crossover.

Assuming the role of the brand’s range-topper, the Ariya is the latest electric family-friendly EV to line up against the likes of the Kia EV6, Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4.

It is also being heavily promoted as a performance car – its electric drivetrain has been designed to aid handling and much development carried out on underbody aerodynamics.

The Ariya will be offered in four versions with two battery capacities and official battery ranges of up to 310 miles.

The entry-level ‘Advance’ model with a 63kWh battery and a 217hp power output, will start at just under £42K and will offer a range of up to 223 miles alongside a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds. ‘Evolve’ trim, starting from £51K, adds a higher-capacity 87kWh battery, which extends the range to 310 miles. Power is also boosted to 306hp.

Two all-wheel-drive versions top the range, with a second motor in the rear axle and both employing the larger battery. The ‘e-4ORCE Evolve’, with a total output of 306hp, starts just under £54K and combines a 285-mile range with a 5.7-second 0-62mph time.

The 394hp ‘e-4ORCE Performance’ version, costing from just over £58K and will complete a 0-62mph sprint in 5.1 seconds with a battery range of 248 miles. As the range-topper it has an extended specification including a ten-speaker Bose sound system, digital head-up display and electric panoramic sunroof.

Dealers have started taking orders for the Ariya, which is expected on UK roads in the summer of 2022.

More Nissan news, ratings, reviews and features

Home is where the charge is

Tom Johnston

-

10 December 2021

0

This article is brought to you by

Further signs of the growing importance of electric cars and vans in the UK was seen last month (November) when the Government announced that all new homes and offices will be required to have EV charging points installed from next year.

As eco-friendly new-build houses continue to rise in popularity, the ability to charge your car or van at home will become not only part of the future house-hunting consideration, but normality in the next five to ten years.

A recent motor industry report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that, as EVs continue to grow in status, the ratio of car charging points to vehicles has reduced by 31%. In 2019, one public charging point was potentially shared by 11 plug-in vehicles, whereas by the end of 2020, that had dropped to one point per 16 EVs.

While most people currently buying an electric vehicle are likely to be able to plug in at home – on their driveway or a designated domestic parking bay – achieving ‘net zero’ in Britain will require all drivers to make the switch, including those who depend on on-street parking.

The new legislation will affect new-build homes and offices, but also house conversions into flats, where off-street parking spaces with apartment buildings for example, will also have to incorporate some charging points within their car parking areas.

They will be well-used: around 60% of drivers in the UK have a driveway and, of those who can have a charge point fitted, 90% of their charging is done at home, says environment-minded car benefit company Tusker, which welcomed the new-build news. Those figures not only make this latest initiative even more important, but support the decision of thousands of drivers who have already installed a personal charge box.

The prime minister made the announcement at a recent Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference, and the issue was also covered during last month’s COP26 international conference where nations discussed what moves they were prepared to make in the bid to become ‘net zero’. The UK has already pledged to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, while many other countries have promised the same by 2040.

The details of the new homes plan have not been fully revealed so it’s unclear what type of charging points will be specified and with what output. Currently there are three types available: rapid, fast and slow. The higher the output is (in kWs), the quicker the charge.

Rapid chargers are 50 or even 100kW, fast chargers are around 10 to 20kW and slow chargers – usually found at home – are 3 to 6kW. They charge in one hour, 2-6 hours and 6-12 hours respectively. So, as long as you have easy access to a fast or rapid charger, it’s still possible to own an EV while living in a flat or apartment. When the new house building rules come into force, it will get even easier.

For businessmen and women, charging their car at work will become more commonplace as greater numbers of workers adopt an EV as their company car.

Plug-in vehicles now account for around one in every six new cars registered in 2021. While the public charging infrastructure required to service them will have to keep up with EV registrations – charging point suppliers continue to invest in top-up stations – it’s clear that greater numbers of home-charging points needed to be made available to house buyers.

Having a charger at home makes the whole owning experience of an electric vehicle so much more convenient and worthwhile. According to the RAC motoring organisation, it costs around £800 to fit a charger at your home, although there are grants available to help with the outlay.

A single charge to top up your car can last for days, which is often what most owners require. Earlier this year, Tusker revealed that the majority of UK motorists drive less than 150 miles a week and only undertake a journey of more than 100 miles once a month.

In its study, Tusker found that a quarter (24%) of their customers drove between 50 and 1000 miles a week, a fifth (21%) travelled 101 to 150 miles, 10% went more than 200 miles and only 5% did over 300 miles a week.

That means that, with most electric cars being capable of at least 200 miles, home-charged cars will only need to be topped up once a week – indeed only 10% of home chargers are used every day, says Tusker. And with more home-based chargers on the horizon it means more public charging station spaces will be available for users who can’t yet top up at home.

So powering up your car with a rapid charger will be an option for thousands of property owners who live in a flat or apartment – until, of course, they move to a new-build…

Renault needs to lift its game on safety

Stuart Masson

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8 December 2021

0

Renault needs to lift its game on safety

Today, Euro NCAP issued the Renault Zoe a woeful zero-star score for safety and offered scathing criticism of the company for removing crucial safety equipment from the car.

A zero-star Euro NCAP score from any car manufacturer, at any price point, is simply unacceptable. The Renault Zoe has been held up as a pioneer of electric motoring, and highly regarded by motoring titles. But these results now mean it is impossible to recommend the Zoe to anyone. It performed terribly in all four categories as assessed by Euro NCAP, which is frankly atrocious.

There has been plenty of media coverage about the Zoe’s safety results today, but it’s not the only car from Renault Group to receive terrible safety scores this year.

Also in today’s results, the new Dacia Spring electric SUV (not currently on sale in the UK) from Renault’s budget brand only managed to score one star, which Euro NCAP described as “downright problematic” and, in certain cases, “life-threatening”.

Meanwhile, back in April, the popular Dacia Sandero was awarded a sub-par two stars, which Euro NCAP said “shows little ambition, even for a low-cost product”.

The UK’s leading safety organisation, Thatcham Research, itself a member of Euro NCAP, was equally scathing. Matthew Avery, the chief research strategy officer, said: “The adult occupant score of 43% for the Renault Zoe is the lowest we have seen in 11 years.”

Euro NCAP today suggested that Renault’s safety legacy was now “ruined”, and it’s hard to disagree. The Dacia Sandero is currently the biggest-selling car in Europe, while the Renault Zoe has been a poster child for EV adoption over the last decade. Yet both are genuinely problematic when it comes to safety.

What’s wrong with the Renault Zoe?

The current Renault Zoe was launched in 2019, and is a substantial update to the original version launched in 2013 (rather than an all-new replacement).

As part of the 2019 update, Renault downgraded the specification of crucial side impact airbags, removing head protection coverage for driver and passengers. This resulted in very poor side impact scores, especially in pole-impact tests (representing a side-on collision with a telegraph pole or similar). Pole-impact collisions are particularly nasty, with a third resulting in death or serious injury, so removing head airbags from the Zoe is a very dangerous decision by Renault.

Renault has also failed to fit the Zoe with critical accident avoidance technology like autonomous emergency braking, which can apply the brakes automatically to prevent collisions if the driver fails to act. At higher speeds, where an accident is unavoidable, it can significantly reduce the impact speed. This technology is relatively cheap and has been around for several years, yet it is not available – even as an option – on the Zoe.

Euro NCAP test cars in four categories: adult protection, child protection, vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists), and safety assist (accident avoidance technology). On all four counts, the Zoe was simply awful.

Basically, you do not want to have an accident in a Zoe. You do not want your kids to be in a Zoe if it is involved in an accident. The Zoe is not good enough at avoiding pedestrians or cyclists. And the Zoe is woeful at avoiding accidents with other vehicles.

By comparison, Reanult also offers the Clio, which is a very similar size to the Zoe but powered by either a petrol engine or a petrol-electric hybrid combination. It scores excellent marks in every category and is a fine choice for you and your kids (and for everyone else on the roads around you). It’s also nearly £10K cheaper than a Zoe.

Yes, electric cars are more expensive to produce than petrol cars. But pinching pennies on readily available safety kit is simply not acceptable. And if public opinion swings against the Zoe, it could end up costing Renault a lot more money in lost sales.

Euro NCAP says: “The new Zoe offers poor protection in crashes overall, poor vulnerable road user protection and lacks meaningful crash avoidance technology, disqualifying it for any stars.”

We asked Renault UK for comments on the Zoe’s zero-star score, and this is the response in full:

“Renault takes note of the results published by EuroNCAP following specific tests on Zoe E-Tech Electric according to its new protocol implemented in 2020.

“First of all, Renault reaffirms that Zoe E-Tech Electric is a safe vehicle, which complies with all regulatory safety standards. These standards are constantly evolving and are becoming more stringent in all domains, especially in safety. Renault therefore continually improves its offer in order to comply with the regulations applicable where its vehicles are sold.

“Zoe was launched in 2013 and received 5 stars with EuroNCAP protocol at that time. The EuroNCAP protocol has since 2013 undergone 5 changes. With the same equipment, a model can lose up to 2 stars in each protocol change.

“The evolution of the current Zoe was decided in 2017 adapting the passive safety equipment to real accidentology and updating the car with state of the art ADAS equipment such as Advanced Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Lane Departure Alert and Lane Keeping Assist, using a radar and a camera.”

With regard to that last paragraph, it should be pointed out that the entry level Zoe Play does not get the additional equipment mentioned (and you can’t pay extra to have it), but the mid-level Zoe Iconic and top-spec Zoe GT Edition do.

Dacia is just as bad as Renault

Maybe it’s not surprising that if Renault is going cheap on safety for its own cars, then it will go even cheaper on safety for its budget brand Dacia.

Alongside the Renault Zoe’s zero-star result, the new Dacia Spring (an electric small SUV sold in Europe but not yet available in the UK) scored one star. Euro NCAP summarised it as follows:

“Its performance in crash tests is downright problematic, with a high risk of life-threatening injuries for driver chest and rear passenger head in frontal crash tests and marginal chest protection in side impact.”

Well, that doesn’t sound encouraging, does it?

One popular model that Dacia does sell in the UK is the new Sandero, which arrived last winter and was promptly awarded the What Car? Car of the Year awards in January 2021. In a fairly major embarrassment to both What Car? and Dacia, the award was revoked after Euro NCAP published its test results in April and only gave the Sandero two stars.

Euro NCAP’s secretary general, Michiel van Ratingen, said:

“Clearly, Dacia have found their market and they’re sticking to it, but a two-star rating shows little ambition, even for a low-cost product.”

The award may have been quietly withdrawn, but not before Dacia had spent three months actively promoting its big win. How many people bought a Sandeo on the strength of that heavily-advertised success and are unaware that it was subsequently revoked because of a poor safety rating?

It’s also worth pointing out that the Zoe has received a number of awards, including one from What Car? and several other titles. Presumably we can expect What Car? to be asking for that one back soon as well…

Is Renault deliberately misleading buyers on safety tech?

To make matters even worse, the Renault website uses misleading graphics that suggest the Zoe is fitted with autonomous emergency braking (which it isn’t) and lane-keeping assistance (which isn’t fitted to the entry-level model but is included in more expensive versions).

These images and icons are shown on Renault’s site, both of which are more commonly used to illustrate competely different technologies.

The first image and its corresponding icon (on the left or on top, depending on your screen size) looks for all the world like a generic visual representation of autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which automatically applies the car’s brakes to avoid a collision if the driver fails to act. But it’s actually supposed to be a graphic to illustrate anti-lock brakes, which have been around since the 1980s, and emergency braking assist, which boosts brake pressure in a maximum braking scenario.

The second image (on the right or the bottom) seems to be a clear visual description of lane-keeping assist, which helps to keep the car centred in your lane if the driver starts drifting onto the white line. But no, it’s actually supposed to represent electronic stability control and traction control, more old-news technology that help to maintain steering under braking and traction when accelerating in slippery conditions.

At best, these are poorly-chosen illustrations to depict the respective technologies. At worst, it looks like Renault is deliberately trying to mislead potential customers into thinking that the Zoe is fitted with contemporary accident avoidance technology, which it most certainly isn’t.

Being generous, it looks like the second graphic is an error. Renault has used a similar graphic with other models in its range to describe lane-keeping assist, although it’s certainly not consistent and uses different graphics for different cars. The braking graphic, however, is highly dubious.

The graphics are, intentionally or otherwise, highly misleading. Renault needs to remove them from its website immediately and replace them with more appropriate images and icons to describe the systems.

We have flagged this with Renault’s UK communications team and they are currently investigating. We’ll update this article with any outcomes.

UPDATE, January 2022: We have noticed that Renault has removed the offending images above from its website and replaced them with better images. There is still inconsistency in how Renault describes safety technology on its website, but it’s no longer blatantly misleading.

Can these ratings be fixed?

Yes and no. In March 2022, the European Union will be introducting its next General Safety Regulations, which will also apply to the UK. This will force Renault and Dacia to fit basic safety equipment like autonomous emergency braking to all of its new cars.

However, that’s not going to turn a zero-star car into a five-star car. Realistically, it might add another star to both the Renault Zoe and the Dacia Sandero. Small improvements, but hardly praiseworthy – especially when its a regulatory requirement rather than a voluntary effort.

If Renault has chosen to remove head airbags from the Zoe, presumably it can decide to reinstate them. Whether it will act in response to Euro NCAP’s testing results remains to be seen.

Not on our watch

Next week, The Car Expert will be publishing its first annual rankings of the best new cars on sale – effectively, our Car of the Year awards. They’ll be based on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, and will recognise both the best new models launched in 2021 and the very best new cars on sale in each category and price point.

As a matter of principle, we will not be including any family or high-volume car that scores three stars or lower, or does not have a current Euro NCAP safety rating.

Renault Zoe slated for poor safety score

Stuart Masson

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8 December 2021

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Renault Zoe slated for poor safety score

The all-electric Renault Zoe has been heavily criticised by safety organisations after being awarded the worst-possible result of zero stars by Euro NCAP.

The current Renault Zoe, which has been on sale since 2019, is an evolution of the original model that was launched back in 2013. However, both Euro NCAP and UK safety organisation Thatcham Research have slammed Renault’s decision to remove key safety equipment from the latest version.

The Zoe is only the third car in Euro NCAP history, which dates back to 1997, to have received a zero-star rating. In more bad news for the Renault Group, the Dacia Spring – an all-electric SUV not currently available in the UK – scored a paltry one star.

Renault Zoe Euro NCAP results

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 0 stars
Date tested: December 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 43%
Child protection: 52%
Vulnerable road users: 41%
Safety assist: 14%

Euro NCAP was scathing in its summary of the Zoe’s result: “The new Zoe offers poor protection in crashes overall, poor vulnerable road user protection and lacks meaningful crash avoidance technology, disqualifying it for any stars.”

The original Renault Zoe scored five stars from Euro NCAP when it was first launched in 2013. However, Euro NCAP’s standards have been raised significantly since then, meaning manufacturers need to continually improve their vehicles to maintain or improve their scores.

Euro NCAP says that Renault has not only failed to make any improvements to the Zoe’s safety equipment over the last eight years, it has actually removed crucual head protection airbags from the Zoe when it was updated in 2019.

While the original Zoe was fitted with airbags in the front seats that inflated to protect both the head and thorax (chest) of the driver or passenger. On the new model, this was changed to only cover the chest area, leaving the head exposed. This has significantly reduced protection for front seat occupants in side-impact collisions.

As well as making the Zoe less safe in a collision, Renault has done nothing over the last eight years to help it avoid a collision in the first place. Accident avoidance technology, known as active safety, has become the main focus of car safety as it’s obviously better to avoid an accident altogether than to survive one.

Active safety technology, like autonomous emergency braking systems that can apply the car’s brakes if a driver fails to slow down when approaching a hazard (like another car, a pedestrian or a cyclist) has become almost universal in recent years, and has been credited with saving countless lives, yet is not available on the Zoe.

Poor scores in every category

While the headline star rating is what gets most attention, Euro NCAP testing is divided into four categories – and the Zoe performed very badly in every category. We’ve compared its results with the Renault Clio, which is about the same size and from the same company, but powered by a petrol or hybrid motor.

For adult protection, the Zoe scored 43%. The Clio scored an absolutely excellent 96%.

Matthew Avery, who is the chief research strategy officer at the UK’s Thatcham Research, said: “The adult occupant score of 43% for the Renault Zoe is the lowest we have seen in 11 years.”

For child protection (based on two child dummies, representing a six-year-old and a ten-year-old, sitting in the rear seats in age-appropriate child seats), the Zoe scored 52%. The Clio scored 89%.

For vulnerable road user protection (pedestrians and cyclists), the Zoe scored 41% while the Clio scored 72%.

For safety assist (accident avoidance systems), the Zoe scored a shocking 14%. The Clio scored 75%, which is also the average score for supermini-sized small cars tested this year.

Is the Renault Zoe still legal?

Yes. The Renault Zoe has passed all legal requirements to be sold in the UK and across the European Union, and today’s results do not affect its legality.

Euro NCAP is an indepenent body, whose testing goes above and beyond the basic standards set for vehicle legality. It performs multiple crash tests from different angles and at higher impact speeds than the minimum legal requirement. It also assesses the ability of a car to avoid accidents using technology like autonomous emergency braking and blind-spot assistance systems.

Here in the UK, Euro NCAP’s member organisation is Thatcham Research. Thatcham conducts safety testing on behalf of Euro NCAP as well as running its own research and testing programmes to help make cars and roads safer.

Comments from safety organisations

Euro NCAP secretary general, Michiel van Ratingen: “Renault was once synonymous with safety. The Laguna was the first car to get five stars, back in 2001. But these disappointing results for the Zoe and the Dacia Spring show that safety has now become collateral damage in the group’s transition to electric cars.”

Thatcham Research chief research strategy officer, Matthew Avery: “It is a serious concern to see results like this in 2021, especially from a carmaker who has previously performed well in Euro NCAP testing.

“Renault was the first to achieve the full five-star rating in 2001, in part because it was also the first to include a combined head and thorax airbag in the Laguna. Although this was a new and revolutionary safety measure at the time, today this airbag is available on most modern cars.

“Unfortunately, a conscious decision has been made to remove the head protection from this vital passive safety feature, by the brand that pioneered the use of it. As a result, the safety of occupants within the vehicle has been severely impacted.

“It’s a shame to see Renault threaten a safety pedigree built from the inception of the rating.”

Response from Renault UK

We reached out to Renault UK’s communications team about the Zoe’s Euro NCAP score. This is their response in full:

“Renault takes note of the results published by EuroNCAP following specific tests on Zoe E-Tech Electric according to its new protocol implemented in 2020.

“First of all, Renault reaffirms that Zoe E-Tech Electric is a safe vehicle, which complies with all regulatory safety standards. These standards are constantly evolving and are becoming more stringent in all domains, especially in safety. Renault therefore continually improves its offer in order to comply with the regulations applicable where its vehicles are sold.

“Zoe was launched in 2013 and received 5 stars with EuroNCAP protocol at that time. The EuroNCAP protocol has since 2013 undergone 5 changes. With the same equipment, a model can lose up to 2 stars in each protocol change.

“The evolution of the current Zoe was decided in 2017 adapting the passive safety equipment to real accidentology and updating the car with state of the art ADAS equipment such as Advanced Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Lane Departure Alert and Lane Keeping Assist, using a radar and a camera.”

Five-star safety for seven new cars – but none for Renault

Andrew Charman

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8 December 2021

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Delight at the top safety ratings awarded to seven cars in Euro NCAP’s final 2021 series of crash tests has been tempered by the zero stars gained by the Renault Zoe.

Following the shocking results of the electric Renault supermini, together with the one-star rating awarded to the new Dacia Spring electric SUV from Renault’s budget brand, the safety body described its 2021 programme as “ending on a downer” despite the excellent performances of other models across the tests.

Dacia Spring Electric concept | The Car Expert — Zero stars for the Renault Zoe

The seven cars awarded five-star ratings included two electric vehicles, the BMW iX SUV and Mercedes-Benz EQS. The G70 saloon and its sister GV70 SUV from new Korean upmarket brand Genesis also gained the top accolade, as did the latest versions of the Nissan Qashqai SUV, the Skoda Fabia small car and the van-based Volkswagen Caddy MPV.

Euro NCAP highlighted the fact that top awards were earned by cars right across the market, “from affordable supermini and small MPV to high-end executive electric cars.

Skoda Fabia (2021 onwards) – Expert Rating

“Despite having different powertrains and price tickets, all five-star cars performed very well overall in terms of crash protection and crash avoidance,” the report from the safety body added, also highlighting two ‘standout’ results from the safety assistance technology fitted to the new Nissan Qashqai and the adult and child occupant protection provided by the Mercedes-EQS.

Two cars tested achieved four-star ratings – the results from Fiat’s new 500e electric supermini and the MG Marvel R, an electric SUV still to be confirmed for UK sale, were described as ‘commendable’ by Euro NCAP.

The Volkswagen Caddy was awarded five stars

Best electric car under £20K – Fiat 500e — The Volkswagen Caddy was awarded five stars

Fiat 500 Electric (2021 onwards) – Expert Rating

Welcoming the overall results, Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen commented; “Bravo to these manufacturers for giving consumers the levels of safety they have come to expect – these results once more make clear that safety is all about good engineering and less about the type of powertrain or price per se.”

EV charging: home and away

Tom Johnston

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7 December 2021

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One of the greatest worries an owner of an electric vehicle can have – being able to charge up while out on the road – is in the news following an industry announcement about the number of available charging points in the UK.

New analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) claims that the ratio of vehicle charging points to plug-in cars dropped by 31% during 2020. The group says that at the end of 2019, 11 plug-in vehicles potentially shared a standard public charge point – compared with the end of 2020, when the ratio was one charger for every 16 plug-ins.

This might be eased from next year when fresh rules over new house builds come into force, requiring new homes and offices to have EV charging points installed.

While most people who currently buy an electric vehicle are likely to be able to plug in at home, on a driveway or designated parking bay, achieving ‘net zero’ requires all drivers to make the switch, including those who depend on on-street parking.

The SMMT claims that only 4,109 new standard public charge points installed between January and September 2021, although data from respected EV site Zap-Map suggests that 7,002 public charge points have been installed between January and 7 December 2021, which is a higher monthly run rate.

What the SMMT has not suggested is a number that it thinks the UK should be targeting. At 16 plug-in cars for every plug, the UK is still one of the world leaders for EV infrastructure roll-out, although not generous as the very best in the world (South Korea has 3 plugs for every plug-in car, while the Netherlands has a 5:1 ratio).

There are also significant regional disparities in the current provision of standard public charging points. London has the best ratio of cars to chargers at 10:1 – although this in itself fell from 5:1 in 2019. Meanwhile, the East of England has the lowest availability, with just one standard public charger for every 49 plug-in vehicles.

Wales beats the national average with a ratio of 12:1, while Scotland weighs in at 17:1 (which, incidentally, is the same as Germany, another leader in EV motoring).

Investments are being made in public charging with the Government’s Rapid Charging Fund allocating £950 million to rapid and ultra-rapid charge points, the £620 million for zero-emission vehicle grants and infrastructure announced in the Net Zero Strategy, along with the commitment that all new build homes will include an EV charging point.

“Appetite for electric vehicles has never been higher, but making Britain a net zero nation means convincing everyone, wherever they live, that an electric car can meet their needs,” says Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.

“Those who can’t have their own home charge point need the confidence that they can still charge as conveniently as they can refuel. A deteriorating ratio of public charge points to cars will drain that confidence.”

More car industry news from The Car Expert

Honda HR-V

Sean Rees

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6 December 2021

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Summary

The Honda HR-V is a five-door compact SUV which sits below the larger CR-V in the Honda family. The HR-V name dates back to the 1990s, disappearing and then reappearing in the last decade. The newest iteration arrived in the UK in late 2021.

Honda only has plans to sell the HR-V in petrol-electric hybrid format in the UK at the moment. A traditional petrol model is on sale in Japan, and an all-electric version is currently in development.

The hybrid Honda HR-V has only one powertrain option available across its range of trims, pairing a four-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. Like all hybrid vehicles, the only transmission options is an automatic gearbox.

Thie third-generation HR-V has accumulated a mixed set of reviews from the UK motoring media, with scores ranging from average to very good. Reviewers often single out its impressive levels of standard equipment and ride comfort for particular praise.

“Driving the hybrid-only HR-V is effortless, almost zen-like”, says The Sun. “You’ll spend most of your time coasting around town in EV mode. Steering is feather-light, visibility is excellent, and when the 1.5-litre petrol engine does kick in, you’ll hardly notice it.”

Many reviews mention how seemless the transition between combustion and electric power is, as well as how efficient the HR-V’s petrol/electric hybrid unit is overall. Conversely, those same reviewers note that the engine is particularly loud when accelerating.

For the biggest critics of the Honda HR-V, this is one of many drawbacks that limit its appeal in a SUV/crossover market that is already overcrowded. Business Car conclude that, “Although the HR-V has some likeable elements, it also has plenty of flaws, and we can only imagine these weaknesses will be exposed by superior rivals in what is a hugely competitive sector.”

These flaws include a small boot and limited headroom, and so-so performance in comparison to more engaging rivals like the Nissan Juke and Ford Puma. That said, the HR-V is cheaper from launch than other eco-friendly SUV alternatives, costing around £1,000 less than the similar Toyota C-HR.

As of February 2026, the Honda HR-V holds a New Car Expert Rating of C with a score of 60%.

HR-V highlights

Extensive list of standard equipment
Efficient range of hybrid engines
Impressive handling and body control
Spacious cabin
Intuitive infotainment

HR-V lowlights

Loud engines
Sluggish acceleration
Rivals have more boot space
Restricted rear headroom
Cheaper rivals are more engaging

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol/electric hybrid
Price: From £29,410 on-road

Launched: Winter 2021/22
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Honda HR-V is a reasonably practical option for buyers wanting a compact SUV that delivers great fuel economy and useful interior space. Its family car credentials are boosted further by excellent safety kit and decent on-board tech, while the HR-V isn’t too bad to look at, either.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Ingeniously practical, well-built and impressively frugal, the HR-V ticks many of the compact SUV boxes. Our time driving in the UK has put to bed question marks over fuel efficiency – few cars in this class can offer the HR-V’s potential. It even drives smartly too, although it isn’t quite class-leading in any one area.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
” Honda’s new HR-V perhaps seems a little conservative compared with funkier rivals like the Nissan Juke or Ford Puma but its new hybrid system is effective and efficient and there’s tons of space in the back for kids and kit.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Although the HR-V has some likeable elements but it also has plenty of flaws and we can only imagine these weaknesses will be exposed by superior rivals in what is a hugely competitive sector.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“There’s precisely nothing here to stir the soul, but very little about the HR-V is going to annoy you either.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The HR-V feels like a fitting extension of Honda’s current range of cars. It’ll no doubt appeal to those who are looking for a comfortable and refined driving experience, as well as those who see a Jazz as too small and a CR-V too large.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Honda HR-V has evolved into a hybrid-only SUV with smooth styling but it’s a shame boot space has shrunk.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, Andy Goodwin
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The third generation Honda HR-V is the most stylish version yet and is super spacious in the cabin. You may tire of the engine noise under acceleration though, and the boot isn’t as practical as you might hope.”
Read review

Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Advance Style
Score: 8 / 10
“The Honda HR-V is a comfy crossover with plenty of panache.”
Author: Gareth Butterfield
Read review

Driving Electric

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Honda HR-V’s styling, cabin, infotainment and efficiency make it a strong alternative to the Toyota Yaris Cross and other compact SUVs.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Curious hybrid arrangement has gaps in its repertoire, but the HR-V is otherwise a rounded and efficient everyday driver.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The latest Honda HR-V is a surprisingly appealing alternative to more mainstream small SUVs. Combining stylish looks and an impressive interior with impressive efficiency and versatile Magic Seats, the HR-V will tick a lot of boxes for a lot of buyers.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The new Honda HR-V is an attractive small SUV that’s easy to drive and cheap to run. It looks expensive compared to competitors like the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Roc, but you do get a lot for your money – including generous equipment levels and a hybrid powertrain.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The HR-V is only for you if you value reliability and simplicity above all else and are particularly keen on the styling. Otherwise, a Ford Puma or Skoda Kamiq makes much more sense.”
Read review

The Sun

Model reviewed: Range overview
“Driving the hybrid-only HR-V is effortless. Almost zen-like. You’ll spend most of your time coasting around town in EV mode. Steering is feather-light, visibility is excellent, and when the 1.5-litre petrol engine does kick in, you’ll hardly notice it.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Quite the best Honda HR-V so far and pretty good to drive, too. The engine is too noisy and the hybrid system allows it to rev uncontrollably at times, but this is an economical and fine-riding crossover with a decent equipment levels, although it is rather expensive.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“There are better drives out there, and probably better styled cars depending on your tastes, but the HR-V is a decent all-round package. Sadly, it’s likely to be overlooked beyond those wanting to upgrade from a smaller Honda.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: April 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 82%
Child protection: 75%
Vulnerable road users: 72%
Safety assist: 78%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2026, the Honda HR-V has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 12
Average repair cost: £348.58
Last updated: October 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Honda HR-V has a good reliability rating of 79%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both this generation HR-V and previous (pre-2021) generations, which is good news if you are considering a used Honda HR-V.

Although we don’t have a huge number of data points yet, the repair bills claimed under warranty to date have been very inexpensive. All in all, the HR-V looks like being a reliable choice as a used car.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Hybrid models	52 mpg	B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	122 g/km	B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	38	D

The Honda HR-V is a relatively new model, and therefore we have little running cost data to display at the moment. However, we do know that the hybrid’s insurance premiums aren’t likely to be higher than the average car.

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Storm Arwen highlights the value of GAP insurance

GAP insurance

Cat Dow

-

6 December 2021

0

Storm Arwen highlights the value of GAP insurance

Pictures showing cars crushed by fallen trees, flooded by high tides and even pummeled by falling piles of bricks have been making a strong case for motorists taking out GAP insurance, in the wake of the devastation of Storm Arwen.

Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance is typically described as a product that protects your wallet in the event of your car being stolen or written off in a car accident. As such, some conscientious car owners have argued that they don’t need GAP as their car is stored securely, or they drive carefully or have low annual mileages so are unlikely to get involved in a car crash.

But the events of Storm Arwen showed that even the most fastidious owners can’t protect against every circumstance. There will always be some situations that could easily result in your car being declared a Total Loss – even if it’s parked securely in your own garage. In cases where your house is damaged and you may be without power for several days, do you really want the added hassle of worrying about the value of your car insuance payout?

GAP insurance is an addition layer of cover on top of your normal car insurance. Since the price you paid for your car is likely to be different from the vehicle’s value at the time of the Total Loss, GAP insurance offers to bridge the difference so you’re not facing a situation where you have outstanding finance on a car you can’t afford to replace it like-for-like.

Add an outstanding finance agreement to that, which the payout from the primary insurer is unlikely to fully cover, and you could find yourself overwhelmed with an unexpected debt, no means of getting back to ‘normal’ life and no deposit or savings to put towards a replacement motor.

GAP insurance tends to be offered at a dealership at a vastly overpriced rate, at which points drivers are already spending a good chunk of money. There is a mandatory two-day wait required between a dealer selling a car and offering you GAP insurance, with legislation brought in to enable drivers to shop around for better prices on their GAP insurance. Unfortunately, many drivers (although obviously not our readers!) don’t always use this opportunity.

Obviously events like Storm Arwen won’t come along very often, but if you’re taking finance over three or four years (or more), that’s a long time to be without financial protection to fully cover your debt to the finance company. So even if you look after your car and drive it carefully, it might still be worth getting a GAP insurance quote to protect your investment.

More GAP insurance information and advice at The Car Expert

Mazda rebadges the Toyota Yaris for new 2

New model

Stuart Masson

-

6 December 2021

0

Mazda rebadges the Toyota Yaris for new 2

Mazda has added a rebadged Toyota Yaris to its range, branded the “Mazda2 Hybrid”, which will be sold alongside the existing – and completely unrelated – Mazda 2 in the UK from next year.

This confusing situation is a result of Mazda needing to reduce its average CO₂ emissions, which it’s unable to do with its car as the company has lagged a long way behind in electrifying its model range. Facing enormous fines from the European Union, Mazda needed a quick way to head off the problem.

As a result, it has turned to Toyota to rebadge the hybrid-powered Yaris as the Mazda 2 Hybrid, creating a bizarre naming situation with entirely different cars sharing essentially the same name. The resulting ‘Yazda’ is a Europe-only model and will not be sold in Japan or other world markets.

The mechanical specification is unsurprisingly identical to the Toyota Yaris, with the Mazda 2 Hybrid powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine combined with an 59kW electric motor. Being a hybrid, transmission will be automatic only with no manual version.

Overall power is 116hp, which will propel the Yazda from rest to 62mph in just under ten seconds. CO₂ emissions will be low, ranging from 87 – 93 g/km depending on wheels and specification.

Mazda is yet to confirm UK pricing, specifications or even an on-sale date, although it may depend on whenever Toyota can spare some production, as Yaris sales have slumped since September as a result of the industry’s ongoing semiconductor shortage.

The 2 Hybrid will be sold in three trim levels, called Pure, Agile and Select. Given that Mazda doesn’t even look to have bothered redesigning the Toyota “Hybrid” badge on the boot, it’s likely that the equipment lists will look an awful lot like those on the Yaris.

If you’re going to rebadge someone else’s supermini, the Yaris is probably a good shout. It’s very modern, very economical and recently won the European Car of the Year award. It has an outstanding Euro NCAP safety score and was also highly rated for emissions by Green NCAP.

Meanwhile, the other Mazda 2 (the one actually made by Mazda and on sale since 2014) carries on alongside the Mazda 2 Hybrid in what will be a confusing time for both customers and sales executives. The Mazda Mazda2 has been given a nip and tuck recently, although there’s nothing especially new to mention.

Further information on the Mazda 2 Hybrid will be provided closer to the car’s on-sale date. Or, if you don’t want to wait, you could just download a Toyota Yaris brochure…

New car sales chaos as big names struggle

Car industry news

Stuart Masson

-

6 December 2021

0

New car sales chaos as big names struggle

New car sales are ending 2021 in chaos, with manufacturers simply unable to supply some of the country’s most popular new cars – with fleet registrations diving sharply.

Overall new car registrations for November were actually up by just under 2% compared to the same month last year, but that number is not really relevant due to last year’s Covid lockdowns that affected November and December results.

Private new car sales were actually up considerably on last November – by 42% – but fleet registrations (traditionally the larger buying group) were down 25%. This, combined with desperate vehicle shortages, also affected the sales results for many manufacturers.

On the plus side, it was the first time in a very long time that a British-built car sat atop the sales charts, so every cloud…

Another record month for electric – and electrified – cars in terms of market share, while diesel cars slid to yet another new low. For the first time, diesel’s market share fell below 10% while EVs were at 19% and plug in hybrids just over 9%.

Although diesels will still outsell pure EVs for the full year, it will be fairly close. And the inevitable trajectory of the market over the next few years will see petrol cars start to fall in the same fashion. Petrol cars took 54% of the November market – down from 60% a year ago, and this pattern will continue.

Good month, bad month, shocking month

Let’s start with shocking: Ford was only the ninth-best-selling brand in April, and managed to shift only 101 Fiestas in the whole month. Given that Ford has something like 300 dealers in the UK, that’s nothing short of a disaster. Ford’s other big-selling model, the Fiesta-based Puma, only added 126 registrations for the month as well. In a market that was up just under 2% year-on-year, Ford was down more than 50%.

On the positive side, it did manage to shift more than 2,500 Focuses to keep the former family star in the top ten for another month.

It was champagne all round for BMW, which was the UK’s biggest-selling brand in November, ahead of Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Vauxhall. Curiously, though, all five of those brands actually lost market share compared to 12 months ago.

Overall, it was a good month for Alpine, Bentley, Citroën, Dacia, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Hyundai, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, MG, Mini, Peugeot, Polestar, Smart, SsangYong, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota, who all enjoyed sales growth at least 10% better than the overall market.

Meanwhile, sales were down at Abarth, Audi (despite ranking third in market share), Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Nissan, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda, Vauxhall and Volkswagen (despite ranking second in market share). All recorded results at least 10% worse than the overall market.

Expect another month of bizarre results to close out a bizarre year in December.

Mini to the max as big names fall

The venerable Mini hatch – which is one of the oldest new cars on sale, despite a couple of facelifts – topped the sales charts in November. It was comfortably clear of the 2021 champion-elect, the Vauxhall Corsa, which has now extended its sales lead to nearly 9,000 units as its rivals’s challenges collapsed.

It was also the first time in a very long time that a car built in Britain was the country’s top-selling car (although not the top-selling vehicle, as that was the Ford Transit Custom van…).

With a month to go, the Mercedes A-Class has jumped up to second place in the sales charts, despite a fairly poor November performance. But it was helped by the Volkswagen Polo and Golf, Ford Fiesta and Puma, and Kia Sportage all having even worse months.

The Tesla Model 3 reappeared in third place, while the new Hyundai Tucson continued its strong honeymoon period and the MG ZS made a surprise debut in sixth place.

We’ll have our usual monthly analysis of the top ten in coming days.

More car industry news and analysis at The Car Expert

Buying a used car warranty? Make sure it’s underwritten

Car warranty

Tom Johnston

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3 December 2021

0

Buying a used car warranty? Make sure it’s underwritten

There are many ways to show that you own or agree to something: you sign a document, you put your initials alongside a paragraph or two, or you use a PIN number to agree to a purchase.

But how about writing your name under something? Well, that’s what underwriters used to do, and it’s how the term came about.

The name ‘underwriter’ was coined in the mid-18th century at the time of the Industrial Revolution, when insurers wrote their name under the total amount of risk they were prepared to take… in return for a premium, of course.

It provided support, risk management and peace of mind to both insurer and insured alike, keeping business moving and everyone covered.

So, in a present day setting, if you’ve bought a new car then you’ll quite rightly expect some kind off warranty to cover you in the event of a mechanical breakdown or failed part. That will usually give you at least three years of cover.

But after that, what next? It’s time to consider a used car warranty of your own. And while car makers may well propose extended warranties, it’s worthwhile checking out what specialist warranty companies can also offer you.

Used warranty policies for your pride and joy are not small purchases and should be considered carefully – not least because you want to be sure that you really are going to get the cover you expected if you need to make a claim for a repair and some parts.

And making sure your warranty provider is backed by an insurance underwriter is a great way to guarantee this. You want to be sure that your warranty company has the necessary resources to pay out for your claim when you need it ‐ especially if the repair bill is looking on the high side.

Underwriters are specialists in their field of insurance, analysing the financial risks involved in providing car warranties, and balancing the interests of the end consumer with fair premiums, while ensuring that sufficient funds are set aside if a claim has to be made.

A warranty from a provider that’s not underwritten is risky as it means you could be getting cover from a company that can’t ‐ and isn’t required ‐ to show they have the financial backing to pay claims. That means they could refuse to pay out for your vital repair work just when you need them the most.

It’s a fundamental part of insurance and warranty delivery, and ultimately, if you know you have the backing of a good underwriter, everyone wins.

It’s as simple as writing your name under it…

More car warranty information

Is a used car warranty required by law?

The UK’s best used car warranty providers

How to handle a dispute with a car dealer

Used car warranty – the law and your rights

Spares or repairs – and other dodgy trader tricks

More car warranty news, information and advice at The Car Expert

Skoda Enyaq gets fast charging upgrade

Model update

Sean Rees

-

3 December 2021

0

It may still be a very new model, but Skoda has already updated the Enyaq iV SUV line-up with better fast charging capabilities to selected models in the range.

This upgrade, sent out as an over-the-air software update to existing cars, applies to the Enyaq iV 60, 80, 80X and RS models, but has not been applied to the entry-level Enyaq iV 50.

Previously, all models in the range had a maximum charging rate of up to 50kW as standard, but the Enyaq iV 60 can now handle up to 120kW, while the Enyaq iV 80 and 80 SportLine models have a maximum charging rate of 125kW.

Enyaq iV Model	Power output	Official battery range	Charging rate
50	146hp	211 miles	50kW (no update)
60	177hp	242 miles	120kW (post-update)
80	200hp	311 miles	125kW (post-update)
80X	257hp	286 miles	125kW (post-update)
RS	302hp	286 miles	125kW (post-update)

Read more:

Enyaq owners may not notice any difference in the short term. As of December 2021, there are only around 1,100 rapid charging stations that can provide over 100kW charging – out of a total of nearly 28,000 charging points across the UK. However, as more rapid chargers are added to the public network, owners will start to enjoy faster charging on a more regular basis when out and about.

This update is likely to improve the media’s already favourable opinion of the Skoda Enyaq, which is listed as joint-top of the medium SUV class (along with the considerably more expensive Jaguar I-Pace) in our Autumn Expert Rating Index report, with an Expert Rating of 85%.

More Skoda news, ratings, reviews and features

New Toyota Corolla Cross to join medium SUV sector

New model

Andrew Charman

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3 December 2021

0

New Toyota Corolla Cross to join medium SUV sector

Toyota will launch the Corolla Cross in the autumn of 2022, describing the new model as a ‘family-friendly’ SUV alongside the existing hatch, saloon and estate versions of the family car.

Already on sale in the US, the Corolla Cross will sit between the smaller C-HR and larger RAV4 in Toyota’s European SUV line-up, which the company is now claiming to be the largest in Europe ranging from the Yaris Cross up to the Land Cruiser and Highlander.

The Corolla Cross is a five-seat vehicle and is the latest addition to the highly competitive medium SUV segment, dominated by the best-selling (and British-built) Nissan Qashqai.

Upgraded hybrid tech

The car will debut the fifth generation of Toyota’s petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, which the company claims is more efficient than the current version. The battery is lighter and the system is tuned to provide more electric power, while the petrol engine is also more efficient than before.

The standard front-wheel-drive model combines a single electric motor with a 2.0-litre petrol engine to produce a combined 198hp. Detailed performance and economy figures are yet to be announced, but the car will complete the 0-62mph sprint in just over eight seconds.

An all-wheel-drive version will also be available. This adds a second 30kW electric motor, which drives the rear wheels but will only activate when required.

Interior and safety

Inside, the Corolla Cross follows the typical family car formula found in most new vehicles. A central ten-inch touchscreen controls the infotainment system, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Toyota’s own navigation system will be a cloud-based system offering real-time traffic information. The system will also allow over-the-air software updating.

Additionally, the driver gets a 12-inch digital display instead of traditional analogue dials, which can be configured to display a range of different information.

Safety-wise, the Corolla Cross will also debut an upgraded suite of accident avoidance technology systems dubbed T-Mate. This includes systems to control braking and acceleration, especially in urban driving situations and around intersections.

Pricing for the Toyota Corolla Cross range is yet to be announced, but a starting point of under £30,000 is likely. The car will reach UK dealerships towards the end of 2022. Unlike the Corolla hatchback and estate, the new SUV is not expected to be built at Toyota’s UK factory in Derbyshire.

New Dacia Jogger seven-seater available to order

New model

Sean Rees

-

2 December 2021

0

New Dacia Jogger seven-seater available to order

Budget brand Dacia is now taking orders for its largest car to date, the new Jogger MPV. A petrol version is set to arrive in early 2022, while a hybrid model will join it sometime in 2023.

Continuing Dacia’s strategy of undercutting competitors on price, the new Jogger is set to be the cheapest people carrier in the UK when it arrives. With prices starting from £15K, it’s substantially cheaper than rival seven-seaters like the £22K Citroen Berlingo and the £24K Peugeot Rifter.

The new Jogger is the replacement for the Dacia Lodgy, an MPV model that was never sold in the UK. All versions of the Jogger are fitted with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 110hp paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Although there is no electrification from launch, Dacia plans to add its first hybrid model to the Jogger range sometime in 2023, which combines a 1.6-litre engine with two motors and an automatic transmission.

The exterior styling of the Jogger takes inspiration from the Dacia Sandero Stepway crossover, with a similarly-sized two-rung grille, roof rails and 4×4-style body cladding on the bumpers and sideskirts. The Jogger sports Y-shaped LED headlights and vertical brake lights that frame the tailgate.

The seven-seat Dacia Jogger comes with 213 litres of boot space, but the two seats in the rear can be removed entirely, this five-seat setup offering 712 litres of load space. A further 24 litres of storage are available across the door bins, central storage compartment, glove box and six cup-holders.

Customers can choose between three infotainment options. The cheapest Media Control pack allows customers to control media, navigation, and view vehicle data by docking their smartphone instead of using a conventional infotainment console.

The Media Display setup adds an eight-inch infotainment screen on the dashboard, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Media Nav pack additionally adds Dacia’s own navigation system, more speakers and two USB ports.

The Jogger will be offered in three trim levels. Entry level is called ‘Essential’, stepping up to ‘Comfort’ and the top of the range is ‘Extreme’. All models come with air conditioning, parking sensors, hill start assist, cruise control and automatic emergency braking as standard.

Comfort trim adds adjustable heated door mirrors, a reversing camera, an electric parking brake and blindspot monitoring, along with a number of soft-touch interior additions, including a central armrest.

Extreme trim, which Dacia says is only available for a limited time, adds heated front seats and some exterior and interior flair.

Dacia is now taking orders for the Jogger MPV, and those customers that order the new seven-seater with a £99 deposit will get their first service at no extra cost.

More Dacia news, features, ratings and reviews

Volkswagen Multivan test drive

John Kendall

-

2 December 2021

0

Volkswagen Multivan? It might not be a name that is familiar to many of you, unless you happen to be a VW Caravelle follower. But this name from the past adorns an all-new model.

Multivan is a name that Volkswagen has used from time to time in the past for particular versions of its van-based people carriers. There was a Multivan variant of the T4 Caravelle in the 1990s equipped with face-to-face rear seating and folding table between, which would convert into a double bed when needed. It even came complete with stud-fastened curtains.

From early next year, however, the Multivan name will return with this new vehicle, which becomes a model in its own right. It effectively replaces both the current Transporter-based Caravelle and the Sharan MPV, which has not been on sale in the UK for a while. It also marks an important departure for Volkswagen.

Volkswagen Multivan review 2021

What’s new about the Volkswagen Multivan?

While previous Multivans have been passenger versions of the familar Volkswagen Transporter van, this all-new model is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB architecture that underpins a large number of Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and SEAT passenger cars.

To further confuse matters, despite the fact that it’s based on a car platform and will only be available as a passenger model, it will be sold in the UK by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rather than the passenger car side of the business.

That may be because Volkswagen has relatively modest expectations of how many will be sold here. Alice Axtell, the product marketing manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in the UK told The Car Expert that in a good year, they expect to exceed the 800 Caravelle sales that they have been used to previously.

To maximise flexibility, Volkswagen is not offering a three-seater bench for the third-row seats, there are three individual seats instead. The outer rails can carry electrical connections too, meaning that the outer seats can be heated. The seats are also said to weigh between 23kg and 29kg – up to 25% lighter than before.

How does it look?

Externally, the overall outline also carries echoes of the Caravelle. At the same time, features like the front quarter window link it to car models such as the ID.3.

The front end is more steeply-raked and smooth, echoing Volkswagen’s latest passenger car models. Meanwhile, the sides and back end retain the very square sort of shape you’d expect if the Multivan was actually still a van. In fact, it’s probably a very good guide to what the T7 Transporter van will look like when it launches next year.

What’s the spec like?

Volkswagen is offering two lengths for the Multivan, both on the same wheelbase, which is 12cm longer than the current Caravelle. The longer version is 20cm longer, gained by lengthening the rear overhang.

Looking ahead, Multivan is scheduled to gain a 4×4 model in 2024, using an e-axle to provide all-wheel-drive. A Euro-7 compliant performance diesel variant is also planned but is still several years away.

Three trim levels will be available in the UK: the entry-level spec, simply called ‘Multivan’; the mid-range ‘Life’ and the top-spec ‘Style’.

What’s the Volkswagen Multivan like inside?

Anyone buying a Multivan is likely to be focussed on what the model offers inside. Like its predecessor, there are up to seven seats which can be arranged in three rows. Volkswagen has opted for a rail system for the seats to offer greater flexibility. It’s a system first seen on the 1996 Renault Espace. By mounting the seats on rails that run front-to-back in the passenger area behind the front seats, owners can position the five rear seats as they like, while a centre console which converts into a table can be mounted on the middle rails and positioned where needed.

Despite the more steeply raked windscreen, the Multivan carries over the feel of the Caravelle when climbing aboard. The high driving position and dashboard design retain enough similarities with the Caravelle to convey the link.

The interior design is very clean with an uncluttered dashboard, aided by the lack of both handbrake and gear lever. All Multivans will have electrically operated handbrakes and automatic transmissions, providing fairly unobstructed cross-cab access.

It is more car-like than its predecessor, but it is still principally a vehicle for moving passengers around in comfort. Features such as electrically operated sliding doors and a panoramic glass sunroof will go down well with passengers.

What’s under the bonnet?

Where most Caravelle models are diesel-powered, that’s not expected to be the case with the Multivan. Volkswagen will offer petrol, plug-in hybrid petrol (PHEV) and diesel. Both the petrol and PHEV variants will go on sale first.

There won’t be a manual option. That follows the lead set by the Caravelle 6.1 in 2019, when the manual gearbox was dropped from the range.

Right-hand-drive production is scheduled to begin at the end of January and the first models are expected to arrive in the UK in March. Diesel power is not expected to arrive until the summer. There will not be a fully electric version, as the new electric-only ID.Buzz will be lined up to handle that when it also arrives in 2022.

We drove left-hand-drive variants in Germany and had a choice of 1.5-litre 134hp petrol engine, 2.0-litre 201hp turbocharged petrol engines and the plug-in hybrid, which combines a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric drive system for a combined output of 215hp. The e-Hybrid can provide a 31-mile electric drive range.

What’s the Volkswagen Multivan like to drive?

Volkswagen says that the Multivan has been produced in response to customers asking for a more car-like driving experience, so the question is, does it provide it?

The 134hp 1.5-litre petrol version will be the entry-level model and with a kerb weight approaching two tonnes, the engine has a fair bit of work to do. Our drive was with two adults on board and performance seemed sprightly enough, although it might be less willing with a full load on board, which could push the weight up to around 2.7-tonnes.

Inevitably, the larger capacity 201hp 2.0-litre petrol engine felt more lively but outright performance is not likely to be the most important factor for Multivan customers.

The plug-in hybrid model offers the most powerful option with combined power output of 215hp from the 148hp 1.4-litre petrol engine, combined with 114hp from the electric drive motor. For short-distance commuting, the 31-mile range should be enough to ensure that the petrol engine isn’t used much, while providing long-range travel without range anxiety. As we have come to expect, Volkswagen’s DSG automatic transmission offers extremely quick and smooth gear changes.

Previous Caravelle models have handled well despite their size and weight, and the Multivan continues that tradition. It is a satisfying vehicle to drive and good all-round visibility makes it easy to place on the road. Drivers will be able to take advantage of more than 20 driver assist systems.

Verdict

Prices will start from around £45,000, which is less than the outgoing Caravelle. “That’s part of the strategy of trying broaden the appeal of the vehicle”, says Alice Axtell.

“We’ve got our existing customer base that is predominately fleet, and we’ve also got a high proportion of wheelchair access customers. So Caravelle has been very popular for customers who are looking for that kind of vehicle. We absolutely want to continue to appeal to those, but this vehicle is about broadening that appeal also.”

That means more private and family customers. “Customers that are interested in SUV, because you’ve got that higher up seating position, so it’s a similar kind of driving experience but you’ve got the versatility of a seven-seat vehicle.

“There are of course seven seat SUVs on the market, so it’s not to say that it’s giving something that those don’t, but it’s a different alternative, a different space concept inside. For example, greater headroom in the rear and more space in the rear, so if it’s a family that have maybe slightly older children that need those rear seats to be suitable for all kinds of occupants, it works really well for them.”

More Volkswagen reviews, news and features

Similar vehicles

Key specifications

1.5-litre petrol

Seven-speed automatic transmission
Front-wheel drive
Power: 134hp
Torque: 220Nm
Top speed: 113mph
Fuel consumption: TBA
CO₂ emisions: TBA

2.0-litre petrol

Seven-speed automatic transmission
Front-wheel drive
Power: 201hp
Torque: 320Nm
Top speed: 124mph
Fuel consumption: TBA
CO₂ emissions: TBA

Plug-in hybrid

Six-speed automatic transmission
Front-wheel drive
Power: 148hp
Torque: 350Nm
Top speed: 118mph
Fuel consumption: TBA
CO₂ emissions: TBA
Battery range: 31 miles

Vauxhall reveals first electrified Astra estate

New model

Andrew Charman

-

2 December 2021

0

Vauxhall reveals first electrified Astra estate

Vauxhall has unveiled the Sports Tourer version of its new Astra family car, following the hatch that was revealed in September.

The eighth generation of the estate-bodied Astra will be Vauxhall’s first electrified estate. Like the hatch, it will go on sale next year with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options. However, whether the full-electric Astra due on sale in 2023 will be offered as an estate is yet to be confirmed.

The new estate offers 608 litres of boot space, which is 68 litres more than its predecessor, and extends to 1,634 litres with the rear seats folded. This is despite the new Sports Tourer being 6cm shorter overall than the outgoing model, though the wheelbase is actually 6cm longer to help free up more interior space.

Buyers choosing the plug-in hybrid version will forfeit the extra space, however, losing 60 litres from the boot due to a need to accommodate the electrical system’s battery under the boot floor.

The rear seats can split fold in a 40:20:40 format and when they are folded the floor is completely flat to make accommodating long or bulky cargo easier.

Like the hatch, the new Sports Tourer adopts the latest Vauxhall family styling which debuted on the Mokka small SUV. It will also feature a completely changed interior with analogue dials on every version replaced by digital instrumentation. The ‘Pure Panel’ includes a ten-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver and another ten-inch colour touchscreen atop the centre console.

Vauxhall expects the first Astra Sports Tourer customers to receive their cars in early summer 2022. Dealers will start taking orders in the new year and prices will be announced then.

New Astra needs to recover from last model’s failure

Vauxhall will have its fingers firmly crossed that the new Astra range marks a resurgence in fortune for the long-serving name after a punishing few years.

If you were being polite, you’d probably say that the outgoing Astra has been something of a disappointment for Vauxhall. If you weren’t being quite so generous, you could more accurately describe it as an unmitigated disaster.

Although it was generally praised by the motoring media, it was never considered to be on a par with the Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus. And it certainly didn’t match its long-time rivals on the sales charts, either. While previous Astras had regularly appeared in the regular top ten best-sellers list, sales started sliding when the current model launched and didn’t stop. The last time that the Astra ended the year in the top ten was 2017, and it kept on falling.

In 2018, we reported that the Astra’s sub-par sales results were largely responsible for dragging down the overall UK car manufacturing results, and things didn’t improve for the rest of its production life.

The Astra’s struggles – right across Europe, not just here in the UK – led to endless speculation about the future of Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port where it was built. Eventually, Vauxhall’s new owners Stellantis decided to convert the factory to build electric vans, while the new Astra will be built in Germany.

The new model will be built on the same platform as the new Peugeot 308 and is likely to be far more cost-effective to build, which will certainly help its chances of success. Stellantis, Vauxhall and hundreds of dealers will be hoping that the new model can emulate its little sister – despite distinctly average media reviews, the current Corsa has dominated the sales charts since it was launched last year.
Stuart Masson, editor

UK pricing announced for new Kia Sportage

New model

Andrew Charman

-

1 December 2021

0

UK pricing announced for new Kia Sportage

The new Kia Sportage SUV will arrive at UK dealers in early 2022 with prices starting from £26,745.

Unveiled at the Munich motor show in September, the fifth-generation Sportage is the first designed specifically for European buyers.

It is also the first Sportage to offer five powertrain options – as it will initially be available in petrol, diesel, mild and full hybrid varieties with plug-in hybrid versions joining the line-up by summer 2022.

Kia retains its five trim levels for the new Sportage, though the entry-level 2 grade is only on offer with 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engines, producing respectively 150 and 115hp, and paired with a six-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels. Diesel versions start from £27,745, which is £1,000 more than the petrol.

Likely to be of most interest will be the full hybrid model, available on all but entry-level trim and costing from £33,245 – £1,800 more than a standard petrol version.

Buyers going for either the sporty-pitched GT-Line, or comfort-angled ‘3’ trims have a choice of the petrol and diesel engines in standard, full or mild-hybrid form, both hybrids using a dual-clutch auto transmission. The 48-volt mild system adds £1,700 to the cost of the petrol engine or £2,200 with the diesel.

Notable amongst the extra equipment in the GT-Line models is a 12-inch centre console display, replacing the eight-inch touchscreen of the 2 and including built-in navigation. The styling upgrades are also pitched towards the ‘sporty flavour’ of the GT-Line and include larger 19-inch wheels.

The 3 versions also get a digital driver’s display also measuring 12 inches, plus a range of comfort upgrades such as powered and heated seats, a heated steering wheel and radar cruise control. GT-Line models are £3,000 more than 2 versions, 3 models adding £4,200.

Range-topping 4 and GT-Line S models can be had as two-wheel-drive full hybrids or all-wheel-drive mild hybrids, while there is also a GT-Line S full-hybrid with all-wheel drive. Cars in 4 trim are £3,800 more than equivalent 3 models, while GT-Line S versions, which are not available with the diesel, add £8,800 to the cost of the GT-Line.

When the plug-in hybrid joins the Sportage range it will only be offered in all-wheel-drive form at prices starting from £38,395.

Kia dealers start taking orders for the new Sportage in mid-December, with the first cars set to arrive early in the new year.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Sean Rees

-

1 December 2021

0

Summary

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a medium-sized saloon and estate car that is now in its fifth generation. This version was launched in the summer of 2021, arriving in the UK later in the year.

The previous generation C-Class was also available as a coupe and cabriolet, but this will not be the case with the current model – a new model called the CLE has replaced both the C-Class and E-Class coupe and cabriolet families.

Buyers have a wide range of engine options to choose from, with both petrol and diesel variants available and all with mild hybrid assistance. There is also a plug-in hybrid model on sale, which is available for roughly £6,000 more than the standard model.

The C-Class has had a very positive reception from the UK media at its launch; reviews ranging from very good to excellent. Reviewers are particularly enthused by the technology and infotainment systems borrowed from the impressive S-Class. Carwow concludes, “The Mercedes C-Class is hi-tech, comfy and packed with kit, bringing S-Class luxury for a lot less cash.”

In addition, many reviewers particularly recommend the C 300e plug-in hybrid as a company car; this model is highlighted for its impressive fuel economy and low tax rate.

As of July 2025, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 71%. It scores top marks for its excellent media review scores, safety rating and low CO₂ emissions, but the score is dragged down from an even better result by reliability concerns and high running costs.

C-Class highlights

Good levels of standard equipment
Advanced infotainment system
Range of efficient engine choices
Comfortable interior

C-Class lowlights

Rivals have more boot space
Alternatives have more cabin luxuries
Not as dynamic to drive as the BMW 3 Series
Interior quality doesn’t live up to Mercedes’ reputation

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized saloon and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £45,165 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is hi-tech, comfy and packed with kit, bringing S-Class luxury for a lot less cash. It has a smaller boot than some alternatives, however.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

“The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a desirable car with a fantastic interior, plus with hybrid tech it’s supremely efficient too.”

Model reviewed: Saloon range

Score: 8.6 / 10

Read full review

Carbuyer

Charlie Harvey

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A quality interior, great efficiency and strong on-board tech mean that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a deeply impressive compact executive saloon.” (Shane Wilkinson and Paul Adam)
Read review

Model reviewed: C 300 d Estate
Score: 9 / 10
“The fuel efficiency, refinement and performance on offer go a long way to justify the high price tag, while factoring in the tech-laden interior and extra practicality, mean that the Mercedes is hard to beat in the compact executive estate sector. The C 300 d shows us diesel still makes sense, for the near future at least.”
Read review

Model reviewed: C300 e 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid saloon AMG Line
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mercedes C300 e plug-in hybrid offers superb low running costs and a real feeling of quality throughout.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“All-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class draws down tech, luxury and a sense of refinement from its big brothers.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid C 300e AMG Line
Score: 8 / 10
“If you can’t go EV, the Mercedes-Benz C 300e must be one of the best plug-in models available and should be given serious consideration alongside the BMW 330e.” (Martyn Collins)
Read review

Model reviewed: C300e
Score: 8 / 10
“Diesel plug-in hybrid versions of the new C-Class will follow, but like the standard car, the C300e impresses with its high levels of comfort and refinement, together with the significant savings that only plug-in hybrid versions are able to offer.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“UK buyers mostly want something that looks great and will get their passengers talking. And Mercedes has nailed this. It’s just a shame the passengers will be saying: ‘can you go a bit slower over the speed bumps?'”
Read review

Model reviewed: C300e
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re after a plug-in hybrid to save the planet or a few pounds, it’s hard to ignore the C300e’s numerous charms. In its natural environment of the motorway it’s a more accomplished cruiser even without fancy adaptive dampers, and the real world electric range is astonishingly good.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic C220d saloon
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a fine all-rounder, and this C220d certainly shows this Mercedes at its finest. It’s smooth, impressively refined and ideal for those that spend plenty of time on the road. The tech-laden interior also makes it feel smart and modern, while there’s still a decent amount of interior space too.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s comfortable, refined and well-made inside while a variety of powertrain options mean that there really should be a model for all buyers. The addition of a more potent plug-in hybrid will no doubt broaden the appeal of the C-Class even further, too.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Mercedes C 300 e is the strongest version of the C-Class, and perhaps one of the best company cars you can buy today.” (Tom Jervis)
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes C-Class Estate is practical and stylish in equal measure, but alternatives are more fun to drive and have more intuitive infotainment systems.”
Read review

Driving Electric

Model reviewed: C 300 e plug-in hybrid
Score: 9 / 10
“The new plug-in hybrid Mercedes C 300 e is going to give its rivals from BMW and Volvo a run for their money, with an impressive infotainment system and 68-mile electric driving range.”
Read review

Electrifying.com

Model reviewed: C 300 e Plug-in hybrid
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Mercedes is really upping the plug-in hybrid stakes with the 2022 C-Class, thanks to a bigger battery and longer range. It’s set to be a company car favourite.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Sure, it’s not quite as nice to drive as a BMW 3 Series but as a car to live with everyday, it’s the best small saloon currently available.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“New C-Class packs cutting-edge tech and a wonderful interior.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel (mild hybrid) automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“Less a completely new car, more a rework on the old, there’s a lot to like in this fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Its light and accurate controls, its refined and powerful turbodiesel engine and the way it rides and drives, slow or fast, are up there with the top of the class.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Hugely comfortable, impressively equipped, and assured to drive, the new C-Class ticks a lot of boxes.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 80%
Safety assist: 82%

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been awarded a full five-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP – this rating applies to both the saloon and estate version.

On top of an impressive collection of scores across the board, the C-Class has also been given a Euro NCAP Advanced award for its ‘Car-to-X Communication’ system, which utilises data from other vehicles to provide an early warning, via a cloud-based service, of potential hazards in a car’s vicinity before they could otherwise be detected.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: C180 Petrol RWD Automatic

Overall score: 2.5 stars
Date tested: June 2023
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 6.3 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 4.6 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3 / 10

The rating above only applies to the C 180 model, which actually isn’t available in the UK. The C-Class range begins with the C 200 variant here in Britain, but this two-an-a-half star rating gives us an indication of how other petrol-powered mild-hybrid versions would fare when tested for emissions.

The Green NCAP team comments that “the 48-volt mild-hybrid system doesn’t help the car to bring down consumption and CO₂ emissions”, and while “pollutant emissions are managed well and robustly, further improvement potential is identified.”

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 1065
Average repair cost: £606.81
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a below-average reliability rating of 54%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current C-Class and also to previous generations, which is worth considering if you are considering a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Based on more than 1,000 warranty claims, the average repair cost is about £600 so a used car warranty is well worth considering if you own or are considering a C-Class. More than 30% of claims concern the electrical system, with an average bill of about £500. Engine and gearbox faults are unsurprisingly the most expensive problems, and are not uncommon in the C-Class.

Make sure that any used car warranty you purchase covers all of 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	D
Diesel models	56 mpg	B
Plug-in hybrid models	511 mpg	A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	155 g/km	B
Diesel models	132 g/km	A
Plug-in hybrid models	13 g/km	A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	69 miles	C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	39	C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£327	C
Year 2	£764	C
Year 3	£1,242	C
Year 4	£1,490	C
Year 5	£1,968	C
Overall	£5,791	C

Running costs for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range are a mixed bag, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel economy is disappointing for petrol models but good for diesel-engined versions. The plug-in hybrid models look amazing on paper, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids. There is no way you will ever travel for 511 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity…

The battery range of the plug-in hybrid model is exceptionally good compared to most rivals, even if you won’t hit 109 miles in real-world driving. It means that most households could do most of their weekly driving without using any petrol, as long as you are able to plug the C-Class in regularly.

Compared to the rest of the mid-sized saloon sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are pretty average. Insurance costs likely to be high, though, based on data from the UK’s insurance group assessor, Thatcham Research.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Overall ratingB68%
Petrol or diesel modelsC41%
Hybrid or plug-in hybrid modelsA82%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileageUnlimited miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Mercedes-Benz’s new car warranty is only average, and not as attractive as some other cars in a similar price bracket as the C-Class.

The duration is three years, with no limit on mileage – although, in reality, the mileage numbers are likely to be fairly irrelevant as most cars only cover about 10,000 miles each year.

In addition to the standard new car warranty, the C-Class plug-in hybrid models have an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components. The overall rating above is a mix of the different models.

Awards

Significant UK trophies and awards that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has received

2023

Auto Express Awards – Best Premium Hybrid Car
Carbuyer Awards – Best Plug-in Hybrid

2022

Carbuyer Awards – Best Plug-In Hybrid
DrivingElectric Awards – Best Plug-In Hybrid Company Car

Similar cars

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More news, reviews and information about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class at The Car Expert

All-electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class debuts

Everything you need to know about Mercedes-Benz

New Mercedes-Benz CLE range revealed

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet

Top marks for four brands in latest Euro NCAP tests

All-new Mercedes C-Class goes on sale in the UK

Britain’s best-selling cars – May 2019

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 to 2021)

The best used V6 cars for under £10,000

Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloon test drive

The ten best-selling cars of 2017

First C-Class Cabrio on roads in September

Buy a Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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DS 3 Crossback stretches electric range

Model update

Andrew Charman

-

30 November 2021

0

DS Automobiles has increased the range of its electric SUV, the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, by almost 7% up to 212 miles according to official lab tests.

According to DS, the updates have been focused on ‘real-world’ use of the car, which went on UK sale early in 2020 alongside existing petrol and diesel versions of the DS 3 Crossback. The changes include modifications to the heat pump, which generates hot air by compression – it now includes a moisture sensor which increases its efficiency.

Other updates include a change to the car’s single gear ratio, and the fitting of new 17-inch Continental tyres. with a lower rolling resistance to help the car go further.

DS says the updates to the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense are direct benefits of a collaboration with the DS Performance team that won the Formula E international single-seater electric racing championship in both 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Prices start from £31,500, with the Government’s plug-in car grant factored in.

According to The Car Expert’s industry-leading Expert Rating Index, the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense has a rating of 60% as of November 2021, based on 18 reviews from UK automotive titles. That’s about eight points higher than its petrol and diesel siblings, but a long way off the pace of the Peugeot e-2008 that’s built on the same platform.

The improved battery range will help address one criticism of the car by reviewers, but it remains less practical than other small electric SUVs. Its price also compares with larger vehicles with longer battery ranges, such as the Kia e-Niro or Hyundai Kona Electric.

Volkswagen Up GTI (2019 to 2023)

Sean Rees

-

29 November 2021

0

Summary

The smallest and cheapest member of Volkswagen’s performance-focused GTI family, the Volkswagen Up GTI was a compact hot hatch based on the Up city car. Although the regular Up models arrived back in 2012, the GTI version didn’t join the range until the middle of 2017.

The only model to be available with a six-speed manual gearbox across the Volkswagen Up range, this small hot hatch was powered by a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produced 115hp, which meant that the Up GTI couldn’t muster the power to match its closest rivals; the 129hp Suzuki Swift Sport and the 145hp Abarth 595.

However, UK reviewers conclusively agreed that less power didn’t not mean less fun behind the wheel. Honest John concluded that the Up GTI “provides genuine laugh out loud fun, thanks to its miniscule weight, playful handling and zesty turbocharged 1.0-litre engine.”

“The Volkswagen Up GTI midget is a light, darty, chuckable, fizzy riot that growls like a baby Porsche”, explained The Sun. “It’s basically a four-seat go-kart that puts a stupid grin on my face every time I get behind the wheel.”

Car Keys commented that, while the Up GTI’s engine performance, power-to-weight ratio, agile handling and responsive gearbox culminated in a very fun driving experience, the hot hatch was an “impressively practical package”, like the city car it was based on. The Volkswagen Up GTI also won two separate awards that named it as the best value option on the market.

Despite its practicalities, the Up GTI was not the most spacious hatch on the market, while its three-star Euro NCAP rating was also off the pace of newer cars. Although the Up GTI was fitted with a DAB digital radio as standard, there was no option for a built-in navigation system. Instead, Volkswagen offered the ability to connect your smartphone for navigation and other functions.

No longer on sale, the Volkswagen Up GTI holds a Used Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 66%.

Up GTI highlights

Punchy performance
Responsive handling
As practical as the regular Up
Great value-for-money

Up GTI lowlights

Infotainment system showing its age
Sub-par safety rating
Rigid ride is not the most comfortable
Engine noise loud on motorways

Key specifications

Body style: Small three-door or five-door hot hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £17,190 on-road

Launched: Summer 2017
Last updated: Spring 2020
Ended production: Autumn 2023

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen up! GTI is the antithesis of the bloated and overpowered performance cars that are almost unusable on UK roads. It provides proof that it’s possible to have fun while sticking to the speed limits.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“They may share a nameplate, but the Volkswagen Up GTI has about as much in common with the Golf GTI as Kim Jong-Un has with Kim Kardashian. Now we’ve cleared that up, what we can say is that the Up GTI is a proper hoot.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up! GTI is a brilliant car. It combines perky performance, great handling and everyday usability in a small, yet impressively practical package. While it might not quite be the successor to the original Golf GTI, it’s definitely up there.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up GTI isn’t a thoroughbred performance car, but it has a strong engine and makes a fun, sporty and stylish runaround.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up GTI is a tiny hot hatch that’s loads of fun to drive, nippy enough to put a smile on your face and can even seat four – the engine can be a bit noisy on the motorway though.”
Read review

Daily Mail+

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“It’s amazing what VW has achieved: 115hp, 200Nm of torque, a hugely efficient power-to-weight ratio and an incredible top speed of 126mph (Chris Evans)”
Read review

Eurekar+

Model reviewed:
“On the road, the Volkswagen Up! GTI delivers on all fronts. The six-speed gearbox is delightfully crisp and quick and the wide torque spread means you can get all the performance you want without having to over-rev the engine.”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“It might be the entry-level car in Volkswagen’s GTI range, but the Up GTI has masses of charm.”
Read review

Fleetworld+

Model reviewed: Five-door hatch
Score: 8 / 10
“The up! GTI is enormous entertainment on a budget, yet back off the throttle and you get all the joys and economy of a small car, with the reassurance of big car performance.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s even better to look at than the regular Up, drives with a great deal of enthusiasm and doesn’t use a great deal more fuel in the process. It’s quite a bit more expensive than a 90hp regular Up, but it is a very appealing package if you can afford it.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up GTI is the cheapest route into a hot hatch and provides genuine laugh out loud fun, thanks to its miniscule weight, playful handling and zesty turbocharged 1.0-litre engine.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9.2 / 10
“Enormous fun on a budget, the Up GTI is one of the finest cars out there when it comes to pound-for-pound driving thrills. As is often the way, Volkswagen’s cheapest GTI model might just be one of its best. If not the best.”
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed:
“The Volkswagen Up GTI midget is a light, darty, chuckable, fizzy riot that growls like a baby Porsche. It’s basically a four-seat go-kart that puts a stupid grin on my face every time I get behind the wheel.”
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed:
“A power pup to make you sit up and beg.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
Read review

Top Gear+

Score: 7 / 10
“You can tell it’s not had squillions spent developing it, but if you like hot hatches simple and scrappy, the Volkswagen Up! GTI is a little tonic.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 81%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 46%
Safety assist: 55%

Notes on safety

The Volkswagen Up GTI shared its safety rating with the regular Up hatchback. The Up was initially given a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP when it was first assessed, which was way back in 2011. However, it was reassessed in 2019 and downgraded to a three-star rating. It still provided competitive protection in the event of an accident, but no longer met the highest standards for avoiding an accident in the first place.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: GTI 4×2 manual

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: February 2019
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 9.2 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.7 / 10

Notes on eco rating

The Volkswagen Up GTI achieved a four-star rating from Green NCAP after its emissons tests in 2019, but it must be noted that this test, while still valid, was conducted during Green NCAP’s pilot phase, and since then testing has become more rigorous, also now assessing cars for their greenhouse gas pollution.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of April 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen Up range to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusive from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Up, 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	Variation	Score
Petrol models	52 mpg	B	51 – 53 mpg	B – B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	124 g/km	A	120 – 126 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	17	A	17 – 17	A – A

The Volkswagen Up GTI is a pretty affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The fuel economy is very good, particularly when compared to other petrol-powered hot hatches, and its insurance premiums sit in the lower brackets too.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen Up GTI has received

2020

The Sun Motor Awards – Best Value Car

2019

The Sunday Times Motor Awards – Best Value Car

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New Suzuki S-Cross SUV revealed

New model

Sean Rees

-

27 November 2021

0

Suzuki has announced that a new model of the S-Cross SUV/crossover will be arriving on UK roads in January 2022, set to launch with better standard equipment and a design refresh.

This new model will be the second generation of this midsize SUV, the first S-Cross launching in 2013, when it was called the SX4 S-Cross. It sits between the smaller Vitara and larger Across in the Suzuki SUV family.

While the dimensions of the new generation are exactly the same as the last, the 2022 Suzuki S-Cross has been given a more muscular exterior design to match its four-wheel drive off-road capabilities.

In addition to a larger front grille facilitated by slightly raising the angle of the bonnet, the S-Cross gets a new boxy design for its LED headlights. The tailights have a new shape too, being much wider than those found on the current model.

Suzuki S-Cross (2013 onwards) – Expert Rating — 1st generation S-Cross

In the cabin, Suzuki has equipped the second generation S-Cross with a new nine-inch infotainment console in the centre of the dashboard, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included. An extensive list of standard equipment continues with keyless entry, heated seats, and dual-zone climate control.

While the 2016 facelift of the S-Cross just has rear parking sensors as standard, the new model adds blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control to aid driving.

Like the current S-Cross, the new model is a mild-hybrid as standard, retaining the turbocharged 140hp 1.4-litre engine paired with a 48V battery, the same unit used to power the facelifted Suzuki Swift Sport hot hatch and the Vitara S SUV.

The entry-level ‘Motion’ model is priced at £24,999, and customers can choose to swap out the standard six-speed manual gearbox for a six-speed automatic transmission for an extra £1,350. The top spec ‘Ultra’ version adds leather upholstery on the seats, navigation software, a panoramic sunroof, a parking camera that can rotate 360 degrees, and Suzuki’s ‘ALLGRIP’ four-wheel drive technology.

Suzuki will be hoping that this new generation of S-Cross fares better in the crowded SUV/crossover market than the current version, which holds an Expert Rating of 57% as of November 2021, which places the S-Cross firmly in the bottom half of our index of more than 50 new medium SUVs currently available.

Mercedes-AMG A 45

Sean Rees

-

26 November 2021

0

Summary

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 is a top-of-the-range performance variant of the five-door Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback, which arrived in the UK in Summer 2019.

The next step up from the Mercedes-AMG A 35 hot hatch, the A45 was originally offered in regular 387hp A 45 format or the sportier 421hp A 45 S, both options using the same eight-speed automatic gearbox. However, as of late 2022, the more expensive A 45 S is the only version currently available in the UK.

Car Keys explains: “With its performance, astonishing drive and quality, this Mercedes AMG A 45 is no normal ‘hot hatch’, and truly enters uncharted territory for a model like this.”

Taking after bigger models in the Mercedes-AMG family, the A 45 has speed and acceleration that other similarly-sized hot hatches, like the Honda Civic Type R and Ford Focus ST, simply cannot match.

However, this disparity is reflected in its price. “Incredible power sets the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S apart”, says Carbuyer, “but its price tag is almost as breathtaking.”

Prices for the Mercedes-AMG A 45 are more than double the price of a basic A-Class hatchback. For this price, the only hyper-hatch rival that can match the acceleration of the A 45 is the Audi RS 3.

Besides its cost, UK reviewers often point out that the interior trim of the A 45 isn’t much of an upgrade on the regular A-Class, and that despite the inherent quality of the motor, the engine tones from the previous generation of Mercedes-AMG A 45 sound better.

That said, reviews for the A 45 also frequently single out the hatchback’s responsive handling and quality transmission for particular praise, while Auto Express affirms that the A 45 has managed to retain the practicalities of the wholesale family hatchback it is based on, combining it with “the savagery of a true performance car.”

As of March 2026, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 62%. It has great reviews from the media and a strong safety score, but running costs are extremely high.

A 45 highlights

Has the most powerful four-cylinder in production
Very fast straight-line speed
Agile handling and body control
Quick-shifting gearbox
Still a practical hatchback

A 45 lowlights

Very expensive
More interior quality expected for price
Rivals have better infotainment
Old model sounds better
Hard to argue against opting for A 35 instead

Key specifications

Body style: Medium five-doot hot hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £63,285 on-road

Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: Winter 2022/23
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-AMG A45 S has a stonking 421hp engine and a drift mode that’ll put a smile on your face. Interior quality is hit and miss, though, and it’s not massively practical.”

Model reviewed: Hatchback

Score: 9 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Darren Cassey

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: A 45 S (2023 facelift)
Score: 9 / 10
“We were big fans of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S before it was updated – and we still are. While some subtle styling changes and improvements to the in-car tech have been introduced, the same outlandish personality remains. That AMG has managed to deliver a car with stunning speed, yet so much involvement, and combined this with a sensible five-door body is astonishing. The A 45 S remains one of the best Mercedes models you can buy.” (Alex Ingram)
Read review

Model reviewed: S (pre-facelift)
Score: 9 / 10
“Mercedes-AMG has combined the savagery of a true performance car with the civility of a small family hatchback in the new A 45 S.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed:
“The Mercedes-AMG A35 is the sporty version of the regular A-Class, boasting 306 horsepower, all-wheel drive and combining Golf R level performance with a premium vibe that’s beyond what any Volkswagen could ever offer.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: S
Score: 10 / 10
“CAR has always liked this version of the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, and with so little changed for the facelifted model there’s no reason to start rowing back from that. Rather he things we took issue with originally – the erratic voice control and overly complex infotainment system – have now matured, leaving terrifyingly little to fault.” (CJ Hubbard)
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: 10
Score: 10 / 10
“With its performance, astonishing drive and quality, this Mercedes AMG A 45 is no normal ‘hot hatch’, and truly enters uncharted territory for a model like this.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Incredible power sets the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S apart but its price tag is almost as breathtaking.”
Author: Alex Ingram, Andy Goodwin
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: S
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Mercedes-AMG A45 isn’t just fast, it’s enjoyable too – but it’s not cheap either.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed:
Score: 7.8 / 10
” The five-door hatchback bodystyle means it’s more practical than the BMW M2 Competition and it’ll handle far better than the outgoing Audi RS3 Sportback, but the A 45 S has none of the soundtrack or comfort of the two.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The most powerful hot hatch in series production operates unobtrusively when you don’t demand much, and goes properly feral when you do.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2018
Date expired: January 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 91%
Vulnerable road users: 92%
Safety assist: 75%

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 has not specifically been crash tested by Euro NCAP, but it shares its safety rating with the overall A-Class range that scored five stars when it was tested in 2018.

Available as standard on the A 45 is automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and driver attention monitoring. Blind-spot monitoring is also available for an extra cost.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of March 2026, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 259
Average repair cost: £530.70
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class family (including the AMG models) has a better-than-average reliability score, according to warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner MotorEasy. This score and data cover both the current generation and previous (pre-2018) models.

The average repair cost of more than £500 is rather average for a mid-sized car but considerably more than the cost of a used car warranty, which is worth considering.

The most commonly reported faults to date have been with the car’s braking and electrical systems, which have been relatively cheap to fix at less than £300. However, there have been a reasonable number of claims for engine and gearbox faults, which have an average repair bill of around £1,000 and £2,000, respectively.

What is more concerning, if you own an A-Class or are thinking about buying a used one, is that there have been (as of December 2024) an astonishing 44 separate recalls issued by the DVSA in the UK for the current-generation A-Class.

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Mercedes-AMG A 45, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi RS 3 | BMW M2 | Honda Civic Type R | Renault Megane RS | Volkswagen Golf R

More news, reviews and information about the overall Mercedes-Benz A-Class range at The Car Expert

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Over-the-air software updates: how do they work?

Car technology

Russell Hayes

-

25 November 2021

0

Over-the-air software updates: how do they work?

Cars and mobile phones continue to merge. Automatic updates, improvements, and fixes to the software in a growing number of new cars are already here and set to become the norm.

It’s going to be part of motoring life – especially for electric cars – but the carmakers assure us it’ll be as painless as possible, will save you time and money and will improve your car throughout its life. The jargon is Over-The-Air updates (OTA).

Car software updates themselves aren’t new. Many owners have had to pay to buy a new SD card or even a CD (remember them?) from a dealer to update sat-nav maps, while dealers regularaly plug in cars for updates or safety recalls while cars are with them.

‘Connected cars’ come with a built-in SIM card or microchip and antenna. Sometimes called ‘always on’, there’s no subscription and they use the mobile phone data network (provided there is stable coverage) to provide wi-fi for the car to connect to the internet, other cars, and the road infrastructure.

This built-in wi-fi can be used to download large amounts of data to the car’s systems. It no longer has to be taken to a dealer as it can download data from a cloud-based server run by the manufacturer.

Volvo XC40 Recharge (2021 onwards) – front view — *Volvo issued an over-the-air software update, called Range Assistant, in Autumn 2021 that increased the battery range of their XC40 Recharge SUVs*

*Volvo issued an over-the-air software update, called Range Assistant, in Autumn 2021 that increased the battery range of their XC40 Recharge SUVs*

For example, Mercedes says that more than 50 electronic components in the new S-Class can be updated with new software over-the-air (OTA). These include the entire infotainment system, the driver display, the driving assistance and lighting systems. Renault reckons OTA means 85% to 90% of vehicles will have up-to-date software, compared to the previous 60%, at best, through its dealerships.

Some makes, such as Volvo’s all-electric brand Polestar ask owners to bring the car to a service centre when it notifies you that an update is ready but will in time be able to be downloaded anywhere. Providing updates since 2020, it’s already on version P1.7 which includes a Range Assistant app which shows energy information.

OTA updates enable carmakers to get new cars onto the market more quickly, debug them as they go along and then offer enhancements and entirely new features that might not exist when customers first take delivery.

Will it cost me anything?

In general, manufacturers have so far provided software updates for free and are likely to continue to do so. Tesla has been the pioneer of OTA updates (from 2012.) Volkswagen, which had to fixes a few glitches in some of its recent models after they launched, has said that for now it plans to provide its customers with free software for the new electric ID. range around every three months.

Volkswagen ID.3 review - front — *In Autumn 2021, Volkswagen introduced over-the-air software updates for the ID.3 (above), ID.4, and the soon to be released ID.5*

*In Autumn 2021, Volkswagen introduced over-the-air software updates for the ID.3 (above), ID.4, and the soon to be released ID.5*

Further ahead, OTA will be a new opportunity for carmakers to make money, selling paid-for services and functions that the customer can order when needed such as parking assistance, improved battery performance for long journeys, or automated driving. The ability to take these features will be built into the cars at the factory from new then activated on demand. This may mean fewer trim levels and the ability to offer a low starting price, but longer options lists.

Tesla owners can already purchase Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving Capability at any time and the Autopilot software required will be downloaded to their cars. This is because all Teslas built since October 2016 come as standard with the Autopilot hardware of camera, radar and ultrasonic sensors.

We asked a few carmakers, but none could say whether once these features are paid for, they stay with the car for life or have to be repurchased when it changes owner. How many of us are driving a used car with an-out-of-date navigation system because we don’t fancy paying a hefty charge to have a dealer update?

OTA updates are separate from apps that offer connected services. These are currently widely offered for a monthly fee and pair an app on your phone and the car’s infotainment system to offer things like smart navigation with real-time information, media streaming and Internet radio. All Teslas come with what it calls Standard Connectivity, which provides access to most connectivity features over wi-fi only, in addition to basic maps and navigation and music streaming over Bluetooth. Connectivity networks for these apps are provided by mobile data companies.

How an OTA update works

OTA updates are promised to be as easy as smartphone updates. They are downloaded automatically, in the background without the driver knowing while the car is in use (and connected).

When the driver stops and the ignition is switched off (or more likely the electric motor) a message pops up on the infotainment system/and or mobile phone app to announce the update and asks the user whether they want to install it now (and gives a time estimate). Most installs are claimed to be done in minutes, (Ford claims under two minutes for some of the features for the electric Ford Mustang Mach-E), but they can be as long as overnight. Polestar recommends completing updates when the car is plugged in and charging overnight.

To complete the installation, the driver must have parked, and in the case of a Volkswagen ID.3 or ID.4, made sure the battery level is at least 50 %. Then remove the charging cable, turn off the lights, etc. and start the install. On your return, a message on the infotainment system will tell you if the update was installed successfully.

What if it fails to work?

Realising that customers are going to lose faith if OTA updates don’t work smoothly (and some still don’t), carmakers try to build in reliable operation during a wide range of unexpected events such as engine switching off during download or update, battery charge depletion or network failure.

However, there will be times when a trip back to the dealer might be called far. The good news is that new European regulations will come into force in 2024 which will require manufacturers to make this latest technology reliable.

Another issue is making sure carmakers adhere to the same standards for updating and upgrading cars which may have a life of 20 years.

German auto technology giant Robert Bosch GmbH has been providing over-the-air software updates for in-car systems since 2017. Given that some of today’s vehicles already feature more than 100 control units and is only going to get more complex, Bosch says it is imperative to keep the this manageable. It’s now leading a consortium of 13 companies and research institutions including Mercedes-Benz in the Software-Defined Car (SofDCar) project which aims to establish rules and processes for controlling all software updates and upgrades in the future.

Part of the project involves developing an extended digital twin – a virtual image of the vehicle’s development and runtime data. In the future, this twin will encompass the data distributed across the vehicle and in the cloud – from the time a vehicle is manufactured until it is scrapped.

Is it secure?

Carmakers protect OTA channels from any data hacking by using encryption technologies. For those worried that their cars will be spying on them, OTA updates have to be compliant with EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Whatever happens, data collected by the car is always kept anonymous. Drivers are never required to provide authentication.

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